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Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections OPERATION GREEN LIGHT JUST AHEAD! Chris Cavaliere Volume 5 Issue 2 November 25, 2024 Image Provided by Turner Publishing, Inc. Valley Stram North Spartans proudly wear green, their school color. Green is the color of hope. We wear it to show school spirit for our sport teams, clubs and for the pride we have for our school community. How about we shine green for our veterans this month? Did you know that November is National Veterans and Military Families Month? Veterans Day is November 11th. Respecting veterans and their families on a day or a month needs more recognition. Greenlight a Vet is a campaign of recognition, support and appreciation for our veterans and their families. It’s simple: change one lightbulb at your home to green. Just think of driving through our community at night during the month and seeing homes with green lightbulbs shining bright. We could start a great conversation and message of gratitude. Lightbulbs symbolize ideas. We can plan assemblies and share ideas on how to continue honoring veterans though our Student Council, National Honor Society, students and teachers. We can expand appreciation by participation at Wreaths Across America. It happens in December and May for remembrance during the holidays and for Memorial Day. I have placed wreaths at veterans’ gravesites at this event and it gave me a feeling of pride. I was also lucky enough to participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington Cemetery. Veterans should never be forgotten. Do you know the significance of folding the American flag and how it should never touch the ground? Do you know how to retire a flag? I am a Boy Scout, and I’ve learned many protocols that symbolize respecting veterans. Let’s learn and honor our veterans together. Participation in Operation Green Light will continue the Spartan spirit in a way that has never been done before. Think of this, one night a veteran or a family member of a veteran drives through the Valley Stream community and sees streets of homes with green lights shining! I have had one in the front of my house for many years. This will be an incredible “Thank You” for them all to receive, so let’s start the conversation and let’s make it happen. Sources: https://www.nysac.org/issues/veterans-affairs/operation-green-light/ https://www.militaryonesource.mil/media/toolkits/service-provider/national-veterans-military-families-month/ https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flagdisplay.pdf BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections Sienna Munro - Prism By Sienna Munro November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Chapter One By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 6 April 14, 2022 Image provided by Navrosedip Kundlas, Canva May 1st, 1990 He’s going to the military after the wedding. He’s leaving. After the wedding. These words spin in my head over and over again. One month and then he’s gone. I shake my head, this isn’t the time to think about this. I hop back onto my skateboard and steer myself towards Ditch Plains Beach. In the distance, three figures are waiting for me. Bridget, Orion, and Bridget’s boyfriend Dylan. Immediately, guilt hits me, poor Orion had to be the third wheel while I ran late. You’re such a bad friend, so selfish. Closing my eyes, I take a big breath. You got this, Jules. Keep calm. Placing a foot down, I get off my board and reach for the strap under. Slipping the strap onto my shoulder, I take out my earbuds and put up a smile. Act normal. Nothing’s wrong, just a normal day at the beach surfing with your dudes. I repeat over and over again. “What’s up, guys?” I ask, hoping they don’t notice the hint of red in my eyes. “Nothing much, ready to catch some waves?” Bridget replies holding out her hand. After doing our handshake and fist bumping the boys, we head out for the waves. I slip off my shuffle bag and slip off my shoes. Peeling off my flannel and slipping my overalls off, I run over to Orion. Fixing my one-piece, I jump onto Orion’s back. “Woah! Hold on dude,” Orion laughs. “Dude, give me a piggy-back ride. Now,” I say laughing. I shake off the butterflies forming in my stomach. You’ve got to be kidding yourself, Jules. Crushing on your childhood best friend. Nuh-uh. Not gonna happen. Orion grabs my legs and I swing my arms over his neck. “Hold on tight, don’t want you falling off and scratching your fragile body” Orion teases. “Shut up.” I demand. After that one incident where Mom told me to be careful, due to my sensitive skin, Orion hasn’t been able to shut up. Closing my eyes shut, Orion takes off towards the ocean. I feel my legs and arms detaching and then cool water seeping into my body. Opening my eyes I swim towards the rock. Our rock. I climb the smooth surface and sit on top looking out to the horizon, the sun bursting out with shades of pink, red, yellow, and hints of blue. Beautiful. “Jules?” Dylan shakes me out of my little world. “What’s up?” I ask. “Bridget got the boards, ready to capture some of those waves?” He asks. What if he never comes back? Dies in service. He’ll never catch those waves again. Never take you to swim, orbuy your surf gear. You’ll be left all alone. Alone forever. “Jules? Hello? Anyone there?” Dylan says, snapping me back into focus. “Yeah, let’s get to it!” I say, hoping that no one noticed my zoning out. Orion does, though. He looks concerned and reads right through my facade. Knowing I’ll be bombarded with questions later, I shoot him a look with my eyes. I’ll tell you later promise. He nods but still has some concern in his eyes. You sure you’ll be fine? We can always surf later, you know. I nod, not wanting to ruin the moment. Bridget paddles into the water, ready to get going. I dive back into the water, and swim for shore. Grabbing my board I join Bridget on the waves. After an hour, I paddle back more tired than usual. Everything’s going to be okay. Don’t stress. Drying myself with the towel, I slip my overalls back on, and tie my flannel onto my waist. Orion’s heading over. Breathe in and out, you can tell him. “Hey, what’s going on? You're pretty off today. Not your usual peppy self” he prompts, waiting for an answer. “It’s just that Caleb’s heading off to the military after he gets married! And I don’t want him to go. I thought since he was going to get married, he would stay. But no! He’s just going to leave me here, and I just can’t deal with it, Orion I just can’t…” I trail off, too upset to continue. Tears start sliding down my face and drop to my shoulder. Sinking down to my knees, I hug myself. Orion bends down and gives me a hug. “Dude, listen to me, you're not going to be alone, you have me, Bridget, Dylan, Juliette and Julian your siblingsand the rest of your family. We’re here to support you. I know it’s hard but life’s hard. It might take time, but you’ll get used to it. We’re like what, 14-years old? We can handle it. I know what you’re thinking but it’s not going to happen.Caleb’s not going to die. Okay?” He reassures me. Feeling a little better, I give a nod and get up. “Wait. Why did you call Julie by her full name?” I ask, curious, since it was the first time. “It was a serious topic, so I thought full names would be appropriate” he said with a smirk. Rolling my eyes, I pack my gear. I drop my board off at our usual stash place and hop onto my skateboard. Waving bye, and promising to talk later, I plug my earbuds back in and skate on home. While Orion lives in my neighborhood, Bridge and Dylan live on the next one over, so the beach is where we regroup. Orion’s got a date, which makes my stomach sink. Did you really think he would like you? Come on Jules, you're being stupid. Shrugging off my disappointment, I skate faster hoping to outrun my negative thoughts. Coming to a stop, I swing my skateboard onto my shoulder and push through the gate. Hopping up the stairs, I slide the key into the lock and quietly open the door. Everyone’s asleep. No one surfs this early in the morning in my house. I close the door shut and tiptoe quietly to my room. I slide off my shoes and take off my clothes. Slipping on my pajamas, I pat Coco, our Australian Shepherd, andsoftly get into bed to crash. … “GET UP!!!” screams Julie. I remained on my bed and pulled the covers over my head. “IF YOU DON’T GET UP AND WASH YOUR HAIR, I WILL SCREAM!” screams my 16-year-old sister. I said (very politely), “If that’s your regular voice I don’t think my ears could handle your real screaming.” “BE QUIET,” she snapped, marching out the room. Reluctantly I got out of bed, heading straight for the shower. After washing my hair, I decide to go eat something. That’s when I realized all hell had broken loose. Shoes were scattered everywhere. Clothes were flung in all places you could imagine. Where was my family in all of this mess? To be honest, I didn’t even know. There wasn’t even any food in the kitchen. Like, now what was I supposed to do? Go grocery shopping last minute? Very funny Jules, focus and find out what’s going on. It didn’t look like a hurricane hit the house before. They’re probably at Aunt Jackie’s house. So, I walked over, hopped the fence, and went over to eat some chow. Hopping from step to step, I finally reached the top. Knocking on the door, I waited patiently. As expected, no one opened the door. So I bent down and plucked the spare key from the third flower pot to the right. Or was it left? Oh well, at least it’s hidden well. Anyways, I opened the door and walked straight into a scene. There was Aunt Jackie and Caleb screaming their heads off at each other. “Who told you to go on and sign up for the military? Have you lost your mind, boy?! I grew you up in this very house with manners, and this is what you do. We’re not poor you know. We got plenty of money! We’re rich, Caleb! People want the kind of money we have. But no, you still want to join the military. You could have just taken over the family business! What was the point of doing this?!” Aunt Jackie yelled. “Mama, you know since I was little I wanted to be in the Air Force. I’ve told you a million times that this what I want to do. Serve our country. You know this! I don’t care about money, I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing this as my dream! And you can’t change my mind, Mama. Sorry, but this is what I want to do, and I’m doing it!” Caleb yelled back. “Young man, you keep your voice down, and listen to me. I’m not approving of this kind of behavior. And what about Amanda? You're just gonna marry her and leave her? What kind of husband does that? You tell me, son. Second, who knows what’s going to happen when you leave? You might die, Caleb! Amanda might leave you, who knows? I just can’t believe you would do something like this, without even thinking it through! Do you have answers for me or no, Caleb?” Aunt Jackie demanded, glaring right at her son. “No, I don’t have all the answers, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t thought this through. Amanda has given me all of her support, and she won’t leave me. If you have a problem, then fine, so be it. I’m going to get married and then I’m deployed, with or without your approval. You have one month to make your decision. Either you support me through this, or you don’t. Your choice,” Caleb says. With that he leaves the living room in a fury and climbs the staircase to his room where he slams the door shut. Aunt Jackie sighs and sits onto the couch holding her head in her hands. Dad sits next to her and wraps his arms around her shoulder. “It’s ok Jacqueline, we’ll get through it. If this is what he wants, then that’s that. We can’t stop him,” Dad softly says. “I just want him to realize that this isn’t a joke. This isn’t one of his games. It’s real, Jacques. He could get hurt, or god forbid worse,” Aunt Jackie whispers. Mom gets up from an armchair and heads towards me. Knowing she was probably going to lead me away from the scene, I slip off my flip-flops. “Hey honey, I didn’t realize you arrived. Took you a while to wake up after your surf. Why don’t you come to the kitchen, and I’ll ask Sally to cook something up for you?” Mom says looking at me. Nodding, I follow her out of the living room to the kitchen where Sally was cooking up some waffles. Sliding on to one of the stools of the countertop, I notice Julie and Julian were there as well. “Look who finally decided to show up,” Julie teases, bumping my shoulder with hers. “Hmmm, looks like Miss Cranky finally got her coffee,” I say teasing right back. Bursting into laughter, I settle in with the twins. It wasn’t unusual for us to have breakfast at Aunt Jackie’s. With Aunt Jackie’s overdramatic personality and her fights with Uncle Oliver, Dad and Mom usually had to come to keep peace. Which usually also annoyed Mom, which caused her and Dad to have small arguments which were usually contained. Nothing compared to Aunt Jackie and Uncle Oliver’s fights. Sally served some delicious waffles, which I quickly scarfed up. I had to check on Caleb. He was my favorite cousin, and I was closer to him than to anyone else in the whole world. Pushing back my stool, I excused myself and ran up the stairs to Caleb’s room. But on the way, I heard something that caught my breath. “Look Jaqueline, you know the lines. What’s yours, what’s mine, what’s the others, you cannot cross that boundary. Our family fortune was divided up fairly and squarely. Don’t mess with it. You know the fights that broke out when Dad died. I do not want more chaos in our family. You know our family rivalry with each other. So please stay in line,” Dad said sternly. “But Jacques, the necklace is missing! What if one of our sisters arranged for someone to steal it from the Paris mansion. You know how valuable it is. We need to find it, before word spreads. Items are starting to disappear from there, but this necklace is the most valuable. If this leaks out, things worse than a couple of verbal fights will happen. If we don’t find out what’s going on in that mansion, then everything our dad and grandpa created will shatter. You know that. Someone’s betraying us, Jacques. There’s a thief among us. And we need to find them. Especially before the wedding. That necklace needs to be passed down to Amanda. If it’s not, then everyone will know, and that’s it, it’s over.” “I know, let’s keep this between you, me, Oliver, and Victoria. We’ll figure it out,” Dad promises Aunt Jackie. What in the world is going on here? I never heard of the Paris mansion before. What is Mom, Dad, Aunt, and Uncle hiding? Since when are there family rivalries in the Paris siblings? What necklace are they talking about? With no answers, I headed up the staircase to Caleb, hoping he might have some answers. Juliana Valentina Paris. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections The Story of Wordle By Cody Sung Volume 2 Issue 5 March 28, 2022 Original screenshot by Cody Sung Have you heard of an online game called Wordle? Wordle is a word game, released less than half a year ago, and yet has captivated millions of players. How did it do it? How did it get to this point, and what are the factors in the story of how a simple game became an international hit? Josh Wardle has had a bit of history with making things for the Internet to enjoy. For example, he created The Button in 2015 and Place in 2017. With this experience, he decided to create Wordle just for his girlfriend Palak Shah, who loves word games. Without her, the game wouldn’t be the same. She helped create the word list by sorting through over 12,000 words and determining if she knew them or not. The two played it for months. Seeing success with his girlfriend, Wardle introduced it to his family’s WhatsApp group. The game quickly became an obsession with them. Wardle, after seeing the success with both his girlfriend and his family, released it to the public in October 2021. The climb was swift. On November 1, 90 people played it. Not at all bad for a game originally made for two. However, two months later, over 2 million people played it, over a 22,000% rise. The game grew so big that Wardle was overwhelmed by its success, saying that he feels “a sense of responsibility for the players” and that it is his responsibility to keep the game operational. There are a few reasons why Wordle ended up becoming extremely popular. Firstly, Wordle, unlike many other online games, doesn't want your money. It has no paywall that blocks the game, nor does it have any ads, making it simple and uncluttered. Secondly, there is only one word per day. According to Wardle, this makes players hungry for more, and so a lot of them come back tomorrow. Lastly, and the factor that contributed most to the sudden rise of Wordle, would be the result-sharing feature added in December. Wardle, inspired by players sharing their results using green, yellow, and black emojis, created an automated system to share results without spoiling the answer for anyone else. After the feature was added, the game exploded in popularity. On January 31, 2022, the New York Times bought Wordle for a price in the “low-seven figures”. In its announcement they indicated that the game would remain free. However, concerns arose, as they have a paywall for its games already, and since Wordle was now owned by the New York Times, they may put Wordle behind that paywall. This caused people to download the webpage of Wordle to prevent the paywall from affecting them. While the New York Times has not implemented a paywall (as of the time of writing), it has made some changes to the game. One of the changes made by them was moving the game to a new URL. The old URL did not include nytimes.com, instead using powerlanguage.co.uk, which was a domain that was not designed to go viral. A side effect of that move was that although the New York Times said that data would transfer over, streaks were reset. However, it was more or less resolved a day afterwards. There were other changes made by the New York Times too. The title of the game has been changed from a Helvetica font to the signature font of the New York Times to match their other games. Another change was that there is now a menu to the left of the help symbol, leading to more New York Times products. These changes do not affect gameplay, as they are mostly cosmetics. However, there are changes that affect the gameplay itself. One change affected what words were allowed to be entered into the game, as the New York Times stopped players from using certain words. If someone tries to use them, the message “Not in the word list” shows. The other change affects the list of words used to determine the answers to Wordle, as the New York Times has removed answers that it has called “insensitive”. While that may not seem like an issue at first, this causes the New York Times version of the game to be out of sync with the original, affecting score-sharing with the few people that still can and do play on the original list. Wordle’s success has sparked a rise of games similar to it. Some have a unique twist on the concept. Take Absurdle as an example. Absurdle tries to prevent you from winning, even changing the answer in some cases. Others have tried to copy the game on Apple’s App Store. However, Apple did remove the copycats. Like everything else, Wordle has a story. It rose from obscurity to becoming a hit on the Internet to becoming a product offered by the New York Times. Thanks to its unique features and clean design, it will become more and more popular, unless the New York Times puts it behind a paywall. For now, though, Wordle will be enjoyed by millions for free. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Tones and Shades By Nehilah Grand-Pierre April 22, 2021 Study Volume 1 Issue 7

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Immam- Marissa Nardone Marissa Nardone February 24, 2023 Volume 3 Issue 3

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections The Pros and Cons of Attending Multiple Schools By Isabella Somma Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by Fine Arts America This interview discusses the positives and negatives of attending multiple schools, how that can mold you academically and socially, and compares the schooling system of Valley Stream North to a high school in Chesterton, Indiana. In this interview, conducted by Isabella Somma, Valley Stream North Senior Gurjosh Multani, a newer Valley Stream North High School student, reflected on his previous high school years. Question 1: Have you ever lived anywhere else besides Valley Stream? If so, where? I’ve lived in Germany, Indiana, and Queens. Can you explain the timeline? Yeah, so I was born in Germany in this little city called Ingolstadt. It’s the home of Ali. Then I moved to America in 2008 and then I lived in New York from 2008 to 2016 in Floral Park, Queens. Then I moved to Indiana in 2016 to this little city called Chesterton. It was actually one of the only Blue [Democratic] cities in all of Indiana, and then in 2020, I moved to another city in Indiana called Bloomington, where the University is: Indiana University of Bloomington. In August of 2020, I moved back to New York, here in Elmont actually, and I went to Elmont Memorial, and then in 2021, I moved to Valley Stream. Question 2: Out of all of the schools you attended, which is your favorite? Which has given you the best social experience? The best educational? The best social experience has definitely been North. The best educational experience has definitely been Chesterton High School in Indiana. What programs did they offer that made it superior in education? It wasn’t necessarily the individual programs; it was more of the school as a whole and the budget of the school that allowed for more opportunities. It was ranked in the 1,000s out of the 24,000 high schools in all of the United States. They had a cooler system for scheduling where the day was organized in blocks instead of periods. I really liked that I think about this a lot actually while comparing Indiana to North. So, I would have eight classes, but I would only take four a day and they would all be an hour and a half long so if I had work to do, I would have two days to do it because I take that class every other day. Question 3: How has living in multiple places shaped you as a person? It definitely has helped me socialize better; I know what to do now in any kind of social situation. I’m also very open to change because of this and I think it’s easier for me to make friends. That’s about it. Question 4: How has living in multiple places shaped you academically as a student? I actually think moving has ruined me academically. Well not “ruined,” but definitely made it worse because I was on the track to being an advanced student throughout high school in Indiana, which started in 9th grade, but then moving to New York in 10th grade put me in regular classes, and that really messed me up, but then I got back to AP classes in 11th grade. I still think that if I was in Indiana, I would be a lot smarter. Question 5: What are your plans for after high school? Do you wish to attend college? I do wish to attend college. After college, I definitely plan to stay in New York - just not in Valley Stream. Are there any colleges you have in mind? I am undecided right now, but probably in the state of New York. I definitely hope to get my bachelor’s degree in Engineering or some kind of computer science. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections The Pig: A New Organ Donor By Cody Sung Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by Feedback Central There are currently over 106,000 people waiting for an organ transplant in the United States alone with seventeen people dying every day waiting for one. Unfortunately, an organ donor shortage exists, resulting in people not getting the organs they urgently need in time. However, recently, science has found a solution to the problem that does not involve human donors. Instead, pigs are being used. On January 11, 2022, David Bennett received the first heart transplant from another organism: a genetically modified pig. How did scientists accomplish this, and what does this revolutionary breakthrough mean for the future? Until recently, only a human’s heart could be transplanted to another human. However, over the five decades since the first human heart transplant, there have been many technological innovations that have refined organ transplanting, including hearts, that have allowed patients to live many years without organ rejection or complications. These innovations paved the way for developments in xenotransplantation, a process by which an animal organ gets transplanted into a human. This is not the first time xenotransplantation has been attempted, however. For example, in 1984, to save a baby born with a severe heart disease, they received the heart of a baboon but died three weeks later due to the body rejecting the organ. However, since then, using pig heart valves has been common for transplants, and in October 2021, surgeons in New York successfully transplanted a pig’s kidney into a human. However, the patient was brain dead without any chance of recovery. This operation would be the first time a genetically modified pig’s heart would be transplanted into a human. The pig used was raised in a medical-grade facility to prevent them from obtaining diseases that could be spread to a human. During this time, the pig had 10 genes altered. Some were disabled to prevent rejection, and another gene was changed to stop the pig’s heart from enlarging too much after transplantation. Human genes were given to the pig as well to prevent clotting abnormalities in the new heart. After all this, the pig’s heart was ready to be put into David Bennett. He is 57 and has terminal heart disease. Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center, the location of the operation, believed that without the transplant, he would die. He could not be given a human transplant due to a history of noncompliance with doctors and could not be given a mechanical heart because of an irregular heartbeat, meaning that an animal heart was his only option. During the seven-hour operation, he had to be given powerful anti-rejection drugs so the body would not reject the pig heart. The heart was successfully transplanted, and Mr. Bennett survived the procedure. He is alive and well at the time of writing. This is a big development for science and medicine, and it comes with benefits. This operation proved that xenotransplantation can be done more often with animal organs, as doing so will not damage human lives and only involves genetically modifying animal organs. This breakthrough may also help with the organ donor shortage, as no humans are needed if xenotransplantation becomes more widespread. However, there are some ethical issues, such as how pigs in medical-grade facilities do not enjoy the same quality of life as pigs out in a field, and the procedures needed for a pig to be able to become a proper donor. However, as science continues to improve, we might finally solve the donor shortage by using pigs. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections The Toxicity of Social Media Leah Ally Volume 4 Issue 4 May 29, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching It is no mystery that we are living in a world full of technology, with unlimited access to millions of websites and apps that have shaped our world over the past few decades. With the rise of the internet, social media apps such as TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat have also gained popularity among millions of users. Young teens are the most active on these apps and are heavily influenced by what they see online whether posted by their peers or strangers. Regardless of age or maturity, it is crucial to understand the numerous effects of creating a social media account. While social media can be beneficial in numerous ways with entertainment and staying connected to others, it can also encourage cyberbullying, create unsafe environments, and may be addictive. According to the Oxford Dictionary, cyberbullying is “the use of information technology to bully a person by sending or posting text or images of an intimidating or threatening nature.” Bullying has always been prevalent in schools and workplaces, but it can now occur through your computer screen or cellphone. The reason cyberbullying is so common is because it can be done at anytime, anywhere, and to anyone (Peebles 1). With anonymous users and no supervision, online bullying makes for an easy form of harassment. Like traditional bullying, racial discrimination, gender bias, or differences in religion are the most popular causes of taunting online. Victims of cyberbullying often face self-esteem issues, mental health struggles, and even thoughts of hurting themselves or others. While telling a trusted adult or blocking their bully is best to resolve these issues, many kids feel ashamed to do so. Additionally, some may even feel that telling a parent or guardian may risk getting their online privileges taken away. However, safety is the most important priority, and reaching out for help, not engaging with the bully, and saving evidence are the best ways to address it. One of the primary concerns regarding social media is the issue of privacy. Users often share personal information, photos, and updates without fully considering the consequences. This oversharing can leave many people vulnerable to identity theft, online scams, and even real-life threats such as stalking. The ease with which personal information can be accessed and exploited on social media platforms underscores the importance of being cautious about what we share online. It is important to have strong passwords, avoid clicking on random links, and be wary of phone calls from unrecognizable numbers (FDIC 1). Another significant challenge posed by social media is the spread of misinformation and fake news. With the rise of algorithm-driven content, false information can quickly go viral and influence public opinion. This not only erodes trust in traditional media sources but also undermines critical thinking and informed decision-making. The prevalence of misinformation on social media can create a climate of confusion and distrust, compromising the quality of public discourse. It is best to get your news from sources that have a long-standing reputation for accurate and reliable coverage. Furthermore, the culture of comparison and validation driving social media can have detrimental effects on users' mental health. The pressure to present an idealized version of one's life online can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and even anxiety or depression. The constant exposure to curated images of success, beauty, and happiness can distort perceptions of reality and contribute to a sense of disconnection and isolation among users. Body image issues are prevalent among impressionable teens which often results in eating disorders that can be detrimental both physically and mentally. It is important to avoid measuring up to unrealistic standards and to understand that social media often portrays a curated version of people’s lives. Social media addiction is a topic that has caused much concern for as long as it has been around. It refers to the excessive and compulsive use of social media apps that can have negative effects on mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. Internet addiction can have a variety of causes, including the fear of missing out, boredom, and the stream of social connections (Jelinek). With constant notifications, texts, and features such as likes, users can stay engaged as it triggers a sense of pleasure and reward. Additionally, social media has become a center for communication and popular trends which further encourages users to urgently stay connected and be “part of the crowd.” Besides spending excessive amounts of time on social media there are numerous other signs of addiction. For instance, neglecting face-to-face interactions, feeling irritable without social media, and experiencing a seemingly uncontrollable decline in productivity are signs of addiction. Limiting screen time and setting boundaries can solve these issues while also finding new activities that bring satisfaction. With balance, social media can have numerous benefits. For instance, it allows connection between friends and family especially if they may live far away. We can easily share our thoughts, experiences, and photos with others, fostering a sense of community. With a platform for self-expression, creativity, and discovering new interests, it is easy to be inspired by the actions of others. Whether it is staying informed about current events, finding resources about various topics, or connecting with a community to find support, a healthy balance in using social media can enhance our lives. All in all, there are numerous factors to understand and acknowledge about social media. It is necessary to prioritize safety, mental health, and moderation when using the internet as it can quickly become a toxic environment. Struggles with navigating the online world are common, however, there are always solutions to overcome and improve social media safety. With balance, the internet can be an exciting place for entertainment and information. Sources: FDIC: Avoiding Scams and Scammers Is there a link between social media and depression? ( medicalnewstoday.com ) Bullying | Crisis Text Line BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Christmas By Christiana Fredriks Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 Original image by Christiana Fredriks Christmas is the one of the most celebrated holidays in the world. It’s celebrated in December, the month of joy and magic. Christmas is a lot more than giving and receiving; it represents the joy of living and rebirth. It is the season of change, love and magic. For some, Christmas is a religious day, and for others, it’s a celebration. Christmas time is when you see families and friends spending the holidays together, gifting, sharing food, and making memories. So many families have Christmas traditions, something that binds them to their heritage, something of identity and belonging. Christmas has a meaning in the spirit of the season. Some people open one present on Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas. Some only open presents on Christmas Day, December 25th. Some people describe Christmas Eve as a “review” (like the real test is on Christmas Day, but on Christmas Eve, we review to get ready). Christmas means different things to different people. And Christmas to me is the joy of the season. One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the tree. A Christmas tree is one of the symbols of Christmas. Decorating the tree with tinsel and ornaments, hanging mistletoe, decorating the front and inside of the house with garland and lights, are all fun to do with family and friends. Leaving milk and cookies on the table for Santa, with carolers knocking on your door and singing, add to the joy while eating Christmas treats. Christmas isn’t the only holiday people celebrate this time of year, there is also Hannukah – which starts before Christmas this year – and there is also Kwanzaa. This holiday starts the day after Christmas and ends on the New Year. Enjoy the holiday season! “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!” -Saint Nicolas BACK TO TOP