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

Back to Artwork Art Guild Back to Sections Devils Throughout Time By Gilana Etame November 24, 2020 Acrylic Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Senior Send-Off: Class of 2024 North Star Editorial Staff Volume 5 Issue 1 September 20, 2024 Images Provided by Elaine Ching In almost every North High School extracurricular activity, seniors and upperclassmen always develop strong bonds with younger generations. The North Star/ Polaris: The Creative Literary Magazine is no exception to that rule. Throughout our shared time in the club, the 2024-2025 editors for the North Star and Polaris have learned so much from our graduating members! The 2024-2025 North Star/ Polaris Editorial Team wanted to thank our Class of 2024 members for all the contributions they’ve made to our publication. Below are some messages for our graduating seniors that we hope shows just how much we appreciate them: Jeselys Vazquez “Jeselys, your feature articles always managed to shine a bright light on the best parts of North. Thank you for highlighting every part of our community. From North staff to SADD events, you always managed to bring attention to every bit and piece of North. Best of luck at John Jay!” Ismaela Andre “Ismaela, your scientific and curious mind resulted in amazing accomplishments, but it also gave us some amazing Feature articles. You always made amazing contributions to our publication, and we’ll miss reading your articles. Best of luck at the University of Connecticut!” Catherine Duong “Catherine, your creative contributions to Polaris helped make the Creative Literary Magazine into what it is today. We hope your love of creative story writing continues to grow and develop in the future. We wish you the best of luck in the future!” Cody Sung “Cody, you were our brightest and youngest editor! From your Science articles to your Feature articles, your articles were always full of fascinating facts and compelling journalistic integrity. We wish you the best of luck at New York University!” The North Star/ Polaris Editorial Team wishes North’s Class of 2024 health and prosperity as they enter the next chapter of their lives. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Perspective Back to Sections Lexie Sowerby - Perspective By Lexie Sowerby December 16, 2020 Photography Volume 1 Issue 3

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections The Toxicity of Social Media Leah Ally Volume 4 Issue 4 May 29, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching It is no mystery that we are living in a world full of technology, with unlimited access to millions of websites and apps that have shaped our world over the past few decades. With the rise of the internet, social media apps such as TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat have also gained popularity among millions of users. Young teens are the most active on these apps and are heavily influenced by what they see online whether posted by their peers or strangers. Regardless of age or maturity, it is crucial to understand the numerous effects of creating a social media account. While social media can be beneficial in numerous ways with entertainment and staying connected to others, it can also encourage cyberbullying, create unsafe environments, and may be addictive. According to the Oxford Dictionary, cyberbullying is “the use of information technology to bully a person by sending or posting text or images of an intimidating or threatening nature.” Bullying has always been prevalent in schools and workplaces, but it can now occur through your computer screen or cellphone. The reason cyberbullying is so common is because it can be done at anytime, anywhere, and to anyone (Peebles 1). With anonymous users and no supervision, online bullying makes for an easy form of harassment. Like traditional bullying, racial discrimination, gender bias, or differences in religion are the most popular causes of taunting online. Victims of cyberbullying often face self-esteem issues, mental health struggles, and even thoughts of hurting themselves or others. While telling a trusted adult or blocking their bully is best to resolve these issues, many kids feel ashamed to do so. Additionally, some may even feel that telling a parent or guardian may risk getting their online privileges taken away. However, safety is the most important priority, and reaching out for help, not engaging with the bully, and saving evidence are the best ways to address it. One of the primary concerns regarding social media is the issue of privacy. Users often share personal information, photos, and updates without fully considering the consequences. This oversharing can leave many people vulnerable to identity theft, online scams, and even real-life threats such as stalking. The ease with which personal information can be accessed and exploited on social media platforms underscores the importance of being cautious about what we share online. It is important to have strong passwords, avoid clicking on random links, and be wary of phone calls from unrecognizable numbers (FDIC 1). Another significant challenge posed by social media is the spread of misinformation and fake news. With the rise of algorithm-driven content, false information can quickly go viral and influence public opinion. This not only erodes trust in traditional media sources but also undermines critical thinking and informed decision-making. The prevalence of misinformation on social media can create a climate of confusion and distrust, compromising the quality of public discourse. It is best to get your news from sources that have a long-standing reputation for accurate and reliable coverage. Furthermore, the culture of comparison and validation driving social media can have detrimental effects on users' mental health. The pressure to present an idealized version of one's life online can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and even anxiety or depression. The constant exposure to curated images of success, beauty, and happiness can distort perceptions of reality and contribute to a sense of disconnection and isolation among users. Body image issues are prevalent among impressionable teens which often results in eating disorders that can be detrimental both physically and mentally. It is important to avoid measuring up to unrealistic standards and to understand that social media often portrays a curated version of people’s lives. Social media addiction is a topic that has caused much concern for as long as it has been around. It refers to the excessive and compulsive use of social media apps that can have negative effects on mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. Internet addiction can have a variety of causes, including the fear of missing out, boredom, and the stream of social connections (Jelinek). With constant notifications, texts, and features such as likes, users can stay engaged as it triggers a sense of pleasure and reward. Additionally, social media has become a center for communication and popular trends which further encourages users to urgently stay connected and be “part of the crowd.” Besides spending excessive amounts of time on social media there are numerous other signs of addiction. For instance, neglecting face-to-face interactions, feeling irritable without social media, and experiencing a seemingly uncontrollable decline in productivity are signs of addiction. Limiting screen time and setting boundaries can solve these issues while also finding new activities that bring satisfaction. With balance, social media can have numerous benefits. For instance, it allows connection between friends and family especially if they may live far away. We can easily share our thoughts, experiences, and photos with others, fostering a sense of community. With a platform for self-expression, creativity, and discovering new interests, it is easy to be inspired by the actions of others. Whether it is staying informed about current events, finding resources about various topics, or connecting with a community to find support, a healthy balance in using social media can enhance our lives. All in all, there are numerous factors to understand and acknowledge about social media. It is necessary to prioritize safety, mental health, and moderation when using the internet as it can quickly become a toxic environment. Struggles with navigating the online world are common, however, there are always solutions to overcome and improve social media safety. With balance, the internet can be an exciting place for entertainment and information. Sources: FDIC: Avoiding Scams and Scammers Is there a link between social media and depression? ( medicalnewstoday.com ) Bullying | Crisis Text Line BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections Culture Society Celebrates Chinese New Year By Barnit Kaur Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Original photos from the Culture Society On January 21st and February 11th, the Culture Society at North High School hosted an event in celebration of Chinese New Year. In the event, we had two members of the Culture Society who celebrate Chinese New Year, Lucy Wu and Elaine Ching teach us about the various traditions and characteristics about Chinese New Year. From the presentations they prepared, we learned about what Chinese New Year was, festive decorations, traditional dishes, Chinese sayings, and the Chinese Zodiac. Along with learning about the traditions of Chinese New Year, we also had two fun little arts and crafts activities. Lucy taught us how to make Chinese New Year lanterns, and Elaine taught us how to make Origami Oxen, since 2021 is the year of the Ox. Some of the festive decorations that used in Chinese New Year are lanterns, firecrackers, and red envelopes, which children receive money in. The red envelopes are meant as a blessing and sign of good luck. Chinese New Year is also celebrated in many Asian countries besides China and is based upon the Lunar Calendar and cycle of the moon. Unlike western zodiacs, Chinese zodiacs are based upon the year rather than the month. When you celebrate Chinese New Year, you get together with your family and eat a big meal together. Also, it is a tradition to wear red to scare away bad luck. One of our fellow members of the Culture Society, Cody Sung, shared his thoughts and opinion about the event. “I think the event was very fun and educational! Especially the origami ox. I made a pretty good ox. All the information is on par, at least to my knowledge. I think everyone had a great time and I hope to do more events like this!” Personally, I agree with Cody! The event was very entertaining and educational, and the arts and crafts part of the event was my favorite. I had a great time, and I also hope for more events like this. If you want to participate in events like this, join the Culture Society on Teams by clicking the link. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections College Finances: Money Talks Noa Cordova Volume 5 Issue 4 April 8, 2025 Image Provided by Noa Cordova Post-application process, college expenses factor into picking a college after you receive all your acceptances and schools send out their decisions with merit scholarship offers. If you’ve started looking at numbers, you’d agree college costs an arm and a leg, or two. Fortunately, colleges offer financial aid to help alleviate the financial burden on families with college students; however, financial aid differs from student to student depending on their financial situation and the college they plan on attending. Most colleges offer students four types of financial aid: grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. Grants typically fall under “need-based” aid, which colleges offer students based on the information provided on the FAFSA and CSS profiles, which provide colleges with an overview of a family’s economic situation. (Not all schools require a CSS, but in order to take advantage of any financial aid, students and families must fill out and submit a FAFSA form). Scholarships usually count as merit-based aid and colleges award students money based on achievements. Some colleges automatically consider you for merit-based aid with your application and some may require you to apply for them separately with an additional essay by an earlier deadline for consideration. Schools may offer students a work-study opportunity where they can work on campus to cover college expenses. If you do not qualify for financial aid or the aid does not suffice to cover all costs, you can take out a federal loan. Students can generally borrow a maximum of $5500 a year under a subsidized loan, where the government covers the interest while students attend school (U.S. Department of Education). Ideally, families should avoid Parent Plus loans. Although you can borrow more money under a Parent Plus loan, it leaves parents locked into those amounts and interest rates. (Parent Plus loans cannot be paid off using any other loan source or combination like refinancing). The loan accumulates extremely high interest, leaving families with a heavy charge after four years of undergraduate schooling. Naturally, you can opt for non-federal loans from private organizations or banks. Considering the type of schools you’ve applied to, you could gauge the type and amount of aid they could offer. For example, private schools give aid more generously than public schools due to their smaller size and greater funding. If you’re applying to an in-state school, colleges charge a lower tuition than if you’re applying out of state. You can find college expenses on the school website; they outline tuition, room and board, fees, and the difference between in-state and out-of-state expenses. With your acceptance, colleges send out a financial aid offer detailing any need-based or merit-based aid they will award you. Some colleges may include it within the acceptance letter and others might send you an offer separately, so stay attentive to your email inbox. After receiving all your financial aid offers, you can begin weighing your options to make the wisest choice financially. You can appeal a financial aid offer from a school you’re set on attending. You could appeal based on financial need or merit to negotiate for extra money per academic year. Some students ask colleges if they can match another university’s financial aid offers; however, you should evaluate the colleges’ comparability. For example, consider their sizes, whether they are public or private, and their states. Viable options include emailing, calling, or visiting the college’s financial aid office to get yourself in contact with a financial aid officer. Outside of the financial aid office, you can apply for external scholarships to try and earn financial aid independently. You can find countless websites with scholarship information for upcoming college freshmen. Of course, look for reputable sources like websites ending in .org or .edu and avoid “no essay” scholarships as they tend to scam applicants. Mrs. Mansfield, one of our senior high English teachers, recommends checking other local schools’ guidance websites for scholarship information for her senior students. Look for local scholarships as well. While they might award less money, you may be more likely to win them in a smaller applicant pool and several small scholarships add up! Take advantage of your resources to give yourself a financial boost as a prospective college freshman. Sources: Counseling / Financial Aid Federal Student Aid BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Protect Asian Lives: An Ode to Asian Culture By Christina Ossa Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Original photo by Christina Ossa Boba Black Milk Tea: (Up to two servings) Ingredients: ¼-½ cup Boba Pearls (You can buy them on amazon) ⅓-½ cup dark brown sugar ¼ cup milk 1 cup of tea of choice (I used Black Tea) 5-6 ice cubes Directions: Grab a medium-sized saucepan and follow the directions on the back of your package to heat the boba pearls ; I would use about ¼ cup of boba pearls if you want only one serving While your boba pearls are heating, heat the water in a kettle or small pan that you are going to use for your tea (I would use a strong flavored tea since it’s being mixed with milk and sugar if you want to taste the flavor of the tea) After draining your boba pearls, place them back into the saucepan and add the dark brown sugar (you can add as much as you want depending on how sweet you like your bubble tea) Grab a fairly large-sized cup and pour your boba pearls into the cup Pour the milk into the cup, add more depending on your preference Add the ice cubes into the cube then slowly pour the tea to the top of the cup Grab a wide straw for the boba and enjoy~ Recently, Asian Americans have become targets for harassment, discrimination, and racism more so than ever. Racism has persisted as an obstacle for people of color, including me, in our daily lives for as far back as anyone can remember. However, since the start of the pandemic, Anti-Asian hate crimes have increased by nearly 150% with estimates of cases being roughly 3,800 anti-Asian bias incidents, and one of the motivators this year and last year being that many people blame Asians for COVID-19 and the pandemic since the virus spread from Wuhan, China. I feel for Asian Americans as I do for all other people of color, and if we can support their culture, we should also be able to support and respect them as people as well. People of color are unfairly treated many times in this country and throughout the world, ranging from police brutality and hate crimes to just generalized, subtle stereotypes thrown toward us in our day-to-day lives. However, no one deserves to experience hate crimes solely for the color of their skin and the violent opinions people hold against members of certain races, especially not innocent Asian people simply trying to mind their business. This is why I wanted to share a bubble tea recipe that I’ve recently used and become obsessed with. I love bubble tea, I love anime, I love Asian cuisines (Sichuan Chinese food, Japanese cuisine, etc.). I consume Asian culture almost every day, and if I love their culture so much I, along with others who enjoy Asian culture as I do, should be able to spread awareness of this subject. I’m sure in your life you’ve experienced or appreciated Asian food, products, or anything related. If we can experience Asian culture at its highs, we should also be able to support Asians experiencing hate crime and being attacked; we should help them and stand up for them during their lows. Much more recently on March 16th, there was a series of mass shootings targeting spas and massage parlors where 8 women were shot to death, 6 of the victims being Asian. The shooter was named Robert Aaron Long and CNN reports that he stated that he had a “sex addiction” which he claimed was his reason for the shooting. The fact that this man KILLED 8 women is sickening, but what creates even more disgust was that he did it to “eliminate his temptation”. But what causes this shooting to be even more revolting than it is already is that the police reports did not declare this a hate crime nor femicide, and the sheriff of Cherokee County at first stated in an interview that “Yesterday was a really bad day for him [Long] and this is what he did”, which is completely ridiculous as clearly, this was a race/gender-motivated crime that should not be excused in any form. Long targeted solely spas and massage parlors, and NBC News even reported that Long specifically drove from location to location meaning that he had clearly planned this beforehand. NBC reports that survivor Eunji Lee, who was once robbed and held at gunpoint, declared herself that this shooting felt targeted and extremely different from a “traditional” robbery since Long did not give any demands or requests to the women on-duty. He simply shot anyone he could find, and what’s more, he killed all women, and the majority of them were Asian. While the Atlanta shooting in Georgia may have been one of the more extreme incidents, it’s sadly one of many hate crimes against Asians from this year and last year alone. While Asian-Americans continually face brutality, attacks, and harassment simply because of the color of their skin and heritage, we continue to enjoy and immerse ourselves in their culture. While it’s most certainly not a bad thing to enjoy and appreciate Asian culture, we must take into account that if we enjoy their culture, we also must support them as people. We cannot ‘pick and choose’ what we prefer from their overall culture and identities. As I’ve said, I love Asian culture, whether it be their food, art, shows/movies, etc., I will always appreciate what the Asian community has shared with us. This is also why I’ve shared a bubble tea recipe, because this simple milk, tea, sugar concoction is one of the most popular drinks among the mainstream population and it was shared with us from the Asian community, specifically Taiwan. If you don’t like bubble tea personally, that’s completely fine, but this beverage is just one of many examples of Asian culture that we can enjoy every day. However, as joys from the Asian community are shared with us, so are their misfortunes. It is our job to help spread awareness on these heinous hate crimes that have plagued so many Asian lives, and it’s time for us to stand up for the Asian community and Stop Asian Hate. If you enjoy anime, going out to your favorite Asian restaurant, drinking bubble tea -- if you enjoy Asian culture in any way, shape, or form -- then help the community whose culture you endorse yourself in so much by simply signing a petition for change, donating money to Anti-Asian-Hate foundations, attending a protest against Asian Hate, spreading awareness to these horrible incidents and any other ways to support our fellow Asian-American community. Petition You Can Sign: http://chng.it/mwgBbRHJNG Works Cited: Park, Hanna. "He Shot at 'Everyone He Saw': Atlanta Spa Workers Recount Horrors of Shooting." NBC News , 2 Apr. 2021. NBC News , www.nbcnews.com/news/ asian-america/ he-shot-everyone-he-saw-atlanta-spa-workers-recount-horrors-n1262928. Accessed 9 Apr. 2021. Wagner, Meg, et al. "8 Killed in Shootings at Atlanta-Area Spas." CNN , 18 Mar. 2021. CNN News , www.cnn.com/us/live-news/atlanta-area-shootings-03-17-21/ index.html. Accessed 9 Apr. 2021. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Student Spotlight: Eyslin Turcios (Interview) Rehmat Kaur Volume 5 Issue 4 April 8, 2025 Image Provided by Eyslin Turcios Picture provided by Eyslin Turcios I had the privilege on interviewing our VSN’s pride Eyslin Turcios who is on her way to make history, and this is how it went: How did you get into wrestling and who introduced you to the sport? Turcios: “Both of younger siblings wrestle and they’re really good at it, which is why I decided to join last year, so now it is my second year being part of our wrestling team.” What do you love the most about wrestling? Turcios: “I love the environment our group creates; we make fun of one another all the time!” What aspect of wrestling do you think is the most challenging? Turcios: “It’s cutting weight for the weight class depending on how much you weigh and what weight class you are in. It is also how intense wrestling practices can be.” What do you want people to know more about wrestling? Turcios: “That wrestling is both fun and challenging. You will wrestle opponents that have more experience than you, but you will learn a lot from them. You will gain strengths the more you wrestle and learn.” What are some of your greatest accomplishments? Turcios: “I got first place! and I was able to get it Sunday, January 5th at Uniondale for All Girls’ Wrestling Freestyle.” How do you deal with stress before a match? Turcios: “I walk around, warm up, listen to music and I just don’t think about it too much.” What strengths do you think you have that makes you a great athlete? Turcios: “My supporters are my strength” What sport is your favorite to play other than wrestling? Turcios: “Soccer because I’ve been playing it since 4th grade” What is a short-term goal you would like to achieve at the end of this season? Turcios: “Get first place in All Girls County” Who is a wrestler you look up to? Turcios: “I look up to Naomi Gonzalez; she’s also a girl wrestler and a State Champion. She has more experience than me and I get to learn a lot from her. Also, my brothers... they’re amazing!” What advice do you have for the up-and-coming wrestlers? Turcios: “Wrestling is both a physical and mental sport so be prepared for that and just do you best.” Wrestling Team Opinions on Eyslin: What do you like the most about Eyslin? Alex Poh (VSN Wrestler): “She’s funny and she brings joy while we are conditioning.” Yonny Turcios (VSN Wrestler): “She’s energetic, caring and loving. For wrestling she would cheer you on even if you’re losing and specially when you’re winning; she’s a big supporter for other people.” Naomi Gonzalez (VSN Wrestler): “Her dedication; it’s hard being a girl wrestler. Especially as for right now when there is no one except me and her, it is a hard thing to do.” Jasraj Bajwa (VSN Wrestler) : “She’s second is the county, she’s killing it! She won her first tournament. She teaches freestyle to the people who don’t even do freestyle. I think she’s gonna win counties.” Coach Vic: “She’s tough and she wants to punish these girls on the mat and that is what we need to do, because we are here to win, then we will make friends.” What do you do to help Eyslin achieve her goals? Coach Vic: “I push her to reach her goals. I support her where she needs support. I need to get her to make her weight, and when she gets on that mat, to put it to these other girls the way she should because she practices hard, trains hard and gets what she earns and that’s a First-Place medal!” And she has done it! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Art Guild Back to Sections Symbiosis By Keren Dial November 24, 2020 Colored Pencil Volume 1 Issue 2