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Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Skating at Newbridge Arena (Or: How to Fall Until it Stops Hurting) By Eva Grace Martinez Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Image provided by Gail Winton “Hey, do you want to go ice skating this weekend?” The question asked above was sent to me a few weekends ago, and along with the invite, a promise of a nice break before AP season. So, I excitedly sent back, “Yes!” As much as I was looking forward to finally having plans that weren’t school-related on my calendar, there was one big problem—I can’t skate. I’ve done my fair share of sports growing up, and was even a gymnast for several years through my childhood. I know to how to ski and snowboard, and can even ride a skateboard, however, ice skates always seemed to be my downfall...literally. When like me, you have a propensity for breaking bones, and seem to be impossibly clumsy, there are certain skills you never pick up. My parents saw how often I would stumble up the steps to my room and decided that mixing me and ice skates would be asking for disaster. So, with no childhood training or balance to fall back on, I would have to turn somewhere else to prepare for my ice-skating adventure. Thankfully, my memory is better than my balance, and I remembered that last issue, we published an article about learning how to skate. After some light reading and praying to any god I could name for the gift of good balance, I got into my friend’s car, and I was on my way to Newbridge Arena. So, turns out a few prayers and reading one article won’t make you into any Michelle Kwan. I never really grew out of my childhood clumsiness, and when put on centimeter-thin blades on ice, that problem is only exacerbated. I had the grace of a baby giraffe attempting to wobble through the Savannah minutes after being born. Which, to translate from metaphor to reality means I spent most of my afternoon falling. Before anyone goes skating for the first time, I recommend learning how to fall safely . This definitely saved me from breaking a few fingers on the ice. I would also recommend bringing someone with you who does know how to skate, as they can help you get your bearings when just starting out. Thankfully, our Advice Editor, Alicja Paruch, is an excellent skater and an equally excellent teacher. She held my hand (both literally and figuratively) while I slipped and stumbled around the rink. It made for an interesting experience but ultimately a fun one. By the time I was able to hold myself up, I felt as if I had accomplished something grand. A feeling completely decimated seconds later by the small children in hockey jerseys moving faster than I ever could in my life (seriously, those kids move like the ice doesn’t bother them at all). Although I was moving slow, the feeling of finally being able to move at all was exhilarating, and I began to understand precisely why so many people love the sport. Yet, skating can be pretty dangerous. Once, while attempting to speed up, I slipped and fell. This would have been an annoying fall on its own just because of my slightly higher speed, but on the way down, I managed to kick the blade of Ala’s skate, sending her to the ice as well. Of course, we are both okay, and we escaped that fall without any major injury. If you decide to go skating, keep your eyes peeled for the rest of the rink around you. Spatial awareness can save you and someone else from a broken bone or two. Overall, going skating was a fun day trip I would recommend for anyone looking to try something new. If you dance, do gymnastics, or otherwise cultivate a skill that requires balance, you’re probably going to be far better than I was on your first try. If you’re clumsy like me, then remember to stick with it; it’s not a skill you can develop instantly. Once I could move on my own, the challenge became exciting, and I definitely look forward to going again! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Black Lives Matter: Effects of Social Movement on Social Media By Nehilah Grand-Pierre Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Image provided by The Pew Research Center June 2nd, 2020 started as each day of quarantine did, resisting the urge to check Instagram first thing in the morning. Yet, this day was different. Unlike the previous days of quarantine posts, there were no whipped coffee or at-home workouts shared. There were only black squares, from classmates and friends to celebrities like Rihanna, and companies such as Apple and Netflix. According to Forbes, there were already 28 million black squares hashtagged “ #blackouttuesday ” by 11:14 am that morning. So, I posted mine, perhaps out of sheer obligation, but asking myself if that really helped. What is Black Out Tuesday? The reason behind this mass sharing of nothing for the day was because June 2nd marked one week since the passing of George Floyd, the 46-year-old black man murdered by the white police officer, Derek Chauvin, captured on the viral video which shows Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck. Instagram was not the only platform on which users demonstrated a viral response to the tragedy. However, Researchers at Pew concluded that from May 26th to June 7th, #BlackLivesMatter was used 47.8 million times on Twitter alone. “George Floyd's death was filmed, but he still died” states Sasha Smalls, 17-year-old high school senior, and President of the Black Student Union here at Valley Stream North High School. “The filming hasn’t changed anything other than the fact that more people can see it in real time.” Now, it just isn’t that the world is watching, but also reacting, as on May 28th 2020, 8.8 million Twitter users shared post tagged with #BlackLivesMatter while protests began to emerge across the country, and the globe. The Difference With the advent of social media, movements like Black Lives Matter are able to gain traction fast, and with a larger audience than ever before. “The use of social media has evolved from simple conversations” says Tomi Akitunde, the head writer of MaterMae, an online resource with articles and aids for black mothers, which strides to educate others on the black community; the MaterMae Instagram page currently has over twelve thousand followers. “People are using it to be seen and say things they might’ve thought but never felt comfortable speaking out loud because they didn’t have people in their immediate community who felt like them or looked like the way they did. Now they have the whole world to listen to them”. Instagram and Twitter offer the opportunity for more people to get involved, with news coming in faster than experienced by any previous generation. “These social issues have become a part of our day to day lives” states Akitunde. “Now everything is right there because of social media. Now celebrities are involved, it's in your face”. The video of George Floyd’s death perhaps was the most in-your-face example of police brutality, a key conflict that the Black Lives Matter movement seeks to eradicate. Though the Black Lives Matter movement began in 2016 when the murder of Treyvon Martin occurred, more people have been forced to join the conversation in 2020 because of how undeniably graphic George Floyd’s death video was, whether they agreed it was worth protesting against or not. The Day Everything Changed Though Floyd’s death did not mark the first instance of a black man dying at the hands of police officers, June 2nd marked the first day of the change in atmosphere that has been present on Instagram. #TheShowMustBeStopped , another hashtag shared on Black Out Tuesday, highlights that change needed to be brought to Instagram in order to provide space for black voices and stories, as the hashtag #Amplifyblackvoices went viral as well. This shift in attitude presented on Black Out Tuesday demonstrated lasting effects. Instagram users continue to use their accounts to share infographics, petitions, links and other helpful resources months after George Floyd’s death. Posts from pages like @soyouwanttotalkabout and @chnge appear on Instagram stories, as educating others has almost become the new trend of Instagram, and both pages now have a combined following of over 4.1 million. “If I want to know how I can help out or educate myself, all I have to do is click on an Instagram story” states Smalls. “I was scrolling through Instagram 3 days ago like a normal gen-z teen, and I followed @chnge , so it came up. I stopped and I read the story without having to get up and go watch the news. Just as though I was trying to check up on Kylie Jenner, I could read about something that could affect my community.” There have been negative effects from the educational atmosphere that has seemed to present itself onto Instagram, however, despite its benefits of bringing important social issues to light. “People are finding a community, but at the same token, there’s this really polarized ‘I’m right you're wrong’ [and] no room for different viewpoints. Everything is very extreme because Black Lives Matter is a matter of life or death” states Akitunde. “Those infographics are really good at making people want to tag and share. The dangerous thing is when they are not sourced. I had to educate this woman I went to high school with once, because she shared something saying ‘Hey White People if you want to be a good ally stop saying black lives matter...what you need to say is this:...’. The source was an organization that doesn’t exist”. Allyship Though non-black POC and white allies may have the best intentions, sharing information on any social media platform should be done with caution. “Being a good ally is not something you call yourself, someone in the community has to bestow it upon you and it's also something you constantly have to be working at” tells Akitunde. The importance of allyship, however, doesn’t negate the fact that there still needs to be space left for black voices, though speaking up might be frightening. “I would love to have more white people, and republicans join the BSU meetings” Smalls says. “When I upload something like ‘Black Lives Matter’ to the BSU Instagram, I don’t want to push out potential club members.” The Takeaway Instagram has been a space where users can present the best of themselves (by literally posting their highlight reels), and display themselves through their pictures and captions. However, when the show must be stopped, social movements cause users to respond. Though selfies have been replaced by petitions, and VSCO links by www.blacklivesmatters.cardd.co/ , posting a black square is not enough to evoke change, and shouldn’t be thought of as such. “This kind of performative activism, where some people think that just posting a black screen with a hashtag is enough to evoke change, some of these people only do it because they don’t want to be hated on by those around them and then they go back to doing something that doesn’t help the movement” Smalls states. Therefore, it is not what the screen says that will push social change, but rather the character of that person behind the screen. Instagram may now provide the resources, but it is still the responsibility of the user to want to push the social movement beyond the walls of social media, and truly make the work happen, and the world a better place. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections My First Memory of Stitches By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado Life is full of troubles. Just waiting to unfold As fragile as bubbles But for a five-year-old, I was still bold The day was full of delight. However, the horror was yet to come As I approached the swings, the boy took flight Smashing my head till I fell, wishing I had never come The nails on the floor poking my ear Hoping they would fill their hunger RRRRIP as the world disappeared The last thing I heard was my mom screaming in anger. When I woke up, the nurse’s smile was as bright as the sun But I knew this was no fun My mother was a rabbit, scared and small I wished instead of the park we had gone to the mall I wished instead of the park we had gone to the mall BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections The Compliment of Blue By Elizabeth Andre November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Artwork Heckscher Back to Sections Reflection Entry 2 April 14, 2022 Watercolor Volume 2 Issue 6

Back to Artwork Who Am I Back to Sections Anonymous - Who Am I? - 4 By Anonymous November 19, 2021 Volume 2 Issue 2

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Should schools remain open after Winter Break? By Shinedip Kundlas Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 No Image available at this time As coronavirus cases began to rise in NY, the challenge to keep schools open is getting more difficult and more complicated. Long Island school officials and Nassau County leaders said that they will do everything they can to keep schools open, even as many of the county’s infection rates surpass the 3% seven-day threshold which had closed schools in NYC. Many students, teachers, and parents have different opinions on whether or not school buildings should remain open after winter break. Experts suggest schools that have been open for in-person instruction can stay open even in the face of substantial community spread because they have offered strong safety measures, and there has been a political desire for it. I think that schools should close last, especially the elementary schools. When the fall semester came to an end, final assessments and projects had piled up making it hard for some students to even digest the amount of work they had due. And many secondary students have failed their classes this past quarter. School districts from coast to coast have reported the number of students failing classes has soared by as many as two or three times - with English Language Learners, disadvantaged students, and students with special needs facing the most distress. Many educators have noticed some factors that play into problems with remote instruction; internet access may be inadequate or unreliable, making it very difficult for students to complete and upload assignments. Some remote students skip assignments - or class meetings entirely. Teachers who do not get to see their students in person have a small number of ways to pick up on who is falling behind, especially with many not maintaining communication with their teachers. A rising number of health professionals have urged opening more elementary schools because younger children appear less susceptible to transmitting the virus than experts had worried about and because younger students have a hard time learning online and independently. It should be noted how students sit behind their laptops for 8 hours a day sometimes even more, when it is time for online school. Then students have assignments due the night of, which students will spend so much time after class on. Finishing assignments, homework, projects, labs, and missed classwork, students rarely get to go outside or even spend time with family, not to mention the fact that many students need to spend extra hours studying the material covered that day. Whereas hybrid students do spend time on laptops at school, in my opinion, in-person learning makes it much easier to learn and keep on top of assignments. There are fewer distractions, less need for the internet, and students feel free to ask questions. While school leaders and officials make the decisions, it is so important to keep students’ and teachers’ health in mind. As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, we should take proper precautions to keep our students and teachers safe, but also productive. Closing schools when it is needed, staying home when being notified of close contact with a person who has COVID-19, and wearing masks are all things we can do while still maintaining in-person school. American officials have failed so many times in this pandemic, and the students aren’t at fault. As we try and fix this mess, let’s try to put their needs first. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Why Do We Love? By Alyssa Garufi and Hannah Lee Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by NDNR.com Why do we love? With Valentine's Day coming up, we must understand why we love. Why do humans feel butterflies in their stomachs and act in absurd ways due to love? Why is it that we even love in the first place? The answer to this question is simple - oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone responsible for the warm sensation we feel when around the people we love.  What is oxytocin? Oxytocin is a hormone that our body emits, and it is known as the "love hormone." It is produced by the hypothalamus and is secreted by the pituitary gland. Oxytocin release is linked to simple actions of touch. Giving someone a hug or a massage leads to increased levels of this hormone. Oxytocin is also connected to greater communication between partners in love - especially during an argument.  How does oxytocin relate to dopamine and serotonin? Dopamine and serotonin are known as the "happy hormones." When you're attracted to another person, both romantically and platonically, your brain releases dopamine. In addition, your serotonin levels increase, and oxytocin is produced as well. In conjunction, these hormones result in a surge of positive emotion. Oxytocin positively impacts social behaviors, such as relaxation, trust, and psychological stability. Overall, the hormone has been shown to decrease stress and anxiety levels, along with dopamine and serotonin. How can one increase their oxytocin levels? After reading about the benefits of oxytocin, if you want to learn how to feel the effects of the hormone, try some of these methods: 1) Share your love and affection with others Sharing your feelings with a loved one often leads to a kind reply which increases oxytocin levels and induces a pleasurable feeling. Also, telling a friend or partner that you love them can prompt a hug, handhold, or even a kiss, which thus increases your oxytocin levels as well.  2) Strengthen friendships with others Having a solid relationship with friends makes an enormous difference in your emotional well-being. Hanging out with friends usually results in a good time, increasing your happiness and thus your oxytocin levels. Also, being around friends makes you feel socially supported and less alone in the world, allowing for an increase in oxytocin and dopamine levels. The trust and affection you have for your friends increase the more time you spend with them.  3) Having deep conversations When you talk to friends or significant others about your inner thoughts, you develop a stronger bond with that person. Bonding and increased feelings of connection and empathy can increase the amount of oxytocin in your bloodstream. When you genuinely listen to what someone has to say, you can be happier in return because of the trust developed. So, the next time your friend wants to talk to you about something important, put down anything that might distract you and give them your full attention. This close interaction can trigger oxytocin release. 4) Be generous Altruistic behavior can promote oxytocin release. When you give someone a gift or practice a random act of kindness, others feel happy, which in return makes you more comfortable too. A simple act of brightening someone's day can lift your spirits and release oxytocin which promotes positive feelings in you, too. Live generously: offer to help with a chore, write someone a love note, or even support your favorite cause. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Hakeem Makes History By Samantha Alteri Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image provided by NBC News Congressman Hakeem Jefferies, the Representative of New York’s 8th Congressional District since 2013, was recently selected to serve as the minority leader for House Democrats in the 118th Congress. Representative Jefferies, who currently serves as the Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, is no stranger to leadership positions in the lower house. The former whip of the Congressional Black Caucus and prior co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, Jefferies will be the first Black American to lead a major political party in Congress. Jefferies will assume the slot in leadership currently held by Nancy Pelosi, the first female to serve as Speaker of the House. Shortly after the 2022 Midterm Elections, Pelosi announced her intention to step down from House leadership, signaling a change in Democratic politics. Not only did Pelosi step down, but the other top two Democratic leaders in the House did as well. Representative Steny Hoyer, the former majority leader representing Maryland’s 5th Congressional District, and James Clyburn, the whip from South Carolina’s 6th Congressional District, stepped down as well. Representative Katherine Clark, who serves as the Congresswoman of Massachusetts’s 5th District, will assume Clyburn’s former role, while Pete Aguilar, the Representative for California’s 31st District, and current Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus, will assume the role of Democratic Caucus Chair. The transition to new Democratic leadership in the House represents a generation change for Congress. Current House Democratic leadership members are three decades older than Jefferies. This key move by Democrats was made just a few weeks after a midterm election in which Generation Z voters represented a large portion of the voting block for Democrats. These young, politically active voters moved to elect Democrats on a large scale, with a CNN House exit poll showing 63% of Generation Z voters cast ballots for the left. The move by House Democrats to place younger politicians in key leadership roles may resemble a desire to maintain large numbers of voter participation from this group of young constituents. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections The Shadow By Huan Evo Alipio Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Bustle A shadow creeps up behind While the wind hits the chime It may appear at any moment in time Day or night it might come But you’ll never know where it’s from Don’t be stunned by its shape As it will follow you with a big cape Even though a shadow is quite simple It should never be underestimated like a quick ripple Because it goes wherever you are and is within your body Or sometimes that shadow can be your own Rocky A shadow can be a positive and a negative A shadow can also be seen from many perspectives It must be remembered that a shadow is not a willing element The same reason why it's housed inside your body making him a resident Even though a shadow cannot speak That same shadow is undoubtedly unique BACK TO TOP