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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

Back to Articles News Back to Sections TOPSoccer at the Valley Stream Soccer Club By Manal Layachi Volume 2 Issue 6 April 14, 2022 Image provided by www.liherald.com TOPSoccer stands for “The Outreach Program for Soccer.” It is a program for young adults and children who have intellectual and/or physical disabilities. My father, Azzedine Layachi, founded this program for the Valley Stream Soccer Club for my brother Zak. He founded it in September of 2014. My other brother, Elyas, and I volunteer and teach the kids the fundamentals of how to play soccer; I’ve been doing it since I was 5 years old. My favorite part is spending time with the kids and helping them. When they smile, it fills me with joy. Here are some questions that my father answered for me: What inspired you to found this program? My own son and kids like him who would miss the opportunity to play sports. What is your favorite part of each session? The parachute. That is the favorite for all players, and it involves teamwork, singing, and turning in circles as a group. Do you like helping others? Yes. That is one of our purposes in life, to be there for others. Why do you like teaching kids how to play soccer? It is my passion and I want the players to acquire that passion too. It is an easy sport to play. Will you continue to do this for the rest of your life? For as long as I can. A lot of new kids sign up and it feels good to make a change. Anyone can volunteer, even if you don’t know how to play soccer. All in all, I love this TOPSoccer program and helping others, and I can’t wait for the season to start! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections The Economic Impact of Titanic’s Sinking Rehmat Kaur Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by History | A+E Networks The Titanic's sinking on April 15, 1912 was one of the deadliest maritime disasters in history, resulting in an estimated loss of $21 billion for the global economy. The Titanic was intended to produce a large profit on the ship's numerous journeys, with passengers paying for how they wished to be served. Wealthy passengers were on board, ignorant that the ship would sink due to a collision with an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean throughout the night of April 14th and 15th, 1912. At first, the Titanic's lookouts were relieved to find that the iceberg had not left any visible damage but failed to notice that it had created a 300-foot gash in the hull. The captain predicted that the ship would stay afloat for an hour and a half and directed that the lifeboats be filled. Women and children boarded the boats first, however, due to the chaotic process, the majority of the casualties were women and children. The ship remained afloat for about three hours before sinking, resulting in hundreds of fatalities once it sank. 706 individuals survived the Titanic's sinking, nevertheless, this catastrophe claimed the lives of 1517 individuals, but historians believe that number may have been lower. The sinking resulted in the loss of lives, cargo, and investments, as well as a decrease in tourism and trade. In Canada, the sinking resulted in the loss of many jobs, a decrease in the standard of living for many Canadians, and a decrease in the amount of cargo being transported. The RMS Titanic had people of 29 different nationalities, including British, Irish, and American passengers. Among the cargo were 3,364 bags of mail, as well as grand pianos, golf clubs, literal tons of potatoes, toothpaste, 75,000 pounds of fresh meat and fish, beer, wine, liquor, fruits and vegetables, one Renault 35-horsepower automobile owned by William Carter, and eight dogs and one cat. The Titanic's maiden voyage resulted in a massive loss of material things, including a jeweled copy of Omar Khayyam's "The Rubaiyat" with pictures by Eliku Vedder. The Titanic disaster was the result of a storm of unlucky events that resulted in tragedy. Survivors filed insurance claims for everything from the most valuable cargo to commonplace possessions, including a hand-bound poetry book inlaid with 1,500 priceless jewels. Despite many people assuming the ship was indestructible, the incident demonstrates that even the most advanced ship can encounter unexpected disasters. The tragedy significantly impacted the development of maritime technology, the demand for maritime expertise and safety measures. The safety measures included installing radio beacons and distress flares on all ships to prevent such a disastrous event. Sources: https://www.infolibs.com/history/the-economic-impact-of-the-titanics-sinking https://phdessay.com/a-study-of-the-economic-impact-of-the-sinking-of-the-titanic/ https://patch.com/connecticut/cheshire/titanic-100-years-later-remarkable-cargo-also-lost BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Blackened Beige & Bleached Beige By Osaiyekemwen Ogbemudia Volume 1 Issue 5 February 12, 2021 Image provided by Khoudia Diop Blackened Beige To this world I am blackened-beige , nothing more, nothing less. Too black to have red bones. Too burnt to be bronzed light. Not black enough to speak her native tongue. When I look at magazines, the girls staring back at me, Blackened-beige , they are “Pretty, ” if slathered with oil, sauteed naked, and served for the tasting She’s not regal, never classy , but a trend, a fetish, nothing more, nothing less. I’m supposedly scraped from the bottom of the barrel. Too rough to caress. Too tough to hold. Not sexy, curvy, thick enough to fit the “preference.” I long to be a brown girl In a rainbow of shades and hues, Where all can blend happily too... But our vision is fading duller We keep wasting colors. Fates decided The same people divided. If all’s said and done, if MY melanin’s a curse, My ugly must be the absolute worst. Bleached Beige My America is bleached beige. Her hands are discolored, dark splotches defame face, and fair streaks sully the person that once was. She has claimed to stop bleaching, observing her poached cowhide skin Eventually, some parts of her skin returned to its original color, but many fair spots linger --- only to relapse. She still smears her afflictions with the very substance that cages her from self love my America perceives skin color in microscopic gradients or obvious shades of difference 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 Editorial Back to Sections College Visits Noa Cordova Volume 5 Issue 3 January 14, 2025 Image Provided by Noa Cordova The college application process encompasses several factors beyond the Common App screen; in fact, it starts way before that. Knowing where and why you’re applying plays a key role in the process. For example, when making a friend or finding a partner, you should check for compatibility across several categories. For most applicants applying for an undergraduate program, the college they choose will be home for the next four years. Many applicants opt for an in-person evaluation of a school they may apply to by taking college visits. Location: Where do you want to be? Academics, sports, Greek life, and clubs may be important aspects of the college experience; however, simple factors like the location and environment of the college matter equally. For most applicants, location dictates which colleges they’ll apply to. This could start with something general like distance from home. If you want to stay close to home CUNY, SUNY or private local schools might be suitable choices. If you’re open to leaving home, you’ll look into upstate or out-of-state schools. In and out of state, attending college in a city or a suburban area affects the type of campus a college has. Schools in bustling cities like New York City or Boston tend to have open campuses that mix in with the cities. In a more suburban area, schools may have a more closed-off campus where students don’t see much of the surrounding area; Hofstra University and Adelphi University are examples. Another factor to keep in mind with location is climate. Whether you prefer four seasons, colder temperatures year-round, or warmer weather, the location of a college can give you a good idea of what to expect. While pictures and videos paint a picture of what different cities, states, and campuses are like visiting them yourself helps you gauge where you’d like to be. In-person, you can also explore the surrounding area and decide if you could see yourself there. Size: Finding your fit The size of a college or university significantly shapes your college experience. Size impacts, class sizes, activities, and socialization. Small colleges typically have under 5000 students, a medium-sized college consists of around 5000 to 15,000, and a large school typically has over 15,000 students (IvyWise). A smaller school may provide an experience closer to high school which may fit students who prefer a close-knit community. A larger school may be overwhelming for some, but for others provides a lively college experience with plenty of activities, people to meet, and exciting sports games. A medium-sized school provides a happy medium between the two, with plenty of activities and a balance between lectures and intimate class settings. Visiting a small, medium, and large school may help you make more of these statistics and understand what the difference between a small and medium school feels like. Student Body: Who goes there? Based on personal experience, visiting a college campus helps you understand the kinds of students that attend that college. While it’s difficult to label the entire student body accurately, visiting helps you see the school’s diversity level of diversity and its student life. Asking your tour guides about their academic interests, club involvement, hobbies, and favorite activities can tell you plenty about what a typical student is like and give you insight into what life at that college is like. Even within your tour group, you can see what kinds of students are interested in school. When I visit a school< I’m particularly interested in seeing a diverse student body, including international students. You should feel that you could see yourself fitting into the social culture of a school before applying and visiting it can help you determine that. Visiting: Road Trips and Alternatives Visiting schools looks different for everyone depending on if you’re visiting local schools 30 minutes away, driving hours out of state, or flying. As someone applying to several schools in different states, visiting every school wasn't ideal because college visits can be expensive and time-consuming. Instead, visiting a school or two in one area may be a wiser choice. For example, you could visit Boston University and apply to schools in Boston now that you have a general idea of the city’s feel and only visit those schools after being accepted. Of course, traveling to another state might not be feasible for everyone, so virtual tours and webinars might serve as solid alternatives. If you’re a sophomore or junior looking for something to do over upcoming breaks, consider scheduling a college visit. For seniors going through the application process, college visits should make their way onto your winter and spring break to-do lists. Understanding Small vs. Medium vs. Large Colleges | IvyWise BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections This Body of Mine Madisen Dubose Volume 4 Issue 4 May 29, 2024 Artwork Provided by Madisen Dubose BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Don’t Drink and Drive: The Simulator Cody Sung Volume 4 Issue 4 May 29, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching Ever wanted to know what it’s like to drive drunk without the risk? Ever wonder why it’s important to not drive after drinking? The juniors and seniors at North got the answers to these questions at the Save a Life Tour event in the gymnasium on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) club helped organize this event along with the company behind the Save a Life Tour, Educational Support Systems Inc. The Save a Life Tour comes to North every year thanks to this partnership, with this year’s event being the latest installment, with both seniors and juniors being able to sign up for it. Once they entered the gym, the students had a chance to wear a headset that simulated vision while drunk and attempt to put shapes into a container while wearing the headset. They then were able to sit down at two simulators – one for drinking and driving and one for distracted driving. Both simulators had a large screen, a chair, a brake, and a gas pedal in front of it, and a repurposed Xbox controller as a steering wheel. The screen showed a car interior that reacted to input from the steering wheel and the pedals and a city with various vehicles and pedestrians. The drunk driving simulator had a VR headset that showed the view inside the car and delayed reactions to simulate the participant being drunk, while the distracted driving simulator involved the participant using a phone to simulate texting while driving. I got to help with the event and tried both simulators myself. I do not know how to drive, so it made both simulators even more difficult. I began with the drunk driving simulator – I pushed the gas pedal to start, began to drive...then fell off a cliff into the water. I tried it again and got stuck on a curb before crashing – again. I had a bit more luck with the distracted driving simulator and managed to avoid cars and drive quite a bit before crashing into a small pole. I tried again and got stuck on a curb, got off the curb, got onto the highway, and crashed into a car after driving 60 miles an hour, mostly on the median to avoid other cars. In the end, we all had fun and got an experience to help us learn about the dangers of drunk and distracted driving. Afterward, the participants had the opportunity to fill out questionnaires about their experiences with the simulators, sign a pledge not to drive distracted or drunk, and get a rubber wristband. I had a lot of fun helping with the event and am glad it showed people the dangers of drunk and distracted driving. I hope everyone reading this will learn to protect themselves and others by not drinking alcohol before driving and not being distracted by anything while on the road. For more information, go to home - Save A Life Tour BACK TO TOP