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Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Advice From a Senior Sahar Ali Volume 5 Issue 5 July 5, 2025 The time has finally come for many to graduate from Valley Stream North. After studying at VSN for the entirety of my middle school and high school career, I’ve picked up a load of information from experiences, both good and bad. Often feeling alone at times without guidance, I wished that I had the perspective of a student who had once been in the same or similar situations as me to gain more practical and helpful advice during middle and high school. Knowing that these 6 years are a critical time in a student’s life, here are some tips to help you get through high school in both academic and social aspects, coming from a senior. #1 : Leave your comfort zone Transitioning from elementary school to a middle school combined with high school can be a difficult adjustment. Yet this change from a smaller school to a bigger school comes with bigger opportunities. VSN offers an array of clubs and sports that allow students to express themselves and investigate their likes and dislikes. The main idea is: LEAVE YOUR COMFORT ZONE! In my own experience, I began writing for VSN’s student newspaper, the North Star , and instantly loved it because I was able to write articles on almost any topic. If I had not left my comfort zone and refrained from even writing an article, I would not have had the opportunity to contribute to the club and even become the News section editor. Additionally, I tried out multiple sports including cross country, winter track & field, and badminton; from those experiences, I learned that I could do wonders with abilities I did not know I possessed. Looking back at my experiences, I urge you to try something new. You never know what you can do until you try. Although I know pushing yourself can be difficult at times, it opens up many opportunities. #2 : Learn how to manage your time As a student progresses through high school, the workload typically increases. With that, it becomes hard to manage sports, clubs, and academics. But knowing how important it is to make time for all aspects of school, whether it be extracurricular activities or homework, can significantly increase productivity as well as decrease stress. Based on what activities you have going on at home or at school, plan your day in the morning to know how to manage your time. One key method I used to help me manage my time was to make a list of when assignments were due and when I had certain activities. Then, whichever assignment(s) were due the earliest were the ones completed first. This method helped me manage my time in the best way possible. Additionally, any free time I had at school, whether it be a study hall, lunch, or free period, was used to complete assignments to decrease the workload when I came home after practice or a club. However, it is still always possible to face an overwhelming amount of work. Similarly, in this situation, prioritize the most important task and complete it first. Everyone is different, therefore try different techniques to manage your time! #3 : Stay on top of everything Many times, it is possible to miss out on key information regarding your schedule, courses, and grades. It is extremely important you understand what courses you need to take and what you should be doing, academically and extracurricular-wise. Do not solely rely on guidance counselors to consistently provide you with information since they have more students to assist, but they are always there if you need advice. Do not expect to be handed information easily on a platter; instead, be ready to ask for information as soon as possible! In my own experience, I realized that I had no clue as to what I was doing, mainly because I never asked anyone what steps I should be taking, especially once freshman year of high school started, and did not ask for a long period of time. Please be prepared and do not hesitate at all to talk to your guidance counselors and even teachers to have a feel about what you should be doing as each student is different and has their own paths. If I could go back and change one thing from my high school experience, I would try to gain more information about what steps I should be taking in school and outside of school to ensure I was on the right path towards my goals and to stand out as much as possible when the time came for college applications. #4 : Take challenging courses Another aspect I would change from my high school experience would be the number of AP classes I took. Not only do they help boost your overall average, but AP classes also open up a student to more information that a regents-level class does not always offer. Although AP classes aren’t for all students, there is no harm in trying a class out; you could end up liking the class! Additionally, AP classes help save students money when it comes to college. Depending on the college you choose to continue your studies at, certain AP classes and AP scores can get you credit. Most colleges take a score of 4 or 5 on an AP exam and give you credit for that class without you ever having to take it in college. Even though you pay almost $100 or more for an AP exam now, you end up saving thousands of dollars later if you score high on the exam and if your school takes the credit. Choose an AP class that interests you and do research about what credit the colleges you plan to apply to take. #5 : Surround yourself with the right people Throughout middle and high school, you will meet different people all with different personalities and make several friends. It is important that you choose to surround yourself with people who support you, make you a better person, and inspire you. There may be times when some people may hurt you, and this is an inevitable part of high school. There will be trial and error with certain friends, but all these experiences will help you understand what you value in a friend and help you with your development. #6 : Take care of yourself High school and middle school can get stressful many times. The pressure of work and eventually, when a student becomes a senior, college applications can affect a student’s mental health and often cause a load of stress and pressure. It’s okay to give yourself a break when there is a lot of pressure. Keep in mind that you’re working hard and you need to give yourself a break. Don’t let schoolwork and tests consume your mind; although they are important, remember to keep a balance between everything. Too much studying or too much work is not good; too much relaxation is also not good. When I was extremely stressed, I turned to music as it helped me calm down. Try to find something that eases your nerves as it is important to build these habits and methods to prevent stress from building up. These stress-reducing methods will help you so much in the future in college when your workload increases significantly and in life in general. Each student’s experience is different, and you will all make your own mistakes and learn from them. Remember while you work hard to also enjoy high school; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Always work hard but give yourself a break too. Since this is one of my last articles ever, my last and biggest piece of advice is to cherish the time you have had in high school. Time goes by quickly so don’t forget to make the most out of everything! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Dear Society By Morgan Buly Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by The Inclusion Solution Dear Society, Why do you tell us to love ourselves, but bring us down? You tell us to be ourselves, as long as we’re doing it the right way. You tell us we can love anyone, any shape or size. Yet you still choose the love of our life. You tell us to love our skin, but kill our kind. You say we’re in a safe place. Yet teenagers are depressed, students are stressed, and laws forbid you from being yourself. Telling us no matter how hard we try, we’re never enough. You're more concerned in gender identity and race than poverty and shooting. You provide people with an internet-based way to harass each other. You teach us to not like our size, ethnicity, hair, clothes and home. You teach us to kill and hate. You took our youth away, You make kids afraid to go to the deli, knowing that there is a chance they could die. You tell us that because of the body they were born in, we must work harder. Sincerely, Me BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Pride Advice By Alicja Paruch Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by CommonPRObiz Hello my dear readers,  Since June is Pride month, to celebrate it, I would like to answer a few questions related to the LGBTQ+ community.  "What do you do when your family doesn't support your transition?” Firstly, congratulations on getting to know yourself this well; that was tough and worth celebrating on its own. To answer your question, this would depend on how strict your family is. If they do not want to help you with your transition, try to take small steps, with the help of people who do support you, your friends and other family members. It is all about the small victories. It also may take some time for your family to process the fact that you are transitioning, so try to be patient, but not passive. If starting this process poses a danger to you, you will unfortunately have to wait until you can do so safely. “What do you do when someone in the gay community disrespects your identity?” I would address it directly. Since they are in the community, they are more likely to have the knowledge to understand their mistakes. Talk to them, explain which of their actions and opinions you find disrespectful and stand up for yourself. The fact that they are a part of the gay community does not excuse them and is not a protective shield from mistakes. Nobody is perfect, so do not be scared to point out their wrongdoings and speak up! “Where/how can I find local gay communities?” First, consider joining The Alliance club at North. This by itself will open many doors for you. Try to explore where other members are active and see if those places are of interest to you. Besides The Alliance, you can ask your other friends and see where that will lead you. You can also try to find a friendly community online, but that might be less local than you would like.  “What would you do if someone else was being cyber bullied for their sexuality/identity?” If it poses no harm to you, stand up for them! It is hard to be assertive while being the victim of cyberbullying and if you can help them, try your best to! Show the victim they are not alone, reassure them that they are valid in their identity and make your voice heard.  “How do you let a friend know you’re there for them when you suspect they want to come out?” Make sure they know you are their friend and that you will listen to their problems, in a general way. Just being there as a friend who supports them will give them the cushion of security they will need. If they decide to come out, they will come to you. They need to build enough confidence and they need to feel safe enough themselves, you cannot help them more than just ensuring you will listen. Don’t push them, they will come out when it is the right time. “What’s your opinion on Heartstopper ?” This isn’t really advice, but I will gladly chime in. I personally did not watch the Netflix series, but I have read Alice Oseman’s original comic. The warm story, the character development, and the representation drew me in, and I believe it could act as a tool for others to explore and to discover themselves further. Oseman created an inspiring depiction of the realities of being part of the LGBTQ+ community, and the struggles that come with mental illness. Even if I can’t recommend watching the show, since I haven’t watched it myself, the comic is definitely worth reading. I hope this helps, and enjoy Pride Month!! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Contemplation Back to Sections Wasif Ahmed - Contemplation By Wasif Ahmed June 8, 2021 Marker Volume 1 Issue 8

Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections History of Easter Leah Ally Volume 5 Issue 5 July 5, 2025 While Easter is globally recognized and celebrated in both religious and secular contexts, its true origins, and details about the holiday itself often get hindered. In a religious context, it is typically celebrated by Christian individuals for the resurrection of Jesus, but how did the celebration come about and how did it continue to evolve? Typically known to be celebrated on a Sunday in April, many people do not understand how the exact day is determined, as this year it took place on April 20th. Before diving into the various ways Easter is celebrated today and the specific details of determining the day, it is crucial to understand its origins beyond the basics. First and foremost, without Good Friday, there would not be Easter Sunday. Good Friday is the Friday before Easter which serves as a day of commemoration of Jesus’s crucifixion. It is significant to understand that Jesus’s crucifixion was carried out by the Romans as they viewed him as a threat to authority. This was because his claim as the Son of God also known as the Messiah meant that he would be more powerful than any other leader and be deemed as the King of Jews. So, the Romans perceived this claim as the beginning of a possible rebellion against their traditional political system. As Jesus began gaining followers, it became clear that the Roman government would inevitably face resistance from its citizens. After being arrested and going on trial, a decision had to be made; Therefore, the only decision that appeared most justifiable was to carry out the execution of Jesus. Crucifixion was a popular punishment used during this time because of the intense and cruel pain it caused due to the strain it put on the body. This somber event marked Jesus’s death and was and is still seen as Jesus’s sacrifice for the forgiveness of the world’s sins, according to Christianity. Shortly after, he was buried in a tomb, and this led to the idea of Holy Saturday. This is simply the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. After a seemingly uneventful day, the resurrection of Jesus takes place, and, according to belief is risen from the dead. This discovery is first made when his tomb is found empty by women who are later told by angels that he had been resurrected. To prove he had risen from the dead, Jesus made numerous appearances to his disciples. In the span of forty days after his resurrection, Jesus serves as a teacher to the disciples as he reveals the importance of spreading his gospel to as many civilians as possible. After these forty days, Jesus officially ascends into Heaven, marking the end of his time on Earth. Now that the religious context of Easter is understood, this leads to how Easter began to be celebrated and why. It may serve as a surprise to many that the origins of Easter celebrations are not religious. Easter was originally a celebration of the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. This is where both night and day are 12 hours each, symbolizing the transition from winter into spring. It was only the resurrection of Jesus that caused Easter to become a religious holiday. Not only was it because the resurrection occurred around the same time as the vernal equinox but because they both represented rebirth and relief. While Easter was celebrated along with the spring equinox in 325AD, the first major church council, the Council of Nicaea, officially determined a new time for Easter to be celebrated. It was determined that it should always be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox. Since Easter was heavily associated with springtime, it eventually became represented by rabbits and eggs. In the pagan celebration of the arrival of Spring, eggs and rabbits were seen as symbols of fertility and rebirth which made sense for it to be associated with the resurrection. Additionally, eggs were already a prominent symbol for Christians because of Lent, a 40-day celebration meant for fasting and abstaining from what an individual desires. In this case, Christians abstained from eggs during Lent and would celebrate on Easter Sunday by having eggs. Over time and as we see today, the Easter Egg Bunny became a prominent figure in how Easter is recognized and celebrated. It is now common to celebrate Easter with not only church services and prayer but also egg hunts and Easter baskets. Therefore, Easter has faced numerous transitions since its creation from a pagan holiday to a religious holiday and now incorporating secular traditions. All in all, Easter’s rich history has proven itself to be complex, yet significant in how it is celebrated today. While the secular traditions reflect how our world has changed over time, it is just as important to recognize Easter’s religious importance and why it continues to be observed with prayer and worship. It cannot be denied that Easter is a globally celebrated holiday that will continue to carry on its pagan history. Sources: Easter | Origin, Christianity, Jesus, Traditions, History, Name, Facts, & Dates | Britannica Easter Symbols and Traditions - Easter Bunny, Easter Eggs & Christianity | HISTORY The history of Easter - Christianity BACK TO TOP

Rehmat Kaur SPORTS SECTION EDITOR, HISTORY COLUMNIST Hello, dear readers! I'm Rehmat Kaur, the North Star's SPORTS Editor and History Columnist. All my Feature History articles will be under the column named "Tales Through Time". I will also be assisting our fellow writers with ideas and see them through to completion. Outside of North Star, I also take part in sports. I'm Girl's Varsity Badminton Team's Captain and play for our school's Tennis team. I'm also a member of SPO which helps the 7th graders have a wonderful first year at North. I'm looking forward to having an exquisite time and helping you in bringing out your creative side. Interview With the Seniors of Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse Team Rehmat Kaur Sports Read More Boy's Varsity Basketball Recap with Interviews Rehmat Kaur Sports Read More The 10 Sikh Superman & John Smyth Rehmat Kaur Feature Read More Battle of Saragarhi – 21 Sikh Soldiers vs 10,000 Men Rehmat Kaur Feature Read More Interview With the Seniors of Boys Varsity Volleyball Team Rehmat Kaur Sports Read More Questionnaire With Football Seniors Rehmat Kaur Sports Read More Tales Through Time: Lewis and Clark Expedition Rehmat Kaur Feature Read More Tales Through Time: The Native Americans: Years Ahead of the Europeans Rehmat Kaur Feature Read More ENGLISH TEACHER Interviews - Grammar Issues Rehmat Kaur Feature Read More Interview with Mr. Lodato: Featured New Faculty Member Rehmat Kaur Feature Read More Behind the Rallies: Your 2025 Girls’ Badminton Team Rehmat Kaur Sports Read More Student Spotlight: Eyslin Turcios (Interview) Rehmat Kaur Sports Read More Leaps and Bouts: Adaobi Okammelu's Fencing Feats Rehmat Kaur Sports Read More Boys’ Badminton: Flagship and Banner Year Rehmat Kaur Sports Read More Spring Recap 2024 Rehmat Kaur Sports Read More Badminton Season Rehmat Kaur Sports Read More Athlete Spotlight: Naomi Gonzalez (Interview) Rehmat Kaur Sports Read More Who will be the Men's Singles Winner of Australian Open 2024? Rehmat Kaur Sports Read More FALL RECAP Rehmat Kaur Sports Read More Tales Through Time: The Medici Family Rehmat Kaur Feature Read More

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections A Story of Good and Bad Leah Ally Volume 6 Issue 2 December 22, 2025 Ares prided himself on his courage. After all, he was the God of War and every brutality that war had to offer. At the moment, war was everywhere. Between small conflicts between friends, civil wars, and spontaneous battles between families, militarism was vastly growing and could not be stopped. At the same time, Poseidon, the God of the Sea, storms, and earthquakes, was in a constant rage. Every day there was a new natural disaster, devastating a different area. With the combination of Poseidon’s anger and Ares’ everlasting militaristic attitude, trouble was constantly brewing, making for a world of uncertainty and violence. Amidst all the bad, there were those that sought the good. Persephone was one of them. As the goddess of spring and flowers, she admired blue skies and flourishing agriculture, everything Ares and Poseidon were currently interfering with. She just wanted it to end. She knew that they were too powerful to be stopped even with her own divinity. Nonetheless, she worked tirelessly. When she thought Ares and Poseidon weren’t paying attention, she would sprout a small flower, hoping for it to blossom. However, time and time after, the flower was consistently destroyed by either large gusts of wind or careless warfare. Ares and Poseidon knew of Persephone’s aspiration to make the world a better and brighter place away from the misery they bestowed. Therefore, previously working individually, Ares and Poseidon now understood that their anger was best used together. Their devastation over the world coincided with each other too perfectly. When there wasn’t a storm, there was conflict, and when there wasn’t conflict, there were storms. Somewhat inspired by the gods’ cooperation to work together, Persephone sought the help of Demeter, the Goddess of Agriculture and Aphrodite, the goddess of love. They all tirelessly worked for the good of the people, to defend against Ares and Poseidon, yet nothing seemed to give. Aphrodite tried to implement her feelings of affection within civilians so they could begin to love each other and live as one. Demeter tried to plant trees and foster the lives of crops for harvest. Yet, the land remained barren, dark, and depressing for all. A depression that seemed to never end regardless of all the good that the goddesses fought the bad with for centuries. Years later, Ares and Poseidon faced a challenge they had never faced before. Their power was dying. Earthquakes were weaker, fights quickly ended with agreements, and the sky was bluer. The world was regaining its green once again. While the goddesses were working hard in their fight against Ares and Poseidon, that was not exactly why the world was returning to its normal state. Ares and Poseidon simply grew tired. Their power was no longer sustainable and their trouble to keep up only grew. It was slow and steady, but the goddesses worked together once more and the trees grew, the flowers sprouted, and day by day smiles became more common. The world was happier. The goddesses did not realize it then, but the bad was always meant to come to an end. There was meant to be healing for the world to be repaired, and for broken hearts to be patched together. From then on, the world knew that to get to the good, you first had to endure the bad. Healing was not a fast process, but instead a journey of time and patience. BACK TO TOP

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 6 April 14, 2022 "PARALLAX" ARTICLES Alana By Nora Chery Polaris Read More Cherry Blossom Trees By Carolina Grace Figueroa Art Read More Culture Night By Everton Prospere News Read More ENL Buddy Program VSN By Alisson Alas Feature Read More Haikus for North's Athletes By Aleeza Dhillon Sports Read More How Does One Know When to Ask for Help? By Alicja Paruch Advice Read More James Webb Space Telescope: Where Is It Now? By Elyas Layachi Science & Technology Read More North’s Student Art Scene: About the Heckscher Entries By Kimberly Shrestha Art & Culture Read More TOPSoccer at the Valley Stream Soccer Club By Manal Layachi News Read More The Science of Studying By Alyssa Garufi and Hannah Lee Science & Technology Read More The Valley Stream Challenge By Manal Layachi Sports Read More Wadsworth: An Introspective Dive By Alain Deen Entertainment & Media Read More With The Trust I Had By Sarah Velez Polaris Read More Chapter One By Navrosedip Kundlas Polaris Read More Cool Creatures: The Crested Gecko By Matteo Somma Science & Technology Read More Day of Silence 2022 By Eva Grace Martinez News Read More Gas Prices Continue to Increase By Raj Singh News Read More Health and Wellness at VSN: People Providing Support By Craig Papajohn-Shaw News Read More If Aldous Huxley Were a Mathematician By Lucy Wu Editorial Read More NBA 2021-2022 Regular Season By Leah Ally Sports Read More Spring Festivals Celebrated Around the World By Sahar Ali Feature Read More The Culture Fair’s Magnificence By Jeselys Naylana Vazques Feature Read More The Truth By Huan Evo Alipio Polaris Read More Two New North Clubs By Cody Sung News Read More Water God and Child By Alanna Tieschmaker Polaris Read More HECKSCHER SUBMISSIONS LOAD MORE

Back to Articles News Back to Sections The People of the State of New York against Donald J. Trump By Samantha Altieri Volume 3 Issue 4 May 18, 2023 Image provided by The New York Times On March 30th, 2023, President Donald Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury. Trump’s indictment stems from his alleged role in a scandal surrounding a hush money payment, made to porn star Stormy Daniels, during the 2016 presidential election campaign cycle. Although the indictment is under seal, as it will remain until Trump’s April 4th, 2023, arraignment, it is known the former president will face more than 30 counts.  Although Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, earlier in March to warn his followers of an imminent arrest, CNN reporting indicates the former president was startled by the charges.  This is the first time a current or former president of the United States has faced criminal charges. Adding to the historical significance, Trump is also currently a few months into his third bid for the White House, a bid for which Trump has vowed to continue running, despite criminal charges. Any individual can run for president of the United States, even if they are indicted.  On April 4th, 2023, Trump was arraigned in a New York City court. Trump plead not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. After the arraignment, Trump flew back to Mar-a-Lago, the Florida resort where he resides, and gave a press conference indicating his intent to fight the charges while still maintaining his 2024 bid for the White House. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Marjorie’s SOTU Stunt By Samantha Altieri Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Image provided by Marjorie Taylor Greene (via her Twitter account) Prior to the 2023 State of the Union, the annual event in which the President of the United States addresses the United States Congress in a joint session, a Congressional event in which the Senate and House of Representatives meet at the same time to discuss the current issues facing Americans and how he believes to solve them, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, representing Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, dressed up as a white balloon, parading around the halls of The Hill. Greene, representative of Georgia’s 14th District since 2021, earned widespread media coverage during the 117th Congress for her far-right, QAnon promoting, conspiratorial beliefs, going so far as to claim that the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks were a “hoax.” Greene, ironically placed on the House Homeland Security Committee earlier this year, brandished a white balloon around the Capitol, on Tuesday, February 7th, to comment on the recent spotting of a Chinese spy balloon in the United States airspace. Greene posted a photo of herself, balloon in tow, to her Twitter account with the caption “It’s just an innocent balloon,” leading to a flurry of memes across social media platforms. Despite soaring through the Capitol for most of the afternoon, the balloon’s flight path was intercepted prior to the President’s speech, remaining outside the House Chamber during the joint address. BACK TO TOP