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Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Hayden LaJoie - Memory Project By Hayden LaJoie March 18, 2021 Volume 1 Issue 6

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections Cianna Nadal - Prism By Cianna Nadal November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Interview With the Seniors of Boys Varsity Volleyball Team Rehmat Kaur Volume 5 Issue 2 November 25, 2024 Image Provided by Sophia Songveertham Our Boys Varsity Volleyball Team is having a tremendous season with 11 wins and 7 losses. The team won their playoffs against Swanhaka with a dashing score of 3-0 and Quater Finals against South Side with score 3-2. I had the opportunity of interviewing the wonderful seniors and Coach Karahalios regarding their hopes and what they wish to achieve to make this season memorable. With the seniors, I asked them to share a little bit about themselves and these were their responses: Erik Ziemblicki (won All-County): What is your favorite sports team? “New York Yankees” What is your favorite athlete? “Juan Soto” Your favorite school subject? “History” What is your favorite movie? “Good Will Hunting” What is your favorite TV show? “The Office” What is your favorite meal? “Pasta” Ziemblicki began playing volleyball in 7th grade after learning about the sport from his mother and aunt, both of whom played volleyball at their school. He returned to the sport in ninth grade and was introduced by Mr. Karahalios, who has been incredibly significant in reintroducing him to the sport and assisting him significantly with training. Ziemblicki plans to play college volleyball competitively and aspires to “win the county and maybe go father and win states” for this volleyball season. Ziemblicki views himself as a smart, aggressive, and confident player who embraces the most valuable advice he ever received: “Keep trying; even if you fail, you can always come back and win,” which he wants to pass on to future volleyball players. Nick Lang (won All-County): What is your favorite sports team? “New York Mets” What is your favorite athlete? “Paul Skenes” Your favorite school subject? “History” What is your favorite movie? “Star Wars” What is your favorite TV show? “Breaking Bad” What is your favorite meal? “Steak Tidbits” Lang started playing volleyball in 9th grade after being exposed to the sport by two of his relatives who played for South Side. His ambitions for this season are to “make a deep playoff run and hopefully improve from last year all in all”. Lang characterizes his playing style as aggressive overall. He wants to get as many kills and blocks as possible to help our team win. Lang also likes baseball and plans to play competitively at Pace University. Lang is a member of Athletes Helping Athletes and advises aspiring volleyball players to “work hard and focus on what makes you better as a person”. Sam Onuoha (won All-Conference) What is your favorite sports team? “The Lakers because of Lebron James” What is your favorite athlete? “Noah Lyles because he’s also a track athlete” Your favorite school subject? “Math” What is your favorite movie? “Never Back Down” What is your favorite TV show? “Breaking Bad” Mr. Karahalios introduced Onuoha to volleyball, and he began playing in 8th school. He felt the greatest influence from his track and volleyball coaches, who helped him become a better person and athlete. Onuoha admires Yuji Nishida (Japanese volleyball player) and looks up to him as an athlete. He defines his playing style as “sporadic”, implying that one never knows what he is going to do. He also talks about his passion for cooking, with lasagna being his favorite meal to make. He is part of Winter Track, Outdoor Track, Ecology Club, BSU, Grade Council and Student Council. Onuoha considers “working harder than everybody else” to be the finest piece of advice he has ever received. Onuoha offers this bit of advice to prospective volleyball players: “Keep working hard; do what you can and just play your part”. Liam Corbett What is your favorite sports team? “New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks” What is your favorite athlete? “Richard Sherman” Your favorite school subject? “Math” What is your favorite movie? “Good Will Hunting” What is your favorite TV show? “Dexter” What is your favorite meal? “Steak and rice” Corbett began playing volleyball in junior high and was introduced by Erik Ziemblicki (Senior 2025). He really admires Coach Karahalios, whom Corbett regards as a "good leader" who strikes the proper balance between strictness and fun when playing. Corbett h opes that the team “goes deep into the playoffs” and has a great season. Besides playing volleyball, Corbett enjoys playing baseball and will play for our team this upcoming season in spring. He also got into golf recently and really enjoys it. As for the upcoming volleyball players, he hopes that they “listen to Mr. K, he's got a lot of knowledge” and that the coach will help them improve as individuals and athletes. Daniel Banach What is your favorite sports team? “The New York Yankees” What is your favorite athlete? “Aaron Judge” Your favorite school movie? “Django Unchained” What is your favorite TV show? “Family Guy” What is your favorite meal? “Steak and eggs” Banach began playing volleyball in his sophomore year and attended tryouts with his friends. His mother played volleyball for her high school, through whom he was exposed to the sport. Mr. Karahalios has been an excellent mentor to him, someone he admires and who has taught him a great deal. According to Banach , “The only goal is nothing less than a County Championship and then a Long Island Championship” and he will give his all to assist the squad accomplish these goals. Aside from volleyball, Banach likes baseball and plans to play competitively in college. He also enjoys watching sports, learning more about history, and cooking. Banach advises aspiring volleyball players to put in the necessary time and effort, as well as to believe in themselves. Anthony Gomes (Senior Scholar Athlete): What is your favorite sports team? “FC Barcelona” What is your favorite athlete? “Messi” Your favorite school subject? “Math” What is your favorite movie? “Interstellar” What is your favorite TV show? “Walking Dead” What is your favorite meal? “Any type of burger” Gomes began playing volleyball in 10th grade and was introduced by his friend Leden Sarmiento (Senior 2025). Coach Karahalios has been the most helpful to Gomes because he understands him and helps him improve as an athlete. He characterizes his playing style as “defensive” because he plays in the back. Outside of school, he expresses his enthusiasm for playing guitar, both electric and acoustic. His hobbies include playing violin, soccer, and video games. Volleyball is his favorite sport to play since it allows him to spend time with friends like Erik Ziemblicki who he admires as an athlete. Gomes wishes the best for the upcoming volleyball players and believes that they understand what is expected from them. Coach Karahalios How do you keep the team feeling positive and motivated during a loss? “To keep the team positive after a loss, the coaching staff and I focus on learning from each game, celebrating small wins, and highlighting areas for improvement. We remind the team that setbacks are part of growth, and we set short-term goals to stay motivated moving forward.” What is one important lesson you have learned from your time as a coach? “The most important lesson I’ve learned as a coach is the power of empathy. When players feel understood and supported, they perform better, and trust grows. Empathy boosts communication, morale, and helps build a confident, united team.” Describe the qualities you believe an effective athlete must have. “An effective athlete needs discipline, resilience, and a strong work ethic. They stay committed to training, bounce back from setbacks, adapt to changing situations, and prioritize teamwork, showing leadership and dedication to the team's success.” What are your goals for the seniors to achieve this season? “Our goals for the seniors are to build their leadership skills, finish strong, and keep improving their game. We want them to develop resilience, adaptability, and teamwork skills they can use beyond sports. Lastly, we hope they leave a legacy of pride and tradition for our younger players. For the seniors and the whole program, we have one goal in mind. A Nassau County Championship.” I would like to express appreciation to the seniors and Mr. Karahalios for providing me with the opportunity to interview them and acknowledge their achievements. The volleyball team had an exceptional season. I wish seniors the best of success in their future endeavors. And always GO SPARTANS! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Robert Moses Bridge By Olivia Muscatelli April 22, 2021 Photography Volume 1 Issue 7

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Final By Huan Evo Alipio Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by TN Tech Blogs The heat beaming, the sun scorching, and this glamorous weather Almost to the end of the finish line, all must cross With everyone exhausted, people managed to complete this year's course Though it has been quite an experience It will be missed by some Many will leave and never come back Many will remain to start to unpack So, shocking this is occurring But memories will stay and remain Then, this cycle will repeat itself and happen all over again BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections Jodi Viason - Prism By Jodi Viason November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR WELCOME TO VOLUME 4 January 3rd, 2024 For the 2023-2024 school year, we are pleased to introduce Volume 4 to our readers. I am sure that on par with the previous North Star volumes, this edition will demonstrate the hard work and creativity my peers and I have to offer. Although I am a recent addition to North Star’s leadership team, I have genuinely enjoyed working with the talented writers and artists who make having a publications club here at North possible. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our advisor, Mrs. Mansfield, who dedicates her time to guiding us all in our writing endeavors. Without her leadership and the cooperation of our writers, we would miss the valuable experience of running a publications club. As a publications club, we strive to uphold the standards of modern-day journalism and ensure our readers a diverse selection of articles. From the poetry of POLARIS to the reporting of student news, there is something for everyone. As I see it, journalism holds significance in a school community as it allows us all to share our ideas, passions, and opinions in our ever-changing world. As the Editor-in-Chief, I get to read about numerous events, cultures, people, history, visual arts, and various perspectives; I hope our readers enjoy the reading and learning experience as much as I do. I find that I have become increasingly open-minded as I learn about others' experiences through writing, and I think that is the power of journalism; we get to see a little bit of everyone. We are incredibly fortunate to have the freedom to express ourselves through writing, whether through poetry, film reviews, or a lengthy article. I believe I write on behalf of all our members when I say that part of the reason, we write for North Star is to foster an appreciation for journalism here at Valley Stream North in both the students and the staff. The names “North Star,” and “POLARIS,” and the star names we give each issue, all enhance our prominent astronomy-themed student newspaper. It is a perfectly suitable theme in my opinion. Much like space, the world around us is so vast and impossible to discover entirely; however, sharing our ideas through written works may be our best shot at understanding our dynamic world. For our readers who may be interested in journalism, I encourage you to share your ideas because, like all our current writers, you also have something to contribute. With the right amount of dedication, willingness, and support, we can all find a way to make our voices shine. This year, I hope to work effectively with the other editors and writers to provide plenty of content for our readers, and much like the actual North Star, or Polaris, our student newspaper can always be found in the same place, at any time. Thank you to all our readers and staff for the support they have demonstrated this school year, and I look forward to seeing all this year’s thoughtfully crafted art and editing the thoughtfully written pieces. Stellar regards, Noa Cordova Editor-in-Chief

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Junior spends summer in VietNam By Stephy Varughese Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by Hotels.com For summer vacation,11th-grade student and North Star/Polaris member, Catherine Duong, traveled to Southern Vietnam for two months to visit her family. Catherine was born in Ho Chi Minh City, Southern Vietnam. Her ethnic background is of both Chinese and Vietnamese descent. Health and safety concerns forced her family to move from Southern Vietnam to the US when she was two. I interviewed Catherine to discover more about her visit to Vietnam and to learn more about her recent experience there. --- Why did you go to Vietnam? Whom did you go with? "I went to Vietnam to reconnect with my mom's side of the family after a few years since I've traveled due to COVID. I went with my younger sibling and my mom for the two-month vacation." What was the terrain like? "Vietnam's general terrain is mountainous and mostly jungle." What sites did you see? What were your favorite spots? "I didn't go sightseeing this year, but I've encountered a lot of large religious temples and some mountains!" Where did you stay? "I stayed at my grandma and grandpa's house, having three floors in total." What did you do? "During my vacation, I have mainly spent good quality time with my mom's family, having one grandma/grandpa, four cousins, and four aunts and uncles. We visited the beachside in Vung Tau, Vietnam, going on a yacht ride, to the HUGE malls, and simply playing board/card games." How was the food there? Are there any special dishes? "The food in Vietnam commonly has some spicy flavor, whether it's Sriracha sauce or peppers at the side or incorporated. Vietnam also is somewhat known to use the freshest ingredients to make their dishes by buying from outdoor/night markets that have the animal still alive. Dishes like Pho and Banh Mi (baguettes) are some dish examples that are famously known and enjoyed across the world!" What surprised you about Vietnam? Did you learn anything new while you were there? "I'm surprised that I didn't know this at the start, but one thing I've noticed is that in EVERY house/store you come across, there will be at least one small Buddhist shrine. Vietnam's main religion is Buddhism, and based on that observation, I can assume they are semi-religious or fully." Are there any celebrations/traditions you were part of while in Vietnam? "There was one! It was where I was at the yacht party for a family member's birthday, and that was a fun time for sure. A personal tradition my family would do is they would have a full family feast once in a while at a fancy restaurant." Was there a language barrier? "Between my family, there is barely a language barrier since most of my family knows how to speak English or understood the basics, but between strangers? Yes, there was. The problem I have was to speak back in Vietnamese (which I didn't study much of) in order for me to communicate to them, but I've been relying on my mom for translating and communication." What do you dislike about Vietnam?  "I will say that how Americans view Vietnam is what I dislike since the Vietnam War has been seen to be some kind of joke (the "Vietnam flashback") and how communism restricts citizens/foreigners from [discuss]ing certain topics. I've tried talking to my family about communism, which made them very uncomfortable." What do you want people to know about Vietnam? "I want people to know that between Vietnam and the USA's inflation rate is VERY high. Having one dollar is equal to about 23,865 Vietnamese Dollars (VND)! Even a penny is worth a lot in Vietnam, which citizens in the US have the upper hand with the economy." Do you recommend people to visit Vietnam? "Since I've only been to Southern Vietnam of Ho Chi Minh City, I can recommend people visiting there! Just be sure to bring LOADS of sunscreen and swim gear since Vietnam is known for its humid weather and wet/dry seasons. If you are a person who loves to go out to shop, whether it be day or night and explore, then Vietnam will be a perfect place for you! " -------- It was interesting to learn about Vietnam from Catherine. There were things I didn't know about Vietnam, such as its many Buddhist temples and the different foods there! I was fortunate to view the many fascinating pictures she shared with me, which leads me to believe that Vietnam is now a beautiful place to discover and enjoy. It’s truly a wonderful place to explore. If Vietnam seems like a place you'd want to visit, put it on your bucket list for your next vacation! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Chalk Pastel Peppers Back to Sections Chalk Pastel Peppers- Emily Rung Emily Rung November 6, 2023 Chalk Pastel Volume 4 Issue 1

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Life is imperfect By Gabriella Basile Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by Forbes Nothing is Perfect Life is imperfect, and that is ok Stress is leaving your body, As good things come your way Learning how to find the good is the hardest part, but once it is found, it’s relieved in your heart No more anxiety over every little thing, The “craziness” is over, and is slowly being recovered The good in your life is finally being uncovered Leaving Me Life without you was hard I didn’t understand why you left, you didn’t ever write me a card I wanted things to be okay You said you left for good things, but it felt like it was to just be away I searched for perfect, but realized it’s not what people said The Feelings of Anxiety The feelings of anxiety can make you feel crazy, When you can’t control it, you don’t even feel normal No one is perfect… that’s real moral The only way to feel confident is to let it out Keeping it in, my horrible feelings, just makes me want to shout. I wish I knew how to tell people about it, Because now I can’t believe how much I grew. BACK TO TOP