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Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections How to Maintain a Healthy Relationship With Someone By Ala Paruch Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by Golden Tech Hi Ala, As a senior, it's hard to escape from the social media bubble. Whether it be social anxiety distractions or insecurities that stem from being on Instagram all the time and seeing what people are posting and doing on nights out, how can I maintain a healthier relationship with social media? Dear Reader, Thank you so much for asking this excellent question. I feel this question hits home for many students, and it poses many issues for adolescents and high schoolers. Social media takes up many people's time; just look at your screen time. Using it for so long gives social media a chance to influence us greatly. We get an insight into people's lives, projects, and even food. The beautiful photo compositions, stunning drawings, and stories lure the users in with seemingly no end. As users, we must remember that Instagram and other platforms only show what the author wants to show. The outwardly perfect lives of people on social media are filled with struggles, pain, and sadness outside of the frame of the posts. I notice the more time I spend on social media, the more I doubt myself, my abilities, and my choices. The constant comparisons those platforms force upon us can create anxiety, depression, and even cause people to consider suicide. Thus, it is essential not to let yourself fall into the spiral of despair. Firstly, internalize that the content shown on social media is not the whole truth. This will help you stop comparing yourself to others. Also, remember that making different life choices or being at a different stage in life is okay! Everyone advances at a different rate. You can also try limiting your screen time on social media. You can either specify the time spent or the number of posts you look at each day. This will require a lot of self-control and will take a lot of time to adjust to, so be patient with yourself. When you are on social media, remember that you decide when you start and stop watching social media and choose who you follow. If you know that a specific user makes you anxious or doubtful, you can simply unfollow them. This is, of course, not to say you can't delete social media, but it's understandable to want to keep it. Social media has a lot of positives, so try to concentrate on what makes you happy. Make it a platform to improve your day, not diminish your self-worth. I hope this helps! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Welcome to BSU! By Sasha Smalls and Ahmya McMillan Volume 1 Issue 2 November 24, 2020 Original logo by Sasha Smalls Black Student Unions have been a space for advocacy and education operating in schools and universities around the country for decades. But where did this begin? During the Civil Rights Movement, in response to racial injustice, Jerry Varnado and James Garrett created the first Black Student Union at San Francisco State University, a predominately white campus. Vernando and Garret started a campus movement that demanded institutions of higher learning to address the needs of their black students. This has laid the groundwork for reform, advocacy, and change across many student bodies in various U.S. communities. “Welcome to BSU!” The title for our first meeting that announced the revival and revamping of Valley Stream North High School’s very own Black Student Union. The club began last year as an effort by some Class of 2020 seniors to rally school spirit and support for the Black student demographic here at North. Kristina Dormeus, Carlton Paris, Tonei Laroche, Sydney Hunt, Amir Grant, along with our gracious advisors Assistant Principal Mrs. Small and Teacher Member Ms. Coleman, put BSU on the map. The current cabinet is grateful for much of the groundwork established by last year’s cabinet and acknowledge all the contributions they have made to get the ball rolling for this club. When COVID-19 hit Long Island and soon thereafter Valley Stream, the school went full-remote during the month of March. Over quarantine, BSU, like most clubs, found it challenging to make the switch to virtual. Gratefully, in all this chaos, we managed to hold elections for this year’s cabinet: President Sasha Smalls (Class of 2021), Vice President Tobi Adebowale (Class of 2021), Treasurer Chris Devis (Class of 2021), Secretary Mereddith Rony (Class of 2021), Head Event Coordinator (Ahmya McMillan Class of 2021), and Junior Council Member Ariana Paul (Class of 2022). Over the summer of 2020, BSU was remodeled with a new mission and renewed perspective (not to mention a fantastic website and Instagram that you should check out - see below ). Our mission is to enhance North's community. We are an inclusive organization open to students of all backgrounds. We desire to create a welcoming, judgment-free learning environment and safe space. Through a mixture of information and discussion, we serve to educate and inform the community. We want the conversations of our meetings to transfer out and positively affect how North students conduct themselves: respectfully, kindly, with integrity, and with the utmost confidence. With a focus on Black history and culture, BSU delves into perseverance and overcoming adversity. Discussing current events and topics gives our members insight concerning the minority youth of America. Above all, we emphasize embracing the younger students at North. The sooner they feel empowered, the sooner they can outwardly influence the community here at North and around the world. Let’s discuss how we go about achieving all this. This year’s cabinet members sat down soon after our first club meeting and decided it would be best to do bi-weekly meetings. “Quality over quantity,” said Mrs. Small, and we all agreed. The cabinet meets independently twice. Once to solidify a club meeting topic, determine who will be designing the PowerPoint presentation, and discuss agenda items; then we meet again by Sunday to collaborate on the shared PowerPoint and delegate who speaks at what slide. By Tuesday, we have run everything by Mrs. Small, and we are ready to meet with our club. We have found that certain discussions warrant longer discussions, and we want to give everyone who desires, a chance to share. Therefore, we will have a longer discussion/meeting topic such as police brutality or political perspectives followed by a shorter meeting topic such as plans for Black Solidarity Day. We believe this balance is essential, or we fear we may lose the interest of club members who have to divide their time between schoolwork, jobs, and extracurriculars - much like the members of our cabinet. We acknowledge that the club is a Black Student Union, but we are an inclusive organization, as you may read in our mission statement. Our topics correlate with an issue plaguing the Black community members in America, but we also address other communities such as Latinx and Middle Eastern. We also put an emphasis on perspective and fervently exercise “playing the Devil’s advocate” during our meetings to balance the conversations. Now that you have learned about BSU, we would love to hear from you! You can reach out via email, Instagram, our website, or Teams chat. We have listed all our information below. Email : vsnbsu@gmail.com Instagram : vsn_bsu Website : esmalls28.wixsite.com/vsnbsu Microsoft Teams code : zwf3p7w BACK TO TOP

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

Back to Artwork Portrait Back to Sections Chadwick Boseman By Various Artists January 20, 2021 Mixed Media Volume 1 Issue 4

Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections A Year Around the World in Four Fairs By Kashmiraa Pandit Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Original photos by Kashmiraa Pandit A bracelet for clean water, an origami Ox, a precious set of bangles, and a rose syrup. What could these four different objects have in common? Though initially a mere amalgamation of independent items, each present immense value in the context of a cultural celebration. As we travel through this past year to discover their relationship, please allow me to share the significance of each. The Beaded Bracelet: November, Nairobi, Kenya Earlier this year, The Culture Society held our first virtual school-wide event featuring our first national guest speaker, Ms. Christina, of the Georgia-based organization Just One Africa . A nonprofit which works directly with local Kenyan leaders, Just One Africa helps provide water filters to the local communities. Each filter distribution brings the people together, as they learn about its use, the process of water filtration and the importance in regard to greater health. In effect, many children, often young girls, who would spend hours retrieving water from contaminated water sources, could now study in schools built by partner organizations of Just One Africa . This past November, the Culture Society had the chance to partner with Just One Africa ’s member, Ms. Christina, to learn about how we could help. Through hosting a Beads-for-Water fundraiser, in which participants crafted bracelets made from recycled paper beads - each hand made by the Maasai women - the funds raised contributed to the new water filters. More importantly, we each learned the simplicity of kindness and making a difference to foster unity in diversity across myriad communities. On a personal note, having the chance to bring JOA to North and work with them to help children, both within North and abroad, realize their potential has proven among one of the many impactful, heartwarming, and fulfilling experiences offered by The Culture Society since its inception. [Please feel free to see JOA’s latest updates from Georgia and Kenya at: @justoneafrica on Instagram, and Facebook.] The Origami Ox: January, Shanghai, China As icy January winds blew outside our windows, the students of The Culture Society kindled the flame of curiosity as our presenters shared the symbolic meanings of Chinese New Year traditions, from the significance of the ancient Chinese zodiac to red envelopes (for luck and money), the historic lion dance, and bursts of firecrackers. As our presenters explained, the lion dance originated in the Tang Dynasty and continues to represent prosperity for the New Year. Following the guidance of our presenters, we each had the chance to create traditional Chinese lanterns and the origami Ox, symbolic of the Chinese zodiac this year. From our presenters, it was also interesting to learn the origins of the common phrases used today. A Blossom and a Bangle: March, Punjab, India With the start of spring blossoms, one student shared a presentation about Indian weddings, explaining the series of vibrant traditional events, including the jovial Sangeet ceremony celebrating the union of the two families, a memorable Mehndi or Shringaar night filled with henna for the bride, and the importance of prayer to begin the week of wedding ceremonies. Among these events, the bangles given to the bride, known as “Chooda”, serve as a memento from her parents, siblings, cousins, and family. Additionally, the color of the bangles varies throughout each state of India to represent different qualities, such as red in Punjab to symbolize vigor or green in Maharashtra for creativity. As our presenter described and displayed through personal photos and videos, the family, friends, relatives, and guests all donned in colorful attire, enjoy the week of wedding ceremonies as they celebrate the familial union. A Rose Syrup: May, Jakarta, Indonesia As the year came to a close, we had the chance to attend a presentation about Eid and Ramadan, learning of its origins, practices, and vast cuisine. The presenters explained the various routines observed during the period, from morning and evening processes to begin and break each daily fast. Among the traditional dishes, a drink made primarily from rose syrup is often used to break the fast with others during each evening, as the syrup is known for its qualities in reducing dehydration and fatigue to increase energy. Finally, our group learned of the various pilgrimages made in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Over this past year, the Culture Society grew to host a plethora of events, with each of the four focusing on a new culture, complete with presentations by speakers focused on ethnic traditions, cuisines, and handmade creations. From the Kenyan Water Crisis, to the Chinese New Year, Sikh weddings, and Eid and Ramadan practices, we had the chance to learn and experience the rich vibrancy of each nationality’s unique celebration. As each presentation progressed, interwoven similarities between nationalities became clearer. Bearing much resemblance to the practice of bestowing red envelopes during the Chinese New Year and the blessings of gift ceremonies in Indian weddings, children are given packets and presents on Eid in a manner similar to that of Christmas, for each ethnicity presented their own form of gift-giving, in effect further fostering the intertwined similarities in nature amongst various cultures. Most of all, we learned that although stemming from various regions spanned across the world, through each of the four items from each of the four fairs, a common theme of love for family, friends, and life weaved through each, bringing people together in the same way we had come together for the joy of exploring a new culture. In the end, through each of the four fairs, we enjoyed and explored the rich traditions, ancient origins, and vivid diversity of every community. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections A Meaningful Musical Experience By Manal Layachi and Marco Alavrez Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image provided by Rebecca Hayden The Breakfast Club is North’s own select string ensemble, composed of sophomores, juniors and seniors. Throughout the year, we play at the Winter and Spring concerts, the VSCHSD offices, the district’s tenure dinner, and more. Lead by Mrs. Rebecca Hayden, we get together twice a week at 7am to continue to improve as a group. We work hard and strive toward our goal of playing well as a group. At the end of the day, we play for fun and for others to enjoy! On Friday, December 9th, the Breakfast Club, North’s string ensemble, travelled to PS266Q in Queens to perform holiday songs for students with disabilities. Teachers and aids told us how excited they were to see us perform. They said students would always ask them “When is the Breakfast Club coming to perform for us again?!” These kids look forward to our program as it is the only ‘musical program’ they have a change to enjoy through the school year. After the we got settled at the school, they performed songs on stage. To conclude the concert, Jingle Bells was played while walking around the auditorium. Many teachers and students wore festive, holiday clothes. The students were overfilled with joy, sang along, and shook little maraca eggs to the music. I remember seeing this boy give us a heart and it filled me with pride and joy. After the concert, we taught the students how to play our instruments. It was fun and a wonderful way to interact with and teach the students about our instruments, especially exciting for the ones who have never gotten to try. For our social event, the students wrote down how music makes them feel. This was a heartwarming and interesting experience that was devoted to entertaining and giving the students an opportunity to embrace musical talents they never thought they had. After this event, I felt proud of the Breakfast Club for helping the kids and nicely interacting with them. It was an event that I will never forget and cannot wait to do next year! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Border Crisis: The Reasons Behind the Surge By Everton Prospere Volume 2 Issue 1 October 8, 2021 Image provided by BBC News In recent months, a series of migrant waves have swept the United States southern border, particularly affecting the state of Texas. Most recently, a large number of immigrants have come to Del Rio, a town located in southwestern corner of the state. As per CNN, over 14,000 migrants arrived at Del Rio, forming a temporary encampment under a bridge. The arrival of such a significant number of migrants marked an added border crisis which the government scrambles to control. However, while the Biden administration attempts to tackle this crisis, The Washington Post describes it as the biggest surge in over twenty years. In order to comprehend this rush of immigrants, several social, economic, and political reasons require evaluation. The country of origin must first be taken into account when assessing migrant surges. These immigrants have mostly come from the country of Haiti. Haiti, officially known as the Republic of Haiti, is a small country sharing the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. In modern times, Haiti is known for its political and environmental issues. The country’s president, Jovenel Moïse, was recently assassinated in his own residence by an armed group of mercenaries. This threw the already fragile and impoverished country into more political unrest, with the government unable to control most of the country. Following this political instability, the country was hit by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake, killing over 2,200 people and crippling the already-poor infrastructure, according to The Guardian. These two examples show the type of instability Haiti suffers, in turn explaining the recent migrant surge. However, most immigrants did not come directly from Haiti; rather, the majority already resided in Latin America and South America. The Associated Press reports many Haitians fled to the United States because of an extension granted during the spring to the protections of Haitian migrants already residing in the United States; despite this, online posts communicating the extension often left out the portion of the policy that announced only migrants in the United States were eligible. This misinformation created an effect in which thousands of migrants crossed the Mexican border to Del Rio, seeking refuge. A final cause to this crisis is the stability and opportunity in the United States. One Haitian migrant, interviewed by CNN, specifically stated that “[he] wanted a better life,” which continues to demonstrate the assets the United States has to offer. To immigrants, the United States is primarily a land of freedom - a privilege that many countries do not offer their citizens. With the Biden administration attempting to handle the border crisis through court cases and deportations, the rest of the country continues to follow the headlines. With recent reports of border patrol agents whipping migrants on horseback, as well as widespread disease affecting the migrants (according to the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, about twenty percent of migrants at the border are ill), the country watches the unstable scenes occurring at the border. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Fall By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by DK Findout Look around The world's changing all around Colors flying Babies crying Out of all seasons This one's my favorite for many reasons Number one And then I'll be done   Trees swaying Children playing Bouncing up and down I can see the whole town Breeze is chilly, kissing my cheek Shivering, I run to the creek Strands of hair come lose from my bun And that's when it gets fun   Red, orange, yellow That's when things start to get mellow Shhhhhhhhhh Crack! I turn around and see a pack It seems like I'm flying And then I start crying Blood's dripping everywhere Looks like the creek doesn't want visitors here   Is it me or am I hallucinating Ghosts are emerging Zombies are popping from the ground I fall, waiting to be found Excitement races through my body Even though the blood is flowing Laughter rings throughout my yard My siblings' plan worked after all Anger shoots up to my head All I can see is red   Jumping up I face them Humor isn't in my mind A rock goes sailing in the air I can't tell who began the war But I all I know, is to get revenge Ahhhhhhhhhhh My body looks like a bloody mess I knew I should have played chess Instead I went outside Not knowing I might not come back inside   Red, blue, white Lights are flashing My mother's screaming Cut! Oh, how much I love fall Making movies and all 5 stars That's what we got My father loved the movie after all Maybe we'll make another one next fall BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections What is Racewalking? By Sahar Ali Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 (L to R) Emma Barbosa, Sahar Ali and Hailey Quinlan. Sahar is Conference Champion, took second place in county meet, and holds VSN record for tenth fastest all-time with a 9:48.88 time in the 1500m racewalk. Racewalking: I’m sure you’ve heard of it somewhere or maybe even seen it during the Olympic games. It may look like a piece of cake. However, it’s a challenging sport. Racewalking is a long-distance race in which athletes must walk instead of run. It sounds as though athletes walk during the race; however, there are a few rules in this sport that make it very tricky. Racewalking is different from running because a racewalker must always remain in contact with the ground. The leg in the front must stay straight until it passes underneath the body. Form and technique are essential for a racewalker since athletes can get penalized for a bent knee or losing contact with the ground. Here at VSN, the Winter Track Team consists of racewalkers. This year, they had the unique opportunity to be coached by Emilija Vaskyte, a national racewalk champion and VSN alumni. Navrosedip Kundlas, one of the VSN racewalkers’ captains, is one of the best at what she does. Here are some questions we were able to ask her: Q: What made you choose racewalking as your event? A: “I love running long distances, so when I first came into track, I wanted to do long distance. However, I just wasn’t ready. When I first heard of racewalking, I immediately searched it up on Google and it seemed interesting. So, the next day I went to Frazer and said, ‘I want to be a racewalker.’ And that’s where it all began.” Q: What’s your favorite part about racewalking? A: “That’s a hard one. There are so many great things about racewalking, but my favorite is the feeling. It feels like I’m flying on top of clouds. It makes me feel like I can do anything.” Q: How hard would you say racewalking is on a scale of 1-10? A: “It varies by my day but on average for me, I would say an 8. Racewalking is different for everyone and for me while I do struggle a little with my form, my speed, stamina, and fitness help balance it out.” Q: How does it feel to be captain and teach girls how to racewalk? A: “It feels great! I love co-captaining as it gives me a sense of responsibility and maturity. Teaching my fellow racewalkers makes me feel good, as I was one of them last year. It shows how far I have come. I was in their shoes last year and I know it’s not always easy, so motivating my squad is always essential.” Q: What is your favorite part about being captain? A: “Honestly, my favorite part would be getting to coach the girls. I love helping and teaching others especially at things I am good at. I love the fact that I can pass on my skills to someone else. Making someone else feel accomplished makes me feel accomplished. At the end of the day, I’m proud to be part of such an amazing team of girls.” Q: What has racewalking taught you? A: “Racewalking has taught me many things in the aspect of life. I have learned to never give up even when it seems impossible. To be committed and work hard. As Boyens says, ‘No pain, no gain.’ Track teaches you how to be prepared for the real life, how to handle stress and how to release your stress as well. It’s what Frazer always tells me, ‘Track prepares you for the real world.’” Q: Would you recommend others to try racewalking? A: “If I’m to be honest, it would depend on the person. Racewalking doesn’t always click with everyone. Especially if you don’t work hard. You need to be committed and you need to believe in yourself. If you’re willing to try something new, I would definitely recommend. Racewalking is fun whether you do it for competition or just as exercise. It’s definitely worth a shot if you put your mind to it!” Refrences: Race Walking | USA Track & Field (usatf.org) Race Walking. History and Rules. (athleticscholarships.net) BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Purpose Back to Sections Isabella Somma - Purple Yellow Study By Isabella Somma November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2