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Back to Articles News Back to Sections Now That the 2020 Presidential Election is Over, What Comes Next For Us? By Logan Balsan Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 Image provided by the Herald As Former Vice President Al Gore said when he conceded to then-Governor George W. Bush in the contested 2000 Presidential Election, “This has been an extraordinary election!” The 2020 Elections have truly been extraordinary. Trump will join the list of single-term Presidents, and historic popular vote levels have been reached, as Biden surpassed the 80,000,000 vote mark. However, after the January Georgia Senate Runoffs between Senators Kelly Loeffler (R) and David Perdue (R) versus Raphael Warnock (D) and Jon Ossoff (D) respectively, what’s next for New Yorkers? Well, county and town elections aren’t so far away. In 2021, an off-year from normal federal and other gubernatorial-related positions, several Town of Hempstead and Nassau County positions are up, and several key races will be up for grabs for both political parties. Let’s start with the Town of Hempstead. In 2021, the positions of Town Supervisor, District Members 1 and 6 of the Town Council, and Town Clerk are up for election. A key race in this area is the Town Supervisor’s Race, as incumbent Supervisor Donald X. Clavin, Jr. (R) narrowly defeated incumbent Supervisor Laura Gillen (D) in 2019 for the position. Throughout his first term, Clavin has been seen as a strong leader during the pandemic, although he did attend a controversial event at the Plattdeutsch that was feared to be a “super-spreader” event. He has also been seen battling Nassau County Executive Laura Curran (D) over certain aid funds during the pandemic. This will be a big race to watch next November. Hempstead Town Clerk, Kate Murray, a former Town Supervisor, is up for re-election. She defeated incumbent Clerk Sylvia Cabana (D) in 2019 alongside Clavin’s win for Supervisor. Murray won by a bigger margin than Clavin won in the Supervisor’s election. Finally, District One member Dorothy Goosby, a Democrat, and District 6 member, Dennis Dunne, who had run a campaign in 2020 against incumbent State Senator Kevin Thomas, are also up for re-election. These are all races that may be close come election night 2021. Onto the Nassau County elections in 2021. We have incumbent County Executive Laura Curran (D) is up for election. She is the first woman to serve in the position and the first Democrat since Tom Suozzi held the office in the late 2000s. Curran won in 2019 after incumbent County Executive Ed Mangano (R) was exposed, tried, and convicted for committing federal crimes during his ten years in office. This will be a heated election, as Republicans have traditionally held this position over the years. Lastly, the legislature is up. In contrast to Curran’s affiliation with the Democratic Party, the Republican Party controls the legislature, which first flipped back in 2019. These elections have proven crucial for the County Executive’s election, as it foreshadows a possible winner in the end. While these Elections aren’t until November of 2021, they are the ones to watch. The vast majority of North’s current seniors will be 18 years old and eligible to vote in these elections which will likely be their first, if they get registered and decide to vote. These elections change a lot more than you might think about life here in New York and in Nassau County. BACK TO TOP

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 6 April 14, 2022 "PARALLAX" ARTICLES Alana By Nora Chery Polaris Read More Cherry Blossom Trees By Carolina Grace Figueroa Art Read More Culture Night By Everton Prospere News Read More ENL Buddy Program VSN By Alisson Alas Feature Read More Haikus for North's Athletes By Aleeza Dhillon Sports Read More How Does One Know When to Ask for Help? By Alicja Paruch Advice Read More James Webb Space Telescope: Where Is It Now? By Elyas Layachi Science & Technology Read More North’s Student Art Scene: About the Heckscher Entries By Kimberly Shrestha Art & Culture Read More TOPSoccer at the Valley Stream Soccer Club By Manal Layachi News Read More The Science of Studying By Alyssa Garufi and Hannah Lee Science & Technology Read More The Valley Stream Challenge By Manal Layachi Sports Read More Wadsworth: An Introspective Dive By Alain Deen Entertainment & Media Read More With The Trust I Had By Sarah Velez Polaris Read More Chapter One By Navrosedip Kundlas Polaris Read More Cool Creatures: The Crested Gecko By Matteo Somma Science & Technology Read More Day of Silence 2022 By Eva Grace Martinez News Read More Gas Prices Continue to Increase By Raj Singh News Read More Health and Wellness at VSN: People Providing Support By Craig Papajohn-Shaw News Read More If Aldous Huxley Were a Mathematician By Lucy Wu Editorial Read More NBA 2021-2022 Regular Season By Leah Ally Sports Read More Spring Festivals Celebrated Around the World By Sahar Ali Feature Read More The Culture Fair’s Magnificence By Jeselys Naylana Vazques Feature Read More The Truth By Huan Evo Alipio Polaris Read More Two New North Clubs By Cody Sung News Read More Water God and Child By Alanna Tieschmaker Polaris Read More HECKSCHER SUBMISSIONS LOAD MORE

Back to Artwork Portrait Back to Sections Isabella Feldman - Portrait By Isabella Feldman January 20, 2021 Photography Volume 1 Issue 4

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Famous Women in History By Cael Javier Volume 3 Issue 4 May 18, 2023 Image provided by Cael Javier Many women have made a difference in the world. In this article, I will go over women who have made a change in different categories. Women have made a difference in many different places. The people I will be going over have made a change in entertainment, science, and politics. Jane Austen Jane Austen was an English novelist. Her earliest known writings are mainly imitations, especially of dramas. In her six full-length novels, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, Persuasion, and Northanger Abbey, she created the comedy of style of middle-class English life in her time. Her writing is well-known for its wit, realism, and brilliant prose style. Through her behavior toward ordinary people in everyday life, she was the first to give the novel its distinctly modern feel. She published her novels anonymously. They usually cover plots about marriage, status, and social sensibility with a distinctive irony. Her works have been used many times in entertainment. “It isn’t what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.” Jane Austen Queen Elizabeth II Queen Elizabeth II was the queen of the United Kingdom from 1952 to 2022. She became heir, most likely when her uncle, Edward VIII, stepped down and her father became king, as George VI. In 1947 she married her distant cousin Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, with whom she had four children. She became queen after her father died in 1952. She believed court life to be simpler and took an informed interest in government business. In the 1990s, the monarchy was troubled by the well-known combative difficulties of two of the queen’s sons and the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. In 2002, her mother and sister died within two months of each other. Elizabeth became the longest-reigning monarch in British history in 2015, and she celebrated 70 years as a queen with a “Platinum Jubilee” in 2022. “We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return.” Queen Elizabeth II Betty White Betty White was an actress, author, animal rights activist, and comedian. She also served as a producer and is one of the pioneers of American television who played an important role during the early days of American television history. She received the title of ‘Mayor of Hollywood’ for being the first female to produce a sitcom. She received many awards for her performances on television. She became famous for her role in game shows and was nicknamed the “First Lady of Game Shows.” She was a singer, actor, host, and producer for 80 years, making her the longest-serving female in entertainment. Her interest in acting started during her school days, except she became a writer. She went on to become a very important entertainment personality in the U.S. “Doing drama is, in a sense, easier. If you don’t get that laugh in comedy, there’s something wrong.” Betty White Marie Curie Marie Curie was a Polish-born French physical chemist. Since 1891, she has studied at the Sorbonne. She found radioactivity in the thorium. In 1895 she married physicist, Pierre Curie. They discovered the elements polonium and radium. They are known for discovering alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. For their work on radioactivity, they shared the 1903 Nobel Prize for Physics with Becquerel. This leans, Marie became the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize. After Pierre died, Marie was asked for his professorship and became the first woman to teach at the Sorbonne. In 1911 she won a Nobel Prize for Chemistry for finding polonium and isolating pure radium, becoming the first person to win two Nobel Prizes. She passed away due to prolonged exposure to radioactivity. She became the first woman whose achievements earned her the honor of having her ashes laid out in the Pantheon in Paris. “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” Marie Curie Oprah Winfrey Oprah Winfrey was an American television talk-show host and actress. After a rough childhood, she became a news anchor for a local C.B.S. T.V. station in Tennessee when she was 19. After graduating from Tennessee State University, she was a television reporter in Baltimore, where she cohosted her first talk show. In 1984 she moved to Chicago to host A.M. Chicago, which became that city’s highest-rated morning show. The name was changed to The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1985. Oprah Winfrey became the first African American woman to host a successful national daytime talk show. The top-rated show was well-known for its uplifting tone. In 1986 she also formed her own television production company, Harpo Productions, and in 2000 she released O, the Oprah Magazine. In 2011 the Oprah Winfrey Network was out on cable television, and later that year, the finale of The Oprah Winfrey Show aired. She acted in The Color Purple and Beloved. “You look at yourself, and you accept yourself for who you are, and once you accept yourself for who you are, you become a better person.” Oprah Winfrey Ruth Bader Ginsburg Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a U.S. jurist. She graduated at the top of her class at Columbia Law School, but she was turned down for multiple jobs because she was a woman. She taught at Columbia from 1972 to 1980, where she became the first tenured female professor. She was the director of the Women’s Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union. She argued six landmark cases on gender equality before the United States Supreme Court. She was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals, and in 1993 she was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Supreme Court as its second female justice. She then became a feminist folk hero. Her followers called her “Notorious R.B.G.,” a play on “Notorious B.I.G.,” an American rapper. “Fight for the things you care about but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg These are just a few of the many ways women have changed the world. As you can see, they come from a variety of backgrounds. They are all passionate and talented women. A role model inspired many to do what they did. Sources: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Betty-White https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elizabeth-II https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jane-Austen https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marie-Curie https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ruth-Bader-Ginsburg BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Portrait Back to Sections Zaiden Jackson - Portrait - 2 By Zaiden Jackson January 20, 2021 Photography Volume 1 Issue 4

Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections Halloween Traditions Around the World Leah Ally Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by History | A+E Networks Halloween, celebrated on October 31st each year, is a holiday that is primarily associated with the United States and Canada. However, Halloween traditions can be found in various forms across the globe. From Mexico to Ireland, different countries have their unique customs and rituals that add a touch of cultural diversity to this international holiday. A country that notably has its own distinct Halloween tradition is Mexico. In Mexico, the holiday is known as Día de los Muertos , or Day of the Dead. Rather than being a day of fear and fright, it is a joyful celebration of deceased loved ones. Families create altars in their homes, adorned with photographs, candles, and marigolds, to honor and remember their ancestors. They also visit cemeteries to clean and decorate the graves, leaving offerings of food, drinks, and personal belongings for the spirits to enjoy. The Day of the Dead is a colorful and vibrant celebration that showcases the Mexican culture's unique perspective on death and the afterlife. In Ireland, the birthplace of Halloween, the holiday is known as Samhain . It is believed to have originated from ancient Celtic traditions. Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Irish people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off evil spirits. They also believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, allowing spirits to roam freely. To appease these spirits, people would leave food and drinks outside their homes. Today, Ireland continues to celebrate Halloween with bonfires, costume parties, and traditional Irish music. Moving to Asia, we find the country of Japan, which has its own unique Halloween traditions. Halloween has gained popularity in recent years, particularly among young people. However, the Japanese celebration has a more commercial and playful nature. Halloween parties and parades are common, with people dressing up in costumes inspired by both Western and Japanese pop culture. Many shopping centers and amusement parks decorate their premises with Halloween-themed decorations, and children go trick-or-treating in their neighborhoods. While Halloween in Japan may not have deep historical roots, it has become a fun and exciting event for people of all ages. In Germany, Halloween is celebrated with a mix of traditional customs and modern influences. One of the most notable traditions is the carving of turnips or beets into lanterns, similar to the jack-o'-lanterns made from pumpkins in the United States. These lanterns, known as "Rübengeister," are placed outside homes to ward off evil spirits. German children also go trick-or-treating, but instead of saying "trick or treat," they say " Süßes oder Saures ," which translates to "sweets or sour." This playful twist adds a unique touch to the Halloween experience in Germany. In addition to these countries, Halloween is celebrated in various other parts of the world, including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Each country puts its own spin on the holiday, incorporating local customs and traditions. However, the common thread that runs through all these celebrations is the spirit of fun, creativity, and community. So, Halloween is not just an American holiday; it has become a global phenomenon with diverse traditions and customs. From the joyful remembrance of ancestors in Mexico to the playful trick-or-treating in Germany, Halloween traditions around the world showcase the rich cultural tapestry of our global community. Whether it's carving pumpkins, wearing costumes, or participating in festive events, Halloween brings people together in a spirit of fun and celebration, transcending borders and uniting us in the joy of this spooky holiday. Sources: Halloween in Mexico: How Do They Celebrate? - JoinMyTrip Blog Samhain (Samain) - The Celtic roots of Halloween ( newgrange.com ) Halloween 2023 in Japan: Traditions and Where to Go | JRail Pass Halloween in Germany: Traditions, customs & events ( iamexpat.de ) BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections Karina McNamara - Prism By Karina McNamara November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Artwork Art Guild Back to Sections Art Guild- Isabella Mascetti Isabella Mascetti November 6, 2023 Colored Pencil Volume 4 Issue 1

Isabel Barrett FEATURE SECTION EDITOR Hi! I’m Isabel Barrett, the editor for the Featured section of North Star. If you enjoy human interest stories, then the Featured section is for you! Besides writing, I also enjoy art, playing video games, and making websites, and I’m part of the Tri-M Honor Society and Drama Club. I look forward to sharing fun and interesting stories with our community this year! The Failures of Smartpass Isabel Barrett Editorial Read More Book Review: IT by Stephen Hawking By Isabel Barrett Feature Read More

Back to Articles News Back to Sections The Truth About Vaccination By Aleeza Dhillon Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Image provided by USA Today Chances are you know someone who has gotten Covid within the past year because the deadly virus has infected approximately 166,761,227 people worldwide. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) supplied the first Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for a Covid-19 prevention vaccine on December 11, 2020. The vaccine was initially approved for people 18 years or older, but the Pfizer vaccine was permitted to be injected into citizens ranging from 12-16 years old on May 10, 2021. Although the vaccine does not entirely prevent Covid infections, it limits symptoms’ severities and the likelihood of infection. Many people were thrilled to have a chance at lowering their risk of contagion, but others were skeptical of the vaccine. There is a growing fear and distrust of vaccines, which can lead to dire consequences. Many people are concerned about how quickly the Covid vaccine was created. Most vaccines take years to develop, and although scientists have been working on SARS vaccines for decades, this one seemed to have taken less than a year to be tested and accepted. Kelly Elterman, MD, shares that the vaccine was developed quickly by using 20 year-old technology. So, doubting the vaccine based on timelines does not tell the whole story. Still, others are concerned about the unknown side effects of the vaccine. People believe there are life-threatening outcomes of getting vaccinated, and some of this concern comes from reports in the media. Joyce Ann Kraner, a citizen of Tennessee, says, "We don't know the long-term effects. We don't know what it's going to do." Much misinformation had been spread through social media and the internet, causing certain people to believe in false side effects, even possible infertility, and creating further media distrust. One in four Americans refuse the vaccine, and 5% are unsure if they would take it given a chance. Experts are becoming concerned that refusal of the vaccine, or “vaccine hesitancy” by that substantial number will prevent the U.S. from reaching herd immunity (when Corona cannot spread throughout the population quickly and transmission disappears). On the other hand, approximately 41.6% of the U.S. population is vaccinated. Many people flew at the chance to limit the possibility of spreading Covid to their friends and families. Once citizens are fully vaccinated (two weeks after the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna and two weeks after one dose of Johnson & Johnson), they should still take precautions, such as wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, and staying six feet apart. However, people can start having small gatherings with others who are vaccinated. Many people took the shot for their protection too. It is impossible to predict how COVID will affect you, so many people believe it is best to stay on the safe side and take all defenses to make sure you stay alive. The vaccine has shown it is safe and effective for the vast majority. Chances of infection are low, and even if a vaccinated person is infected, symptoms are limited with the vaccine. It is crucial to stay educated on the Covid vaccine. Check multiple reliable sources to make sure the information you have is correct and current because vaccination could be the difference between life and death. The CDC has ensured that vaccine is reliable and effective, and safety is their first goal. It is predicted that in January 2022, the total vaccinated population for the U.S. will reach 64%. Works Cited Barczyk, H. (2020, October 12). Why So Many Americans Are Skeptical of a Coronavirus Vaccine . Retrieved from Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-so-many-americans-are-skeptical-of-a-coronavirus-vaccine/ Brumfiel, G. (2021). Vaccine Refusal May Put Herd Immunity At Risk, Researchers Warn . Retrieved from NPR: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/04/07/984697573/vaccine-refusal-may-put-herd-immunity-at-risk-researchers-warn Elternam, K. (2021, February 9). COVID-19 Vaccine Distrust: Why It’s High, and How to Respond to It . Retrieved from Good Rx: https://www.goodrx.com/blog/distrust-of-the-covid-19-vaccine/ Gu, Y. (2021, April 26). Path to Herd Immunity Normality : 2021 Outlook of COVID-19 in the US . Retrieved from covid19-projections: https://covid19-projections.com/path-to-herd-immunity/ Sauer, L. M. (2021, May 19). What Is Coronavirus? Retrieved from Hopkins Medicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus BACK TO TOP