Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Valentines’ Sweets By Christina Ossa Volume 1 Issue 5 February 12, 2021 Original photo by Christina Ossa With Valentine's Day creeping closer and closer, why not take initiative and bake something sweet for you and your special someone? If you have a valentine, whether it be a significant other or a friend, and you’re wondering what you could give them or do for them to show some love, it could be a good idea to put in some effort to bake them something. Valentine's Day is the day of the lovers or even just special connections with others, so I’ve compiled two recipes for that special someone that you can bake. While it may not be the easiest task, baking can be an amazing way to show someone that you care. Even if you don’t have a valentine, why not treat yourself and bake these sweets for yourself! “Sweetheart” Vanilla Cookies: Similar to its sister cookie, sugar cookies, this cookie is a buttery-delight that would easily please that special someone. These vanilla cookies are a treat for anyone who eats them, as they’re crisp and crunchy on the outside but have a buttery and soft texture when you bite into them. Also for an extra “touch” if you want to add some decoration to your cookies, I added a drizzle of melted white chocolate dyed red. If you want to wow your valentine or even just treat yourself, these cookies will leave you more than satisfied even if it seems like quite a bit of work at first. But, once you have your finished product of a beautiful vanilla cookie, you won’t be unsatisfied with the amount of work you put into them, and neither will your valentine! Ingredients: 3 ⅓ sticks butter 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar 1-2 large eggs 3 ¼ cups flour 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract A pinch of salt 3 oz white chocolate melts 3-4 drops of red food coloring Directions: Either wait until your eggs and butter are room temperature and the butter is softened, or put each stick of butter in the microwave for 10-15 seconds Add your butter to a large bowl and slowly add your powdered sugar and mix with a hand mixer, whisk, or kitchen aid if you have one Add in the eggs one by one, mixing each time you add an egg Just as you mixed in the powdered sugar, pour in the flour little by little and mix it together until fully incorporated (batter should be sticky but not so much that it fully sticks to hands) Add in the salt and vanilla extract then transfer to either a piping bag to pipe the cookies or take about a golf ball size of batter and roll it in your hands into a ball Place or pipe the cookies onto a baking sheet and bake at 340°F for 10-15 minutes *OPTIONAL* Once the cookies are done and cooled down, melt 3 oz of melting white chocolate in a medium-sized bowl and dye it red with red food coloring once melted *OPTIONAL* drizzle the chocolate onto the cookies with a spoon and enjoy! “Cupid’s” Red Velvet Cake Pops Cake-pops are similar to cake since it’s the same as baking a cake only without the more complex icing aspect of it. These valentine red velvet cake-pops are especially delicious, as they’re covered by a hardened-layer of delicious white chocolate or candy and clumped together with decadent buttercream. If you’re deciding whether you want to bake a special treat for your valentine or just to treat yourself, then baking these cake-pops could be an amazing idea. The cake is airy and soft to bite, and the hint of chocolate from the red velvet flavor may be subtle, but is always an amazing touch. If the cake is a bit too much work for you, just substitute it for a boxed cake mix and follow the instructions on the back. If you’re looking for another recipe to bake for that special someone, feel free to wow them with some delicious Valentine themed cake-pops! Ingredients: Cake: 1 ½ sticks butter 5 tbsp sugar 4 egg yolks 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract ⅛ cup milk 3-4 drops red food coloring ¾ cake flour 4 tsp cocoa powder 2 tsp baking powder 4 egg whites ¼ cup sugar OR Substitute with boxed cake mix Buttercream Frosting: 3 sticks unsalted butter (softened) 3 cups powdered sugar 1 tbsp vanilla extract 2-3 tbsp milk Chocolate Coating: 12 oz white chocolate/candy melts 1 ½ tsp coconut oil (or substitute any other flavorless oil) Toppings of choice (sprinkles, candies, etc.) Cake-pop sticks *OPTIONAL* styrofoam Directions: Follow instructions on the back of the boxed cake mix OR Make sure the butter and eggs are room temperature and the butter is softened Separate the egg yolks from the whites Add the butter to a large bowl and mix with a hand mixer, whisk, or kitchen aid until it turns a light yellow and seems airy Once the butter is whipped, add the sugar and mix until combined Add the egg yolks one by one, mixing with every yolk you add-in and add in the vanilla extract Pour in the milk and red food coloring then mix Use a sift to sift in the CAKE flour (a type of flour made to make an airy cake), cocoa powder, and baking powder then use a spatula to fold it in or mix it in then set aside once combined In a separate, medium-sized bowl, pour in your egg whites and use a hand mixer, whisk, or KitchenAid and whisk until the egg whites become frothy/bubbly on the top Once the egg whites look frothy, add your sugar in ⅓’s and 30-second intervals into the egg white mixture (meaning once the whites are frothy add in about ⅓ of the ¼ cup sugar every thirty seconds and mix in between the thirty seconds) until the egg whites form a meringue (or when you take out the mixer they’ll form hardened peaks at the tips of the whisk or mixer attachment, if still confused look up “how to make meringue” on YouTube or Google) Once the merengue is complete, add it in thirds with a rubber spatula into the cake mixture until combined Prepare 2 cake tins with butter or PAM spray and bake the cake at 335°F for 30 minutes Combine the ingredients for the buttercream in a medium-sized bowl while the cake is baking, mix the butter and the sugar together for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy then add the rest into the mixture Melt the white chocolate/candy melts with coconut oil in the microwave for 30 seconds each time you place it into the microwave until smooth and fully-melted then add either red, pink, or white food coloring Once the cake is out of the oven and cooled, take it out of the tin and into a large-sized bowl and mash it until it’s crumbled, and set it aside Add the frosting into the bowl with the cake until combined Form about a golf-ball sized ball of cake for each cake pop and place a cake pop stick into each ball Dip the cake-pop balls with the sticks on them until it’s fully covered then add decorations of your choosing Either place the cake pops on a baking sheet to dry by smushing the top part onto the baking sheet so that it’s flat or stick the cake pop stick into the styrofoam Place the cake pops in the freezer/fridge for 20-40 minutes until dried, and once dried, enjoy! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Black American Artists Back to Sections Slum Gardens No. 3 By Joseph Norman February 12, 2021 Volume 1 Issue 5 Medium: Charcoal on Wove Paper, Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Being a Good Ally By Joseph Evola Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Image provided by Your Queer Story My name is Joseph Evola, the President of North’s Gay-Straight Alliance, and I am going to help you out when or if someone comes out to you as LGBTQIA+. Coming out as a member of the community is something traumatic for almost everyone. The fear of not knowing what someone is going to say or how they will react, the anxiety of not knowing how your parents are going to take it, or even if friends are going to remain after coming out. Knowing this is crucial because a majority of people do not fully understand how traumatic coming out is and how much goes into someone coming out. Some things that lead into this anxiety for coming out are, people using slurs as if it's a normal word, or openly supporting Anti-LGBT groups, but the most important part is what you do after the person comes out to you. Now that you are versed in how traumatic it can be for someone to come out or why they are scared, you can fully understand why your reaction, and what you do or say in those moments, is very important. 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. I hope that after you have read this, you understand why coming out is such a big deal and why it is so important that you respond kindly and with respect for them. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections The Life of a Jellyfish By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Numeral Paint Plunge deep into the dark sea Where there are many wonders to be seen Pearls as small as a pea Fishes that are bright green But the most wondrous of all Is the one that shall never fall They’re shinier than your shoe polish These beautiful jellyfish Some glow in the dark They really know how to leave their mark Others are the most venomous of all One touch and you’ll fall Some jellyfish are vegetarians Others are pescatarians The scariest of all jellyfish Are the ones that eat the other as a dish Jellyfish don’t settle down How do you think they get their crown? They drift throughout oceans Going through several motions They live all over the world Their arms and tentacles have never curled Such fascinating creatures They go on so many adventures However, don’t get a jellyfish sting Or else you’ll never be able to sing These wonders don’t like to be tampered with They’ll leave you battered Gorgeous, yet deadly After all jellyfish aren’t known to be friendly BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Fitness in a Global Pandemic By Alain Deen Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Image provided by ProRedhadb PC Exercise. Mankind’s social construct to maintain both physical health and even mental wellness. Although you might not exercise daily, it is certain that you have before. With that said, after the pandemic first hit, many of our fitness tracks came to a halt. Whether we found pleasure in it or not, it’s safe to say that many left fitness behind at one point. Along with this, the importance of fitness during a time of COVID-19 shines through our extra belly fat and random spikes of unwanted laziness. However, it should be noted that there are various ways to keep fit during these strange times. Whether through a one-minute “Flipgrid” video or a daily routine, it definitely could be done. The Benefits of Exercise during the COVID-19 Pandemic Although we may not want to exercise, it sure is necessary, especially while we’re at home binge-watching our favorite cheesy Netflix originals that happen to be very captivating. Anyway, studies show that levels of anxiety have greatly increased in the past year. Surprisingly enough, a few minutes of exercise a day can aid in preventing an anxious mindset. According to Michigan Medicine, the University of Michigan’s department of health and wellness, strength training has indicated a reduction in symptoms of anxiety for individuals without any type of anxiety disorder. This research highlights the importance of exercise for not only our physical health, but mental health as well. Michigan Medicine’s research further highlights the psychological benefits of exercise. For instance, it promotes positive feelings; “For children and adolescents, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and exercise during the day are associated with elevations in self-esteem, improved concentration, reductions in depressive symptoms, and improvements in sleep”. With all of that said, there are a plethora of easy-to-perform exercises you can do at home…some you might even recognize from your gym class. How has fitness changed? As I mentioned before, fitness during these times has seen rapid and immense change. This is greatly evident in your very own gym class. I had the privilege of interviewing North High School’s PE instructor, Ms. Abbate, about the benefits of fitness, physical education during the pandemic, and her very own exercise routines. What are some of the exercises you've assigned to you students? “We assigned our students more fitness concepts rather than actual exercises. As a department we felt it helped students to understand WHY certain exercises are done and how they benefit the body rather than just giving them a list of workouts to do. Plus, not being able to supervise them while doing exercises at home is a safety concern. Physical fitness is something that will always be part of your life and understanding how you have to modify based on your current fitness level is important to everyone.” How has your teaching style changed for both Health class and physical education? “UGH. How hasn’t it changed? PE was super limited in the beginning and we were not permitted to use any equipment at first, which is kind of critical in PE. I think just having the break from sitting in front of a screen for students who came in person gave PE that glimmer of light that other classes couldn’t offer. But it’s not the same at all; whether you all realize it or not, PE is more than just getting activity in. You’re meshed with students of other grades, some probably not your tight group of friends, working together and breaking social boundaries that aren’t always offered in other class settings. As Ms. Zovich often says, you learn the history of some of the activities we do that ‘might come in handy if you’re ever on Jeopardy! one day!’ and the light-heartedness of PE now is just overshadowed by restrictions. As far as health, a lot of what we do is based on what is called “skills based learning”, meaning we teach through activity. For example, a lesson I love in the Drug and Alcohol Unit involves making everyone jog in place in the classroom and see how they feel. Then they try again but this time I give them a straw (usually I’m able to snag a bunch from Starbucks in the morning) and have them jog in place only breathing through the straw. The point being that it is more challenging, representing how it would feel to have lungs that were damaged from smoking cigarettes/e-cigarettes. While I could probably do that with my in person students, what about those who are fully remote? That was a big challenge I found with revamping my lessons, I would get it to work but then remembered there would be students that I would never have in the classroom. Which brings me to another point, there are students I’ve genuinely never met; this is only my second year at North so most of my students are new to me regardless. Having only met them through a screen is wild to me. So much of health class deals with that quality in person face-to-face experience that this year is lacking. It is quite a challenge to facilitate that same quality connection to fully remote students. It breaks my heart to see you all going through your days like this. To end on a positive note, I’ve improved with my technology use, which is cool. “ What are some exercises YOU do at home to stay fit? “I love to run the boardwalk in Long Beach where I live. If I put on a good playlist or podcast I really get to escape and just go, the views are great too! [I use a] Peloton login, so I have that app with tons of different workouts, not just cycling. I recently started seeing a personal trainer too who is great; it’s 1 on 1 which makes me feel really good with COVID safety protocols and it’s a workout catered just to me”. Do the exercises you assign have both psychological and physical benefits? “Again, like I said we didn’t assign specific exercises we assigned fitness related concepts, but generally speaking if students were to apply those concepts the benefits both physically and mentally are huge. When you exercise, like even something super simple as taking a 20-30 minute walk, is enough to get your heart working enough to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and decrease body fat. As far as mentally, exercise increases your memory (more blood flow to the brain), helps you sleep more restfully, and over time can make your mood elevated and lower stress levels. You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to get quality exercise in and reap these benefits, start small and consistency is key!” Although it may be hard to find the motivation to exercise, it is definitely worth the try. From psychological benefits to physical outcomes, performing a 20-30 workout everyday proves to have its perks. Whether it’s learning why fitness holds such great importance, or simply the desire to stay fit, exercise and fitness will always be of great importance in our daily lives. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Beauty in Nature Back to Sections Nick Ottomanelli - Beauty in Nature By Nick Ottomanelli February 10, 2022 Photography Volume 2 Issue 4

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Trapped By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Saatchiart.Com Trapped in a glass box I can see out, but no one can see in People think I'm like a fox But they don’t know what's under my skin All they see is the outside Which I easily cover up with a face No one can see what I hide Whatever they see, they embrace   No one asks questions No how was your day They don't bother reading expressions It doesn't matter how gray Sitting there in a depressed like-state At this point I'm too far gone That I don't care if I'm late Or if the test in front of me is done   Phony laughs, fake smiles No one can tell the difference All my coach cares about are the miles If I'm there or not, no cares about my presence Everyone thinks my life is picture perfect Perfect grades, friends, family, and life But they don't know the real effect They don’t know about the knife   I'm shattered into tiny pieces Too small to glue back together It doesn’t matter the amount of braces You can't help someone who already surrendered Deep down inside its ugly But don't worry, no one knows I’m not happy Everyone thinks I'm so friendly They don't know that I'm pretty snappy   Binded by those ice-cold chains There's not enough warmth to melt the pain Those empty eyes are all the remains Everything else is drowning in the rain My wings fell down three years ago Leaving me all alone Broken down with an empty echo Dead without a backbone   BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections En Garde! By John McCarthy Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Original photo by Coach Mary Parisi Winter sports have been back for two weeks now, and one team in action is our district fencing team. North’s own Ms. Parisi and her squad has already competed in three matches, with two wins against Syosset and Cold Spring Harbor. The team looks very promising, according to Ms. Parisi. The smart and passionate coach had this comment about the team: “I am very excited to return as head coach of the girls’ district fencing team. From the first ‘en garde’ to the last touch, these ladies truly give their all in practices and competitions. The team has been vigilant in adhering to the new safety protocols this season, and it is truly a pleasure to work with such a responsible and talented group of young ladies. In actuality, fencing strategy can be applied to everyday life, since an important part of the sport is maintaining a safe distance and keeping your mask on! I’m overjoyed to be coaching again and I can’t wait to see how the rest of the season unfolds!” Here are our own fencers from VS North: Afira Mahmood (epee, 2 wins) Marisa Mohan (epee) Diane Tomax (foil) Filomena Pereira (foil, 1 win) Irene Quintero (foil, 2 wins) Tayler Rochester (sabre, 6 wins) Congratulations to the girls for the success they’ve had so far! Although no spectators are allowed at matches, I’m sure we will hear great things about our sports teams, especially fencing. The Winter Sports season has much more to it, and we can’t wait to see what will come next. Go Spartans! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections 2023 Oscar Predictions By Alain Deen Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Image provided by US Weekly The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, evaluate and reward the creative prowess of films through an artistic and technical lens. The ceremony is largely regarded as one of the most prestigious nights within the industry, underscoring the talent, grit, and passion placed into the filmmaking process. As an aspiring filmmaker, writer, and actor myself, The Oscars are more than just an awards ceremony. The event proves to be pinnacle of creative, artistic, and introspective thought in terms of the past year. This year’s ceremony is taking place on March 12th, and there are various predictions regarding this year’s nominees. I will be covering the more popular categories, just as I did in my 2022 prediction article. Here are my takes. Best Picture: Top Gun: Maverick Women Talking Everything Everywhere All at Once The Banshees of Inisherin Triangle of Sadness The Fabelmans All Quiet on the Western Front Avatar: The Way of Water Elvis Tar In my opinion, Baz Luhrmann’s star-studded Elvis biopic takes the cake for this category. The unique editing, aesthetic, cinematography, and performances brand the film in an elegant, award-winning fashion. Compared to all of the other titles listed above, Elvis has generated the most fan fare by a landslide. However, it is worth noting that I personally believe Everything Everywhere All at Once is the better film in terms of pacing, writing and plot. Even so, I predict Elvis to win however due to its large cultural impact in the last eight months or so. Best Actor Brendan Fraser, The Whale Austin Butler, Elvis Colin Farrell, The Banshees of Inisherin Bill Nighty, Living Paul Mescal, Aftersun Austin Butler has emerged as one of the prominent faces of Hollywood this past year with the success of Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis. It is safe to say that Butler committed to the role in ways we cannot comprehend. For instance, Butler nailed his accent to the tea, to the point where it has remained almost a year after filming culminated. Therefore, I predict his performance to win in the best actor category. In contrast to the other actors nominated, Butler has displayed an exceeding level of commitment. Any actor willing to devote his time, grit, and fortitude in a role is deserving of winning this award, and Butler did just that. Best Actress Andrea Riseborough, To Leslie Michelle Williams, The Fabelmans Cate Blanchett, Tar Ana De Armas, Blonde Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once For me, Michelle Yeoh’s performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once has to be one of the greatest I have seen in my 18 years of life. Yeoh’s multifaceted performance underscores the duality of livelihood. Her subtle motions, gestures, accompanied with her character’s (Evelyn Quan Wang’s) buoyant personality makes the performance award-winning for me. It takes a different skillset to play Evelyn, which Michelle mastered impressively. What makes her performance even more impressive is that this is Yeoh’s first leading role in a Hollywood film. Best Supporting Actor Brendan Gleeson, The Banshees of Inisherin Brian Tyree Henry, Causeway Judd Hirsch, The Fabelmans Barry Keoghan, The Banshees of Inisherin Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once The casting in Everything Everywhere All at Once, was seemingly written in the stars. Ke Huy Quan delivers a stunning performance as Waymond Wang, as Quan felt the screenplay was written specifically for him. Specifically, Quan portrayed three versions of the same character, whom he believes are all different representations of himself. Quan felt a deeper connection to Wang’s different personas, underscoring his natural connection to the role. Unlike Austin Butler (whom I predict to win in the best actor category), Quan did not put as much grit and sweat into the role. However, I am not implying he is undeserving, but rather emphasizing Quan’s raw talent and natural ability, to which he is greatly deserving of the award in this category. Best Director Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin Todd Field, Tar Ruben Ostlund, Triangle of Sadness Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All at Once Daniel Kwan, Everything Everywhere All at Once Steven Spielberg, The Fabelmans Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans, was nothing short of a captivating, compelling, and engrossing watch. Spielberg’s direction proves to be nuanced, complex, and brilliant in terms of his transition into modern storytelling. The film finds Speilberg nodding at his familial roots which bolstered his passion for film. Spielberg seemingly synthesizes the concepts of life and art, culminating in a beautiful ode to the craft of film and the genius surrounding the filmmaking process. Just from watching the film, viewers embody the passion and grit provided by Spielberg, making his direction extraordinarily memorable and quite deserving of this award. Best Supporting Actress Angela Bassett, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Kerry Condon, The Banshees of Inisherin Jamie Lee Curtis, Everything Everywhere All at Once Stephanie Hsu, Everything Everywhere All at Once Hong Chau, The Wale Kerry Condon delivers a stunning performance in The Banshees of Inisherin. Playing Siobhán, Condon performed while channeling grief from her beloved dog’s death. This is an interesting way to approach a role, which surprisingly paid off for the Irish actress. While I was not exceedingly impressed with this category’s nominees, I believe Condon is deserving of the role, as she successfully examined the intricacies of a woman’s dignity, intelligence, and nuances. Best Animated Feature Turning Red Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio Marcel the Shell with Shoes On The Sea Beast Puss in Boots: The Last Wish Along with the other categories, one must not forget the importance and cultural impact of animation. I believe Pixar’s Turning Red , is greatly deserving of this category’s award due to its coming-of-age plotlines, risk, and minority representation. Pixar took a risk when developing this film, conjuring dialogue which deals with puberty along with a critique on traditionality. This very concept brands the film in an award-winning fashion. It is worth noting that Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio was an underrated masterpiece and deserves the credit where it is due. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections My First Memory of Stitches By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 5 March 28, 2022 Image provided by Pediatric Urgent Care of New York 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