Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Pandemic and Changes By Alisson Andrea Alas Bonilla Volume 2 Issue 5 March 28, 2022 Image provided by The Cougar Courrier I remember the day that turned our lives upside down as if it was yesterday. We all thought it would be two weeks! Some of us were ready to enjoy those weeks… but later the pressure started building up. We couldn't see our friends and were eager to go back to school. We kept waiting to hear when we could go back to school, but we never thought it would have been that long. It is very sad to think that our last full school year was 2018-2019. Our 7th graders' last normal school year was 4th grade! This is life changing. I know some of the students of class of 2020 who were very excited for their senior year… which didn't turn out as they hoped. Even now for the class of 2022, it would be kind of normal as years before, and I have honestly seen a huge change in many of my friends and even myself, educationally and mentally. In my opinion I now actually care about many things I could not have cared less about two years ago. When it came to learning it was not so great… I feel like I learned a bit in the year the pandemic started, but from March to June 2020, it's all a blur. I think that academically and emotionally we all slowed down, some more than others. It was tough to adjust to it, and it definitely shaped us into better students and human beings. My generation hasn't gone through hardships as past generations, and we have mostly everything we need handed to us. I really do believe that the pandemic has changed this. I went around asking students and staff members a few questions to get more insight. Do you think things will ever go back to “normal”? “I think some people will go back to living normally, like before covid but I think some will continue with masks, boosters and it will go back to normal for people who want to. For some yes for some no and for some of us it's already almost normal.” Would you rather be at home doing virtual classes or being in the building but with a lot of restrictions? “Being in the building without restrictions. I don't enjoy the virtual. Would like to be in the building with restrictions and the biggest preference would be to be in without restrictions.” Do you think students actually learned online? “I think some did the majority learn significantly less. There was a huge learning gap.” If this had happened in your time back in high school, how would you have felt? “We would have had to push through it, and things would have been close to normal, would have been frustrated about it.” We are the generation that has lots of new and improved technology. How do you think this impacted us? “As a whole this generation is behind socially and we use technology a lot, and being distanced and to be behind a bit more than others affected this more.” How do you think this is impacting students hence things are getting back to normal? “For students I think that it's taken some time to readjust to daily school life.” Do you think COVID affected politics in any way? If so, how? “Yes, covid has probably divided our country. The virus has been another thing for people to argue about.” How do you feel about the fact that we are becoming more lenient with masks? “I think that if they are going to have people wear masks there has to be a certain statistic the states hit, that masks will be able to come off, like if a percentage of covid level is hit. Let everyone choose if to wear masks once a statistic is hit. There needs to be stated at what point they will come off.” Do you think things will ever go back to normal? “Yes, I think that eventually enough people will get sick that somehow people will have an immunity that eventually the virus will be another respiratory virus and people will still get sick and will recover and there will be very different ways to treat it.” Do you think students actually learned online? “I think that some did but that it was difficult for many to concentrate given all the distractions.” Being online we were obviously behind a screen even more time than we usually were, so how do you think the pandemic impacted this? “I think that it is another hurdle for your generation because you were dependent on your phones, and had to use more technology and we were better off interacting with people in person than technology, and some tech is good but we need to be face to face.” If a student started doing badly online due to covid reasons, what's something that you did as a teacher to help them succeed? “Well I would try to give them alternatives that could help them be more successful with the project or assignment” Online with grading, it has to be much easier this year, but how do you think it has impacted you? “I think I've learned that there are many different ways to organize and present information and I think struggling to learn some of the new technology has made me realize that not everything is easy for students as well. It's easier to grade online because the work is online and I can access it whenever I want to and it's organized for me. It’s easier because there's a record of everything and students can't say they did hand in something when they didn't.” I honestly don't think that I learned as much as I could have during online school in 2020-2021. It was difficult to wake up every morning and I would sign into class while laying in my bed and I would get distracted easily. I honestly got used to the habit of waking up at 7:55 and I would oversleep and miss the first two periods. I'm truly glad that now we are in person and we are able to see each other's faces again. It feels odd, at least to me, to not wear my mask anymore. It was normal to me and even though I feel empty without one, it is definitely better and hopefully we can keep going like this. With the pandemic I can honestly say I have done a lot growing up and so have many others around me and it's kind of amazing how something can change the whole world, even if it was for a bad reason, but most of us got together and made it through. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Homecoming 2022 By Rachel Ezeadichie Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by Rachel Ezeadichie On October 8th, Valley Stream North High School hosted its annual homecoming game. It was as boisterous as ever, with the Homecoming Festival beforehand and Mr. Daddino as the announcer was exciting the crowd and football team. North's homecoming game was something the entire school was waiting for, and our football team did not let us down. Although the season expectations were unclear, our Spartan football team pulled through for homecoming, giving us many highlights and winning 27-6 against Hewlett.                Along with a fantastic game by our Varsity football team, we also enjoyed an incredible performance by North's Marching Band, Cheerleaders, JV Spartanettes and Varsity Spartanettes. The food was also great, with the legendary K-Dogs making their appearance again as a staple of North's football games.            If you were not at the game or want to watch our incredible Varsity football team one more time, the entire game is available on YouTube to rewatch those amazing moments.   Valley Stream North vs. Hewlett Varsity Mens' Football - YouTube BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Farmingdale Bus Accident Sahar Ali, Javier Cael, and Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by ABC7 New York WAWAYANDA, NEW YORK - On September 21st, one of six buses from Farmingdale High School, located in Long Island, was involved in a deadly accident. The bus, carrying teachers and students including the color guard, dancers, and members of the Farmingdale marching band, went through a guard rail and toppled into a ravine in Wawayanda, New York, killing two and leaving many injured. The accident took place after 1 p.m. on Interstate 84. Six buses from Farmingdale High School embarked on their journey to the Pine Forest Camp, located in Greeley, Pennsylvania, for a band camping event. However, one of the coach buses ended up losing control, causing a catastrophic accident. According to Gov. Kathy Hochul, the bus landed on its side 50 feet in some trees and bushes. The crash took the lives of two teachers: Gina Pellettiere, 43, and Beatrice Ferrari, 77. Pellettiere was Farmingdale High School’s band director and Ferrari was a retired teacher. The crash also left 18 people, including 2 adults and 16 students, hospitalized. THE LAWSUIT The parents of a student who was injured in the crash filed a lawsuit against Lisa Schaffer, the driver of the bus involved in the crash, and Regency Transportation Ltd., the bus company. The lawsuit accuses Schaffer of negligence; it also claims that she did not control the vehicle and drove at speeds that could have possibly led her to veer off the road. Additionally, the lawsuit asserts that Regency Transportation did not maintain, repair, and inspect their buses in a proper manner, leaving them in an “unsafe, defective and/or hazardous condition.” The New York State Department of Transportation also found that Regency Transportation had failed 5 out of 10 safety inspections during the 2023 fiscal year. Andrew Finkelstein, the attorney of the family that filed the lawsuit says, “This lawsuit is the first step in holding the bus company and their driver accountable for a crash that never should’ve happened and resulted in significant and serious injuries not just to my client, but to every passenger on that bus.” SUPPORT FOR FARMINDALE HIGH SCHOOL In order to provide support for the Farmingdale High School community, North High School’s music department started a fundraiser selling “music notes,” which were paper cut outs of a quarter note. Students could purchase these music notes for one dollar, write a heartfelt message for the Farmingdale community along with their name, and tape their notes on a wall in the cafeteria. The fundraiser ended up raising 700 dollars. North High School’s marching band also dedicated their first performance on the field to the Farmingdale High School community. CONNECTIONS WITH THE BAND DIRECTOR Gina Pellettiere, often described as an “inspiring figure,” was known for her fun-loving and community-oriented spirit, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music and bands. For those fortunate enough to know her, the band felt like a family, fostering a supportive and positive atmosphere that created a safe space for everyone involved. Her impact as an energetic and passionate musician and teacher was truly inspiring. Mr. Malizia, a former student, and North’s newest band teacher, recalls his happiest memory with Pellettiere involving playing in the pit orchestra, where she played the trumpet with enthusiasm. They shared laughter over McDonald’s nuggets, indulging in a nugget fight and discovering a lone, rock-solid chicken nugget. Band camp was filled with memorable moments, from belting out bridge solos to Christmas karaoke duets. What inspired Mr. Malizia most about Pellettiere was the profound relationship she had with her students and her unwavering passion for their success. Her dedication to music and the vibrant community she built served as a beacon for Mr. Malizia’s own journey to become a music teacher. In the realm of music and band, Pellettiere’s work was marked by a blend of professionalism and humor. She occasionally delayed practice with questions like whether to eat a muffin with a hand or fork, and she’d provide weather updates, adding her unique charm to every rehearsal. SOURCES Farmingdale school bus crash: NTSB investigation underway – NBC New York   Farmingdale bus crash: Lawsuit filed against bus company, driver in fatal New York crash | CNN   BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Netflix Recommendations for each Genre By Isabella Menjivar Volume 1 Issue 2 November 24, 2020 Original artwork by Isabella Menjivar Over this year’s quarantine, we all can agree that we’ve found ourselves becoming more reliant on TV shows and movies to stay entertained. So, I’ve picked a TV show or movie from different genres that I believe are worth watching! Crime Unsolved Mysteries This show is 10/10 if you love making theories or seeing detectives piece together clues. As someone who now gets bored easily when watching TV, I can guarantee you this series even kept me entertained and in suspense while watching. What makes it so captivating is that watchers are left with only the clues and strong leads in the case, so how you interpret the unsolved mystery is up to you. The stories are as detailed as they can be, by including family members of the victim talking throughout the episodes. Adventure Enola Holmes Even though it takes place in the 1900’s, this movie switches between thrill and heartwarming scenes that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. Watching Enola navigate her own life offers some beneficial life skills to the audience too! We also meet Enola’s two brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft. If you’re fascinated with London, you’re in luck because that’s where this movie takes place. Millie Bobby Brown from the hit series “Stranger Things” stars in this relatable movie as Enola Holmes. Comedy Work It This movie will appeal to you if you’re a dancer! It involves an intense competition between two high school teams while one team seeks the help of an expert. Starring Sabrina Carpenter, Jordan Fisher, and Liza Koshy, this movie is filled with comedic moments that high schoolers will definitely enjoy. We also see the main character hilariously struggle to impress her college scout. The movie was super enjoyable, had impressive dance choreography, and characters young viewers can relate to. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Two Roads By Ella Cason Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Image provided by eLife There are two separate roads ahead which way would you go. On the right there's is one road is the sound of the world, on the left is the silence of the world. The decision depends on your life and whatever you choose is your life. The right road ahead is a road where you can do many different things. Communication to people while others are silent. The movement of words and movement to explore. The left is the silence of the world but connects in other ways. The communication of hands, emotion, and signs rather than ears and mouths So, they mute their ears and shut their mouths and proud of who they are. The two different roads that decide were you go. They may seem different but together in the same world. They value their culture like they value their souls. Everyday people lie on those to roads a head. A decision of life a decision of proudness and culture. and every day a new person is born on the two separate roads ahead. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Fall Sports Recap By Joseph Garofalo Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Original photography by Joseph Garofalo Fall sports began on August 23rd for most sports, as tryouts and training got athletes in shape for the upcoming season. As the teams were optimistic, the student athletes worked day in and day out hoping to achieve their goals. Here’s how their seasons went: Girls Soccer : Under Head Coach O’Connell and assistant coach Tronolone, the Girls’ Varsity Soccer team completed their season 4-7. In a tough conference, the girls held their own, competing in every game they played and even beating the No. 1 team in their conference, Mineola. Captain Tiffany Wong and goalie Gabriella Barrigo held down the defense while Karime Ribeiro, Sophia Barry, and Amaya Pagan led the team in scoring. Boys Soccer: In Conference A3, the boys under Coach Aguado, and Coach Frazer finished with a record of 4-4-1, their best since their last playoff appearance. Captains Jonathan Xavier and Godwin Eyiuche led the Spartans tremendously. Goalie Jorge Tellez made 34 saves in the 9-game season, and Derek Fuentes led in points. Jonathan Xavier also received All-Conference honors in A3 and Player of the Week recognition. Boys’ Volleyball: After competing in the 2020-2021 playoffs reigning Conference Champions for the first time in 26 years, the boys finished this season with a record of 9-5, third in the C2 conference. Captain Colin McAleer achieved All-Conference honors while leading the team with 63 kills; captain Jojo Garofalo earned All-Conference honors leading the team in blocks with 43; captain Steven Munson earned the Unsung Hero Award while leading the team in assists with 153. The team and I would like to extend our gratitude and thank Coach K for the time and effort he put into our team, and for changing the mentality of the team since the beginning. Girls’ Volleyball: Reigning Coach of the Year, Ms. Parisi, led our Lady Spartans to another Conference Championship, the second in the past 4 years, with a record of 12-1 in the A3 conference. Libero Ally Llubit left it all on the court accumulating 197 digs, ranking 14th in Nassau County. Junior Kayla Santo and Isabella Matura also ranked amongst the top in Nassau County; Santo ranked 21st in kills, and Matura ranked 4th in blocks for the county. Senior Captain Haley Nelson earned preseason honors from Newsday, ranking in the Top 50 of all girls’ volleyball players on Long Island. Coach Parisi, for the second year in a row, won the Coach of the Year as well. Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country: Coach Boyens led the Cross-Country team to yet another successful season with many personal bests and a State Qualifier! For the girls, All-County honors were awarded to senior Girls’ Captain Samantha Szabo and Junior Melissa Innocent; for the boys, All-County recognition was awarded to Jack Schwabe. All-Conference honors were awarded to senior Boys’ Captain Craig Papajohn-Shaw, senior David Pinos, and junior Elyas Layachi; Emily Dahl earned this recognition for the girls. Matteo Somma, Aleeza Dhillon, and Navrosedip Kundlas produced times that allowed them to participate in the State Qualifier meet. Junior Melissa Innocent, with a time of 20:38, triumphed in the race, punching her ticket into the State Championship race. Football: Under second-year Head Coach, Mr. Paolillo, the boys had a successful season making it to playoffs for the first time since they appeared in the Big Four in 2013. Senior leadership helped to bolster the team through tough games producing an overall record of 4-4 in the regular season. The success of the team brought life back to Valley Stream North, convincing students to be active at the games and create an atmosphere of spirit and enthusiasm, especially at Homecoming. Senior Angelo “Gelo” Morales broke North High School’s record for the most tackles in a single season, earning All-County recognition in the process. Adding to the boys’ impressive team, Brian Farrell earned All-Conference for the 2nd time. Joining Morales and Farrell in their athletic achievement is Vaughn Candelario and Andrew Lusterino, earning All-Conference recognition. Aside from Lusterino’s All-Conference achievements, he also earned Academic All-Conference, which he is eligible by receiving an academic average of 85% or better for 3 consecutive years. Morales, Farrell, and Lusterino will be representing VSN and Conference 3 in the Exceptional Senior Game. The game will take place on Thanksgiving morning at 10am at Mitchell Field. If interested in attending, please reach out to one of the participating athletes for tickets. BACK TO TOP

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