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Back to Artwork Who am I Back to Sections Who am I?-Madisen Dubose Madisen Dubose November 6, 2023 Colored Pencil Volume 4 Issue 1

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

Back to Articles News Back to Sections The Strange Results of The Reverse Flynn Effect Max Ching Volume 5 Issue 1 September 20, 2024 Image Provided by Max Ching As society and technology have evolved with multiple inventions of life-changing machines like the radio, telephone, airplane, and many more, a theory stating that humans become smarter every decade has developed. This theory is called The Flynn Effect. According to The Debrief, James Flynn, who discovered a 13-point increase in an IQ test between 1932 and 1978, developed this theory in 1984; this theory has been fully accurate for the time being. However, researchers have claimed that in recent years, the average IQ has dropped. This is called, “The Reverse Flynn Effect.” As previously stated, The Reverse Flynn Effect is the exact opposite of The Flynn Effect , where IQ test scores drop instead of increase over decades. According to The Debrief , this effect has presented itself in Norway, Denmark, Australia, Britain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, and the United States. So, why is this happening, and is there any way to prevent this from happening any further? There are many reasons why this trend is occurring. According to The Debrief , some researchers have suggested that education quality, poor nutrition, and a lack of confidence in test-taking among children contribute to the effect. Also, children may no longer respond well to IQ tests. This does not mean that humans have become mentally less intelligent in the past decades, but instead, maybe their ability to take exams has worsened. Even researchers have supported this claim. Doctor Elizabeth Dworak, a research Assistant Professor of Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, states, “It doesn’t mean their mental ability is lower or higher; it’s just a difference in scores that are favoring older or newer samples.” She has also said, “It could just be that they’re getting worse at taking tests or specifically worse at taking these kinds of tests.” So, this also proves that children are not actually becoming less intelligent, it is just that they may have a problem with taking exams. So, now that we have discovered why this event is occurring, we will now cover how to prevent this event from evolving even further. Well, according to The Debrief , environmental changes have been attributed to this effect; increased air pollution and lead exposure have been associated with drops in IQ levels. To prevent this effect from progressing, we could decrease air pollution by taking better care of plants, using less energy, limiting backyard and city fires, and using fewer fossil fuels. Also, not all mental skills are decreasing for children. Researchers have found that IQ scores related to spatial reasoning, or the ability to visualize 3D objects and draw conclusions based on limited information, have increased over time ( The Debrief). So, in conclusion, we have learned that the Reverse Flynn Effect is the exact opposite of the Flynn Effect, where it is evident that IQ scores have decreased over the past few decades. However, we have also learned that this could be because children just are not comfortable with taking tests. Also, we have learned that IQ scores relating to spatial reasoning, and the ability to draw conclusions and visualize objects has increased. So, although some might think that society is soon to be doomed due to the apparent dwindling IQ scores, this is not the case, as this effect can be reversed. SOURCES: https://thedebrief.org/new-study-reveals-sharp-decline-in-american-iq-scores-as-the-reverse-flynn-effect-takes-center-stage/ https://www.verywellmind.com/the-flynn-effect-7565614 BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Party School | Jon Hart Jasmine Roberts Volume 5 Issue 3 January 14, 2025 Image Provided by Max Ching The line, “TTK is short for the Taliban King. He has an insane story. His parents had been in the Taliban, and he’s an orphan,’’ on page two of Party School was one of the first sentences I have ever read that made me take a step back from the page and do a double take. Though this was not how the novel first introduced itself, it is certainly a memorable line which could be critiqued for its nonchalant reference to a piece of history that traumatized many and has solidified itself as a harrowing, controversial part of American history. The line nonetheless lays the focal ground for the tone, ideas, and humor of what was to come. In a more subjective way, the tone of the book felt similar to that of what I would find in an 80’s coming-of-age movie, such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off , The Breakfast Club , or Heathers : raw, unadulterated, and relatable. Coming into this novel, I felt a breath of fresh air when I didn’t feel patronized by this idea of teenagers having a pure, innocent, prudent perspective of the world, ignorant of all its faults. The author did not hold pre-conceived notions of a young adult's ability to rationalize adult themes. With the growing influence of technology and social media, it would be a shame to see a novel for young adults try to filter out any of the reality of the hardships that come with growing up and discovering the core of adulthood, especially in more privileged stations. Thankfully, Party School does the exact opposite of my concerns, and I find myself connecting heavily to that feeling of drifting on a raft, where the tides seem to rise and set around you, channeling wherever they desire. Yet, you are stuck on those planks of bamboo, going whenever the wind feels like stirring, with little autonomy of your own. Trapped, some might say, by expectations, friends, romances, and society as a whole. The main character of Jon Hart’s novel, Dylan Millis, is your average, less than average, all-American boy, who finds himself in a place which goes against what is expected for a boy in his environment: a party school, or a college known for students being for attentive to parties than academics. The foundation of this storyline is overdone to the extent that a museum could be erected just for boys of this persuasion in literature. Though, it can still be entertaining when done right, that could explain why the trope is so popular. Dylan isn’t a perfect protagonist; he gets into more than enough instances of conflict, that are down-to-earth enough to be understandable yet done in a way that keeps the reader wanting more. For instance, Dylan’s internal struggle with his maturity and existence, and his external struggle in maintaining a relationship with his high school sweetheart, Rosemary, who encourages they experiment with dating. A high school relationship is starkly different from a relationship with two adults, who can drink, pay taxes, stay up as long as they want, have their hormones steady and frontal lobes better developed. This turmoil between internal and external conflict, between a more subconscious deep-seated problem versus a more, to be honest, issue that only two eighteen-year-olds would have, adds a layer of complexity to Dylan’s situation. It serves as a good example of when seemingly trivial conflict fosters deep character development. As we see within Dylan, once he slowly matures, gets his driver’s license, and finally rationalizes who he is. One of the rare things which all humans desire, is to understand. There’s a desire to understand yourself, the fears, the hopes, the pain, and the joy. Learning these things, as Party School shows, comes from experience, in ways that are unconventional, yet stick. Overall, I enjoyed the novel. It's pleasant enough for a quick read, as you drink tea and watch time buzz around you. It's sweet, funny, down-to-earth, and honest. It is definitely, a true American novel, with all the type beats that one would expect in an American, coming-of-age piece: sports, humility, romance, humor, and a bit of underdog charm. As this is Jon Hart’s first novel, I would say it is a strong first start, and I desire to see where he brings himself in the future, growing and evolving as an author. The publisher The Sager Group, sells itself as a multimedia content brand, for the artist and their free will. Though I have been skeptical of such things in the past, it is nonetheless nice to support the arts directly. So, I shall end this article the exact same way the novel ended itself. “Well then, I’m in,’’ (page 212). BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Line Back to Sections Lillian Dolan - What is Line - 6 By Lillian Dolan November 1, 2020 Photography Volume 1 Issue 1

Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections History of Easter Leah Ally Volume 5 Issue 5 July 5, 2025 While Easter is globally recognized and celebrated in both religious and secular contexts, its true origins, and details about the holiday itself often get hindered. In a religious context, it is typically celebrated by Christian individuals for the resurrection of Jesus, but how did the celebration come about and how did it continue to evolve? Typically known to be celebrated on a Sunday in April, many people do not understand how the exact day is determined, as this year it took place on April 20th. Before diving into the various ways Easter is celebrated today and the specific details of determining the day, it is crucial to understand its origins beyond the basics. First and foremost, without Good Friday, there would not be Easter Sunday. Good Friday is the Friday before Easter which serves as a day of commemoration of Jesus’s crucifixion. It is significant to understand that Jesus’s crucifixion was carried out by the Romans as they viewed him as a threat to authority. This was because his claim as the Son of God also known as the Messiah meant that he would be more powerful than any other leader and be deemed as the King of Jews. So, the Romans perceived this claim as the beginning of a possible rebellion against their traditional political system. As Jesus began gaining followers, it became clear that the Roman government would inevitably face resistance from its citizens. After being arrested and going on trial, a decision had to be made; Therefore, the only decision that appeared most justifiable was to carry out the execution of Jesus. Crucifixion was a popular punishment used during this time because of the intense and cruel pain it caused due to the strain it put on the body. This somber event marked Jesus’s death and was and is still seen as Jesus’s sacrifice for the forgiveness of the world’s sins, according to Christianity. Shortly after, he was buried in a tomb, and this led to the idea of Holy Saturday. This is simply the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. After a seemingly uneventful day, the resurrection of Jesus takes place, and, according to belief is risen from the dead. This discovery is first made when his tomb is found empty by women who are later told by angels that he had been resurrected. To prove he had risen from the dead, Jesus made numerous appearances to his disciples. In the span of forty days after his resurrection, Jesus serves as a teacher to the disciples as he reveals the importance of spreading his gospel to as many civilians as possible. After these forty days, Jesus officially ascends into Heaven, marking the end of his time on Earth. Now that the religious context of Easter is understood, this leads to how Easter began to be celebrated and why. It may serve as a surprise to many that the origins of Easter celebrations are not religious. Easter was originally a celebration of the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. This is where both night and day are 12 hours each, symbolizing the transition from winter into spring. It was only the resurrection of Jesus that caused Easter to become a religious holiday. Not only was it because the resurrection occurred around the same time as the vernal equinox but because they both represented rebirth and relief. While Easter was celebrated along with the spring equinox in 325AD, the first major church council, the Council of Nicaea, officially determined a new time for Easter to be celebrated. It was determined that it should always be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox. Since Easter was heavily associated with springtime, it eventually became represented by rabbits and eggs. In the pagan celebration of the arrival of Spring, eggs and rabbits were seen as symbols of fertility and rebirth which made sense for it to be associated with the resurrection. Additionally, eggs were already a prominent symbol for Christians because of Lent, a 40-day celebration meant for fasting and abstaining from what an individual desires. In this case, Christians abstained from eggs during Lent and would celebrate on Easter Sunday by having eggs. Over time and as we see today, the Easter Egg Bunny became a prominent figure in how Easter is recognized and celebrated. It is now common to celebrate Easter with not only church services and prayer but also egg hunts and Easter baskets. Therefore, Easter has faced numerous transitions since its creation from a pagan holiday to a religious holiday and now incorporating secular traditions. All in all, Easter’s rich history has proven itself to be complex, yet significant in how it is celebrated today. While the secular traditions reflect how our world has changed over time, it is just as important to recognize Easter’s religious importance and why it continues to be observed with prayer and worship. It cannot be denied that Easter is a globally celebrated holiday that will continue to carry on its pagan history. Sources: Easter | Origin, Christianity, Jesus, Traditions, History, Name, Facts, & Dates | Britannica Easter Symbols and Traditions - Easter Bunny, Easter Eggs & Christianity | HISTORY The history of Easter - Christianity BACK TO TOP

< Back About the Course This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Your Instructor Brian Chung This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. To manage all your collections, click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left.

Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections North’s Student Art Scene: About the Heckscher Entries By Kimberly Shrestha Volume 2 Issue 6 April 14, 2022 Image provided by WILW Recently, many of North’s artists took part in an annual art exhibition hosted by the Heckscher Museum of Art, titled Long Island’s Best . In this gallery, participating students had to create artwork inspired by art showcased in the Heckscher Museum during the ongoing school year. While receiving hundreds of artworks throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties’ schools, only about 80 total artworks usually get chosen for display within the museum. All entries require a written artist’s statement explaining the correlation between student pieces and featured museum artworks. Fourteen of North’s student artists participated in Long Island’s Best this year , creating artwork currently visible in the library hallway display case. While only allowing six entries, each student participating created a beautiful artwork worthy of display in any gallery! Let’s recap the submissions: Entry 1: Inspired by Robert Carter’s Mama Taught Me Piano and Much More” This piece titled My Dream Closeted took inspiration from the idea of collage within art. This artist involves blue and purple elements as a source of comfort within her artwork, illustrating “What [she] imagines [her] future closet to look like” (artist’s statement). Entry 2: Based off of Howard Pindell’s artwork, this piece titled Reflection took inspiration from the depiction of one’s life and the impact words have on others. The artist “conveys love that is felt from the effects of war” and “wanted people to stop and stare and take in the impact of the words [she has] heard”. (artist’s statement) Entry 3: Inspired by Arthur B. Carle’s Nude with Red Hair, this piece titled An Artistic Escape took inspiration from the use of color, shading, and space. The artist mimics “the theme of a human form against a white background” and applies similar concepts of layering, shadow, and light reflection. (artist’s statement) Entry 4: Based off of Emma Stebbins’s Industry and Commerce, this piece titled Aura of David took inspiration from Renaissance art, and the artist’s application of color. The artist mimics “the marble statues made during [the Renaissance period],” incorporating “graphite and a watercolor background to bring life in the aura”. (artist’s statement) Entry 5: Based off of Winslow Homer’s Resting Shepherdess , this piece titled Memory Tree took inspiration from the calmness found within one’s environment. The artist “include[s] items which brought [her] the comfort… the original painting symbolized”. (artist’s statement) Entry 6: Inspired by Risaburo Kimura, this piece titled “Time” took inspiration from the formation and repetition of shape within art. This artist used shapes to create “repetition in Time, with there being multiple clocks, in different shapes and sizes”. (artist’s statement) Entry 7: Based off of Ralph Albert Blakelock’s The Poetry of Moonlight, this piece took inspiration from the feeling of calm at night. The artist creates “a clear night sky with a breeze, the black swirls depicting the wind, the bright yellow spots depicting the stars”. (artist’s statement) Entry 8: Inspired by Robert Carter’s Mama Taught Me Piano and Much More,” this piece took inspiration from the illustration of the feeling of love and security within a homely environment. The artist creates “a homely and intimate ambiance” and uses “space and layering… to create the same effect [produced within the inspiration piece]” (artist’s statement) Entry 9: Based off of Roy Lichtenstein’s Seascape , this photo titled Lake Harmony took inspiration from the depiction of the sea, trying to capture the perfect photographic representation of it. The artist captures “the rugged look that Lichtenstein did with the… blue dots” and implements her own artistic inclinations throughout the carefully taken photo. (artist’s statement) Entry 10: Inspired by Risaburo Kimura, this piece titled St. Basil’s Cathedral took inspiration from the bold and bright colors featured within the artwork. The artist chose to depict “cityscapes, particularly architecture” and focused on the beauty of religious architecture. (artist’s statement) Entry 11: Based off of Rosalia Rosato’s Loneliness, this piece titled Broken took inspiration from the visualization of sadness and emptiness. The artist “attempted to convey [feelings of] stress and anxiety… symbolizing how fragile and weak a person can feel during these moments” (artist’s statement) Entry 12: Inspired by George Grosz’s I was Always Present , this piece took inspiration from the portrayal of chaos through bold application of color. The artist creates a “skeleton figure [that] appears to be surrounded by wealth … and power but remains unhappy” to portray the idea that greed continues to limit and hold back people”. (artist’s statement) Entry 13: Based off of Robert Carter’s Mama Taught Me Piano and Much More,” this piece titled Him took inspiration from the depiction of meaningful people and moments in life. The artist creates “textured strokes of digital paint” to emulate “the applications of medium and illusion of space from Carter’s artwork”. (artist’s statement) Entry 14: Inspired by Joseph Hirch’s Moon Dreamers , this piece titled Breakfast at Kimberly’s took inspiration from the depiction of intimacy within art. The artist “used stylistic choices… to connect to the illusion and idea of landscape” and combines two pieces of paper “to develop the overall artwork”. (artist’s statement) BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Cross Country Wraps Up the Season By Aleeza Dhillion Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Original photography by Elyas Layachi North's Cross-Country team had their last meet of 2021 at Bethpage State Park on Saturday, November 6. The boys' team ranked fourth at state-qualifiers, with senior Captain Craig Papajohn-Shaw, Jack Schwabe, David Pinos, Elyas Layachi, and Matteo Somma running. Senior Captain Samantha Szabo, Melissa Innocent, and Emily Dahl represented North in the girls’ race. It was the last race of the season for everyone, except junior Melissa Innocent, who qualified for the State Championships after placing fourth in her class. This meet was an exciting and emotional one with it being the last cross-country race for the seniors on the team. Our beloved seniors for the season were Craig Papajohn-Shaw, Samantha Szabo, Jack Schwabe, and David Pinos. Craig and Samantha were the outstanding captains this year; they confidently led the team all season, pushing everyone to do their best to improve. Here is what Craig and Samantha had to say in a joint statement about their experiences as members and captains of North's Cross-Country team: Q: How long have you been on the team? A: We have been a part of the team since our freshman year. Q: What is your favorite memory from this cross-country season? A: One of our favorite memories from this cross-country season was the North Shore v. South Shore 4K Invitational. With personal best times all around, it was a moment when we could clearly appreciate the results of our daily hard work. The moment of pride, for not only our own achievement but that of the underclassmen as well, bonded us as a team. Q: What are you going to miss the most about North's cross-country team? A: We greatly appreciate being challenged both physically and mentally and will miss this most about our team and sport. The lessons we learned carry over into various aspects of life and help us become strong, well-rounded individuals. Furthermore, our intensive training has taught us how to push through any adversity. As senior captains, it has been our pleasure to guide the underclassmen to reaching their fullest potential and instilling in them the lessons we have learned through our coaching, past captains, and experience. Q: What was the best part of being on this team? A: The best part about being on this cross-country team is easily the family we have built. We are a close-knit group who are always genuinely there for one another. Cross-country is an exceedingly difficult sport that requires immense amounts of dedication and hard work; however, it is all worth it when you have your family to support you every step of the way. Not only are we co-captains and teammates, but more importantly, best friends because of the four years on this team. Our bonding with Coach Boyens has led us to appreciate his motivational speeches and guidance; from teaching us about "cerebral fortitude" to perseverance, his speeches shaped us from young freshmen into the All-County and All-Conference athletes and individuals we are today. As a team, we have all spent an extreme amount of time together during the best and most difficult experiences alike, which is a testament that being a team is by chance, but being a family is our choice. Not only were the senior captains motivational, but so were the senior team members. They were supportive and looked out for the newer runners to the sport, making sure everyone was included and safe. Here is what senior teammate Jack Schwabe had to say about his experiences on the team: Q: How long have you been on the team? A: 3 years. Q: What is your favorite memory from this cross-country season? A: My favorite memory from this cross-country season would have to be the County meet. The rain, the mud, and the overall horrible weather conditions made it a race of strength and determination to overcome adversity and succeed. Q: What are you going to miss the most about North's cross-country team? A: I will miss my coach, Mr. Boyens, and all the hard work he puts into the team. I also will miss the family that is the Cross-Country team. The team is small, so everyone gets close to one another, and it becomes more than just running. Q: What was the best part of being on this team? A: The best part of being on the team was my fellow teammates through the years. If cross-country were just running and practicing on your own, I would have never thought of doing it. The friends and memories I have made on the team will be ones that I will never forget. The team will miss the seniors and their leadership next year but wishes them the best of luck in their futures. Coach Boyens and the seniors have shaped amazing runners on the team for the future team. Whether someone was the fastest runner or joined to stay in shape, Mr. Boyens and our seniors helped them not only achieve their goals but set new ones for the future. Although the seniors are leaving next year, their impact on this team will remain long after they are gone. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Contemplation Back to Sections Self Portrait By Noorish Atif June 8, 2021 Graphite Volume 1 Issue 8