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Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections A Party Divide That Can Destroy America By Craig Papajohn-Shaw Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Image provided by Vox It was George Washington and the other Founding Fathers who warned against political factions that would prevent branches of government from exercising powers because of partisan greed. While the democratic system does include smaller parties such as the Libertarian and Green Parties, the failure to establish more than two mainstream parties has led those who follow the ideals of smaller parties to caucus with either one of the two mainstream parties in American politics: The Democratic Party, and the Republican Party. The two-party system has been proven divisive on multiple occasions throughout history. With both the Democratic and Republican parties having large spectrums of beliefs, the question arises: is a party divide necessary, and what are the likely outcomes of a mainstream party split? The Grand Old Party (GOP), commonly referred to as the Republican Party, has shown their ideology has been shifting. The election victory in 2016 of Donald Trump (R-FL) was the first indication of such a shift. Trump’s political ideology is described as nationalism and has also been identified as populism. Prior presidential candidates for the party including former President George W. Bush (R-TX), a neoconservative, former Senator John McCain (R-AZ), a Libertarian conservative, and Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), a socially liberal and fiscally conservative moderate, evince the drastic spectrum across the party. During the final months of the Trump administration, certain leaders of the party, such as Romney and Bush, stated they would not support his pursuance of a second term due to his ideals which run counter to theirs and traditional Republicans. In the recent months of the lame-duck session, Trump has challenged the election, spread fallacies, and ruined relationships with politicians within his own party. Forcing multiple election recounts in the state of Georgia, Trump attacked Republican Governor Brian Kemp (R-GA) and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R-GA), constantly calling the two “RINOS” (Republicans in Name Only) on Twitter, which was followed by an uproar from his supporters. Supporters in Georgia followed suit by claiming the election was fraudulent and blaming their Republican Governor. Furthering the thought of Trump and his supporters retaliating against politicians within their own party, in the days prior to and after the events of January 6th, Republican leaders who were not in favor of overturning the election were verbally harassed by supporters of Trump. Vice-President Mike Pence (R-IN) was claimed to be the way to overturning the election. However, Pence stated, “It is my considered judgment that my oath to support and defend the Constitution constrains me from claiming unilateral authority to determine which electoral votes should be counted and which should not.” Causing yet another uproar from Trump’s supporters, they started to chant “hang Mike Pence” during the January 6th insurrection. A loyal advocate to President Trump, the simple action of upholding the constitution was seen as Pence “defying” Trump. Another instance in which a pro-Trump group went against a politician within the party was in the way Lindsey Graham got treated at the airport. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who is a strong supporter of the president, was stopped by supporters at Reagan National Airport. One woman was caught on video footage yelling, “You are a traitor to this country, Lindsey Graham!” Graham, who voted for Trump in the 2020 presidential election, voted in line with the President’s positions 86% of the time, but due to his refusal to “uphold his constitutional duty,” as one of the supporters stated, he was debatably disowned by the party. Unfortunately, he was not the only GOP senator who experienced harsh treatment. Mitt Romney, who did not vote for President Trump in 2020, was heckled by a pro-Trump crowd who approached him with a barrage of questions about why he would not vote to overturn the election. Some of the hecklers further threatened Romney by saying that he would lose his Senate seat in 2024. As political analyst Damon Cann said, “Republicans need to find out who the person is who can pull the party together.” Several pro-Trump rallies, such as those on December 12th, served to express his supporters’ displeasure with the GOP. Angry supporters chanted “destroy the GOP,” another example of the growing divide. Host of conservative podcast America First with Nicholas J. Fuentes , said, “We are going to destroy the GOP and transform it into a party that truly puts AMERICA FIRST,” insinuating the belief that far-right conservatives want to remove themselves from the GOP. GOP leaders such as Mitch McConnel (R-KY) are slowly distancing themselves from the failures of the Trump administration, hoping to keep the establishment intact. The potential outcome of a party that follows the ideals of Donald Trump could redefine the election process as we know it. The divide within political parties, including the Democratic establishment, can lead some to the conclusion that compromise is difficult to achieve. While many are unhappy with each party’s status-quo, a party that is solely based around the ideology of what’s now being termed Trumpism will be devastating. The events of January 6th have opened a realization that Democracy is one of the most essential products for a successful government. Supporters of President Trump who raided our Capitol have shown their gullibility; listening to lies about non-existent election fraud has shown how easily democracy can be threatened. Supporting a President’s ideology who attempted to coerce Georgia officials to “find him” 11,800 votes is offensive to the free elections this country stands for. Currently, countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada have successfully implemented a system where there are more than two mainstream parties. Even so, a new party in the United States which supports a President impeached twice is undemocratic, unpatriotic, and dangerous to the sanctity of this nation. However, the two extremes of each party have turned away moderate voters from each of the respective establishments. While a third party to accommodate the moderates’ middle-of-the-road views and would be beneficial to those voters, situating the two extremes of each party to have their own party is reckless and would gravely endanger the already divisive nature of politics in this nation. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Are You Part of It? Noa Cordova Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by Clipart Library In school, we get graded on homework, projects, assignments, tests, quizzes, and another thing that you cannot turn in or put on paper: participation. So, what is participation? As I see it, participation is involvement or being a part of something whether it is a discussion, activity, or group. We are aware of the importance of participation in the classroom, partly because our teachers stress it every day, and Infinite Campus sends us notifications for our participation grades, but how are we of the importance of participation outside of the classroom? I would like to focus on the kind of participation we are not graded on or our involvement in the school community. Throughout September, we heard about the many extracurriculars that Valley Stream North offers at the club fair dedicated to displaying the activities of the different clubs to new students or others looking to get involved. The idea that we should attend school events, join clubs, or try out for sports has been discussed repeatedly, but for good reason. I think that we have become heavily focused on how extracurriculars look on paper for college applications and overlooked the reason it matters to colleges in the first place. I spoke with Mr. Brodsky, one of the guidance counselors here at Valley Stream North, about the importance of involvement in the school community, and he mentioned that, “not only will it enhance your college application, but it will also show the college that you are a well-rounded student and that you want to give back to the community.” A majority of the clubs here at VSN work for the betterment of the school community or society; however, are those clubs as popular as sports? At our grade level assembly, our assistant principal, Mr. Jara, asked us to stand to gauge the extracurriculars students were involved in. A majority of students participated in sports and other clubs, but several were only involved in sports. Of course, playing a sport is healthy, builds community, and demonstrates school spirit; however, I think participation outside of the classroom should go beyond athletics and include activities that directly work to benefit the school community because, as I discussed with Mr. Brodsky, it says a lot about a student when they dedicate time to serve the community and inspire others to do so as well. It is important that we all collectively understand the importance of joining clubs that work to serve the school community. The Alliance, BSU, Ecology Club, Key Club, SADD Club, STOP Club, and Wellness Center are examples of clubs that serve the school community. These clubs provide everyone with the opportunity to help support a cause that they are enthusiastic about, which matters to colleges because according to Mr. Brodsky, when colleges are working on admitting students, they want to know, “Will they enhance our community as they did in high school, or on a bigger scale?” These organizations are a space to participate in discussions, campaigns, fundraisers, decorating, and unique activities organized by these clubs which work to enhance the community. Participation in the school community is not limited to the few clubs or sports we choose to join; it includes supporting the clubs we are not a part of. Spirit days are popular amongst the clubs here at VSN and allow others to support the causes that other clubs advocate for. Spirit days are a simple way to uplift our school community or other communities by making the simple decision to wear a specific color, yet there seems to be a lack of participation. As a member of clubs like SADD, where we plan out spirit weeks to get others involved in our campaigns, I have noticed that several students do not participate in spirit days. Advertising does not seem to be the issue because flyers are displayed, morning announcements are made, and reminders are posted via teams. I understand that we cannot all participate in every spirit day because not everyone owns a pink shirt, cultural clothing, a lei, or has a favorite celebrity to dress up as, but we should try our best to participate in those that we can because supporting other clubs is a significant part of school participation. We can make a statement as a school community with a wardrobe choice and show our dedication to a particular cause. Some spirit weeks are just for enjoyment or school spirit, and participating in these days demonstrates your support for our school. Another more direct way to participate by supporting other clubs is by attending fundraisers or sales. Certainly, you do not have to buy at every fundraiser, and you should only spend money if your financial situation allows you to do so. As someone without a sweet tooth, it is understandable that not everyone would like to purchase a pie, cookie, or muffin, but clubs also sell practical items like pens, pins, water bottles, or bracelets. Recently, North's band held a fundraiser for the Daler community to help support them after the Farmingdale bus tragedy, an example of how participating in the school community can help another community. Students may not participate in fundraisers, spirit days, or clubs because they are unsure of how it helps or what it is for, so I would encourage everyone to ask. Ask advisors, teachers, and club members how you can get involved and participate in the many wonderful activities going on in the school community. Everyone has something to contribute, so ask questions and be part of it! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Political Back to Sections A Tale of Two Americas By Sumaiya Ramsaroop January 20, 2021 Volume 1 Issue 4

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Lies By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by Polygon Life is a game At the end you're still going to get the blame It doesn't matter if you want to play You'll still get tricked into saying okay People do things Which bind them in return with strings When they finally break through, their heart gets hit with regret No wonder why they rather forget We trust people without thinking It's so careless that we end up fleeing We hope our running will make us free When we know at the end, we'll end up at that same tree We keep going back Hoping we're ready for the next attack We lookout for the unknown enemy When they're standing right there acting friendly As soon as we turn around They get ready for a rebound Falling down, shattered into pieces We thought we had put up all the braces Swallowed into a hole of darkness Back into the castle of mistress When will we escape? From our own mistakes? Trust isn't something to give But something to earn It isn't a piece of candy Given to anyone who makes us happy We get trapped in our own puzzles Built from our own troubles We blame others for our misdeeds Like they're the ones who plant our seeds Life is a game At the end you're still going to get the blame It doesn't matter if you want to play You'll still get tricked into saying okay Phony smiles and showering compliments That's exactly how they play They use you for their accomplishments All you need to say is okay To get into their game of lies As soon as they get their prize They'll leave you without a goodbye Leaving you all alone to die BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Portfolio Back to Sections Portfolio - Luiginna Frederique By Luiginna Frederique June 13, 2022 Colored Pencil Volume 2 Issue 7

Back to Artwork Who Am I Back to Sections Anonymous - Who Am I? - 1 By Anonymous November 19, 2021 Volume 2 Issue 2

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Faith in Yourself By Ismaela Andre Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Medical News Today Faith is an interesting word that many may know the meaning of. Faith is complete trust or confidence in someone or something. The definition states that faith is trust in someone or something but, what about yourself? Recently Covid-19 has been affecting everyone’s daily lives. However, it affects the future of the younger generation. Due to this, many do not have faith in themselves. Young people are becoming depressed or upset because Covid-19 caused many to give up on their dreams. No one deserves to feel this way. You should always have faith and believe in yourself. Personally, I want to be a singer, dancer, and a gynecologist; however, due to Covid-19, I gave up on my dream to sing and dance. Recently, I was listening to music and the lyrics inspired me to “run for [my] dream.” Now I have faith in myself, and I want to continue to strive for my goals. I want all of you to do the same. You should have faith in yourself and do what you want to do. Keep going and doing what you love because you get to choose your future path! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections North’s Sparnettes: A Performance to Remember! By Christina Ossa Volume 3 Issue 4 May 18, 2023 Image provided by Emily Seitz On February 28th, North’s own Spartanettes Kickline Team performed at Memorial Junior High School. Along with North’s Senior High team, our Junior High team also performed. The senior and junior high performers from our district from Memorial Junior High, South High School, and Central High School performed as well. However, this performance was special in that it was the senior members of the Sparnettes’ last time performing with their team. The performance was enchanting, with a well-rounded mix of kicks, cheers, dances, and (of course) fun. The show had three components: Lyrical, Pom, and Hip-Hop dances. Each dance was clearly well-coordinated, diligently thought out, smooth, and enjoyable, as each performance from the Sparnettes generally is. This year, there are six graduating seniors on the team who deserve praise and a warm goodbye. Emily Seitz, Sophia Mura, Kayla Marshall Pierce, Sofia Barry, Carmela Krsulic, and Michele Leon will leave North for greater opportunities this June. They have worked incredibly hard to rehears and perform in each show and performance they have put forward each year they’ve been on the Spartanettes. Here is a warm goodbye from co-captain and graduating senior Emily Seitz: “The past three years on this team have been an absolute rollercoaster, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. When I first tried out in 10th grade because I forgot to sign up in 9th grade, I convinced myself I had no chance of making the team. Then when I did make it, I cried after the first practice and considered quitting that week because I didn’t really know anyone and didn’t know how to break out of my comfort zone. I remember talking to captains and my lovely Sophia (Sophia Mura) and deciding to give it a chance, and I’m so glad I made the right choice! If you had told me then that I would be a captain the following year and somehow get my sister to join the team, I would’ve said you were completely and utterly insane. This team has brought so much joy into my life and helped me grow into the person I am today. Although it gets stressful sometimes with five-hour practices and ripples that get messed up time and time again, driving Ava Strojan and me crazy, we somehow always come back and kill it anyway. I have loved all of our practices that turned into gossip hour, holiday parties, performances with the music messed up every single time, impromptu senior practice bonding accompanied by pizza, intradistricts, and so, so much more. I could go on and on about what this team means to me, but I think you get the gist! It’s been an honor being a Spartanette. I love you guys.” Overall, the Spartanettes deserve a grand applause for their hard work each year to put on amazing shows and performances for our school and others. The team’s efforts always pay off, as seen in their performances. They deserve praise for their hard work and diligence, and it’s no doubt they will continue to shine here at North. Congratulations to an amazing performance, Spartanettes, and to the graduating seniors for an amazing experience on the team! Spartanettes perform opening number with the other VSCHSD schools to kick off the showcase From February 2023 VSCHSD Instradistrict Showcase The Spartanettes perform HipHop to Gasolina by Daddy Yankee (remix) before the senior routine BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Nightmare on Main Street Back to Sections Nightmare on Main Street- Chamille Malcolm Chamille Malcolm November 6, 2023 Mixed Media Volume 4 Issue 1

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