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Back to Articles News Back to Sections A Divided America: Can We Actually “Build Back Better”? By Craig Papajohn-Shaw Volume 1 Issue 2 November 24, 2020 Image provided by POSO It’s over. At approximately 11:30 AM on Saturday, November 7th, the state of Pennsylvania, with its 20 electoral votes, was declared to 77-year-old, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., putting him over the 270 threshold of electoral votes needed to win the presidency. He would be announced as the future 46th President of the United States with his running mate, Senator Kamala Harris, being declared the future 49th Vice President of the United States. Former Vice President Biden would only be the second practicing Catholic elected as President, and Senator Harris would be the first woman in the position of Vice President. This is not to mention Harris is of Black Caribbean and South Asian descent, which makes another first for an American VP. While this is a monumental win for Democrats, the results of the Senate and House races have made Americans, especially Democrats, question whether the country can actually “Build Back Better,” as well as whether the varying political visions of the Democrats caused the party to lose seats in the House. The infighting of the Democratic Party has been an issue over the last decade, recently exemplified when 29 Democrats, across the large spectrum of the party’s beliefs, ran to become the Presidential nominee for the party. The large spectrum of democrats includes the progressive, liberal, and centrist (or moderate) wings. In this election, the Republicans flipped 11 seats in the house for a net gain of eight, with 8 races yet to be called (As of 11/19/20). Polling suggested Democrats were supposed to gain 10-15 seats, but rather, they lost seats, putting Nancy Pelosi’s position as Speaker of the House in peril. The weakened majority in the House came as a shock to Democrats and Republicans alike. The progressive wing of the party was blamed for these losses based on polling, proving that the Democratic party is not shifting as much left as polls suggested. Many centrist Democrats pointed fingers at Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, saying that her self-described democratic socialist agenda caused voters to turn away from the Democratic ticket in the down-ballot races. Even some members of the progressive caucus such as California Representative Jared Huffman (CA-2) concurred, stating, “I think Republicans did get some traction trying to scare people on this ‘socialist narrative.’” The results of the House races gave implications that Americans do not agree on policies such as Medicare for All (abolishing privatized healthcare), defunding the police, abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and a federal job guarantee. Representative Connor Lamb (PA-17), a centrist Democrat, claimed the progressive policies are “unrealistic” and that the false promises being made, cost Democrats in key races. He further went on to say that the Biden administration should keep the progressives at arm’s length. Additionally, moderate Republican and former Ohio Governor, John Kasich, who supported the Biden-Harris ticket, bluntly stated, “The Democrats have to make it clear to the far-left that they almost cost him this election.” The multiple accusations generated a defensive response from Representative Ocasio-Cortez stating to the Times , “I don't even know if I want to be in politics.” The deflection from the Congresswoman reflected the division within the Democratic party and displayed how the many sides of the party cannot seem to be, let alone act unified. Former Vice President Biden has pledged that he will be a president for all Americans, not just those who voted for him. However, the divide within his own party might make it difficult for him to reunite the heavily divided nation. This becomes especially challenging with a divided Congress. The Democrats have a slim majority in the House, while the Republicans have a 50-48 majority in the Senate (as of 11/19/20), with two runoff races in Georgia taking place in January that will determine which party has the majority in the Senate. With President Trump refusing to concede, a smooth transition of power is unlikely to happen based on Tweets that he has sent. The lame-duck President has retweeted multiple times, “WE WILL WIN,” even though all major media outlets made the call that the former Vice President would be the projected 46th President. The former Vice-President will have adversities to overcome, no matter the circumstances in Congress. In order to “Build Back Better”, Joe Biden will need to reach across the aisle to work with both parties to amend the great divide in our country. The Biden-Harris Administration will be responsible for establishing new precedents for future generations. The former Vice President is known for his ability for working with the Republican Party, which is reassuring in our currently divided nation. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris, Fiction Back to Sections The Deity and the Child Alanna Tieschmaker Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by iStock Editor's Note: This is the third part of a series. The first two parts were previously released in POLARIS. When he opened his eyes, the blinding light made him close them immediately. He tried to bring his arm over his eyes, but they would not move. Blinking rapidly, Kendrick slowly adjusted to the sun. His head was pounding, and images danced under his eyelids as he fully awoke.  The first thing he registered was the amount of green. The grass and bushes and trees were all a healthy bright green. Kendrick had never seen a color so bright. Where was he?  Looking around, he found that on all sides thorny bushes boxed him in. There was enough space to lay down at least. Finally, he looked towards his arms, wondering why he could not move them. Thick vines twisted over his torso, pinning his arms and keeping him on the ground.  He tried to sit up, but it was no use. He could not move.  A panic began to well inside him. He hated being stuck in one place. His parents would always say he moved too much. They would put him in the closet and keep him there, ignoring his shivering sobs and pitiful cries for them. This was like the closet but 10 times worse. At least in the closet he could move his arms, fiddle with his fingers, wrap his arms around himself in a gesture of self-comfort.  His vision was blurred by his own tears, his panic preventing any chance of rational thoughts. He continued to thrash on the ground, movements becoming more frantic after each failed attempt.  Due to his frenzy, he was unable to hear the sounds of someone approaching. The retraction of the bushes went unnoticed, as did the thundering steps that grew closer every second. The vines suddenly unraveled, and Kendrick could move again.  He folded inwards, wrapping his arms around himself and cherishing the movement of his arms. Even with his mobility returned to him, it took a few minutes to regain control of his breathing and register who was in front of him. “W-who are you?” Kendrick quietly asked. The being in front of him did not respond, but instead continued to stare undauntingly at him.  Courage returning, his next question was asked in a steadier, albeit still timid voice. “What do you want from me?”  No response. The silence threatened to overwhelm them. Finally, the figure turned and gestured towards the entrance in the bushes. “Follow.” His voice commanded power and left no room for argument. He began to walk towards the exit. Kendrick slowly climbed to his feet, unsure of what to do. His parents always told him not to follow strangers, but this man was much bigger and scarier. Plus, he thought, maybe his parents were lying to him. After all, they weren’t the nicest to him. Maybe the scary people are nice, like how the not-scary people are mean. Reassured, Kendrick followed the man. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Contemplation Back to Sections End of Silence By Arunima Roy June 8, 2021 Oil Volume 1 Issue 8

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections My Experience Singing With MYO At Carnegie Hall Manal Layachi Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by Facebook On May 7th, I performed with my MYO group, the Nassau Senior Treble Choir, at Carnegie Hall. Carnegie Hall was first created in 1891, located on the corner of 57th Street and Seventh Avenue, it is a national historic landmark. All the MYO groups including mine got to perform on this prestigious stage. MYO stands for Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York and was created to foster a community of talented musicians from Long Island by providing them with an opportunity to perform choral and orchestral masterworks at a high level. I have been singing with MYO since 6th grade and it has been an amazing experience. My teacher this year was Mrs. O’Hanlon, a music teacher at Herricks High School, and she is an awesome conductor and mentor. Every Monday, we have rehearsal from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. We performed four songs at the concert at Carnegie Hall: “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by John Rosamond Johnson The first piece that we performed was “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” We did not sing the original version as a previous student of Mrs. O’Hanlon, James Floyd, arranged the song for us. At first, Mrs. O’Hanlon thought is was way too hard! With hard work and a lot of practice, we got the song down and even memorized it. This poem is referred to as “The Black National Anthem” and it was written by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1990. This song has beautiful harmonies and melodies. I loved it! “J’entends Le Moulin”: Composed by Traditional French Canadian. Arranged by: Donald Patriquin. Our second piece was “J’entends Le Moulin” composed by the Traditional French Canadian and arranged by Donald Patriquin. This is a fun French folk song that is like a “game of rhymes”. We had originally sung this song at our last concert at Adelphi, but Mrs. O’Hanlon wanted to give us another try to make it better and try it again at Carnegie. Although this song was tricky, we had a lot of fun singing it and learning the French. “What Happens When a Woman”: Composed by Alexandra Olsavsky Our final piece as a group was “What Happens When a Woman” composed by Alexandra Olsavsky. This song is about the empowerment of woman it was very cool to sing at Carnegie. The sound resonated so beautifully when we performed, it literally gave you goosebumps. We got to do moves with this song which was fun and interactive and there were six amazing soloists. This strong and empowering piece was a great way to end the MYO year. “Walk in Jerusalem” Arranged by Rollo A. Dilworth All the MYO choirs got to sing “Walk in Jerusalem”, and African American Spiritual arranged by Rollo A. Dilworth, as their final piece at Carnegie. Mr. Norris, a director of Choral Music at Glen Cove High School, conducted us. It was a fun and interactive choir church song. It was a cool experience singing with the other choirs. At the end of the concert, we got a standing ovation, and I was filled with pride and joy. Although this was my last MYO concert and I had mixed feelings, I cannot wait to sing at Carnegie Hall with MYO next year. Sources: www.myo.org About Carnegie Hall | Carnegie Hall Lift Every Voice and Sing | NAACP J'entends le moulin | Elektra Women's Choir BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections The Congo Crisis Leah Ally Volume 4 Issue 2 January 16, 2024 Image provided by The Hilltop The Democratic Republic of Congo, often referred to as the Congo, has been plagued by complex challenges for decades. This vast Central African nation, with its abundant natural resources and diverse population, has experienced political instability, armed conflict, economic challenges, and humanitarian crises, not to mention the silent genocide in progress. Understanding the Congo situation requires knowing its historical context, examining the root causes of the ongoing crisis, and exploring potential solutions. The Congo's troubles can be traced back to its colonial past. Under Belgian rule, the country suffered from exploitation and brutal treatment, with the extraction of rubber and other resources leading to the deaths of millions of Congolese. Independence in 1960 brought hope for a brighter future, but it was short-lived. Political instability, corruption, and power struggles soon took over the nation, leading to a series of dictatorships. One of the most significant events in the Congo's recent history was the Rwandan genocide in 1994. The mass killings in neighboring Rwanda triggered a wave of refugees fleeing into Congo, fueling existing tensions and sparking a series of conflicts. The First Congo War (1996-1997) and the Second Congo War (1998-2003) involved multiple armed groups and neighboring countries, resulting in the deaths of millions of people and the displacement of millions more. The aftermath of these conflicts has left Congo in a state of constant crisis. Armed groups, both domestic and foreign, continue to operate in various parts of the country, encouraging violence and instability. These groups often exploit the Congo's vast mineral wealth, particularly gold, diamonds, and coltan, to finance their activities. The illegal trade of these resources has fueled conflict and caused a cycle of violence. The humanitarian situation in the Congo is dire. Millions of people have been displaced from their homes, either because of armed conflict or due to ongoing insecurity. The internally displaced persons (IDPs) face numerous challenges, including limited access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and clean water. The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Congo, known as MONUSCO, has been deployed to protect civilians and support the government, but its effectiveness has been limited. Addressing the Congo situation requires a comprehensive approach that tackles the root causes of the crisis. First and foremost, there is an obvious need for political stability and good governance. The Congolese government would need to prioritize the rule of law, fight corruption, and ensure the fair and transparent management of natural resources. This would help build trust among the population and create an environment for economic development to thrive. Economic reforms are also critically needed. The Congo's vast natural resources have the potential to drive economic growth and lift people out of poverty. However, the exploitation of these resources are often not regulated and managed in a way that benefits the Congolese people. Multinational corporations are very often not held accountable for their actions and ensure that their business practices do not contribute to the crisis. Investing in education and healthcare is another key aspect of resolving the Congo situation. Access to quality education and healthcare services is essential for the development of human capital and the empowerment of the Congolese population. This would improve the people's overall well-being and contribute to long-term stability and economic growth. Furthermore, efforts to address the ongoing conflict and disarm armed groups would need to be intensified. This would require a combination of military action, targeted sanctions, and diplomatic negotiations. Regional cooperation is crucial, as neighboring countries have a common interest in the stability of the Congo. The international community, including the United Nations and organizations such as the African Union, would need to provide support and resources to help these efforts. Additionally, addressing the Congo situation requires a focus on justice and accountability. The perpetrators of human rights abuses, including those responsible for sexual violence and war crimes, must be held accountable for their actions. Establishing a credible and impartial justice system is needed for ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice. Transitional justice mechanisms, such as truth commissions and reparations programs, can also play a crucial role in healing the wounds of the past and promoting peace among different ethnic and social groups in the Congo. In the Congo exists a complex and multifaceted crisis that requires a comprehensive and coordinated response. Political stability, economic reforms, investment in education and healthcare, and efforts to address the ongoing conflict are all crucial components of resolving the crisis. Congo is often overlooked and dismissed, yet the Congolese people have suffered for far too long and it is time for changes to be made. It is imperative that international countries come together to support them in their quest for peace, stability, and prosperity. Sources: Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo | Global Conflict Tracker ( cfr.org ) DR Congo: An unprecedented crisis goes ignored | NRC Milestones: 1961–1968 - Office of the Historian ( state.gov ) BACK TO TOP

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

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Why Leaves Change Color By Manal Layachi Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Britannica Have you ever wondered why leaves change color? This year, it took the leaves a long time to change color and fall off trees because of climate change. Leaves get their color from chlorophyll, carotene, xanthophyll, and other leaf pigments. As you might already know, plants use carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight to make oxygen and glucose. This process is called photosynthesis, and it occurs in leaf cells containing chlorophyll. In the fall, the leaves stop performing photosynthesis because of changes in temperature and daylight time. As a result of this, the chlorophyll breaks down, the green color disappears, and a yellow-orange color replaces it. Other chemical changes can occur, which form more colors because of the development of red anthocyanin pigments. These colors include red, purple, and brilliant orange. All these colors are created due to the mixing of the chlorophyll and other pigments. As leaves change color, other changes occur as well. A special layer of cells develops at the point where the stem of the leaf is attached to the tree. This layer gradually breaks apart the tissues that support the leaf. However, the tree seals the break simultaneously, so when the leaves fall from their own weight, they leave behind a “leaf scar.” Overall, the changing of color in leaves is fascinating and extraordinary! 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 Entertainment & Media Back to Sections A Rich Evolution of The Addams Family By Rachel Ezeadichie Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Image provided by Caitlyn Taylor “ They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious, and spooky, they're all together ooky. They’re the Addams Family!” This haunting family has been around since 1938 and has gone through many adaptations and revisions since. This family includes a married couple, Gomez and Morticia, and their children, Pugsley and Wednesday. It also includes their extended family, Uncle Fester, Grandma, and their giant butler, Lurch. From the first Addams Family comic strips published in 1938 to Netflix’s new show Wednesday , the Addams Family has lasted as a comical slice of life franchise for many years. Although the Addams Family is most famous for its movies and TV shows, it originally was a cartoon published in the New York Times in 1938 by Charles Addams. The family wasn’t the family we know and love today. All characters went by different names, and it wasn’t until the television series that their characters formed. The Addams Family series first aired in 1964 and truly established the franchise. This was when we first got a glimpse of the Addams Family house, and the macabre inner workings of the characters. This show shaped the characters because their actors were allowed different freedoms when acting them out. The actors used a lot of their own personalities when playing their roles. These inclusions from the actors are what made the Addams Family what we know today. The show lasted two seasons and ended in 1966 but made its mark as the start of the Addams Family legacy. The Addams Family and The Addams Family Values were the first films made about the family in 1991 and 1993 respectively. These movies gave back stories to characters and even introduced new ones. The Addams Family focuses on the Addamses getting their Uncle Fester back after a falling out between himself and Gomez. The Addams Family Values gave Wednesday and Pugsley a sibling named Pubert and showed the children navigating life with their new sibling. Other Addams Family movies were released in 2019 and 2021. They were the first computer-animated versions of the Addams Family and gave the family a different plot to follow throughout the films. All films that were made about The Addams Family have changed their image and made them more known throughout the years. The latest addition to The Addams Family franchise is Netflix’s Wednesday . The show primarily focuses on Wednesday and her personal life instead of the collective family. We meet many new characters audiences have never seen before and gain a different perspective on Wednesday’s parents and their backstories. Wednesday needs to navigate the paranormal events happening at her new school while figuring out more about her family’s past and her own interpersonal relationships. In short, the newest addition to The Addams Family legacy is living up to its name. The Addams Family has had many different adaptations throughout the years. From comic to movie to television series and even a musical (which is being performed here at North on March 31st and April 1st), the Addams Family has made its mark for its sometimes dark but always funny storytelling and characters. As it grows, we can look back fondly at its past and await its future. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections What is Being Done About Mental Health at VSN? By Craig Papajohn-Shaw Volume 1 Issue 5 February 12, 2021 Image provided by HRZone On Sunday, January 24th The New York Times reported the Clark County school district in Nevada, the 5th largest district in the nation, announced they would begin to allow in-person school for students. With 18 teen suicides of youths between the ages of 15 and 19 (double the number of adolescent deaths by suicide than in 2019) and 3,100 alerts of suicidal searches flagged on the district’s iPad devices from March to December 2020, the school system has linked the online, full-remote period to an increase in students' mental health issues. Additionally, the New York Post reported on February 11th that 12-year-old Hayden Huntstable hanged himself after battling depression amid COVID-19. His father stated he had limited insight on his son's struggles with depression. Hayden’s story demonstrates how crucial it is for mental health issues to be addressed in school so there are outlets available. Further on the adolescent mental health crisis, according to the American Health Ranking, the global pandemic has resulted in increased suicides. In 2019, the death of adolescents between the ages of 15-19 was 10.2 per 100,000 from suicide, while in 2020, it increased to 11.6 per 100,000 nationwide. These startling statistics would make one think schools would attempt to do anything in their power to reach out to students to provide resources and/or produce a safe outlet for students to talk about their mental issues that may have arisen due to the pandemic. However, Valley Stream North and surrounding school districts alike have taken limited observable action to address the mental health issues resulting from the student-teacher disconnect in the classroom. The district took the liberty of putting together a Summer Bridge Program to “provide social-emotional resources to the school community” as described on the district’s website. The five-volume newsletter released in the Summer of 2020 provided insight into the “new normal” in the classroom. The district presented some resources on stress management, but has done little to promote the resources to the school community. Since the release of the fifth Summer Bridge issue back on August 28th, the district has not supplied nor advertised flyers and/or meetings to help students cope in this everchanging world. While the district may be at fault for not providing enough mental health resources to the schools in Valley Stream, each respective school administration has fallen flat regarding raising awareness about the mental health complications evident in their schools. The World Health Organization found half of all mental health conditions start at age 14, but most cases go undetected, unreported, or untreated. As a result, this statistic would make one think addressing mental health issues in schools would be a priority. The rise in mental health issues, attributed to the pandemic, has also been evident in the classroom environment. In an interview with Spanish teacher Ms. Milazzo-Soto, she expressed, “Students just seem like they’re not enjoying school like they used to. Many appear bored and disinterested. Most seem reluctant to participate and interact with each other.” While she cannot postulate that the disconnect is solely due to the students’ mental state, she does say that more should be done by the administration to address mental health. She does “encourage all students if they are having difficulties [to] reach out to their teachers, guidance counselors, or any other adult in the building.” However, it is difficult to reach out to adults who have not yet introduced themselves. For instance, Valley Stream North employs three school psychologists: Ms. Kehoe, Ms. Christiansen, and Dr. Byrne. However, the failure to introduce themselves would make it difficult for a student to feel comfortable or even know where to talk to the psychologists, regardless of their qualifications. Prominent staff members generally have not addressed the drastic change in the learning experience which has taken a toll on the mental health of students. A perspective from a student at the school reads, “I feel as though many teachers do not take into consideration how hard it is to be a teenager during these times. We are constantly staring at a screen or being assigned an endless amount of work and this is very mentally taxing on the adolescent brain. Most of us have been forced to put our mental health aside to get all our schoolwork done. The limited outreach by staff has also made it difficult to stay committed to virtual learning. Most teachers do not even respect the ten-minute breaks we received which have been reduced to 5 minutes in the second semester, and most students end up with no break causing them to attend classes back-to-back, and it is not okay.” I reached out to school psychologist Dr. Melissa Byrne and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Mr. Christian Bowen to see how they are exactly attempting to address the mental health crisis on a school and district level. However, both did not respond to the opportunity to comment for this article. My intentions are by no means to solely criticize the school and the district, but rather to shine some light on the issue and how perspectives from teachers and students further prove my claim about the limited action taken to address mental health issues. It is difficult to understand the necessities of students, especially during a time where no one, adult or adolescent, has any prior experience or frame of reference. Solutions that I recommend would be first, for the school psychologists to make an introductory video. This would allow for students to know what they look like and to understand their job descriptions and how specifically they can assist students. Once that is done, the PPS, or Pupil Personnel Services, team should implement an optional mental health survey per grade level to evaluate students’ wellbeing in order to grasp the number of students who may be dealing with mental health issues and then maybe meet with students who are struggling. Lastly, utilizing students’ Outlook emails to send them weekly to monthly emails with links to resources on how to better attend to common mental health issues such as stress management. Students need to know administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, and psychologists care; however, in some instances, staff neglects to convey their care for students' mental well-being. With suicide being the third leading cause of death by adolescents between the age of 15-19, it is crucial that Valley Stream North emphasizes how the difficult encounters teens may face during the pandemic contribute to mental health and it needs to be addressed. BACK TO TOP