Back to Articles News Back to Sections Mrs. Suhovsky By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Original photography by VSN In 1985, Tracy Suhovsky entered Valley Stream North High School, somewhere she thought she would never be. Many of you know Mrs. Suhovsky, a favorite chemistry teacher, is going to be retiring this year.  We’re all going to miss her so much, but before Mrs. Suhovsky leaves North, she has a few interesting tales to share.                 Growing up, Mrs. Suhovsky never wanted to be a teacher. Her mother was an elementary school teacher, and the last thing she wanted was to a teacher. Instead, Mrs. Suhovsky chose to head on the path of being a chiropractor. What is a chiropractor? A chiropractor is a doctor that treats many conditions affecting the nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Just right when Mrs. Suhovsky was going to go to chiropractor school, she didn’t want to go. She wanted a break from school and wanted to take a year off.  However, she couldn’t take a year off if she wanted to go to chiropractor school. That’s when her mother told her to try teaching for a year and see how she liked it. So that’s when Mrs. Suhovsky, with no teaching experience or any teaching classes before, decided to work as a teacher at a school for a class of 7th graders.                 Jumping from pre-med to teaching, Mrs. Suhovsky had quite a ride waiting for her at her first school. One incident she recalled was, “There was a fire drill, and I heard the bell ring. I ran out of the classroom thinking there was a fire. I left my whole class in the classroom. The teacher right across from my room, said, ‘Where are the kids?’ I just ran out of there, and I forgot I was a teacher. Thankfully, I went back and then left the building.” After one year of teaching at that school, Mrs. Suhovsky came to North where she has taught for 37 years. Mrs. Suhovsky has many memorable moments at North. Back in the 1980s, there was a Science Olympiad team here. She ran the club and in the late 80s, and they won! The team went on to Albany and won 2nd place in the NYS competition for the Rube Goldberg Machine. The machine they built was for breakfast, and it could crack an egg, pour cereal, make coffee, and more.                 Talking about this club reminded Mrs. Suhovsky of how different North was back then. Every teacher had their own classroom. Mrs. Suhovsky used to do a lot more hands-on activities such as contests, building bridges, and Rube Goldberg Machines. She even had a bunch of fish tanks! She said that the students had a lot of fun. Speaking about students, Mrs. Suhovsky has taught some of the teachers here at North: Mr. Boyens, Mrs. D ’Alessio, and others. One of the funniest moments Mrs. Suhovsky remembers is when Mr. Boyens came back to teach at North, she thought Mr. Boyens was a student returning to visit. It turned out that Mr. Boyens was returning as a new biology teacher. He looked exactly like a student; he fit right in she said. Mrs. Suhovsky never thought Mr. Boyens would return to become her coworker. “He was one of my best friends. We have shared many great memories. The science department is one big family.” Adding on to this, Mrs. Suhovsky will miss the faculty staff the most. She says that her sister works in another school district and she doesn’t have the type of relationships that Mrs. Suhovsky has with her coworkers. She remembers that during Hurricane Sandy, her house was hit hard and the whole science department and other faculty members came to help out. Mr. Boyens and Mr. Frazer took down the walls and helped move the heavy stuff. Another time she ruptured her spleen and the whole department helped again. Besides the staff, Mrs. Suhovsky will miss her students, whom she calls her kids. She loves her students a lot. Her favorite group to teach was juniors because it was their most important year and they worked so hard as they were getting ready for college. She also had a lot of fun coaching Junior High Spring Track, which is where I first met Mrs. Suhovsky in 8th grade. One of the toughest times Mrs. Suhovsky has had was during 9/11 when one of her past students died in the Twin Towers. Finally, Mrs. Suhovsky says that teaching as her career was the best thing she did.                 One of the things Mrs. Suhovsky is excited about during her retirement is traveling. She’s going to Alaska on a cruise soon. There she will do a helicopter ride (she’s a little nervous about that) to a glacier. At the glacier, she’s going on a dog sled. Mrs. Suhovsky is also going to go to national parks, as well as Greece and Italy. They’re on the top of her list. She says she might teach a college class or tutor. She still wants to educate others in some way. Talking to Mrs. Suhovsky was so much fun, and I learned so many interesting things. Mrs. Suhovsky is a wonderful teacher! We all are going to miss her so much. We love you and hope you enjoy everything you do! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections As More Republicans Announce, Should Governor Cuomo be Worried in 2022? By Logan Balsan Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Image provided by RochesterFirst Ever since allegations of sexual misconduct were publicized in March 2021, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s re-election chances have been in limbo. Would he run for re-election despite these serious allegations? Would he resign? Would he be impeached by the New York State Legislature? As of April 8th, 2021, Governor Cuomo is still seeking a fourth term in 2022 despite the political backlash by many politicians, many in his own party. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, Representatives Ocasio-Cortez and other prominent New York Democratic politicians have called on the Governor to resign. However, Cuomo responded that he doesn’t “work for politicians” and that the people should decide. In a poll run by RochesterFirst, Rochester’s local news outlet, a majority preferred a new Governor in 2022 over Cuomo. Over the past few days, several Republicans have announced their bids against Cuomo. On Wednesday, April 7th, Andrew Giuliani, son of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, announced his intentions to run for the Republican nomination. A political novice, he has held no other political office. On Thursday, April 8th, Representative Lee Zeldin of Suffolk County announced his candidacy for the GOP nomination as well. Zeldin currently serves as Representative of New York’s 1st Congressional District since 2015 and previously served in the New York State Senate from 2011 to 2014. Two lesser known candidates are also vying for the Republican nomination: Lewis County Sheriff Mike Carpinelli and Businessman Derrick Gibson. Another potential candidate could be Representative Elise Stefanik, representing Northern New York in the House of Representatives since 2015, as she publicly expressed interest in seeking the office on Tuesday, April 13th. Traditionally, New York has trended to the left since former Republican Governor George Pataki retired in 2007. The last major Republican politicians in high state offices have since retired or lost re-election. Senator Al D’Amato, serving from 1981 to 1999, lost to now Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in 1998. No Republican has won the NYC Mayorship since Bloomberg in 2009. However, as Governor Cuomo is facing serious allegations and dropping approval ratings, there may be an opportunity for a Republican pickup, which would be the first since 1994 when George Pataki defeated Governor Mario Cuomo. Will the Republicans succeed in retaking the Governorship? It all depends on the long campaign trail ahead. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections What is Racewalking? By Sahar Ali Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 (L to R) Emma Barbosa, Sahar Ali and Hailey Quinlan. Sahar is Conference Champion, took second place in county meet, and holds VSN record for tenth fastest all-time with a 9:48.88 time in the 1500m racewalk. Racewalking: I’m sure you’ve heard of it somewhere or maybe even seen it during the Olympic games. It may look like a piece of cake. However, it’s a challenging sport. Racewalking is a long-distance race in which athletes must walk instead of run. It sounds as though athletes walk during the race; however, there are a few rules in this sport that make it very tricky. Racewalking is different from running because a racewalker must always remain in contact with the ground. The leg in the front must stay straight until it passes underneath the body. Form and technique are essential for a racewalker since athletes can get penalized for a bent knee or losing contact with the ground. Here at VSN, the Winter Track Team consists of racewalkers. This year, they had the unique opportunity to be coached by Emilija Vaskyte, a national racewalk champion and VSN alumni. Navrosedip Kundlas, one of the VSN racewalkers’ captains, is one of the best at what she does. Here are some questions we were able to ask her: Q: What made you choose racewalking as your event? A: “I love running long distances, so when I first came into track, I wanted to do long distance. However, I just wasn’t ready. When I first heard of racewalking, I immediately searched it up on Google and it seemed interesting. So, the next day I went to Frazer and said, ‘I want to be a racewalker.’ And that’s where it all began.” Q: What’s your favorite part about racewalking? A: “That’s a hard one. There are so many great things about racewalking, but my favorite is the feeling. It feels like I’m flying on top of clouds. It makes me feel like I can do anything.” Q: How hard would you say racewalking is on a scale of 1-10? A: “It varies by my day but on average for me, I would say an 8. Racewalking is different for everyone and for me while I do struggle a little with my form, my speed, stamina, and fitness help balance it out.” Q: How does it feel to be captain and teach girls how to racewalk? A: “It feels great! I love co-captaining as it gives me a sense of responsibility and maturity. Teaching my fellow racewalkers makes me feel good, as I was one of them last year. It shows how far I have come. I was in their shoes last year and I know it’s not always easy, so motivating my squad is always essential.” Q: What is your favorite part about being captain? A: “Honestly, my favorite part would be getting to coach the girls. I love helping and teaching others especially at things I am good at. I love the fact that I can pass on my skills to someone else. Making someone else feel accomplished makes me feel accomplished. At the end of the day, I’m proud to be part of such an amazing team of girls.” Q: What has racewalking taught you? A: “Racewalking has taught me many things in the aspect of life. I have learned to never give up even when it seems impossible. To be committed and work hard. As Boyens says, ‘No pain, no gain.’ Track teaches you how to be prepared for the real life, how to handle stress and how to release your stress as well. It’s what Frazer always tells me, ‘Track prepares you for the real world.’” Q: Would you recommend others to try racewalking? A: “If I’m to be honest, it would depend on the person. Racewalking doesn’t always click with everyone. Especially if you don’t work hard. You need to be committed and you need to believe in yourself. If you’re willing to try something new, I would definitely recommend. Racewalking is fun whether you do it for competition or just as exercise. It’s definitely worth a shot if you put your mind to it!” Refrences: Race Walking | USA Track & Field (usatf.org) Race Walking. History and Rules. (athleticscholarships.net) BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections The Compliment to Cezanne's Complimentary Colors By Isabella Somma November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Connecting Elaine Ching Volume 4 Issue 2 January 16, 2024 Image provided by Elaine Ching Everyone knows. I was at my friend’s house yesterday and they asked about you. Didn’t even say a word, they just knew. Maybe I didn’t have to say a word. Have you invaded my life that much? Even my phone knows. I was texting my mom and Autocorrect assumed that I was going to talk about you. Didn’t even type in a letter, but it just knew. You really take up that much of my phone storage, huh? Am I that involved with you that you’ve managed to just “spellcheck” yourself into my life? The store seems to know too. I was in the most unromantic place, the meat aisle. Right by the deli cuts and the raw chicken, doesn’t exactly say “think about your love life” But even then. The label said they shipped it in from your hometown. And suddenly, I was about to break down at Stop and Shop , and not even the fancy part of it. My own home manages to bring you up too. I was just doing my laundry. I guess I just forgot what load I was moving to the dryer. And there it was. The wet, cold, pile of what used to be white clothes, now stained your favorite color. Great. Even my own home appliances seem to agree that I’ve been permanently changed by you even when you’re not here. Just when I think you can’t get to me anymore When I’m alone. When I left my phone upstairs. When I make sure there is nothing that is associated with you around me. When I have tried every single trick in the book to get rid of you When everything is about me, not you It’s still about you. And sure, I could’ve brushed off their questions, said I didn’t want to talk about it Or just hit “undo” to get rid of Autocorrect And a town is just a town Somewhere with other people, people who aren’t you, separate from you Or maybe a color is just a color, it was just a color before I met you, but now it’s not. Now everything I see has some connection to you. And I know I hate this, and I complain, and I whine, and I cry, and I say, “I wish I could move on” But I don’t think I really mean it. Because does everything connect back to you or do I just connect everything back to you? BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections A Change in Pitch By Kayla Duvert Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Image provided by How to Sing Smarter For a while now, my peers from Mrs. Schneider’s chorus class were accustomed to using our voices as instruments, changing our pitches as the notes changed as we would with instruments. Holding out full notes in music, as we would with instruments. Now with an airborne virus amid us, our instruments were instructed to be put to rest. Our instruments, the only instrument some of us knew how to play, were considered a threat to the health of others and an accomplice to spreading a virus. Though our instruments can’t be used, that doesn’t mean that we can’t find another: an instrument that’s navigable through our fingers and not our mind. An instrument unfamiliar to us, but it becomes familiar once we start playing. An instrument known as the piano to most, but as a substitute to us. As with every instrument, we first learned the basics: the different staffs and notes. Then we put our knowledge to test. Playing the songs, we used to sing with an alternative instrument. The notes we used to sing together, we now play alone at whatever volume we desire. With our voices being the only thing that connects us, playing an almost foreign instrument alone is often undesirable. It was foreign to both our fingers and our minds. Making music alone is foreign to us, but there is comfort in the fact that we are learning it together: learning, playing and performing it together, but in walls that continue to separate us. Those walls that separate us will be the one thing that protects us long enough to unite us, so we could continue to use our vocal instruments alongside our newly introduced one. An instrument with a change in pitch now represents a change in our lives. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Ask Ala: Pride By Ala Paruch Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Image provided by TED Ideas Hello dear readers! With the PRIDE month here, we want to celebrate our LGBTQ+ community and show them how much we care for them. As an ally myself, I encourage everyone to support and listen to your friends, not only during pride month but every day. Here is some advice for the LGBTQ+ community from the Alliance Club: From Grace So, you've decided to come out. First things first, I'm proud of you! Coming out is a big step, and it requires tremendous amounts of effort to reach that level of comfort with yourself. However, coming out can be tricky, and while we have made progress on LGBTQ+ rights and protections, it's important to know that you know your situation best. Your safety is the biggest priority when coming out. If you feel that coming out may create threats to your safety (whether that is physical, mental, financial, or otherwise) ‒ then it is probably not the right time to come out. I know it can be painful to hide such a large part of yourself from people you love, your identity is a big part of you! It's something to be celebrated, not shunned. Nonetheless, until you feel 100% sure that it won't impact your safety, it may be best to lay low. Of course, as I said before, you know your situation best, but remember ‒ safety should be your #1 priority. From Anonymous Coming to terms with your sexuality or gender can be an incredibly difficult process, from acknowledging who you are, trying to figure yourself out and then finally accepting yourself, it can be a process filled with immense inner turmoil. First and foremost, you have to stop making up excuses and start telling yourself it’s okay to question and explore. Trying to repress your feelings only makes the struggle worse, learn to accept the fact that the feelings you have are normal and valid. Then you can try to gain a deeper understanding of those feelings. Go and research, ask others questions and take your time thinking about it! (There’s always someone in The Alliance who’d be willing to talk to you!) However, it is important to remember that you never need to label yourself if you don’t want to. This is all about what you feel, and so you decide what you get to do with those feelings. Lastly, you have to accept yourself. Besides allowing yourself to feel your true feelings, you also have to accept yourself and therefore those feelings too. Find beauty and strength in your experiences and live them out to the fullest! After going through these struggles, you deserve it! I am so proud of you for being here and for trying your best! You will find happiness, and it does get better. From Cairo “Coming out” is usually seen as this huge, one time, make it or break it event; but honestly, it’s really not. As a queer person, you’ll have to come out for the. rest. of. your. entire. life . That was a bit of an exaggeration, but the point still stands. Although you don’t owe anyone an explanation about your identity, you’ll most likely have to “come out” to new people you meet for the rest of your life; not to mention that sometimes your identities change, so you might “re-come out.” Being able to come out in the first place while keeping calm is something that takes time and practice. But if you want to make it easier on yourself, try writing some kind of script and memorizing it. So, when the time comes, it’ll be easier to explain your identity. Also try to keep track of common questions people ask so you’ll be better prepared to address them if someone happens to ask. From Joseph [Excerpt from Being a Good Ally ] First, be calm. Reacting with a surprised tone can come off as negative or demeaning during this experience. Second, be kind. From what I previously said, it's very tough and scary for someone to come out to you, so make sure that they know how much you care about them. An example of this is showing them that you still love and support them, and show them that you will stick up for them. Third, be proud. This will contribute to the aspect of being kind. By fully and openly supporting your friend shows them how proud you are of them, who they are, and the courage it took them. An example of this is how all of my friends took me to the Pride parade in NYC in 2019 to show their support. Finally, be understanding. Someone who is doing all of this is going through a lot of trauma, and they might be frustrated with other people's reactions or just the stress of coming out. So if they might be struggling at being a good friend or whatever it is, understand that they are going through something that not many people experience, and they are just struggling. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Hair Ice Cody Sung Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by Hair ice: By Vielfalt - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=98907791 Fungus: By Jerzy Opioła - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38872654 Have you ever heard of hair ice? It’s silky, elongated, reminiscent of hair. It shouldn’t be able to exist since recrystallization, which breaks the shape, should happen very quickly. And yet it doesn’t. When and where can you find it? How does this happen? Hair ice is a rare phenomenon to encounter. It is only found on dead wood in forests between the latitudes of 45 and 55 degrees north, encompassing the forested parts of the northern United States, such as Washington, Montana, Idaho, the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Maine, southern Canada, most of Europe, and southern Russia – you can find it in a lot of places around the world, but not in New York! However, it only forms in these forests when the temperature is just below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius) and if it is humid – wet - outside. The ice produced by the wood, hair ice, is thin and silky, forming curls and waves reminiscent of its namesake human hair. Due to its unique shape, it is very brittle, more so than actual ice. Despite the odd shape and how fast recrystallization happens at the temperatures it forms at – it should happen within minutes - how does hair ice stay as it is for up to days at a time? The dead wood has a fungus, Exidiopsis effusa, usually found in hair ice. German and Swiss researchers in 2015 noted that every hair ice sample they found had the fungus on it, indicating that the fungus was the cause of the hair ice phenomenon. Interestingly enough, the possibility of a fungus making ice was proposed over a century ago by the discoverer of continental drift, Alfred Wegener. Unfortunately, the dead wood the fungus lies on cannot produce hair ice for that long; it can only do it for a few years, still an impressive period. The fungus can do this by being on a piece of dead wood and waiting until conditions are right and ice starts to grow on the wood. It can then release recrystallization blockers, so the ice doesn’t immediately recrystallize. However, this process remains mostly a mystery. As a fungus causes it, hair ice on a piece of dead wood is disabled. Additionally, the researchers found hot water has the same effect. However, this has the potential for further exploration. Sources “Hair ice”, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_ice “Exidiopsis effusa”, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exidiopsis_effusa “45th parallel north”, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/45th_parallel_north “55th parallel north”, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/55th_parallel_north BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections A Drive into the Archive of New York’s License Plates Akilan Subramaniyan Volume 6 Issue 2 December 22, 2025 Image Provided by Akilan Subramaniyan   You are on a road trip, the type that is excruciatingly long and mundane. The sort that makes you investigate license plates that hang behind cars. You scan through traffic, analyzing unique license plate designs. Out of nowhere, you gawk at an SUV bearing an iconic NY license plate. A plate that incorporates hues of yellow and blue, featuring Niagara Falls to the Montauk Lighthouse and everything in between (“Excelsior Plates | NY DMV”). A simple yet stunning license plate. However, you ponder how the state of New York ended up with this marvelous design. What is the history behind it?              Before we dive into the historical aspect, let us first comprehend what license plates are used for and their significance. The first was introduced in the late 1800s (Search Quarry). The first state that mandated the use of plates was, ironically, New York. Nevertheless, this state never issued these plates. Nor did they express any strict regulations on whether the plates should be visible. During those times, people created their own license plates by hand, using initials and materials such as metal or leather. Despite that, in 1903, Massachusetts was the first state to hand out plates directly to its citizens. Did you know the first license plate manufactured by this state only had the number “1” on it! (Rosenberg) Promptly, states across the United States began distributing license plates to residents. This action enables the police to effortlessly interpret license plates. This marked the beginning of vehicle enrollment laws in the US (Search Quarry). After years of evolution, the Department of Motor Vehicles administers license plates in the US (Rosenberg). Current plates abide by standards but include elements that support state patriotism. This includes iconic slogans or symbols, stunning or dazzling designs, and more. It also has niche roles. For example, allowing police to locate a suspect’s car, showing the ownership of a vehicle, and having taxes, tolls, or rules all tied to the license plate registration (Search Quarry). As already discussed, New York was the first state to mandate license plates. On the other hand, the state had not distributed the license plates itself. Relying on people to make license plates made the license plate system unorganized and messy. Observing this, New York started to provide license plates for uniformity and organization. In 1910, the state of New York distributed state-made license plates, which became the first standardized license plate. This 1910 license plate design, made of steel with a porcelain coat, was selected for durability on roads. It was composed of white lettering and “NY” written vertically on the right-hand side behind a dark blue background. This massive leap was met with a few challenges. Manufacturing these plates in mass production, dealing with organization, and distributing them to an increasingly large population was demanding. Spreading awareness to folks about “Requirements and ensuring widespread compliance,” according to the New York State Blog, was another grueling task. Additionally, another hurdle was that while officials adapted to this new system, they also needed to find vehicles that were still using owner-made or no license plates at all. The good news is that this change laid the vital path for advanced vehicle identification soon ( Newyorkstate.blog ). As the 1920s rolled around, plates became more uniform, made of steel, and often simply had “N.Y” on the side with the year and numbers. Throughout the 1930s to 1940s, license plates were practical and sophisticated in design due to materials’ availability after World War II. Moving on, the 1950s introduced multi-year-old plates and saw the making of the renowned 1957 orange lettering on a black background. Post 1960, New York evolved to use aluminum for their license plates. This material has anti-corrosion, lightweight, and easy recycling qualities. ( Newyorkstate.blog ). All of New York’s license plate designs keep practicality and looks. When it came to practicality, designs committed to contrasts like the 1929 and 1930 plates. In addition, the state embraced sharp contrasts to increase the visibility of the plate. On the other hand, attractiveness stemmed from the utilization of colors that represented, “…the evolving visual identity of New York's roadways,” as stated by the New York State Blog. An important event was the inclusion of the famous slogan, “Empire State,” in 1951. This slogan was both historically significant and contributed to state patriotism, as it was the prediction of New York’s future by George Washington. It was subtle but still powerful. ( Newyorkstate.blog ). Now, after a profound investigation of New York’s license plate history, we surface back to the present day. New York License plates in the present day still prioritize practicality and security while steered by modern technology, and an ever-changing appeal of different beautiful plate designs. The 1900s and early 21 st century advanced toward standard and famed designs that would be etched into New York as a distinctive icon. Starting with the 1986 plate design, which contained dark blue on a white introducing the symbolic Statue of Liberty. It developed such a strong identity that it became a benchmark for two decades. The following was the 2001 plate, which had blue lettering on a golden yellow before switching back to the original blue-on-white. In 2010, a famous updated, “Empire State,” plate was revealed to be often connected to the concrete jungle of NYC. Finally…the most recent license plate is none other than the 2020 “Excelsior” plate. It continues with the blue text on white, has a detailed background, and the slogan, “Excelsior.” This design will continue to be a staple on New York roads around the state ( Newyorkstate.blog ). The final aspect of the current New York license plate is to do with modernization. Modern plates employ a highly reflective coating and are embossed (imprinting the letters for a raised look). This increased readability during the nighttime. Security elements implanted into the seal in the middle of the license plate deter counterfeits. All these measures make the modern plate more secure and functional than older counterparts ( Newyorkstate.blog ). New York State, just like the rest of the states, started out small in the system of license plates. After decades and centuries of development, from owner-made handicrafts to symbolic plate designs, New York has been through a long journey. All this work has not just been forgotten in New York’s interstates and streets. Instead, it turned into a staple in New York. With state loyalty, it hangs behind New York yellow taxis, lengthy MTA buses, flashing and bright NYPD patrol cars, enormous FDNY ladder trucks, and even behind an ordinary New Yorker's car. This piece of metal will follow behind wherever New York is headed, serving as a reminder of New York’s proud license plate ( Newyorkstate.blog ). Excelsior Plates | NY DMV The History of License Plates in the U.S. The History of License Plates in the United States - Fun Facts to Know Journey Through New York License Plates History: A Reveal! - Newyorkstate.blog License Plates of New York US_NYXX_GI4.jpg (598×392) BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Questionnaire With Football Seniors Rehmat Kaur Volume 5 Issue 2 November 25, 2024 Image Provided by Sophia Song What was your most memorable moment playing football? Imran Paul : “My first game as a freshman. That was my real first ever tackle game. We lost but still a fun experience.” When did you start playing football? Who introduced you to this sport? Imran Paul: “I started playing 7th grade and who introduced me was Terry (Senior 2024). It was 6th grade summer going to 7th grade, Terry said I should come to the clinics, and I have been playing ever since.” Who have been some of your toughest competitors? Imran Paul: “Wantagh, Bethpage, Plainedge when they used to be in our conference.” What are you looking forward to in your senior year? Imran Paul: “Just having fun with the guys... it’s the last year, so having fun.” Favorite sports team? Nathan Smith : “Pittsburgh Steelers” Favorite movie? Nathan Smith: “Whiplash , no explanation, love it.” What coaches influenced you the most throughout your high school career and why? Nathan Smith: “All of my football coaches. They have pushed me a lot the past three years.” What advice do you have for up-and-coming football players? Nathan Smith: “Just push through with all the yelling because most of the time coaches are doing this not because they think you are bad but because they think you can do better.” Who have been some of your toughest competitors? Antonio Casoria: “Definitely in the past, Bethpage. Week one Saturday is gonna be a big game, kinda predict the way the season goes.” Do you have any regrets from playing football that you want to make up as a senior? Antonio Casoria: “I don’t think I have any regrets. If I was to do all this again, I would probably do the same way; wins or losses.” What are some of your hobbies besides football? Antonio Casoria: “Hanging out with my friends, going to the gym and going to work.” What are you hoping for as a senior this year for your team? Antonio Casoria: “ Take the team to the playoffs, get some more wins, and bring North some pride.” Who were your football heroes growing up and who are they currently? Jayden Gonzalez: “Definitely OBJ (Odell Beckham Jr.), Jalen Ramsey and right now, it’s Tank Dell.” What other sports are you part of and how did you do in them? Jayden Gonzalez: “Track and Field and received All-County for high jump.” What are you looking forward to as a senior this year? Jayden Gonzalez: “Make it to playoffs and try to win everything.” When did you start playing football and who introduced you to the sport? Samuel Vega: “I started playing in 9th grade, no one really introduced it, but in some way Luke Tartamella (Senior 2025) a little bit.” Are there any regrets playing football that you wish to make up as a senior? Samuel Vega: “Not really, maybe enjoy my year more, have more fun playing with all the people.” What is your best advice for any upcoming highschoolers? Samuel Vega: “Enjoy the time that you have because soon it’s gonna go away.” What is your favorite sports team? Muhammad Haseeb: “The Patriots” Favorite TV show? Muhammad Haseeb: “Cobra Kai” When did you start playing football? Muhammad Haseeb: “I started playing football back in 7th grade.” What are your goals for this football season? Muhammad Haseeb: “To win as many games as possible with my team.” What advice do you have for the up-and-coming football players? Muhammad Haseeb: “Just listen to Coach and if you don’t know something just ask questions, work hard in the offseason and just get better every single day.” When did you start playing football and who introduced you to the sport? Steeve Delma: “I started playing in 8th grade and Imran Paul (Senior 2025) introduced me to the sport.” What are some of your other hobbies besides football? Steeve Delma: “Sleeping.” Do you have family that played before you? Steeve Delma: “No, I’m the first.” What are your goals for this football season? Steeve Delma: “Score as many touchdowns as I can.” What are some of your memorable moments playing football? Christian St. Amand: “Having my best game against Lynbrook in 10th grade.” When did you start playing football and who introduced you to the sport? Christian St. Amand: “I started playing in 7th grade and my dad introduced me to the sport.” Do you have any other hobbies besides football? Christian St. Amand: “Playing basketball for North.” What are you hoping for as a senior this year? Christian St. Amand: “Get All-County in both sports.” Do you have any advice for upcoming and future football players? Leden Sarmiento-Brugman: “Work hard, make plays on the field specially on a scout team.” How much does it mean for you to represent our school colors when you go to different schools? Leden Sarmiento-Brugman: “It means a lot.” What have been some of your core memories over the years at school? Leden Sarmiento-Brugman: “Messing around in AP Environmental Science instead of doing work.” What are you most excited for as a senior this year? Leden Sarmiento-Brugman: “Graduating and getting more free periods in the spring.” Favorite sports team? Luke Tartamella: “The Falcons” Favorite athlete? Luke Tartamella: “Julio Jones” Favorite TV show? Luke Tartamella: “ SpongeBob ” When did you start playing football and who introduced you to the sport? Luke Tartamella: “I started playing when I was four and my brother introduced football to me.” What are your goals for this football season? Luke Tartamella: “Hopefully win all our games and blowout every team we play” What advice do you have for the up-and-coming football players? Luke Tartamella: “ Make sure you work hard and keep your grades up.” When did you start playing football and who introduced you to the sport? Jasson Innocent: “I started playing football as a kid and in my sophomore year in school and my dad got me into this sport because we both like football.” What has been your most favorite sports memory? Jasson Innocent: “Last game sophomore year because everybody was getting emotional. It just brought everybody as a team to get better and work harder.” Favorite movie? Jasson Innocent: “ Home Alone definitely. It’s such a tough movie 10/10!” What has been your most favorite memory playing football? Jonathan Louis-Jean: “Watching my teammates play and getting amazing touchdowns in games.” What advice do you have for the up-and-coming football players? Jonathan Louis-Jean: “Just be comfortable and trust the process.” What is your favorite movie? Jonathan Louis-Jean: “ Chucky ” Danial Haq: Favorite sports team? Danial Haq: “Jets” Favorite athlete? Danial Haq: “Demetrious Johnson” Favorite movie? Danial Haq: “ The Batman ” Favorite TV show? Danial Haq: “ Avatar: The Last Airbender ” What are some of your most memorable moments playing football so far? Danial Haq: “The practices are always pretty fun” What advice do you have for the up-and-coming football players? Danial Haq: “Just do your thing and don’t let losses get to your head” Coach Paolillo What are your goals for the seniors this year? Coach Paolillo: “My goal for the seniors would be to make sure that they leave our program as respectable members of society. Football has so many lessons each day and we always stress to them that being a good person is the most important lesson to learn from football.” I thank everybody for answering the questions and being so polite. I hope this season welcomes the team with fun memories and great achievements. What a team. GO SPARTANS! (with special thanks to Sofia Songveeratham) BACK TO TOP