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Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections Hispanic Heritage Month By Disha Bhalla Volume 2 Issue 1 October 8, 2021 Image provided by Arkansas Soul Have you been hearing announcements every day on the loudspeaker about something called Hispanic Heritage Month ? Hispanic Heritage Month or el Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana takes place every year from September 15th to October 15th and is a period of time for recognizing the influence and contributions of Hispanic Americans to the culture, achievements, and history of the United States. Since the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15th, North’s very own Culture Society has had its members prepare short introductions of many famous and well-known Hispanic American figures, as well as a bit about Spanish food recently. We even had our members try to incorporate Spanish into their announcements, with our Culture Society officers Disha Bhalla and Lucy Wu speaking their announcements completely in Spanish! We have covered famous and influential Hispanic American figures like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, or AOC, Sonia Sotomayor, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Rita Moreno, and Marco Rubio as well as even covering a Spanish food called Tostones . In the upcoming days, we will be covering individuals like Gloria Estefan, Ted Cruz, Ellen Ochoa, and Spanish foods like Dulce de Leche and Llapingachos . Some ways in which we all can celebrate or participate in Hispanic Heritage Month is by supporting a Hispanic Business, trying out a new Hispanic dish like the ones we have and will talk about, enjoying some Hispanic music and movies, and trying to learn some more Spanish on your own! Also, be on the lookout for the Culture Society’s announcements on Hispanic Heritage month every morning until October 15th to learn more about famous Hispanic American figures and some popular Hispanic foods! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections North's Captivating Courtyard: Spotlight on North's Hardworking Clubs By Ericka Leus Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Original photos by Christy Mansfield and Christina Ossa. Top left: National Junior Honor Society, Top right: North Star, Bottom left: Interact, Bottom right: Art Honor Society You have most likely heard the saying “April showers bring May flowers” before, and that is exactly what has happened to North’s outdoor areas! Pushing through the heavy showers of April and moving into the late season of Spring, it has enabled several clubs at North to participate in cleaning up the outdoor garden areas of the Valley Stream North building’s courtyard. It has been the goal of these clubs to renovate and beautify the courtyard as a good way to end off the year on a high note, and it is true! As of the end of May, the courtyard and garden areas by the Valley Stream North sign look colorful, tidy, and inviting to those who view it. In this article, I will be discussing what some of these clubs have done to participate in North’s outdoor cleanup and their thoughts on it. I will also be introducing some outdoor aspects that these clubs are currently in the process of creating, so be sure to stay tuned! View the original photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/3fBKmcb9rM29fL7YA National Junior Honor Society: The National Junior Honor Society has played a big role in cleaning up the courtyard area of the school. Interestingly, NJHS has been working on this ongoing three-year project all this school year! They began their work in the fall and continued the work in early April. NJHS has received help from their many student members to help in its cleanup efforts, and their work is truly outstanding. With the help of advisors Mrs. Italiano and Mrs. Suarez, the club has been busy painting chairs, benches, and tables, planting flowers, painting the stones with intricate designs, and overall, renovating the various areas, even turning one into a ‘Zen Garden’. They have also done important physical work such as pulling weeds, washing stones, clearing bushes, and moving bricks. Currently the club is planning to work on the concrete stage and a pathway in the courtyard. The motivations that drove the club to clean up the courtyard was the idea of students and teachers occupying the courtyard during class. Currently, there have been multiple English classes that have taken their students out into the courtyard for independent reading and to take a break from their screens. Not only is the cleanup good for the garden, but it is also beneficial to our North community. It was believed that the better the courtyard looked, the happier it would make the North community: “The courtyard is a blank canvas for a garden and has so much potential to be beautiful” said NJHS advisor Mrs. Italiano. Mrs. Suarez also commented that “being outdoors and enjoying what we have played a huge role in encouraging the courtyard cleanup.” Regarding the courtyard, NJHS President Hannah Lee added, “We wanted to beautify it and make a safe, relaxing place in our school.” NJHS’s ‘Zen Garden’ is currently being worked on, and their progress so far looks amazing! Make sure to check it out when you have the chance to do it at school! Interact: The Interact club, led by faculty advisors Ms. O’Donohue and Mrs. Baker, have taken their part in the courtyard cleanup by painting furniture such as chairs, tables, and benches. Over the last month, its several members have taken time to work after school to design images for the furniture. In the future, the club plans to volunteer on remaining projects for the courtyard. The inspirations for the club’s decoration all revolved around the missed opportunities this year due to Covid. Learning and school events are some of the important aspects of North that have changed. Therefore, cleaning up the courtyard would give students a push of motivation. After being masked in all day, having a nice, clean, and decorative outdoor courtyard to hang out in would help students. The chance to beautify the courtyard has also opened student service projects, which have been limited in the past year. But so many students earned many, many service hours because of the courtyard cleanup. North Star : North Star ’s faculty advisor, Mrs. Mansfield, came up with the great idea of having different clubs or grades “adopt” a table or bench in the courtyard, and personalize it after Mrs. Italiano reached out regarding our Courtyard Beautification project underway for the past three years now. So North Star has its very own table, and it is an item you cannot miss! The green-and-white-painted table displays the North Star logo and is amongst the pieces of furniture that stand out. This special project started just last month with help from junior Jack Schwabe, who helped prime the table. Other painters included Everton Prospere, Craig Papajohn Shaw, Lucy Wu, Garrick Neuner, and Grace Martinez, Mathew Olivencia, as well as Alyssa Garufi. Every day, there were kids out there willing to help with anything that was needed. Mrs. Mansfield described her experience as a “mood-elevating activity!” The renovated courtyard provides the opportunity for a change of scenery and fresh air on a nice day, and it will also be much more comfortable for the audience during the Drama Club’s annual “Shakespeare in the Courtyard”. There are QR codes on the table which bring you right to our North Star website, so be sure to check it out! Readers can read Issue 8 or check out our archives. Art Honor Society: The Art Honor Society, alongside faculty advisor Mr. Nafte, is credited with adding the intricate artistic touch to the courtyard. The plans for the courtyard consist of painting designs on stone slabs. Also, the honor society has plans to paint a special mural on the brick wall in honor of North. Rumor has it it’s going to be a lotus with a featured Spartan head, so be sure to check that out! AHS’s designated table in the courtyard is the colorful table with fruits on it, and it is currently in the final touches stage. The club has also displayed a garden sculpture, hoping to start a “garden sculpture revolution.” President Alena Moreira has done some impressive work on her own for the courtyard. She has dedicated her time to painting some chairs and tables in the past few years. The motivations for these decorative additions were inspired by the students of North. The courtyard is one of the very few outdoor places on North grounds where students can hang out during school hours. Having a student-personalized area to hang out allows students to feel safe and relaxed. “It’s like adding and maintaining a mini park on school grounds” said by Alena regarding AHS’s work. The outdoors was a big motivator as well. Taking advantage of the space makes it enjoyable to all. A breath of fresh air is something we all need during these times of staying indoors. As Mr. Nafte enthusiastically commented, “long live the courtyard!” or “Viva le courtyard!” Ecology Club: The Ecology club is fully dedicated to beautifying North’s outdoors and has been doing it for an impressive 15 years. This club focuses on the building’s outdoor areas and takes into consideration its condition. Once a month, its several student participants pick up trash on both school grounds and the area of Seabury Avenue. Not only do they make the Earth happy, but they also make residents happy as well! This school year, the Ecology club’s achievements include starting cleanups during the Fall. Have you seen the beautifully planted flowers by the Valley Stream North sign? That is all thanks to the Ecology club. With the help of faculty advisor Mrs. Restuccio, the club has planted over 100 tulips by the sign. The creation of a welcoming and attractive landscape was the main inspiration for their work. Planting and gardening itself is a process that students can benefit from, and the satisfying product of delicate flowers is a reward. Mrs. Restuccio emphasized the important idea that “gardening also has a positive physical and psychological effect on people.” Especially during Covid times, we have all been on our devices constantly. Gardening provides an opportunity where we can get off screens, get in a good workout, and have a positive mood. Thank you, National Junior Honor Society, Interact, North Star, Art Honor Society, and Ecology Club for your outstanding work! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections The Removal of the Minute Bell By Cody Sung Volume 2 Issue 1 October 8, 2021 Original photography by Eva Grace Martinez If you have been to Valley Stream North High School before the pandemic, you likely have heard a bell that rings one minute before the next period starts. That was the minute bell, or “warning bell.” Its purpose was to notify students of the limited time before class, and that they should immediately head to their next class. However, on the first day of school this year, there was a change besides the new lobby, the new hand sanitizer dispensers, and the signs saying, “Stop the spread of germs.” There was no bell in between the “end of the period” bell and the late bell. The one-minute bell was gone. I thought it was just a mistake, but no: there was simply no more minute bell. I interviewed our new principal, Dr. Small, on why she made the decision to remove the minute bell. She said “I believe that the warning bell was a hindrance...students did not go straight to class until they heard the warning bell.” She also added the removal “[kept] the hallways moving...[before], people waited to hear the warning bell…students gathered by the lockers. With the removal of the warning bell, students go straight to class.” Furthermore, the minute bell was removed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by limiting crowds and clearing the hallways faster. Students, though, are almost universally in favor of bringing back the minute bell. While a few students were not very affected, most shared their concerns over being unable to keep track of time while at their locker or in the bathroom. As per a student at North, “[the minute bell is] a good reminder if you are in the restroom or in your locker to when you should get going to class. If the [minute bell] was to come back, I think lateness would be incredibly less common,” he added. Another student at North says “it helps keep track of time and gives a sense of urgency if you’re going to be late for class.” A third student says, “I know some of my friends put alarms on their phones as one-minute bells so they aren’t late either.” These quotes support the importance of the minute bell to our students. When I informed Dr. Small about why students prefer the minute bell, she explained why she disagreed. “We allow students to walk around with their backpacks [now;] all they have is a device, they should go straight to class.” There is no need to return to your locker and carry heavy books around. As with the new school policy, backpacks are allowed, so trips to lockers should be minimal. As for the bathrooms, Dr. Small states “If you have multiple people in the bathroom, it’s a health hazard in my opinion.” The new school policy to allow the use of the bathroom during class time helps alleviate the health hazard by discouraging students from using the bathrooms all at once in between classes. While students miss the minute bell, I have seen the results of its removal. Students are less likely to gather around and more likely to walk towards their next class. The removal of the minute bell is working as Dr. Small intended. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections This Spring’s Solar Eclipse Leah Ally Volume 4 Issue 4 May 29, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching On April 8th, an awe-inspiring phenomenon crossed a swath of the United States, captivating millions of Americans in hopes of experiencing it. Referred to as a total solar eclipse, this rare event occurs during a new moon phase when the sun is blocked by the moon, or in other words, the moon’s shadow falls on Earth. This spectacle reminds so many of the vastness of our universe and what makes our solar system special. While it may seem simple, there are numerous scientific, cultural, and spiritual significances surrounding this extraordinary phenomenon. As previously mentioned, a total eclipse occurs when the Moon completely covers the Sun, plunging an area referred to as “the path of totality” into darkness for a brief but special moment. The alignment of these celestial bodies creates a visual display with the sun’s corona shimmering around the edges of the Moon’s silhouette (Zeiler, 1). This allows scientists and astronomers to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere and to gather data on solar activity and magnetic fields. Regarding cultural perspectives, solar eclipses have been viewed as powerful omens, symbols of transformation, and cosmic events that bridge the earthly and celestial realms. Ancient civilizations often interpreted solar eclipses as signs of divine intervention, heralding changes in leadership, fortunes, and the world’s natural order. In modern times, solar eclipses continue to captivate our imagination, inspiring awe and wonder of the universe. For many belief systems, solar eclipses hold spiritual significance, symbolizing moments of introspection, renewal, and spiritual awakening (Whitcomb). The alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth during an eclipse is often seen as a potent symbol of unity, balance, and cosmic harmony. Some cultures view solar eclipses as opportunities for meditation, prayer, and connecting with the divine energies that permeate the universe. The April 8th total solar eclipse path occurred from about 2:27 p.m. to 3:35 p.m. Eastern time. The predicted path of the eclipse was from Mexico through the U.S. to the coast of Canada. Some states in the path of totality include Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine (Dixon, 1). This recent solar eclipse was compared to the 2017 “Great American Eclipse” with a path of totality that spanned from the Pacific to the Atlantic Coast and was the first to do so since 1918. Those who planned on viewing the eclipse had to take necessary actions to get the best views possible while staying safe. Foremost, acquiring eclipse glasses is mandatory. They have special filters that block out harmful ultraviolet and infrared radiation from the Sun, as well as intense visible light. These glasses protect your eyes from potential damage and allow someone to directly look at the sun safely. It is safe to say many viewers were looking to seize the phenomenon on camera, however intense light is extremely harmful even for a camera lens which is why special-purpose solar filters should be purchased to avoid irreversible damage. It is best to purchase ISO-certified-safe equipment to ensure reliable gear is used. Astronomers predict that a total solar eclipse will not occur until at least 2044, which explains the rarity of seeing such an event unfold. This year’s solar eclipse was bound to be the most viewed astronomical event in American history thus far. Whether witnessed or not, it is fascinating to learn about why certain events occur, especially cosmically; it is important to understand the many significances of an eclipse and what it means in a spiritual, cultural, and scientific context. Sources: Solar eclipse 2024 is next week: Everything you need to know ( freep.com ) Total Solar Eclipse 2024 US — Great American Eclipse 'Zeus made night from mid-day:' Terror and wonder in ancient accounts of solar eclipses | Space BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections The History of the Institutions of First Responders By Cody Sung Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Image provided by Florida National University October 28th is National First Responders Day, and while Congress has only designated this day for four years, there is a long history behind the institutions of the first responder, the humble firefighter (fire department), police officer (police force), medic (hospitals, among other places), and others who help in our darkest hours. In ancient Rome, when it was ruled by Augustus, a person named Marcus Licinius Crassus made a brigade of 500 firefighters, but instead of helping with the fire, he would first bargain the price of his services. The first actually free service would be with the Roman emperor Nero in AD 60, called the Vigiles. This firefighter service would also lead to the first firefighting service in Britain, as the Romans invaded it in AD 43. After the Romans left, though, there would be no solid firefighting service in Britain until after the Great Fire of London in 1666. In the United States, the first fire department was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but the first government-run departments did not exist until the Civil War. Prior to this, private firefighting companies competed with one another. In the early 1800s, fire departments began accepting steam-powered fire engines, and as technology advanced, old technology, like horse-drawn fire engines, were phased out. Further advancements in firefighting technology would lead us to the modern firefighting system we know today. The policeman in the United States wasn’t always there. The first organized police force was formed in Boston in 1838, to protect shipping interests. In the South, police forces were not created to protect shipping interests, but to preserve slavery. However, in the late 19th century, the leadership in many police precincts were becoming corrupt, turning a blind eye to illegal actions in exchange for payment from political leaders. To solve this issue, President Hoover appointed the Wickersham Commission in 1929 to investigate how ineffective police forces were nationwide. To solve this problem, police precincts were changed so they would not correspond with political wards. After this, there was a drive to professionalize the police force, which only grew into the 20th century, creating the police force we know today. If you happen to have a severe illness or injury, a hospital should be your destination. The first example of a hospital would most likely be in early India, with a Chinese Buddhist monk recording examples of “healing institutions”. Similar buildings existed in ancient Greece and Rome. In 805, the first general hospital in the Islamic world was built in Baghdad. In Europe, hospitals became less religious and more secular, and after this movement was over, more and more hospitals began to appear across British cities, including London in the 18th century. During this time, hospitals became more of centers of medical innovation and discovery than providers of basic care for the ill. More advancements in technology during the Industrial Revolution and afterwards brings us to the modern hospital, centers of medical care and development. The role of the institutions first responders work at have changed over time, and have grown to become essential services to society, maintaining order when all else fails, and swooping in during times of great need. Thank you, first responders, and we will always appreciate you! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections The Wonders of Poop By Cody Sung Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Image provided by the Canadian Digestive Health Association Poop is a brown substance with many wonders. Well, it smells, and human poop can contain diseases such as cholera (no wonder we flush it), and poop is disgusting, but poop has power, from being a way to track down certain animals to helping a colon infected with C.diff . Poop is not just a thing you flush, it’s an important biological substance that has been rejected by civilization. Dogs can smell a lot of things, and that nose can be put to good use to track down animals - using poop. For example, dogs can be trained to smell elephant poop with DNA. Whenever law enforcement finds elephant ivory tusks laying around, they can use the DNA from that and the surrounding poop to find poachers. Dogs can also do this for other endangered species, such as the pangolin. Poop can also help the environment. For example, cow poop in a pond with the correct nitrogen can allow algae to grow, because algae needs the correct nitrogen to make chlorophyll to photosynthesize. Another helpful thing poop does is it can make or break a nutrient cycle. For example, when phytoplankton die, their bodies and nutrients go down to the seafloor. Right whales eat the nutrients down there and bring them back up, and when they poop, all the nutrients are released and they allow for new phytoplankton to grow, and this can help other life in the ocean. Poop even has a major benefit for human health as a medicine to treat C.diff . When you take an antibiotic, bad bacteria in you are killed, but so are good bacteria. This hurts your microbiome, bacteria that’s inside you and doesn’t harm you. This causes you to be susceptible to C.diff , which is a bacterium that causes inflammation in your colon, accompanied by frequent diarrhea, fever, nausea, and more. It can be deadly. But a solution involves poop. If poop from a healthy person with a healthy microbiome is shot up the colon, the new, stronger microbiome can help get rid of C.diff , with this procedure being effective over 90% of the time. It’s called a fecal transplant, and it’s been used since the fourth century in China. Patients would be given fecal slurry, and it would be very effective. Poop capsules are made for this purpose. There’s even poop banks where a person can donate poop for money. Poop is something seen as gross (which is fair), but poop can be good for the environment in an ecosystem, and humanity. Poop is something to not take for granted, as it is an important part of our world, and it can do some very interesting things. The next time you see poop, think about the wonders of it. Sources used: Who Gives a Poop?: Surprising Science from One End to the Other - Heather L. Montgomery - Google Books SciCafe: The Power of Poop | AMNH OpenBiome What is C. diff? | CDC BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections 2024 News Recap Sahar Ali Volume 5 Issue 4 April 8, 2025 The 2024 season has finally come to an end, which many of us are glad about. But to see the effects, negative or positive, that 2024 had on people, let us look back on some of the major events that occurred around the world this year. APRIL 8TH, 2024 – The total solar eclipse covered cities in a blanket of darkness across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Solar eclipses are a rare occurrence and tend to happen in the same place every 375 years (CNN). According to CNN, the next solar eclipse will most likely occur sometime in the 2040s. About 32 million people were in the path of the solar eclipse’s totality, which allowed many to experience a once in a lifetime occurrence. SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2024 – Famous rapper, Sean “Diddy” Combs, was arrested due to charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. As time went on, allegations of sexual abuse against Combs emerged, which he continued to deny. As of December 2024, BBC claims that Combs is detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center, located in Brooklyn, New York, and has denied more than two dozen sexual assault accusations; he has entered a not guilty plea. Not only that, but Combs has been denied bail for a third time (BBC). OCTOBER 9TH, 2024 – Hurricane Milton hit Florida in the evening as a category 3 hurricane, which is described to have winds between 111-129 miles per hour that bring devastating damage according to the National Weather Service. The damage was catastrophic, leaving 24 dead according to CBS News. Additionally, the storm created widespread damage, “leaving more than 3.5 million Florida residents without power following the storm, and significant flooding throughout the state” (Surfrider Foundation). OCTOBER 16TH, 2024 – Liam Payne, a member of the English boy band One Direction, fell to his death from the third floor of an Argentinean hotel. Before his death, staff at the Casa Sur Palermo hotel in Bueno Aires called emergency services about a guest “who is overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol” and “destroying his room” (BBC). Payne’s death shows the toll stardom can take on one’s mental and physical wellbeing. Payne himself opened up about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse which helped him cope with “the heavy burden of fame” (CNN). NOVEMBER 6TH, 2024 – The results of the US presidential elections came out, showing that Republican candidate and former president Donald Trump beat Democratic candidate Kamala Harris by 86 electoral college votes. The country during this time was divided between both candidates. The election was difficult for Harris as she replaced President Biden when he stepped down for the race with only 100 days to campaign. Trump’s campaign was defined by his vision to reduce illegal immigration while Harris’s campaign focused on her mission to make abortion legal across the country. In January of 2025, Trump was sworn in as the United States’s next President. DECEMBER 4TH, 2024 – Luigi Mangione, who allegedly resented the healthcare system as he suffered from severe back pain all his life, fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Mangione gained supporters that raised more than $100,000 and showed their animosity towards the healthcare system in the United States (ABC News). Thompson’s death ignited debates surrounding the idea of whether or not Mangione’s actions were justifiable as 49% of Americans have a negative view of the healthcare system (ABC News). SOURCES: CNN’s top 100 digital stories of 2024 | CNN Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: A Timeline of Allegations | Teen Vogue Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail for third time in New York Hurricane Milton leaves path of destruction across Florida, at least 24 dead Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale A Perfect Storm: Hurricane Milton's Impacts Across the Sunshine State AP's essential role in elections | AP News Things to know on shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO | AP News   UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting prompts questions about how to prevent copycats - ABC News   Americans are unhappy with the state of health care and insurance - ABC News   BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Choice and Voting Jasmine Roberts Volume 4 Issue 3 March 13, 2024 Image Provided by Harvard Law School When one thinks of voting, we usually settle on the idea of large showings of national support for a specific candidate especially with the upcoming U.S. Presidential Election occurring this year. However, with most of us being barely old enough to step into a ballot box, I would like to support the idea of voting and voice an opinion in general: to be important no matter your age. I believe that one of the most universal feelings every teenager feels no matter their age or grade, is the hinderance to their autonomy. In such a chaotic world of growing up, parents, and school, it can feel as if the world is pulling you from one side to another without your word or consent on the matter. In truth, this isn’t your fault. Even though we are the ones maturing in a world that seems to reject large groups of us, we don’t have to suffer in silence. In this technologically advanced world, it is both immature and folly to believe that minors do not have a grasp on mature ideas. Ironically, some adults barely even have a grasp on these ideas themselves. We cannot blindly follow the leader. We minors deserve our own voices. People who desire to oppress the voices of youth are the same that train a future of compliance and the status quo, even when that norm might be despicable and detestable. We need bold, intelligent kids who desire change for the better, and we need courageous, articulate adults who will not comply with the evils of the rich and powerful. Even in the classroom and in homes, there needs to be a precedent of allowing minors to have opinions and convey their feelings, respectfully of course, because we are humans too! One silent voice is always one step away from democracy. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections The Johnny Depp Court Case By Sahar Ali Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by Marca So, many of us have heard about the now-infamous case between actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, right? You might have consumed some information via social media regarding the exes’ lawsuits against each other. You might have even seen memes surrounding the case through apps such as TikTok or Instagram. In this article, I aim to efficiently outline and explain the events that led up to the case, specifically in hopes of providing necessary context. The case revolves around famous actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Depp is best known for playing Captain Jack Sparrow in the movie series, Pirates of the Caribbean . Heard is best known for her roles in Never Back Down , Drive Angry , The Rum Diary and Aquaman . In February 2015, the pair wed; however, their marriage only lasted until January 2017. Later in 2018, Amber Heard wrote an op-ed published in the Washington Post . It was headlined “I spoke up against sexual violence – and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change.” Heard never mentioned Depp’s name in her account, but she makes it abundantly clear that her ex-husband abused her during their short marriage. After the publication of this op-ed, Depp sued Heard in March 2019 for defamation. In short, defamation is a false statement asserted by a third party about an individual in public. This may damage one’s reputation. It may include statements in written or verbal form. In this case, only the written op-ed was considered. In simple terms, Heard’s op-ed is the root of this case, and Depp won the suit. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Alana By Nora Chery Volume 2 Issue 6 April 14, 2022 Image provided by Rodeny Stewart Is this real life Or is it my radiant fantasy? My mind flooded to a landside, To escape from reality. I unlatched my tight eyes, Looked down at the crib to see, I’m a cruel girl, God will give me no sympathy There’s no chance for an easy life, an easy home A little life, nor a little home. The winds blow, Against the full yet silent crib, Does it matter to me? Alana, Just took you back, Put a pillow against your head, cut your breath And now you’re dead. Alana, a lily sprout that bloomed, I’ve gone and ripped it from the dirt. Sweet Alana, I hated your cries, But now I’m sure I’ll hear them again tomorrow I’ll carry on, carry on, as if what I did, hadn’t mattered at all. It’s too late, midnight had just begun The moonlight sends shivers down my spine, Hands been shaking all this time. Goodbye, my Alana, though you’ve gone so soon Kicked you out and faced the truth. BACK TO TOP