Back to Artwork Portrait Back to Sections Fairy Light Circles By Sienna Munro January 20, 2021 Photography Volume 1 Issue 4

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

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections The Evolution of Growing Up By Craig Papajohn-Shaw Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Image provided by Aly Buyer I can’t wait to grow up. I can’t wait to go to high school. I can’t wait to drive. I can’t wait to live my life to its fullest. I wish I was like them. I wish I wasn't afraid of failure. I wish I could go back. I wish I wasn’t my own worst enemy. I wanted to live my life. “Life will only get harder from here,” we were told at a young age. We ignored the warning. But now that we are older, We understand that our dreams may not always become reality. And we just have to focus on the little joys of life. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections 1500m Racewalk By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Original photography by Michael Frazer Walking?...in Track? That’s a big no-no. In Winter Track, there are many different events one can try. There are distance and middle-distance runners, sprinters, jumpers, throwers, pole-vaulters, and racewalkers. Now, wait. You might be slightly confused. If you have never heard of racewalking, you have no idea what I’m talking about. However, racewalking isn’t walking. Not precisely. The first thing to know about racewalking is that it is not just speed walking. The most critical part of racewalking is the form. You start on your heel to racewalk and roll your foot to your toe. It’s not as complicated as it sounds, but it is just as hard as it looks; trust me, I’m a racewalker, and it’s no piece of cake. There are only two rules that can get one disqualified. The first rule is: one foot must always contact with the ground at all times. If not, then you aren’t walking; you’re running. If this occurs during a race, one of the officials will show you a yellow paddle. This paddle will have a squiggly line on it, and the judge will give you a penalty. The second rule is the “no-bent knee” rule. When you land on your foot, your knee must be straight and stay straight until the other foot lands. If you have a bent knee, the judge will show you another yellow paddle with a sideways “L” on it. If you reach three penalties of any kind, the judge will show you a red paddle and remove you from the race. This is a disqualification, which means you have no place in the race; it doesn’t count. Besides the form, speed is also key to racewalking. If you aren’t keeping up a good pace, you can receive a disqualification for taking too long. After all, there are other events in a track meet. Some important things to know: The racewalk is typically either the first or last race in a meet. This means that the meet ends promptly. Additionally, there’s only racewalk for girls at the high school level, though boys may compete beyond high school. Racewalk at the high school level occurs only during the Indoor Track and Field season. If you walk for the VSN Track team, here’s a couple of tips from a racewalker. As Frazer, one of the VSN coaches, always says, “The faster you go, the better your form.” This is true, but you should also note that speed will always follow form. Only with the correct form will you succeed in racewalking. Otherwise, you will get disqualified no matter how fast you go. Racewalking is excellent exercise and will keep your health up. Watch a video and learn the basics. If you do not compete, it will still be a wonderful experience. As one of the best racewalkers and mentors, Eva Grace Martinez always says, “It’s an enjoyable event, and I’ve grown to love it more as the years have passed.” BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Aamna's Advice: Schoolwork Aamna Raja Volume 4 Issue 2 January 16, 2024 Image provided by Inspirit AI Recently, I have been getting horrible grades in Social Studies. Even though I'm in an accelerated class, it's horrible. I even studied for this test and yet I still failed it. I never thought that I would be able to get such a low grade even though I studied almost the whole day for it. I expected better to be honest. My parents also didn't expect me to get such a low grade. They really don't like it when I get a low grade suddenly and they start suspecting that I'm doing something horrible, when really, I'm not. I got really upset when I got such a low grade even though I studied a lot. Social Studies is really a weak subject for me. -Anonymous Hello! Let me start off with this – High school is especially hard to adjust to when you’re first getting into it. I remember the first time I took an accelerated course; my grades were absolutely terrible. High school assignments are much harder than what you’re used to, especially if you’re taking a Regents Exam or an AP. I understand how you feel, and you aren’t wrong to feel this way. The feeling of studying and then failing even when you know you tried can be nauseating, and even worse is the worry of disappointing your parents. However, remember that you aren’t stuck in this loop of having bad grades. It’s only the beginning of the year- once you get used to the course, you’ll find yourself performing better than you did initially. Further than that, remember that your worth is not equal to your grades in school. You may worry about failing a class and disappointing your parents, but I’m sure that your grades aren’t the only thing they see in you. They see how you are as a person, how you behave, and how you are morally. If you’re looking to improve in social studies, I’d recommend attending extra help. If you know any upperclassmen who’ve taken the course, you can ask them for advice on how they studied and learn from them as well. If you don’t, I’m here, you can always ask me. Every teacher in the social studies department here is very friendly, so asking one of them for help is a good idea. Now, I have definitely dealt with teachers whose style did not match up with my learning style, and I struggled. Unfortunately, you cannot transfer classes to get a different teacher. However, depending on the subject you’re taking, there are other ways to get the help and teaching you need. If it’s is a math class, for example, you can attend the math lab in room 114 during your lunch period and other teachers will be there to help. If anything, ask a friend in a different class when their teacher has extra help, and you may be able to find some helpful resources. This next part is a little controversial, but trust me, it works. Chat GPT is often used for cheating, which you should NOT do as it’s plagiarism, and that can get on your permanent record. HOWEVER, it can be an incredibly helpful learning tool, and you can ask it to explain concepts to you in a comprehensible way. I’ve used it to study for many of my exams. You can even ask it to give you practice questions and explain why your answer is correct or incorrect. AI is very powerful when used properly. You can even ask it to explain concepts in terms you’re more efficient in, such as an analogy to a video game. Good luck to you! High school can be extremely academically challenging, but just remember your grades don’t define who you are, and there’s always room for improvement. And hey, even if there isn’t, appreciate the fact you worked hard and care about school. That shows you have sound morals. Remember, I’m here if you need me! Signed your friend and Advice Columnist at North Star, Aamna <3 BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections The Johnny Depp Court Case By Sahar Ali Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by Marca So, many of us have heard about the now-infamous case between actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, right? You might have consumed some information via social media regarding the exes’ lawsuits against each other. You might have even seen memes surrounding the case through apps such as TikTok or Instagram. In this article, I aim to efficiently outline and explain the events that led up to the case, specifically in hopes of providing necessary context. The case revolves around famous actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Depp is best known for playing Captain Jack Sparrow in the movie series, Pirates of the Caribbean . Heard is best known for her roles in Never Back Down , Drive Angry , The Rum Diary and Aquaman . In February 2015, the pair wed; however, their marriage only lasted until January 2017. Later in 2018, Amber Heard wrote an op-ed published in the Washington Post . It was headlined “I spoke up against sexual violence – and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change.” Heard never mentioned Depp’s name in her account, but she makes it abundantly clear that her ex-husband abused her during their short marriage. After the publication of this op-ed, Depp sued Heard in March 2019 for defamation. In short, defamation is a false statement asserted by a third party about an individual in public. This may damage one’s reputation. It may include statements in written or verbal form. In this case, only the written op-ed was considered. In simple terms, Heard’s op-ed is the root of this case, and Depp won the suit. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections The Amazing Kayla Santo By John McCarthy Volume 1 Issue 5 February 12, 2021 Original photo by Kayla Santo Today, we are featuring one of the most incredible athletes at North and beyond, Kayla Santo. She is a three-sport varsity athlete, and has played sports all of her years at VS North. Not only is she a three-sport varsity athlete, she has been a varsity athlete for four years already, and she’s only in 10th grade. Many athletes only start playing varsity sports in 10th or 11th grade. For Kayla, she played Varsity Softball in 7th grade: he only one to do so, ever. Moreover, her talent at an early age doesn’t stop at softball; she started playing Varsity Girls Volleyball and Varsity Girls Basketball in 8th grade. In a virtual interview with the amazing Kayla Santo, she gave inspiring answers to my questions. Here were her responses: Q: How do you balance your schoolwork with practices and games? A: “In the past I’ve learned to make a schedule to help me get through the day with less stress. My normal routine that I follow now is I do my homework right after school and try to get it all done, then I will go to practice or my games and if I don’t finish my homework before I have to leave I will finish it before I go to bed.” Q: From what I understand, you played Varsity Softball in just 7th grade. How did playing with older students make you feel, and how do you think it has affected your athletics later on? A: “At first I was really nervous and excited because it was a whole new experience with people I’ve never met before, but as the season went on I became super close with them and created great friendships. Playing with the seniors especially has taught me a lot. I believe playing with them made me stronger mentally and physically because they always pushed me to be my best as well as learning to understand and trust new people that I’ve never played with.” Q: How much of your personality do you think can be explained by sports? A: “I believe a lot of my personality contributes to sports. With my team in practices I would definitely say I’m very energetic (even in the mornings) and I absolutely love to hype my team up. When it comes to game time I get really competitive mostly because I am kind of a sore loser but I think that benefits me and helps me get through the game strong.” Q: Is there any advice you would like to give our young athletes at North? A: “For anyone who wants to branch out and try new sports, now is definitely the time to do so. Playing another sport or a new hobby can teach you so many interesting things that you never knew and can really bring a light into your life.” Q: Finally, favorite sport? A: “I would say my favorite sport is definitely softball. I’ve played softball since I was 6 and It has shaped me into the person that I am today. I wouldn’t give it up even if I was offered $1,000,000.” As you can tell from her answers, Kayla is a dedicated student-athlete and has great passion for all the sports she plays. A true inspiration for young athletes looking to defy the odds, only a sophomore, Kayla still has much left in her sporting career. Whether it is on the court or outside on the field, she will continue to do amazing things. Go Spartans! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Portrait Back to Sections Obedson Renelus - Portrait By Obedson Renelus January 20, 2021 Graphite Volume 1 Issue 4

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Performing Arts Program Amelia Mohan Volume 5 Issue 2 November 25, 2024 Image Provided by Valley Stream Central High School District Instagram On three to four Wednesdays a year, the Performing Arts Program at Valley Stream Central High School performs showcases to display all the work the program makes. The program begins in 9th grade, where students can take musical theatre, text performance, and dance - in place of gym. Students who enroll in this program are highly motivated to become better public speakers while performing in front of an audience. After level one, a student must audition for a concentration: musical theatre, dance, or acting. Showcase is a fantastic opportunity because being able to perform on the auditorium stage is an enriching experience. Students work hard every day in their classes to put on the best show where all styles are highlighted. Acting’s first performance is traditionally Shakespeare. Showcase has been a tradition for years and participation is included in the student’s grade. Even if a student joins after the 9th grade, it is still necessary to complete level one. Students coming from North or South take the bus to Central in the morning; students will take the bus in the afternoon if they are in the upper level. The staff are determined to make all students successful on stage, including those who also want to pursue theatre production or the arts. Students in the program can also learn how to use equipment such as the sound board and controlling the lighting, to learn theatre tech. Additionally, the program is involved with coordinating field trips to see musicals. The program’s strength shows the significance of performance in student lives. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections One Year of India’s Farmers’ Protest By Shinedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 1 October 8, 2021 Image provided by Jaskaran Singh I t’s been one year since the farmers in India had started to protest the three agriculture acts which were passed in September of last year by the Parliament of India. Since August 2020, an estimated of 200 million people in India have participated in the ongoing protest of the three agriculture laws. Here’s a recap of the protests. August 2020: India enters a recession Economists in August announced that India has entered its biggest recession in history. Farmers who couldn’t sell their crops at the wholesale markets, also known as “mandis”, had been closed and shut down by the government, panicked. August 2020: Protests Begin Reports come in as protests against the new agriculture laws began in Northern states such as Punjab and Haryana. The All India Kisan Sangharsh coordination committee began to assist in these protests. September 2020: The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commission Act is passed by Prime Minister Modi In September, PM Modi passes the new Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commission Act. According to the Indian government , this act grants farmers “more freedoms” by dismantling the APMC and permitting them to market their crops to anyone for any price. Many of the farmers opposed; they argued that it will leave them more susceptible than ever since this act allows major corporations to drive down the cost of key crops. PM Modi and the government has proposed and crafted this act without any input from the farming community. November 11, 2020: Burning of fields Farmers began demonstrating their frustration and anger with the new laws by burning their fields. In response to the Farmer’s Produce Trade and Commission Act instead of hand clearing any leftover crop residue, the workers chose to burn the leftover crop residue. November 23, 2020: The March towards Delhi From across the nation, Indian farmers began marching towards Delhi, India’s capital. Sikh, Hindu, and Muslim farmers walked together to their march for justice. The farmers were met with large police groups on November 26. They used tear gas, water cannons, and physical force to keep the farmers from entering. However, despite this, the farmers kept pushing forward. November 26, 2020: The world’s largest strike happens in India On Nov. 26, over 250 million workers from industries like banking, to transportation, to oil and natural gas production, to doctors and teachers, went on the world’s largest coordinated strike of all time. November 27, 2020: Granted Entrance to Delhi After news broke worldwide, the government announced that the protesters would be granted peaceful access to Delhi. Protestors quickly spread out taking over streets and highways. December 1, 2020: Government officials meet with protest leaders For the first time, government officials officially meet with protest leader. Both sides agreed the talks had been “good” even though no conclusion or decision had been made. December 8, 2020: Strike shuts down parts of India Thousands of protesters effectively shut down public transportation, shops, and markets nationwide during the ongoing strike. January 24, 2021: Tractor Rally With tractors, farmers protest on the streets of Delhi despite the harsh conditions they are meant with. However, the Modi Administration refuses to rescind the three agricultural laws farmers have protested for months, in spite of renewed discussions between the Indian Supreme Court and union leaders. February 4, 2021: Celebrities speak out Indian government officials slammed celebrities and others for their comments supporting farmer protests, calling them "neither accurate nor responsible". This followed Rihanna, Teen activist Greta Thunberg, and niece of Vice President Kamala Harris, lawyer-author Meena Harris' spoke out on the farmer protests. March 05, 2021 In the interest of the farmers and Punjab, a resolution was passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, to call for the unconditional withdrawal of the farm laws and the continuation of the government's existing food grain procurement system based on the MSP March 8, 2021: 100 Days Farmers complete 100 days at Delhi’s borders. May 27, 2021: Black Day The farmers marked six-months of the agitation by burning effigies of government officials. Although the crowds at the three borders have thinned, farm leaders said that the protests would continue until 2024. June 26, 2021: Seven months More farmers march to Delhi to mark seven months of protest against the farm laws. August 7, 2021: Visit of ‘Kisan Sansad’ Leaders of 14 opposition parties met at the Parliament House and decide to visit Kisan Sansad (Farmers’ Parliament). August 28, 2021 Haryana Police brutally attacked farmers at the Bastara toll plaza on the national highway, resulting in several injuries. The protests against the farm law passed last year have renewed the spotlight once again. September 11, 2021 After a five-day standoff between farmers and the Karnal (Haryana) district administration, a retired judge from the Punjab and Haryana High Court has been recruited to conduct a probe into the August 28 police brutality on farmers at the Bastara toll plaza, ending the five-day standoff. September 17, 2021: September 17, 2021 marks one year of India’s Farmers’ Protest. September 27, 2021 The farmer bodies announce Bharat Bandh (National Strike) with many other groups and bodies joining in support and solidarity with farmers. It’s been one year since the Farmers’ Protest has begun. It’s been ten months since Indian farmers have been sleeping on the border of Delhi. Notes & Resources: A thorough article clarifying what the massive, historic farmers’ protests in India are about  can be found here . An outline to how the MSP affects the numerous states of India  can be found here . Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce BACK TO TOP