Back to Articles News Back to Sections Drug Abuse During the Pandemic By Everton Prospere Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Image provided by The Economist While the threat of COVID-19 continues, a hidden issue grows. Drug abuse has skyrocketed in the United States overall and right here in New York, both for adults and adolescents. The factors contributing to this crisis include the disruption of everyday life and stress. In New York City, overdose deaths have dramatically escalated in the past year. According to The City newsroom and a report from the City University of New York, 22% of injection drug users reported reusing needles, a fourfold increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the Bloomberg Businessweek Magazine detailed that the opioid crisis has also increased, largely due to the pandemic. The magazine interviewed Charlotte Bismuth, a former New York County’s assistant district attorney, who stated, “[people] are living in tents because they lost their spot in sober homes because they lost their job...it’s so much worse than it was when Covid began [in regard to the opioid epidemic]”. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] has reported the overdose deaths during 2020 to understand a more numerical value. As per the CDC, over 81,000 United States citizens died of drug overdose deaths, the largest number reported by the CDC. The agency supports the claim that the pandemic contributed to the increased number of substance abusers and, in turn, deaths due to “the disruption to daily life.” In addition to the considerable increase in drug abuse, the profound impact of drugs on teenagers during the pandemic must not be ignored. Time magazine reports a study conducted by the organization FAIR health, in which a sharp spike in drug abuse was discovered in comparison to the year before the pandemic. In addition, the University of Minnesota reports an increase of 94.9% regarding overdoses in 13-year olds and a 119.3% increase in 18-year olds. While the factor of everyday life disruption is included as a cause of this statistic, stress levels must also be accounted for. Schoolwork especially has resulted in over half of students stressing more in the 2020 school year than the 2019 school year, as per a survey conducted by the NBC News and Challenge Success non-profit. The pandemic has caused increased levels of drug abuse due to a disruption in daily life and stress. While teenagers especially may feel these struggles, we are reminded once more during the celebration of Red Ribbon Week at North, which takes place between March 15th and March 19th , to live a drug-free life. BACK TO TOP

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4 February11, 2022 "MONOCEROS" ARTICLES An Ode to Normalcy By Eva Grace Martinez Polaris Read More Be Aware and Stay Focused By Jeselys Naylana Vazquez Advice Read More Before School Breakfast and School Lunch Ideas: By Christina Ossa Feature Read More First Snow By Navrosedip Kundlas Polaris Read More Interview with Volleyball Star Alessandra Llubit By Argelina Jeune Sports Read More Lies By Navrosedip Kundlas Polaris Read More My First Memory of Stitches By Navrosedip Kundlas Polaris Read More Roses for Valentine’s Day By Angelina Odone and Elaine Ching Polaris Read More Senior Advice By Tiffany Wong Advice Read More Slumdog Millionaire – A Cinematic Masterpiece By Alain Deen Entertainment & Media Read More The Art of Photography By Sahar Ali Art Read More The Bite of ‘83 By Augustine Magapan Entertainment & Media Read More To Mask or Not To Mask By Craig Papajohn-Shaw News Read More Volleyball Clinics By Aleeza Dhillon Sports Read More Why Do We Love? By Alyssa Garufi and Hannah Lee Science & Technology Read More Şirēຖ By Alanna Tieschmaker Polaris Read More Ask Ala: Valentines Day: Two Years Since the Start of COVID-19 By Alicja Paruch Advice Read More Be My Valentine By Huan Evo Alipio Polaris Read More Cool Creature Episode 4: With a twist! By Matteo Somma Science & Technology Read More How to Maintain a Healthy Relationship With Someone By Ala Paruch Advice Read More K-pop By Ismaela Andre Entertainment & Media Read More Lord of the Flies by William Golding Book Review By Leah Ally Entertainment & Media Read More P.S. I Love You Week By Everton Prospere News Read More Self Confidence By Manal Layachi Sports Read More Sisters By Navrosedip Kundlas Polaris Read More Space Junk and the Moon By Elyas Layachi Science & Technology Read More The Backrooms By Liliana Ossa Entertainment & Media Read More The Pig: A New Organ Donor By Cody Sung Science & Technology Read More UNESCO’s Updated Cultural Heritage List By Carolina Grace Figueroa Art Read More Who Needs Romance When You Can Have Platonic Solids? By Lucy Wu Science & Technology Read More Without Her Face 3 By Nora Chery Polaris Read More NOSTALGIC MUSINGS LOAD MORE BEAUTY IN NATURE LOAD MORE

Back to Artwork Perspective Back to Sections Victoria Scarpa - Perspective - 1 By Victoria Scarpa December 16, 2020 Digital Art Volume 1 Issue 3

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Join the Class of 2023 Grade Council By Samantha Altieri Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 Original flyer by Samantha Altieri Hi! I’m here to tell you a little bit about the Class of 2023 (current 10th grade) Grade Council. Over the years, we have done many fundraisers and events, such as bake sales, running a photo booth at North’s annual ‘Halloween Happening’, having a booth at the homecoming festival, and raising money to donate to important charities and causes. We have a lot of fun in grade council while also planning important events for our grade in the coming years such as homecoming, prom, and graduation. It is imperative that we get as many members as possible now in order to fundraise and have ourselves prepared for senior year when we put our funds toward our prom and yearbook. Grade Council is a club where every voice will be heard, so there is no need to be afraid to talk about an idea you may have; we love to hear what you have to say! All new members are welcome. We meet on Thursdays at 3:15, after extra help. If you are interested in joining and becoming an active member of our council, feel free to Teams chat or email Ms. Mulkeen and Ms. McLarney. If you are a member of the Class of 2023, you have already been added to the team, so you’re already set if you’d like to join. Be sure to keep an eye out for important notifications and announcements about upcoming events. Currently, we have a mask-designing contest taking place, so pay close attention to Teams so you don’t miss any important details. We look forward to hopefully seeing some returning and some new faces to the club. See you at our next meeting! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Social Media By Christiana Fredriks Volume 1 Issue 5 February 12, 2021 Original artwork by Christiana Fredriks It’s no secret that the media can be a good and bad place, and since we all have it in everyday life - from our phones to laptops and other tech devices - everyone has a different opinion on it. Influencers, celebrities, and the public all have a platform on social media. Some people use their platform to spread negativity to others, while some use it to spread positivity and promote change. Here Is what a few people had to say about this: In your opinion is the internet worth the world attention? “Yes, search engines like Google give us the ability to know anything just by the click of a button. The internet gives us the ability to communicate from anywhere around the world. In previous decades people had to wait for a newspaper, now we can see the news from an App.” -Isabella Menjivar What is the meaning of a “cyber bully” in your opinion? “I personally think that online bullying and bullying isn't acceptable and should no way be tolerated; however, in my individual experience I don't take it to heart. I don't view bullying through a screen is much different from bullying someone face to face. They both negatively impact the victim. The media spread like wildfire, and soon enough even a lie that the bully makes up could seem real on the internet. Social medias would gossip no matter if it's a credible source.” -Annie Diep What is your opinion on social media? “Right now, my opinion on social media isn't so great. Lately we've seen the removal of many prominent figures. from social media, like Mike Lindell and others, from social media. Big Tech and other social media groups seem to lately not be so fond of certain center-right individuals and have removed certain people spreading that type of ideology. I currently am a member of Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram, and I can tell you that Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey need to do better than they are now.” -Logan T. Balsan In your opinion, is social media a good or bad influence? “Social Media can be a bad influence if you're not careful. You can easily be influenced by toxic people and never know it, especially if they have a big following.” -Nora Chery In your opinion is the internet a safe space? “Mostly yes, I think if people are careful with their internet behavior, the internet is generally safe.” -John P. McCarthy Here is the simple truth, the internet can be what you make it. Remember the saying: “you have control over one person, and one person only.” If you take that knowledge and apply it in this situation, it almost means the same thing. The internet is what you make it it can be safe for you and bad for others or safe for others and bad for you. It all depends on how you use it. And at the end of the day, you either learn something or you don’t. -Huge thank you to Nora Chery, Annie Diep, Logan T. Balsan, Isabella Menjivar, and John P. McCarthy- BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections The Quarantine By Masooma Zaidi Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 Image provided by the New Yorker Life is short. This is a sad fact. I believe everyone will have to face this reality at some point. Every single moment in life is filled with memories. Unfortunately, one may only notice this when their loved one is no more. In this quarantine, I have lost some people I used to know in the community. Although I am thankful I have not lost someone in my family, I have noticed, when a person passes away, unforeseen memories flood the mind. Therefore, I conclude that every second in life is a memorable one. A positive lesson I have learned through quarantine is how important family is. I got to spend so much more time with my family. We would play some games, exercise, go for a walk, eat food together while having chit chats, and many extraordinary experiences I had not savored before the time of quarantine. From my point of view, quarantine has also taught many students and parents the school’s weight and overall importance. For example, school has enabled many students to meet new people, especially those having a different background from your own. School also allows for time to socialize. During my quarantine, I longed for school because I had nothing new to do at home. I would wake up, eat, talk, and sleep. Then the next day would be the same. I suffered from intense boredom; it felt like a rinse, wash, and repeat. During the time of my quarantine I missed school because I had nothing new to do at home. I would wake up, eat, talk, and sleep. Then the next day would be the same. I felt as if I was repeating the same day again and again out of boredom. I felt as if I was repeating the same day again and again out of boredom. I felt as if I was repeating the same day again and again out of boredom… In school, I would meet new people and get to know them more for example my friends, and kind people like my teachers. Personally, I find it exciting to meet new people rather than "repeating my days. However, quarantine have given me the opportunity to fully pursue work; throughout the experience, I have realized how important work is in life. In my future, work will prove crucial for survival as this is the way I’ll earn a job and money. Overall, my quarantine experience was not treacherous. I was met with both negative and positive experiences. Overall, my heart has opened, and my brain is ready to do some work! With a full heart, I happily welcome myself back to school with happiness!!! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Tales Through Time: Mai Bhago; The Saint Warrior Rehmat Kaur Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by Medium.com Early Life Mai Bhago was born in 1666 in the Punjab village of Chabal Kalan, India. It is today known as the Tarn Taran district. She was raised in a Sikh household with religious views and values. She lived with four other family members: her grandpa, father, and two brothers. Her mother was said to have died while she was little. Her father, Malo Shah, was a soldier in Guru Hargobind's (Sikhs' 6th Guru) army, and she also braved to be taught in weaponry (Shastar Vidya). Her great grandpa, Bhai Pero Shah, was converted to Sikhism with his consent during the reign of Guru Arjan Dev Ji (the 5th Guru of Sikhs). Mai Bhago was born “Bhag Bhari” which means “fortunate” or “one who is full of good fortune.” After being blessed with Amrit (like baptism), she was named Bhag Kaur. Her family was highly associated with the Sikh Gurus, and she was severely moved by Guru Arjan Dev's (5th Guru) martyrdom, Guru Hargobind's (6th Guru) warfare, and the Mughal army's injustice to the Sikhs. She made two visits to Guru Tegh Bahadur (9th Guru) and went to Anandpur with her father in 1699, when Guru Gobind Singh (10th Guru) established the Khalsa. Her father brought her back despite her wish to join the Sikh army because no women were serving in the Sikh army at the time. Mai Bhago continued studying combat and horseback riding from her father. She then practiced piercing trees with her spear and quickly became a devoted soldier. A couple of years later she married Bhai Nidhan Singh of Patti village near Amritsar. The Mughals The Mughals dominated the majority of India and Pakistan at the time. Aurangzeb controlled the Mughals, yet he was neither peaceful nor understanding. He was especially hostile against Sikhs, partially for religious reasons and partly because Sikhs were opposed to the caste system. In truth, the Sikhs were generally egalitarian and saw women as equal to males. Liberated Sikhs (Chali Mukte) Aurangzeb, the expansionist Mughal Emperor, attacked Sikh territory with an army of 16,000 warriors in 1704-05 and surrounded the Sikh capital of Anandpur Sahib. During this time, 40 Singhs made the decision to leave Anandpur Sahib and return home. They signed a Bedava (document of dissent) declaring that they were no longer Sikhs under Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. This group included Mai Bhago's spouse and two of her brothers. Outraged by this betrayal, Mai Bhago left home with her own horse, armor, and weapons to seek down the deserters. Mai Bhago is reported to have dressed in traditional "male" attire and collected up the deserters. She went to their houses and urged their wives not to provide refuge for their husbands. Mai Bhago and the other women accused them of being cowards and lacking trust. Some of the women armed themselves and joined Mai Bhago, vowing to fight for the Guru if their husbands refused. Shaken by this, the 40 deserters consented to return to Mai Bhago's service. Battle Of Mukatsar When Mai Bhago's band arrived at Khidrana, they fought against Mughal soldiers in what became known as the Battle of Muktsar. So, despite the fact that they were certainly going to die, the forty (chali) men, along with Mai Bhago, charged headlong into the Muslim forces (around 10,000 soldiers) and inflicted so much damage that the Muslims were forced to abandon their attack and retreat. In the end, all 40 men died, but Mai Bhago and Guru Gobind Singh ji survived. Chali Mukte, or the 40 Liberated Ones, was the name given by Guru Gobind Singh Ji to the dead soldiers. Guru Gobind Singh praised the martyred Sikhs, tore the Bedava paper, and re-established relations with the Sikhs who had deserted him here. Mai Bhag kaur was a celebrated Sikh woman and was the first woman in Punjabi history to fight on a battlefield. Aftermath Guru Gobind Singh Ji was proud of Mai Bhago and fulfilled her ambition to be a true saint-warrior by becoming the Guru’s bodyguard until his death. She later settled in Jinvara and practiced Sikhism until her last breath. Her Legacy Her life demonstrated that, while sexism exists in this world, it is not encouraged by the Gurus. Her beautiful journey continues to inspire countless people today. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Nightmare on Main Street Back to Sections My Sister By Arunima Roy October 8, 2021 Volume 2 Issue 1

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Women and Body Hair through a Media-Oriented Lens By Quinn O'Connor Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Image provided by HUM Body hair on women has been a cultural taboo for ages. Is this due to personal preference or societal pressure? Fear of judgment or genuine dislike? How much of this distaste for hair on the female body is influenced, or even sparked by, the portrayal of women in media? At an impressionable age, much of what is seen on T.V. is drilled into our brains. It is easy to recall a catchy commercial even after years have passed, or the theme song to a long-since canceled program. Imagine a young girl watching a kids’ show, where the girls show no trace of body hair. This young girl is watching iCarly, and hears “What kind of lady doesn’t shave her underarms?” She laughs and agrees. The phrase sticks with her into adolescence, and despite the razor bumps and nicks and inconvenience of the whole business, she continues to shave daily without a second thought. This young girl is used to the women in her life dutifully shaving every night, morning, or couple of days. She regards shaving as a rite of passage, a sign of her womanhood. But why shouldn’t the hair that grows on her body when she’s becoming a woman be the rite of passage? Why is its removal more celebrated and accepted than its arrival? Maybe because of shaving, waxing, and tweezing traditions, or maybe because she will be shunned if she doesn’t. A third, more convincing explanation may be that she had no role models that didn’t shave in media. Try to name five movies or T.V. shows that portray women with body hair. It’s pretty difficult, especially considering most women on screen are virtually hairless. Looking at women through this lens spreads the idea that their body hair should be met with confusion, or even disgust. This idea is introduced in childhood and is reinforced by television programs and films. Perhaps even more jarring than the contempt female body hair is the continual disregard of its existence. When a woman in the spotlight chooses not to remove body hair, it often received with shock. Lauren Valenti, contributor to Vogue , described Julia Roberts’s exposed underarm hair at a 1999 red carpet movie premiere as “a moment forever cemented in pop culture history.” Why is it that a woman’s body, in its most natural state, is so shocking that it is a pressing subject matter in an article written almost two decades later? In recent years, especially with the introduction of social media, there is significantly less shock and backlash against female body hair in certain online communities. However, the disgust is continued in other areas both online and in real life. A majority of women still remove body hair, especially celebrities. Of course, whether or not to shave is a personal choice, and there should be no shame in whichever option one prefers. Still, it's time for reform, especially in the adult film industry. Harmful mistruths perpetuated by these films introduce impossible standards and are a continued source of chagrin for girls. Women take up a large percentage of the population, yet we are not accurately and truthfully represented in most media. It’s safe to say that it is time for that to change. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections MSA Day of Unity Conference Wardah Khizer Volume 5 Issue 5 July 5, 2025 Image Provided by Afas Aswad and Walt Whitman High School On April 11th, 2025, Valley Stream North High School’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) attended their first Day of Unity Conference at Walt Whitman High School. I had the pleasure of interviewing the President of the MSA, Afaf Aswad, and have her share her thoughts on the experience: How did your MSA first hear about the Day of Unity, and what made you want to attend? Aswad: “Dr. Loper and Dr. DiMaio shared details about the fourth annual Day of Unity Conference, following an invitation from Mr. John Murphy, the principal of Walt Whitman High School. Mr. Murphy extended an invitation to our MSA to participate in discussions aimed at promoting unity, diversity, and overcoming prejudice in schools. We wanted to attend because of this year’s theme of "Acceptance" and the core discussions of the Day of Unity Conference align with the missions and goals of our club. The event promotes creating an inclusive environment for students on Long Island, regardless of their religious beliefs and ethnic backgrounds.” Were there any speakers or activities that really stood out to you? Why? Aswad: “ The speakers and activities that stood out to me were the Huntington Anti-Bias Task Force, presented by Joanne Polichetti and Helen Boxwill, which emphasizes the importance of understanding among community members and addresses instances of intolerance, prejudice, and discrimination. Additionally, The Zen Den, led by Kristen McDermott, advocates for peace, tranquility, and the significance of meditation in daily life. Ms. McDermott led a meditation session that was soothing.” Were there any interesting conversations or moments of connection between your group and others? Aswad: “ I thoroughly enjoyed the group activities that took place after each main presentation. Engaging with fellow Muslim students from various schools across Long Island was a wonderful experience. We were frequently organized into groups based on the color or number of our wristbands. I particularly appreciated the opportunity to draw images representing what resonated with me during those discussions.” What did the Day of Unity teach you about unity, faith, and diversity? Aswad: “ The Day of Unity was an informative experience that focused on themes of unity, faith, and diversity. This event featured five presentations from various organizations, including the Huntington Anti-Bias Task Force, the Zen Den, the Eid Holiday Coalition, student presenters, and the Interfaith Initiative. The presentations emphasized the importance of community members being understanding toward one another, the need for individuals to advocate for peace and tranquility, and the necessity for schools across the United States to provide resources and tools for celebrating various religious holidays. Additionally, the event highlighted acceptance through collaboration among different school districts.” Attendees’ Opinions on the Day of Unity Conference: What was your favorite part of the Day of Unity field trip, and why did it stand out to you? Asra Aftab: “ My favorite part was meeting other MSA members from across the county. It was such a pleasant and inspiring experience to see how many students are working toward the same goal, promoting unity, understanding, and appreciation for all religions. What really stood out to me was how different this felt compared to previous years. It showed me that our school, along with others, is making real progress in recognizing and celebrating all religions. Being part of something that brings people together and encourages respect across different communities meant a lot to me, and it made me proud to be involved.” Naomi Gonzalez: “ I enjoyed the meditation aspect of the Day of Unity because I felt like, especially with AP Exams coming up, this was a very needed and calming activity, not only for me but for a lot of other students who attended. In addition, I loved how Walt Whitman High School included students from Suffolk and Nassau and brought them all together. I thought that was a very nice concept. This was truly a day of unity.” BACK TO TOP