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Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Dalip Singh Saund | Asian American Pacific Islanders Heritage Month By Shinedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by Heritageseries.us Born in Amritsar, Punjab, Dalip Singh Saund became the first Sikh member of Congress and the first Asian American member of Congress. His commitment to his southern California district and its farmers was unwavering. He was also a county judge. His backstory of being born in India, a naturalized US citizen, and a successful businessman propelled him to the global stage. Saund became one of the most engaging politicians during the height of the Cold War while serving in the House of Representatives. Saund’s belief that American democracy holds promise was not shaken despite the many discriminations he faced when living in the United States. On September 20, 1899, Dalip Singh was born and raised in the village Chhajjal Waddi in Punjab, India. His father worked as a construction contractor for the British-Indian government. The Saund family had lived through the period of British colonialism, where Saund’s parents didn’t attend school. Despite this, education was a keystone of Saund’s life. Though he came from an uneducated family, the Saund family was known for their conscientious and successful work with a background of Sikh reformism and activism. Through the active Sikh reformism and activism in his family, Saund learned the basis of activism. During his college years at the University of Punjab, Saund supported the independence movement in India. He graduated with a BS degree in 1919 and went on to further his education in America. Saund intended to learn the fruit-canning business in America for a few years. On September 27, 1920, after traveling from Bombay to England and then to England, he arrived at Ellis Island, New York. While in the US, he earned his MA and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics in 1924. Due to his race, Saund could not find a teaching job and started farming in California. To circumvent a California law that prevented Asians from owning land, he got a friend to sign the deed on his behalf. In 1930, Saund was commissioned by the Khalsa Diwan Society to write “My Mother India”, a book supporting the Independence movement in India. His books highlighted the political and cultural problems in India. Saund closely studied the issues of the 1924 and 1928 presidential elections during his stay in California. After witnessing the struggles of the American people during the Great Depression while he was a farmer, he became a supporter of the New Deal. During the 1930s, Saund actively advocated for Indians to become citizen Americans, which Congress approved in 1946. A couple of years later, Saund became an American citizen and ran for a judgeship the following year. He was elected even amid constant racism-a reporter once asked him whether “turbans would be provided to all those who entered his court”. In 1956, Dalip Singh Saund ran for his local district’s open congressional seat as a Democrat and won the election against Jacqueline Cochran (R-). Saund served three terms in Congress. His support marked his service for civil rights legislation, small farmers, and efforts to improve relations between Mexico, the US, and India. Dalip Singh Saund has continued to inspire generations of Asian and Sikh Americans with his contributions and dedication to the American people. Dalip Singh Saund died on April 22, 1973. “Everyone though I had no chance… But I had faith in the American sense of justice and fair play .”- Dalip Singh Saund Sources 1.) https://history.house.gov/People/Detail/21228 2.) https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2008/12/19/breaking-barriers-congressman-dalip-singh-saund/ 3.) https://www.smc.edu/administration/governance/academicsenate/committees/documents/sabbaticals/HariFellowshipProposal.pdf BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections JV Girls Basketball By Aleeza Dhillon Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Original photography by Aleeza Dhillon Girls JV Basketball: Interview with the Team North’s JV Girls' Basketball team kicked off the season with a bang starting mid-November. The team includes freshmen Ryann Blount, Savyon Rodriguez, Emily Lam, Angelina Villalba, sophomore Arunima Roy, and junior Jodi Zaky. Freshman Ericka Leus led this team. So far, the team has won three games out of six. This season is essential for the girls, especially since it is the first time many of them have played on a team since seventh grade. Here is what Ericka Leus has to say about the team’s progress so far: How do you feel you have performed so far in the season? “So far this season, I think I have performed pretty well. I haven’t played basketball since my JH season in 7th grade, so I was not expecting to do good this season.” What is your favorite part of being on this team? “My favorite part of being on the team is being surrounded with such funny teammates and an amazing coach. The open environment of our team is something I admire.” What do you look forward to the most? “I am looking forward to playing more of our league games towards the end of the season. I think we have grown as a team, and we are ready to take on more challenging opponents.” How do you feel you have performed so far in the season? “I would say I’m doing decent, not the best but not the worst, but I feel like I’m getting better each practice and each game.” What is your favorite part of being on this team? “My favorite part about being on the team is probably playing with all my friends as a team.” What do you look forward to the most? “I’m looking forward to getting more points in games.” By the time of writing this article, the team has won one league game out of two. That is a fantastic start, considering how long it has been since these girls have played together. Team member Ryann Blount also has some thoughts she would like to share about how the season is going: “The team has come extremely far in improving all aspects. I have attended many of their games and noticed the growth in their ability to play as a team and their skills and technique. Not only are spectators seeing the growth, but so is captain Ericka Leus.” This is what she had to say about the team: “I think the team has done amazing so far this season. It was a rough start with our low numbers of players and having a new coach, but now that we are halfway through the season, I think we have got it down. As a team, we have gotten closer, and we are starting to work more as a team both on and off the court.” Half the season is left for this team, and they intend to improve every second of it. No doubt they will with the help of Coach Dasher. Combined with Ericka’s strong leadership, the team is guaranteed a successful season. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections College Application Advice Sahar Ali Volume 5 Issue 3 January 14, 2025 Image Provided by Elaine Ching College applications can be overwhelming during senior year, especially while trying to manage work, school, sports, and maintaining a high GPA. For me, navigating the Common App and completing applications has been a struggle. Through my own experience, I’ve learned how to better approach the college application process which can help future seniors feel calm and relaxed while completing their applications. #1 - THE SAT/ACT The SAT is an exam many students take before going into college; however, some students opt for the ACT or take both. The SAT, composed of English and mathematics, is scored out of 1600 points, while the ACT, composed of English, mathematics, reading, science, and an optional writing section, is scored out of 36 points. Most students, according to the College Board, tend to take the SAT more than the ACT due to its many benefits such as more time per question. Although the SAT may appear frightening at first, practice can help students with understanding how questions are asked to become accustomed to the exam. I recommend taking an SAT course, either offered in school or from another organization, especially if you are aiming for a high score above 1300 because SAT questions get more complex with each module, so getting the right coaching can help chances of scoring higher. Aiming for a high score is possible for anyone, but it can be difficult to achieve if there is no practice involved. Fortunately, I was able to have the experience of receiving SAT prep outside of school; however, many people are unable to have the same. If you are unable to fit the SAT prep course offered at North in your schedule or are unable to receive prep outside of school, Khan Academy has a free SAT prep course with practice questions and videos on SAT topics. The Princeton Review also has textbooks with a QR code that provides five practice exams. The SAT is not simple English or math, rather, the questions test your deeper understanding and application of diverse concepts. Practicing for the exam can take months, which is why I recommend starting to practice before or during your junior year. Just remember: practice, practice, practice! #2 – STARTING THE COMMON APP The Common App is not something North students will start in class. Instead, they have to start the application on their own time over the summer. I recommend starting it around the start of August, which gives students enough time to answer the surplus of lengthy questions required by Common App. Depending on what schools you apply to, there will be more essays than just the college essay that you work on during English class. Starting the Common App early during the summer can help students jump start supplementals and reduce stress during the start of the school year. However, I believe the essays are the hardest part. #4 – LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Letters of recommendation are also a vital aspect of your college application as they show a student through the lens of other people, like high school teachers. During the end of your junior year, take some time to think about which teachers you would like to write your letter of recommendation. Keep in mind that you should find two teachers to write a letter on your behalf, unless otherwise stated by a specific school or program, like CUNY’s Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program, which requires five letters of recommendation. Think about teachers who you have created a bond with and are aware of your strengths and capabilities. It is recommended that you ask a teacher in person rather through Teams Chat, or email, in an extremely polite manner; writing a letter of recommendation takes time and thought and is no easy task. Ask your teachers at the end of junior year or at the start of senior year, so they have ample time to create a well written letter. Your teachers will upload your letter from Naviance. Guidance will help students navigate through the website during senior year. Common App has a unique feature for most, if not all schools, where students can add additional recommenders besides high school teachers. Select a school, and on the left-hand side bar where it shows the specific parts of the application, you will see “Recommenders and FERPA.” Scroll down until you see “Other recommender.” Over here, all the extra recommender types that are allowed by the school will be shown (Ex. Arts Teacher, Coach, Employer, Peer, Other). Some schools allow students to choose from a lot of recommender types, while other schools may only allow some recommender types; some schools may only allow one additional letter, while others may allow up to three – this solely depends on the school itself. Then proceed to add your recommender, and Common App will send them an email where they can upload your letter. In my own experience, I have asked a peer and an employer to write me an additional letter. Asking a peer to write a letter of recommendation is beneficial in my opinion since it shows admission counselors who you are outside of school and how you resonate with people; I personally love the fact that some schools, like Dartmouth, allow the peer recommendations as it sheds light on an applicant from a different perspective. I have written a peer recommendation for a friend and had found it to be quite interesting, yet fun at the same time. Remember, if you hope to ask a peer recommendation, choose wisely! Additionally, you are unable to see your letters of recommendations and are heavily encouraged to waive your rights. This will be done in the “Recommenders and FERPA” section of each school’s application on Common App. #3 - ESSAYS For many students, writing supplemental essays along with the main essay is one of the hardest parts of a college application. AP LIT students must write a draft of their college essay over the summer as an assignment; however, English 4 students write it during the school year. When writing your essay, you want to focus solely on yourself. That does not mean that you cannot write about others in your life. Focus on a specific event in your life and how it has impacted you. Or think about something that is special to you. It’s important to take some time to think about your essay, especially since it is a reflection of you as a person to admissions counselors. Even if you do not like the first draft of your college essay, do not panic! North’s 12th grade English teachers provide some of the best outlooks and will take time to help you brainstorm ideas. From my own experience, talking with my teacher and revising it with her has made my essay extremely unique; with her coaching, I was able to transform an unlikeable first draft into an exceptional final draft. Supplemental essays for certain schools, however, are not the main focus of 12th grade English classes. The number of supplementals a student has to write depends on the colleges they choose to apply to. Some students may have more essays than others, while some students may not have as many. Although you may not have your teacher to help with these specific essays, students may feel more confident writing them after writing their personal essay. Yet, many students, like myself, still have trouble writing supplementals. This is where I recommend you begin to look for a private writing instructor. My experience with a writing instructor has been immaculate, especially since the instructor has helped me get my thoughts down on words. Preply, a website where students can find tutors, has helped me find a highly qualified instructor for a reasonable price per hour. Even though it is not necessary to have that help, it certainly will help make your essays stand out more. Not only that, but certain supplementals can be reused if essay prompts are similar to one another. Just keep in mind to fix certain sections to make it specific to the school. Always do some research about the school and include it in your essays; whether it be classes, the campus’ environment, or even clubs, showing the school that you are aware of what they offer and showing your interest in the school, which is always favorable. Finally, if you ever need help with college applications, do not hesitate to reach out to your guidance counselor, any of your teachers, or even upperclassmen who are completing their applications. College applications can be overwhelming, but don’t forget that there are people who are willing to help. All you have to do is reach out, keep on top of your deadlines, and work hard. SOURCES: SAT vs. ACT: Which Test Should I Take? - College Board Blog BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Life By Joshua Lopez Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Image provided by Getty Images I try to make sense of what's going on in this thing we call life But false misconceptions lead me to a road of pain I try to understand what happens But could never find the answer Maybe pain is just a lack of understanding? But quite frankly, I find joy in the pursuit of happiness But I know I’ll never find it It's like a dream Life asked death Why do some many people love me, but hate you? And death responded with "Because you’re a beautiful lie and I'm the ugly truth". I try to make sense of what's going on in this thing we call life The pain and adversity I face Just to fall up short again I look to the left nothing is right I look to my right and nothing is left So, tell me what do I do? How am I supposed to live, Knowing this cycle of uncertainty will continue And mankind will forever suffer? Unfortunately, this is called life and we live just to die curious and never truly satisfied. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Ask Ala: Friends By Ala Paruch Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Image provided by Infared Q. Dear Ala, I am in seventh grade and I don't have many friends. I had a lot of friends in elementary school, but most of them went to Memorial. That on top of Covid-19 is making it difficult for me to talk to the ones that are in North. It is hard for me to socialize because we have to wear masks and socially distance. Do you have any advice to help me make new friends? Sincerely, “Too” Socially Distant A. Hello and thank you for the question! Making friends in this new environment is definitely something we have to get used to. Firstly, I would advise you to try to still talk to your friends that went to Memorial. You already have a connection, and it would be a shame to just let that go without trying. To make new friends at North, I would join some clubs that interest you, and don’t be afraid to reach out to the people who attend them. You can check out the Virtual Club Fair channel on the North High School Team and see what clubs you might like. Hope this helps! Q. Dear Ala, My friend and I are starting to fight a lot more often, and it usually ends with us not talking to each other for a while. I always try to avoid arguing, but sometimes we just start to disagree, and disagreeing turns into arguing, and arguing turns into not talking to each other for days on end. How do I avoid fights with my friend so that we don't engage in passive-aggressive bickering almost every day? From, Arguing Friend A. Hello and thank you for the question! It seems to me that you and your friend have to realize having different opinions is not bad thing. Everyone has different viewpoints on situations and topics, and disagreeing is inevitable. Additionally, when you realize that the “disagreeing” is turning into “arguing,” that might be a good point to take a moment for yourself and calm down. Taking time to sort things out is also not bad, it is actually crucial. Keeping up a relationship, any type, requires work and patience such as talking things out and taking time for yourself. If you are not in the right space, keeping up a friendship is off the list. Hope this helps and good luck! Q. Dear Ala, I'm angry at one of my friends, but I don't know how to let her know. I've tried giving her subtle hints, but she either doesn't notice or doesn't care. Since she can be sensitive sometimes, I'm afraid that if I tell her, she'll take it too much to heart. I just really don't want to ruin the friendship. Thanks for your help, Sensitive Friend A. Hello and thank you for the question! The best option would be to just confront her about it. Be straightforward with what is bothering you. If the matter is important to you, it will also be important to her. I’m glad you are trying to look out for her and consider the fact that she is sensitive. However, after this much effort, you can’t keep sacrificing your emotions for her. This will be a little bit of a wakeup call for her to pay closer attention to what you are trying to tell her in the future. Good luck! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Little Women Discuss “Little Women” By Simar Thind, Sasha Smalls, and Kamille Shrestha Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Original image by Sasha Smalls Who is your favorite March sister? Sasha : Sweet-natured, romantic, and sensible, Meg remains my favorite March sister. The eldest of the bunch, she actively tries to pacify outbursts and clashes between her other sisters, Jo and Amy. Beth is not one for conflict either, but she shies away from it completely, leaving Meg, Marmee, and Hannah to break up fights. Meg’s serene nature complements her sister’s robust personality. The audience learns early on that marriage does not suit Beth, and Jo - Jo does end up marrying, but throughout the movie, she remains opposed to the concept. Amy desires to marry rich, but she has a key moment in the movie where she gives a speech to Laurie about her thoughts on marriage being an economic proposition. Meg never has such a moment. It appears Meg never opposed the concept of marriage or questioned it. In one scene, Laurie interacts with Meg and shames her for allowing her rich friends to call her out for her name (a pet name). This parallels a subsequent scene when Laurie calls out Amy for wanting to marry rich, saying, “It does sound odd from the mouth of one of your mother’s girls.” Unlike Amy however, Meg does not combat Laurie. She accepts his taunting and moves on. Her passiveness and appeasing nature chronicles her interactions and makes her stand out. Personally, Meg reflects many traits that I as an individual would like to develop and improve on and for that reason, she remains my favorite March sister. Simar : “Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as just beauty. I’m so sick of people saying that love is just all a woman is fit for. I’m so sick of it!” Jo March adamantly rejects marriage and romance due to the constraints that accompany them. She is independent, bold, outspoken, and disagreeable. She is a dreamer, and she is stubborn enough to stick by those dreams and make them come true. Since childhood, Jo holds on to her writing, her one true passion. While Meg makes the sensible choice of growing up and adapting to adult life, Jo forever holds on to her writing. While it is important to adapt as you grow older, having a character that sticks with their dreams makes it seem like our dreams may not be as out of reach as we think. But maybe that’s just the optimist in me. Kamille : Though I could see myself in Jo for how she wished to pursue her passion and find her own way, and Amy with how realistic she was in understanding her duties as a woman and daughter, Beth was definitely my favorite. I adored how sweet, kind, serene, and loving she was. Though the spotlight focused on her less often than her sisters, her heart was always big enough to be felt beyond the screen. I am a big piano fan, and I absolutely adored how much she loved playing it, for herself and for those around her. Beth was so selfless and simply wanted to do whatever she could for the people she loved. She had the most tragic storyline, but never allowed it to be a defining trait in her life. Beth was aware that her death was imminent and that she would leave the earth sooner than her sisters, and came to terms with the prospect, simply doing her best, as her sisters did. In terms of personality, Beth remained a stark contrast from her sisters in that she was shy, quiet, and good-natured, wishing to please everyone and keep her family together. She recognized her place amidst conflict and chose to not engage, yet consistently acted as the magnet that brought everyone together. Out of the four, Beth’s flaws were the least visible, which lends one to believe that her declining health served as more than just a tragedy, but an effort to show that she was not strong nor ready to challenge an ever-changing, seldom forgiving world. For me, she encompassed a tranquil, fleeting sort of beauty that plays a subdued chord throughout the movie. How does the concept of being soulmates but not lovers apply to Jo and Laurie’s relationship? Sasha : On the concept of Jo and Laurie as soulmates, I believe a quote from Meg helps us understand. Meg says to Jo, “Just because my dreams are different than yours, doesn’t mean they’re unimportant.” Jo embodies a strong spirit; one cannot help but to get caught up in her wild and enthralling nature. I believe Jo gets caught up in herself as well. She pushes her agenda on her sisters because she has determined what works best for them. As stated perfectly by Meg, this thinking is false. Jo marches to her own drum. As a result, she is deaf to opportunities that pass her by. Take Laurie for example - she told him they could not marry because it would never work, and she believes she may never marry. I do not think Laurie and Jo are romantically compatible, but she confuses the situation when she changes her mind and decides to marry him. Imagine the turmoil if Jo had told Laurie she loved him before he could inform her of his and Amy’s marriage. I think the story would have been consistent if she did not marry anyone. Despite being soulmates, I also believe her and Laurie should not marry either. Fredrich, although ultimately her love interest, foils her character arc. Jo should have stayed single. Simar : Jo and Laurie grew up together as best friends. They know everything about each other, and their chemistry is undeniable. Laurie understands that Jo has vowed to never marry, but everyone knows that he’s in love with Jo - except for Jo. He confesses his love for her, after waiting and waiting for her to love him back. She loves him, but she says that she could never be in love with him, crushing all my dreams for this couple. Jo says they would be a disaster together, but he responds saying that he can never love anyone else. He desperately wants her to say yes, but when he brings up that everyone expects it, it pushes her away because Jo loves to go against what is expected of her. Jo refuses to marry Laurie, and further argues that she’s unlikely to marry at all because it would place her independence at risk. I understand that soulmates do not have to be lovers, but I cannot accept the fact that they did not belong together, especially since Jo ended up with another man that she barely knew. The book could not have been published without Jo getting married, but ideally, she should have remained single. I think Laurie was “the one”, so it should’ve been him or no one. Just because something is rooted in childhood does not mean we should get rid of it in adulthood. Soulmates are real, and it does not have to be a romantic dynamic. However, I think Jo and Laurie would be great together if they were given the chance. Kamille : Right before Laurie confesses his love for Jo and proposes marriage, Jo mentions running off and joining a pirate ship with him, thus escaping reality. The dynamic of the exchange begins with both of them not being on the same page, and they remain that way during the conversation. Jo did not even want to get married, yet Laurie attempts to convince her that they should be together since everyone else sees it that way. Further, she tries to guilt her into changing her mind - both being childish tactics to sway her. Their connection is built entirely off childhood fantasies and nostalgia, and as a result, their relationship could never properly mature to the point where they could be more than just friends. They were memories they were not ready to relinquish. There is no doubt that they love each other, but one does not need to seek romance to have an intense, serious connection with another. Soulmates are more than just who you fall for, and people can have more than one. They were amazing as friends, but they would clash as partners. Jo ends up contemplating changing her answer when she realizes that she might end up being alone for the rest of her life. It is never because she loves him in a romantic way, but because she wanted to be loved and not lonely, and Laurie was the easy choice. Jo writes a letter to Laurie when she decides that she wants to change her answer to him and places it in their childhood mailbox. She does not even attempt an adult conversation about it, but resorts to putting letters in a childhood keepsake mailbox. Jo would be able to feed off his love but not truly return it, as her true love was writing, which would absolutely conjure up issues had Jo chosen to marry him. And in any case, a relationship, speaking in the context of marriage, does not merely float on love. There is a point where love becomes a choice because of the sacrifice associated with it. Jo and Laurie’s relationship was far too immature to sustain the nuanced aspects of a relationship more demanding than a friendship and would most likely ruin each other. I wish she did end up single because that is what suited her agenda best and it was defeating to see her change her mind about something she felt so strongly about, but I am glad she did not end up with Laurie. What role did childhood fantasies play in the context of the movie and how is it applicable to our lives? Sasha : Each March sister has a thing . Jo, the writer. Amy, the painter. Beth, the pianist. Meg, the actress. I believe Meg’s talent symbolizes her biggest flaw in the movie, a childhood fantasy that follows her into adulthood and threatens the livelihood of her family - Meg wants to be rich. In her youth, Meg attends countless social events and basks in the idea of having disposable wealth. However, Meg does not have disposable wealth. Further, she marries a loving, intelligent, yet poor fellow. Meg’s wedding symbolizes the transition from childhood fantasies to adult duties as she begins her family. But Meg the actress has a role to play. She makes a terribly irresponsible purchase of fabrics with money originally saved for her husband, John Brooke, to purchase a new winter coat. While discussing their situation with Brooke, she makes a comment about being tired of being poor. Despite knowing her financial situation, Meg gets caught up in the idea of having more and living auspiciously. Eventually, she sells the fabrics, and as much as I would like to say this symbolizes her finally relinquishing her rich fantasy, it does not. Meg names her daughter Daisy, a pet name given to Meg by her rich friends. Meg’s reluctance to quit on her childish fantasies defines her character arc. Unlike Jo, Meg cannot embrace her passion mind, body, and soul. Similar to how she acted as a peacemaker, she sets her passions aside (she does not dispose of them) in order to do what is best for the time being. Simar : As many high school seniors are making pivotal changes in their lives, picking colleges and potential careers, it’s incredibly daunting. Everyone wonders what their thing could be and evaluates their strengths and weaknesses in order to make their next move. Many students have one thing they are known for: their athleticism, intelligence, artistic ability, etc. This notion is highlighted in the movie since each sister has a unique talent. However, life does not always go the way we want it to. Beth passes away before breaking through her shyness and showcasing her natural talent on the piano. Meg marries a poor tutor instead of marrying to elevate her social status, placing her in a position where she must make sacrifices in the name of love. Amy wishes to give up her art because she sees no value in it; she believes that there are very few ways to elevate your status, and the main way to do so is marry. She is set on marrying rich in order to secure her future, as well as shine light on her family, but she says no to a man that seemed to be a perfect suitor because she wanted to marry for love. Childhood fantasies often drive our futures, and although we shouldn’t reject them entirely, it’s critical to be open to change, since nothing is certain. Kamille : Childhood fantasies are just that: fantasies. In the case of the March sisters, their fantasies were not necessarily abandoned, but exchanged for more achievable dreams and aspirations. In this context, compromise does not necessarily mean subjecting oneself to misery, because dreams can change. Meg adored acting but found that settling down with the man she loved to become a housewife was what was meant for her, despite wanting a lavish life. Amy wished to paint but recognized that painting’s long-term value would not work in her favor while marriage as an economic proposition could, hence her fixation on marrying rich. Beth lived for the piano but accepted that her sickness would eventually consume her. The only sister who stuck to her path mapped out since childhood was Jo. Their fantasies (for the most part) simply became more realistic, but that does not negate their importance. Most of us will or already have outgrown childhood dreams and wishes, considering that it is a time in our lives that is supposed to be fleeting and indicative of rapid development. The beauty of fantasies lies in that they refrain from limiting the wild imaginations of a child; they evolve as an individual grows up. One does not simply desert their childhood, as it has major formative implications on an individual. The period of growth out of a childhood fantasy can shatter one’s perspective on everything and force themselves to see who they truly are and if their aspirations are worth the trouble. Each March sister had a talent that they wished to hone in on, but simply put, a talent or passion does not necessarily mean anything in a cutthroat world where people vie for any opportunity they can acquire by any means. They are called fantasies because it is rare that they metamorphose into reality. It means nothing to like something or be good at it if the individual in question does not have the will to make it happen. Childhood fantasies act as a filter from a merciless truth; the world is seldom a happy, forgiving place. Dreams tend to become more realistic for that reason; it is merely a privilege to fantasize. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Space Junk and the Moon By Elyas Layachi Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by MIT Introduction Every year, thousands of spacecraft are launched into Earth orbit, whether they be satellites, telescopes, or rocket tests. These spacecraft have been accumulating since the launch of Sputnik 1 (the first artificial satellite), and many are now either broken or retired. Known as space junk, these dead spacecraft have nowhere to go and remain in Earth orbit until they near the Earth’s atmosphere, posing the threat of collisions with other, active spacecraft. Such collisions produce even more space junk that becomes lethal to both active satellites and astronauts. In some rare scenarios, space junk can exit Earth’s orbit and impact our distant neighbor: the moon. SpaceX and Space Junk One of these rare scenarios is about to occur with a SpaceX rocket. One of SpaceX’s rockets that launched several years ago is on a collision course with the moon and is scheduled to impact it very soon. This rocket, the Falcon 9 booster stage from a SpaceX mission launch in 2015, was supposed to return to Earth, but it did not have enough reserved fuel to do so. As a result, it remained in its orbit, which was chaotically placed between the gravitational forces of the Earth, moon, and Sun. With so many sources of gravity acting on the booster stage, its orbit became chaotic, and the moon’s gravity began pulling it towards the surface. This anticipated collision with the lunar surface could be the first documented rocket collision with the moon. It is expected to hit the far side of the moon on March 4th, 2022, at about 5,771 miles per hour, exploding on impact. Conclusion Despite how interesting and rare this event is, space junk is still a great problem and poses a threat to both spacecraft and astronauts working in Earth orbit. With space junk increasing with every collision and space launch, action must be taken. If we continue to ignore the space junk problem, Earth orbit might become so crowded that leaving it to travel to the Moon and beyond will seem dangerous and impossible. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections The Compliments to Shape and Color By Nehilah Grand-Pierre November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Goodbye Leah Ally Volume 5 Issue 5 July 5, 2025 It was a mild night in February when a little girl decided to leave her home. Her parents had gone out that night and wouldn’t be home until an hour later. So, she had decided to use the time to explore her new neighborhood freely. They had just moved there and therefore knew very little about their surroundings. As she made it to the pavement outside her home, she excitedly began skipping along the sidewalk as she had never felt such a sense of independence as she now did. Not only was she out past her 9 pm curfew, but she was by herself. As she curiously looked at all the houses in her neighborhood, it began to dawn on her that she had traveled so far for so long that she had no sense of direction of how to return home. Not only that, but she had no sense of time, either. With tears forming in her eyes and her feet slowly dragging on the cement, she saw a boy seemingly around her age sitting on the opposite side of the sidewalk. Out of desperation, she cautiously crossed over to him and began questioning who he was and why he was out so late. The boy never looked up and merely muttered that he did not have a family. As a soft rain began to fall, he slowly stood up and made eye contact with the girl. Though somber, he made a small gesture with his hand that motioned that he wanted her to walk with him. For what seemed like forever there were no words exchanged between the two of them. Only small glances that said more words than sentences could. After some time, they introduced themselves, still walking in a light rain that thumped on both of their jackets. Even though they did not know each other well, they knew that they were one of the same, children with seemingly no direction. Later that night the police, who were notified by the girl’s parents, eventually found her with the boy. She was ushered into the car to be taken home. A sense of relief rushed through her body. But sadness also loomed over her as her watery eyes glanced over the boy’s face. She knew in her heart she wouldn’t see him again. His eyes were still fixated on hers as his gaze softened just enough to communicate a “goodbye”. With no words she understood him. The entire night she understood him more than anyone else ever had. It mattered in the moment, but not now, not as the car drove off, forever separating the girl and the boy. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Sarah Wilder - Lights On for Education By Sarah Wilder April 22, 2021 Marker Volume 1 Issue 7