Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections 1984 Book Review Leah Ally Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by The Guardian War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. World war, civil struggle, and revolution wrecked civilization in 1984. Oceania’s Airstrip One , previously known as Great Britain, is one of three totalitarian super-states. It is dominated by “The Party,” which controls every aspect of Oceania. The Party watches every civilian in Oceania through devices known as telescreens, transferring sound and motion to the Party’s ominous figure known as Big Brother. The Party controls everything in Oceania, from the language spoken, to the people’s history, brainwashing their thoughts to love Big Brother. Using the “Thought Police” and continual surveillance via telescreens, cameras, and hidden microphones, the Party violently removes anyone who does not fully go along with their dictatorship. Winston Smith is the main character of 1984 and is portrayed as a man who is disillusioned with the society he lives in. He works for the government’s propaganda department, yet secretly rebels. As daring as Winston appears to be in challenging government authority, he battles his own vulnerability and possible belief of Big Brother. Eric Authur Blair, also known as George Orwell, was an English novelist, essayist, poet, literary critic, screenwriter, and publicist. He wrote the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four or 1984 as a social science fiction novel and a warning. It was Orwell’s ninth and final book completed during his lifetime, published on June 8th, 1949, about a year before his death. He was a man of strong opinions who addressed some of the major political movements of his times, including imperialism, fascism, and communism. The chilling tale made an impression on readers; his ideas entered mainstream culture in a way achieved by very few books. The novel’s themes include totalitarianism (a government that asserts complete control of its citizens), mass surveillance, and coercive regimentation of people and behaviors in society. The novel was modeled after real-life occurrences with Russian ruler Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin and the leader of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler. Throughout the novel, George Orwell explores the ideas of truth and fact through politics, including the danger of propaganda. I enjoyed 1984 ; however, in my opinion, the novel was drawn out at times and lacked detailed information. Even so, George Orwell’s writing style entertained me, and so did the complexity of each character's dialogue. I recommend 1984 to readers who may have read and enjoyed novels such as The Giver or Animal Farm . Sources: Woodcock, George. "George Orwell". Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Jan. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Orwell . Accessed 7 June 2022. George Orwell Biograph, Biography.com Editors, The Biography.com website, https://www.biography.com/writer/george-orwell , accessed May 7th, 2022, A&E Television Networks, last edited May 3, 2021, Published April 2, 2014 BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections We Were Liars Book Review By Leah Ally Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by Amazon.com Raised in a privileged upbringing with eminent wealth, seventeen-year-old Cadence Sinclair Eastman spends her summers at the privately`-owned Beechwood Island when a tragic accident turns her elegant life into a living nightmare. Desperately attempting to put the pieces of her shattered memories back together from the night of her haunting incident two years before, Cadence struggles to mentally deal with her issues concerning romance, friendship, and her complicated family life. Blinded by deception and lies, Cadence realizes that everything she has ever known is not exactly as it appears within the tall walls of the Sinclair mansions. Author E. Lockhart’s writing style that portrays Cadence, a disillusioned teenager, adds to the notion of the story, giving a realistic narration of her mental health and the challenges she faces. For instance, the apprehensive tone used in both dialogue and her thoughts convey her anxiety throughout the story. As a reader, I enjoyed how the novel was structured, as it was in the past when Cadence was fifteen years old, yet gradually works its way up to the present, two years later, with Cadence at seventeen years old by the end of the story. The steady description of Cadence growing up helps to retrace the steps of her life as if you are following her thought process in attempting to restore her memory. In addition, Lockhart also includes a wealth of details, including the in-depth development of the characters or settings, even though certain aspects can drag out the story instead of progressing the plot. In particular, the descriptions of minor characters such as Cadence’s cousins can be repetitive and insignificant. I would recommend  We Were Liars  to middle school and high school students who enjoy psychological, realistic fiction thrillers. There are numerous themes in the novel that might easily relate to readers, such as family issues and mental health struggles; for instance, thematic notions of anxiety, depression, and lack of self-esteem are presented throughout the novel. Additionally, current social issues are used to convey the plot, for example, the brief demonstration of racism or bigotry towards Cadence’s presumed love interest, Gat Patil. There are also significant lessons from the novel, including how making decisions on impulse or with bold emotion can bring many consequences and risks. Moreover, regardless of how wealthy or how much fame you may have, money does not buy genuine happiness, even though it may appear to be the ideal life. Overall,  We Were Liars  by E. Lockhart was a fascinating read as it explores many themes, has a compelling writing style, and a fast-paced, exciting plot.                            BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Portrait Back to Sections Family Photo By Luiginna Frederique January 20, 2021 Photography Volume 1 Issue 4

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Artemis I – NASA’s Return to The Moon By Elyas Layachi Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by NASA On July 20th, 1969, Neil Armstrong made history by becoming the first human to walk on the Moon, uttering his famous words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” as he exited the lunar module. Out of the 15 total Apollo Missions, seven landed on the moon, with a total of twelve astronauts setting foot on the moon between 1969 and 1972. Since the Apollo moon landing, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has focused most of its resources on Low-Earth Orbit activities, including the Space Shuttle Program (1981 – 2011), the development of various space telescopes, and the construction and use of the International Space Station (1993 – present). However, NASA is not currently diverting all its resources to the ISS. With the help of private industries such as SpaceX and Boeing, NASA is using some of its resources to create both the Space Launch System, the world’s most powerful three-stage rocket system, and the Orion space capsule, the next-generation space capsule (based on the Apollo capsule’s design) that will be used to send humans to the Moon and even Mars soon. NASA created its Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion space capsule for its Artemis 1 Moon Program to return to the moon by the end of the decade. Construction on the Space Launch System began in 2011 by NASA and was completed in 2021. The super rocket can produce 8.8 million pounds of maximum thrust during its launch and can be modified in several ways for different types of missions. According to NASA, the Orion spacecraft will serve “as the exploration vehicle that will carry the crew to space, provide emergency and capability, sustain astronauts during their missions and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities.” Its heat shield is designed similarly to that of the Apollo capsule, but Orion is larger and can house four astronauts as opposed to three. Artemis 1, the first in a series of Artemis missions, will be the first unmanned flight test of both components of Artemis: SLS and the Orion spacecraft. SLS will launch Orion into Earth orbit while releasing 10 small satellites, and Orion will use its propulsion systems to maneuver around the moon and return to Earth. The launch was originally planned for August 2022, but NASA delayed the launch to October 2022 due to rocket malfunctions and tropical storm Ian. The new launch date is now November 14th, 2022, with a launch window opening at 12:07 AM Eastern. If all goes well and Artemis 1 proves to be successful, NASA will continue to work through its Artemis timeline, preparing for Artemis 2, the first scheduled crew mission of NASA’s Orion Spacecraft and SLS. It has a planned mission duration of 10 days and is expected to be launched in May 2024. In total, the Artemis program plans to have three launches, but that is subject to change depending on the results of those launches. Artemis 1 is paving the way for humans to set foot once again on the Moon. As NASA says in their launch advertisements, “We are going back to the moon!” Be sure to tune in to NASA’s social media live streams on November 14th, 2022, to witness history in the making. BACK TO TOP

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Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Cross Country Competition By Manal Layachi Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by Runner from the cross-country team On Wednesday, October 19th, 2022, the Varsity Cross Country team competed in the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior meets at Eisenhower Park. This was their last meet before the County Championships. It was a nice, sunny, but chilly fall day: the perfect weather for running and getting a faster time. There were many schools at this invitational, including New Hyde Park High School, Carey High School, and South Side High School. Many team members got a faster time, also known as a personal record. While I didn’t run as fast as I wanted to, I still had so much fun at this meet. I interviewed Coach Boyens and two runners from the team, Elyas Layachi and Zakaraya Layachi.  Zakaraya Layachi’s Responses: How do you think you did at the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior meets at Eisenhower? “I ran well and tried my hardest.” How did you feel after your race? “I felt like I almost died, and after the race I started to tell the runners to keep up the good work.” Did you get emotional about this being your last race to Eisenhower? “Yes. I felt emotional and sad that this was my last race at Eisenhower.” Are you sad that your last season of Cross Country at North is coming to an end? “Yes, because I will miss running with my teammates and being on the same team with my brother and sister.” Do you plan on running in college? “No. I ran cross country for fun and may run in the future.” What are some of your favorite phrases that Boyens says? “One my favorite phrases that Boyens says is ‘The grind never stops.’” When and why did you decide to join Cross Country? “I joined cross country during my junior year because I wanted to stay active and healthy every day.” What advice do you have for the future Cross Country team? “Work hard and the grind never stops.” How has running impacted your life? “Running made me feel less stressed, helped me with my academics and mental health, and contributed to the many friendships that I have made.” What life lessons have you learned during your running experience? “Running is worth it because at the end of the day I got faster, and my mental health was positively impacted. I also learned to never give up and push myself to the limit.” Elyas Layachi’s Responses: How do you think you did at the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior meets at Eisenhower? “I think I did alright. I was aiming to break 18 minutes at the meet but didn’t get my goal and instead got 18:16 as my official 5K time. However, I enjoyed the experience and still got a personal best for the season!” How did you feel after your race? “I was tired but dissatisfied. I had a goal going into the race but did not accomplish it. However, I was also glad that I made it through the race and still got a pb!” Did you get emotional about this being your last race to Eisenhower? “I did, especially in the last mile of the race. I realized that it was the end of my racing career at Eisenhower, so I picked up my speed in an effort to use every ounce of energy left in me. Also, while getting on the bus to leave the park, I thought of how I began my racing career at Eisenhower as a sophomore two years ago. I was proud of how far I came but was sad to leave the course.” Are you sad that your last season of Cross Country at North is coming to an end? “Most definitely. It is my favorite sport out of the three running sports I do at North, which are Cross Country, Winter Track, and Spring Track. I love how long the races are because they give me the opportunity to strategize and pick off runners one by one. I will miss racing for Valley Stream North High School at cross country meets for sure.” Do you plan on running in college? “I am unsure right now. While I know the commitment is higher for a college varsity distance athlete, I think I would be able to continue my running career in college. However, I am also considering doing other extracurriculars in college, including performing in the orchestra and chorus. If it is possible to do both, I would definitely run in college.” What are some of your favorite phrases that Boyens says? “Cross Country is a cerebral sport and requires cerebral fortitude.” “The grind never stops.” “Boyens is such a huge motivation in my running career. I admire how he comes out and runs with us every practice, despite his knee pain and other health limitations.” When and why did you decide to join cross country? “I joined cross country in my sophomore year in 2021 because I wanted to improve my fitness since I eventually wanted to become an astronaut. However, I decided to continue my racing career because I realized it is a sport I am good at compared to other sports I’ve played.” What advice do you have for the future of the Cross-Country team? “To keep grinding, despite the pain and fatigue, because in the end, it’s all worth the pain for the glory.” How has running impacted your life? “It made me a more disciplined person. Running every day for half an hour was something I never thought I would become accustomed to, but I eventually did. It taught me to keep grinding and working hard, so I could end up being successful, both academically and athletically. It also helped me manage my time since I had to juggle the sport with my other extracurriculars and academics.” What life lessons have you learned during your running experience? “I learned time management, leadership as a team captain, discipline, and how to live a healthy lifestyle. I will definitely look back upon my Cross-Country season for the rest of my life!” Coach Boyens’s Responses: How do you think the team did at the meet? “Great day! Lots of season best times! Proud of the team.” Why did you become a Cross Country coach even though you love to play football? “I love the idea of learning a new sport. I also love the training and challenge Cross Country provides.” How do you think the team will do at Counties? “I am hoping for some personal bests!” What is the hardest thing about running cross-country? “The discipline necessary to be a successful cross-country runner is like no other sport. You have to sacrifice a significant part of your life to be great.” How do you feel about the cross-country season ending? “Bittersweet. I love the championship season but am a bit sad that the season is almost finished.” What do you tell the Cross-Country team when they want to give up or don’t show up to practice? “Quitters never win, and winners never quit! I believe in you. You can do it!” When and why did you decide to join Cross Country? “I joined Cross Country during my junior year because I wanted to stay active and healthy every day.” After the races were over, everyone got together and took pictures. We were all sad about how this was the seniors’ last race at Eisenhower. It was emotional because the cross-country season was almost over. The cross-country season went by extremely fast, and the team has been working very hard all season. Cross Country is a challenging sport because it is all about your mentality. It is 80% mental and 20% physical. All runners are tough, both mentally and physically. As Coach Boyens says, “the grind never stops!” The Varsity Cross Country Team competed at the County Championships on Saturday, October 29th, 2022. Be sure to congratulate our awesome team and coaches. GO SPARTANS!! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections February 14th has a Playlist Shea Flanelly Volume 6 Issue 3 June 8, 2026 Image Provided by Whether you are having a blast slow-dancing with your romantic partner, or you are screaming heartbreak songs in the car with the windows rolled up, music has a way of speaking to our hearts - especially on a holiday like Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is a notorious holiday for big feelings on both sides of the spectrum - some feel pure love and joy, while others may feel loneliness and sadness. In moments like these, many teens turn to music not just for entertainment, but for comfort and validation. Hearing lyrics that resonate with your situation can fuel a sense of understanding within yourself. For some people, this means choosing songs that match their joy and energy! Upbeat and fun love tracks are the perfect way to amplify excitement about a relationship or crush. Sharing headphones, posting a photo of you together on Instagram with a cute song in the background, or sending them your defining relationship song can all become ways of saying “This is how I truly feel about you,” without having to find all of the correct words. For others, Valentine’s Day means more… complicated emotions. Sad or reflective songs can create space to process difficult feelings of grief, jealousy, or disappointment. Instead of pushing these emotions away, music allows listeners to sit with them in a safe, non-destructive way. Hearing an artist to describe similar struggles can make one feel understood, and it can set a reminder that they are not the only ones navigating tough struggles. Be careful of over-indulging into this type of music, though – songs with negative emotions involved can trap teens into a negative headspace, reinforcing negative emotions instead of reassuring them. Even outside of love and heartbreak, music can be a confidence booster! Songs about self-love can help students reclaim Valentine’s Day and view it more as a day to treat themselves. Instead of wallowing on what they do not have, teens can shift the focus on what they DO have – what they value about themselves and their relationships. So, why does music carry so much weight on a holiday about love? Part of music’s power comes from its ability to put language to the indescribable. Emotions are often messy and hard to define, especially in adolescence. A song can organize that havoc, giving a metaphor, line, or melody that makes everything make sense. A three-minute song can say what would otherwise take pages and pages. What someone cannot text or say face-to-face might feel possible through a pair of earbuds. By the time February 14 th arrives, students will walk the hallways, each person experiencing a different version of the day. Some will be listening to love songs, others to Mitski , others to songs about self-love and acceptance. In any of these emotions, each student has the same instinct – press the ‘play’ button. Music meets students where they are – and while Valentine’s Day may mean many things, there is always a song ready to tell the story! Sources: How teenagers use music to deal with emotions  – BOLD Love, Heartbreak, and Hits: Why Valentine’s Day Is Music’s Favorite Holiday - Artist Uncut 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

< Back About the Course This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Your Instructor Brad Grecco This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. To manage all your collections, click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left.

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Summer Sweet Treats By Christina Ossa Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Original photograph by Christina Ossa As summer approaches and the school year comes to a close, it’s finally time to unwind and relax. The hot weather and sunny days can be delightful during this time of year, yet it leaves us longing for something cold to snack on or drink. However, a fresh popsicle or cold sweet treat always helps, so I decided to share three popsicle recipes that you can enjoy whenever you feel a bit overheated this summer! In commemoration of Pride Month this month, I also wanted to share some sweet treats that matched some of the colors representing the Lesbian flag: White, Orange, and Red (there are also shades of pink in the flag that I was unable to include in these popsicle variations, but I did my best to showcase the colors!). During this time of year, it’s important to showcase our pride for the LGBTQ+ community, no matter if you are a part of the community or an ally, which is why I wanted to represent the Lesbian Flag through these popsicle colors. Main “Tools” Needed: - Blender - Popsicle molds OR Ice cube molds - Toothpicks/Skewers (if using ice cube molds) Orange “Dreamsicle”: This orange popsicle is a play on a childhood favorite popsicle: the Creamsicle. It’s made up of orange soda, heavy cream, freshly squeezed oranges, and orange pulp, creating the combination I like to call the “Dreamsicle.” This recipe is low maintenance, as it only took me about 10-15 minutes to prepare, and most of the work for each popsicle recipe lies more within waiting for them to freeze than the preparation itself. It can be tempting to remove the popsicle from its mold prematurely, but it’s best to wait the full 10-12 hours needed for each to freeze so you can receive the best reward from these frozen sweet treats. The popsicle is deliciously tangy yet smooth, with the heavy cream perfectly offsetting the sourness from the orange. Also, the natural sugars from the orange paired perfectly with the orange soda and heavy cream, creating an authentic nostalgic flavor similar to the Creamsicle popsicle flavor. If Creamsicles were your childhood favorite popsicle or snack, you should give the “Dreamsicle” a shot. The recipe is low maintenance, yet it’s delicious and cooling at the same time! Ingredients: - 2 cups orange soda (1 bottle) - 2 oranges (squeezed) - 1 ¼ cup heavy cream - ½ cup vanilla yogurt - 1 tsp vanilla extract Directions: - Grab a medium bowl or blender; if using a bowl, make sure to have a whisk - Add the orange soda, heavy cream, and vanilla extract first (all completely liquid ingredients) - Squeeze the oranges with a lemon/orange squeezer or your hand into the bowl/blender - Add the vanilla yogurt and heavy cream, then whisk/blend (on low) the mixture together -Make sure not to overmix as the heavy cream may turn into whipped cream if overmixed - Once combined, pour the mixture into popsicle molds or ice cube molds (add one skewer or toothpick into each ice cube box, it will act as a handle to remove the popsicle and hold it) - Put in the freezer and wait for popsicles to freeze overnight or for 10-12 hours - Once completely solidified, carefully pull or remove popsicles from molds/ice cube trays, and enjoy! Coconut Cream Popsicle: Coconut is a vibrant flavor, as it can be both smooth yet also watery. I tried to combine the two components in this popsicle to concoct a beautifully soft yet sweet popsicle, as I used coconut cream and milk. While coconut cream and milk can be watery at times, in this recipe, the two married well when combined with heavy cream and formed a deliciously velvety flavor that allowed the richness of the coconut to shine. This popsicle was also very sweet along with its rich flavor, as I also added sugar and vanilla extract to amplify the natural sweetness from the coconut. The recipe is relatively easy to make, like the Dreamsicle, since all you need is a bowl and whisk, time, and patience! Each popsicle recipe, including this one, is low maintenance, and the only catch would be the time you must wait for these cooling sweet treats. But, with enough effort and patience, you’re sure to obtain a fantastic result! Ingredients: - 1 can coconut cream - 1 can coconut milk - 1 tsp vanilla extract - ¾ cup coconut flakes - 1 ¾ cup heavy cream - 1 pinch of salt Directions: - Grab a medium bowl, be sure to have a whisk - Add the coconut cream, milk, and heavy cream to the bowl; whisk until thoroughly combined -Make sure not to over whisk as the heavy cream may turn into whipped cream if overmixed - Once combined thoroughly, add the vanilla extract and salt, then whisk again until fully combined - Add the coconut flakes and gently combine with the whisk or a spatula - After completely combined, pour the mixture into popsicle molds or ice cube molds (add one skewer or toothpick into each ice cube box, it will act as a handle to remove the popsicle and hold it) - Put in the freezer and wait for popsicles to freeze overnight or for 10-12 hours - Once completely solidified, carefully pull or remove popsicles from molds/ice cube trays, and enjoy! Strawberry-Raspberry Popsicle: Another fantastic flavor combination with popsicles is raspberries and strawberries, which leave a delightful yet tangy taste lingering after eating one of these popsicles. I wanted a sweet yet more sour flavor for this popsicle, which I thought combining strawberries and raspberries would achieve perfectly. Even if combining too much of these two fruits could result in a very watery mixture, this is deceiving since the mixture freezes over perfectly, creating an easily chewable and delectable popsicle. Even if this popsicle takes as much time as each other recipe to make, it is slightly easier since you don’t have to be as careful with combining the ingredients as with the other two recipes since it only requires blending until you reach a watery consistency. Also, the recipe is very versatile since you could technically add any berries you wanted to and even substitute the strawberries for more raspberries or vice versa! Ingredients: - 4-5 strawberries, with tops cut off - ½ cup raspberries - ¼ cup granulated sugar - ¼ cup water - 2 tbsp lemon/lime juice Directions: - Grab a blender (preferable option)/food processor or medium bowl, be sure to have a mashing device if using the bowl Blender Version: - Making sure to cut the tops off the strawberries, add the strawberries and raspberries to the blender - After adding fruits, add the sugar, water, and lemon/lime juice - Blend on medium speed until fully combined/watery consistency Bowl Version: - Making sure to cut the tops off the strawberries, add the strawberries and raspberries to the bowl - Use the masher to mash together the strawberries and raspberries until fully mashed - Add the rest of the ingredients (lemon/lime juice, sugar, and water) with a whisk and mix until thoroughly combined to a watery mixture - After completely combined, pour the mixture into popsicle molds or ice cube molds (add one skewer or toothpick into each ice cube box, it will act as a handle to remove the popsicle and hold it) - Put in the freezer and wait for popsicles to freeze overnight or for 10-12 hours - Once completely solidified, carefully pull or remove popsicles from molds/ice cube trays, and enjoy! 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