Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Advice From a Senior Sahar Ali Volume 5 Issue 5 July 5, 2025 The time has finally come for many to graduate from Valley Stream North. After studying at VSN for the entirety of my middle school and high school career, I’ve picked up a load of information from experiences, both good and bad. Often feeling alone at times without guidance, I wished that I had the perspective of a student who had once been in the same or similar situations as me to gain more practical and helpful advice during middle and high school. Knowing that these 6 years are a critical time in a student’s life, here are some tips to help you get through high school in both academic and social aspects, coming from a senior. #1 : Leave your comfort zone Transitioning from elementary school to a middle school combined with high school can be a difficult adjustment. Yet this change from a smaller school to a bigger school comes with bigger opportunities. VSN offers an array of clubs and sports that allow students to express themselves and investigate their likes and dislikes. The main idea is: LEAVE YOUR COMFORT ZONE! In my own experience, I began writing for VSN’s student newspaper, the North Star , and instantly loved it because I was able to write articles on almost any topic. If I had not left my comfort zone and refrained from even writing an article, I would not have had the opportunity to contribute to the club and even become the News section editor. Additionally, I tried out multiple sports including cross country, winter track & field, and badminton; from those experiences, I learned that I could do wonders with abilities I did not know I possessed. Looking back at my experiences, I urge you to try something new. You never know what you can do until you try. Although I know pushing yourself can be difficult at times, it opens up many opportunities. #2 : Learn how to manage your time As a student progresses through high school, the workload typically increases. With that, it becomes hard to manage sports, clubs, and academics. But knowing how important it is to make time for all aspects of school, whether it be extracurricular activities or homework, can significantly increase productivity as well as decrease stress. Based on what activities you have going on at home or at school, plan your day in the morning to know how to manage your time. One key method I used to help me manage my time was to make a list of when assignments were due and when I had certain activities. Then, whichever assignment(s) were due the earliest were the ones completed first. This method helped me manage my time in the best way possible. Additionally, any free time I had at school, whether it be a study hall, lunch, or free period, was used to complete assignments to decrease the workload when I came home after practice or a club. However, it is still always possible to face an overwhelming amount of work. Similarly, in this situation, prioritize the most important task and complete it first. Everyone is different, therefore try different techniques to manage your time! #3 : Stay on top of everything Many times, it is possible to miss out on key information regarding your schedule, courses, and grades. It is extremely important you understand what courses you need to take and what you should be doing, academically and extracurricular-wise. Do not solely rely on guidance counselors to consistently provide you with information since they have more students to assist, but they are always there if you need advice. Do not expect to be handed information easily on a platter; instead, be ready to ask for information as soon as possible! In my own experience, I realized that I had no clue as to what I was doing, mainly because I never asked anyone what steps I should be taking, especially once freshman year of high school started, and did not ask for a long period of time. Please be prepared and do not hesitate at all to talk to your guidance counselors and even teachers to have a feel about what you should be doing as each student is different and has their own paths. If I could go back and change one thing from my high school experience, I would try to gain more information about what steps I should be taking in school and outside of school to ensure I was on the right path towards my goals and to stand out as much as possible when the time came for college applications. #4 : Take challenging courses Another aspect I would change from my high school experience would be the number of AP classes I took. Not only do they help boost your overall average, but AP classes also open up a student to more information that a regents-level class does not always offer. Although AP classes aren’t for all students, there is no harm in trying a class out; you could end up liking the class! Additionally, AP classes help save students money when it comes to college. Depending on the college you choose to continue your studies at, certain AP classes and AP scores can get you credit. Most colleges take a score of 4 or 5 on an AP exam and give you credit for that class without you ever having to take it in college. Even though you pay almost $100 or more for an AP exam now, you end up saving thousands of dollars later if you score high on the exam and if your school takes the credit. Choose an AP class that interests you and do research about what credit the colleges you plan to apply to take. #5 : Surround yourself with the right people Throughout middle and high school, you will meet different people all with different personalities and make several friends. It is important that you choose to surround yourself with people who support you, make you a better person, and inspire you. There may be times when some people may hurt you, and this is an inevitable part of high school. There will be trial and error with certain friends, but all these experiences will help you understand what you value in a friend and help you with your development. #6 : Take care of yourself High school and middle school can get stressful many times. The pressure of work and eventually, when a student becomes a senior, college applications can affect a student’s mental health and often cause a load of stress and pressure. It’s okay to give yourself a break when there is a lot of pressure. Keep in mind that you’re working hard and you need to give yourself a break. Don’t let schoolwork and tests consume your mind; although they are important, remember to keep a balance between everything. Too much studying or too much work is not good; too much relaxation is also not good. When I was extremely stressed, I turned to music as it helped me calm down. Try to find something that eases your nerves as it is important to build these habits and methods to prevent stress from building up. These stress-reducing methods will help you so much in the future in college when your workload increases significantly and in life in general. Each student’s experience is different, and you will all make your own mistakes and learn from them. Remember while you work hard to also enjoy high school; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Always work hard but give yourself a break too. Since this is one of my last articles ever, my last and biggest piece of advice is to cherish the time you have had in high school. Time goes by quickly so don’t forget to make the most out of everything! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Indian Farmers Protest By Shinedip Kundlas Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 No Image available at this time NEW DELHI - Tens of thousands of farmers have flooded India's capitol since November 30th and they intend to camp out for weeks to protest new agricultural laws they say could ruin their livelihoods. Farmers from states all over India, including the northern states of Punjab and Haryana - known as India’s “food bowl,” set up makeshift barricades of tractors and trailers across roads, railway lines, and highways leading to New Delhi. They have been protesting in the capitol for 6 weeks now and are met with harsh conditions such as cold weather and tear gas. On November 26, a nationwide general strike involving approximately 250 million people took place in support of the farmer unions. For five months, Indian Farmers have been protesting laws passed in September, 2020. The protest originally started in Punjab. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the new laws will liberate farmers and private investment, bringing in growth. Farmers are unconvinced, fearing that the confiscation of state protections they already deem inadequate will leave them at the mercy of corporate greed. Under the prior laws, farmers had to sell their commodities at an auction at their state's Agricultural Produce Market Committee. A government-approved minimum price was established for items and the auction was controlled by restrictions on who could buy alongside price caps on necessities. The Indian Government says the new laws give farmers a chance to decide their prices and sell directly to private businesses, like grocery chains. Others argue new laws help big companies push down prices. While farmers possibly will sell crops at greater prices if the demand is there, on the contrary, they could struggle to meet the minimum price in years to come when there is too much supply in the market. Farmers say the new rules will leave them worse off by making it easier for corporations to exploit agricultural workers. More than 60 percent of India’s 1.3 billion population still predominantly solely depends on agriculture for their livelihood. Government support to farmers, and management of the market with assured minimum prices for specific vital crops, aided India to move past the alarming hunger of the 1960s to produce a surplus of grain in current years. However, with India liberalizing its economy in recent decades, Modi perceives a huge role for the government as not as sustainable. Farmers, however, say they are grappling even with the prevailing protections. The farmers believe market-friendly laws will ultimately eradicate governing support and leave them deprived of income. India’s weakened economy because of COVID-19 gives them hardly any chance of a better livelihood. How exactly will these protests affect you? India is the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of spices. Everything from turmeric to Basmati comes from Indian farmers. According to Spices Board India, India produces 68% of the world’s spices. These spices include pepper, cardamom, chili, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, garlic, curry powder, and fennel. Not to mention, chances are some item hanging in your closet was made in India. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, India is the world’s leading producer of cotton. Organizations like Khalsa Aid, an international humanitarian relief group, have teams on the ground working with protest organizers. Farmers at the Tikri border will no longer have to jostle in a crowd in search of assistance and support. Khalsa Aid has set up a ‘Kisan Mall’ at the border to provide farmers items of daily use for free. The mall is providing blankets, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sweaters, jackets, vests, blankets, oil, Vaseline, socks, washing soap, bathing soap, shampoo, combs, sanitary pads, and more. People around the globe have been protesting to demonstrate support and stand with the farmers because the protests are about "the people who feed all of us". From Surrey Australia, Birmingham, England, in the small town of Canton, Michigan, and to Long Island NY people have been showing support. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Who Am I Back to Sections Anonymous - Who Am I? - 9 By Anonymous November 19, 2021 Volume 2 Issue 2

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections Minayle Rahman - Prism By Minayle Rahman November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections The Lion and the Lamb Leah Ally Volume 6 Issue 3 June 8, 2026 Image Provided by Unsplash They had always lived in conflict — the lion, ferocious, powerful, and ready to pounce at any given moment, and the lamb, soft, delicate, and sensitive beyond measure. The lion constantly intimidated the lamb for his weak appearance and dainty demeanor , while the lamb lived in fear. They were too different from each other to ever live in complete harmony. This morning was no different than usual, as the lamb carefully walked through the tall grass, waking itself up a little more with each step. The lion on the other hand carefully watched the lamb from a distance, ready to make his usual jeering remarks. It was at this moment; the lamb had appeared to be unable to get through the muddy terrain amidst the weeds. Watching with a smirk, the lion appeared to enjoy the lamb’s seemingly harmless struggle. Within seconds the lamb had started to wail in pain and horror. Forgetting every sense of being enemies, the lion leaped to help the lamb, using all his might to sprint through the harsh conditions. Eventually, reaching him, the lion helped the lamb out of the mud and led him to safety. Every day after that there was a newfound trust between the two, the lamb no longer lived in fear, and the lion no longer lived to intimidate, instead they lived in complete harmony and friendship. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections The 2024 Presidential Election - Part 2 Sahar Ali Volume 5 Issue 3 January 14, 2025 Image Provided by Elaine Ching The 2024 presidential election was one that many Americans looked forward to. Yet, most of the country was split between the Republican candidate, Former President Donald Trump, and the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, the first female to be Vice President. Donald Trump beat Kamala Harris significantly as he received 312 votes from the electoral college, while Harris received only 226. In order to win the election, a candidate must receive 270 electoral college votes, which Trump surpassed substantially. Kamala Harris was the next candidate to run after President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential election after his first debate with Trump that made him appear as unfit to run for president. According to The Guardian , Harris entered the race with only 107 days to campaign. However, many Americans were not in favor of the Biden Administration, which Harris was a part of herself as she was Biden’s Vice President for the last four years. Most young people between the ages of 18 and 34 who once supported Biden during the 2020 election did not support him for the 2024 election, and as many as 70% of voters aged 35 and under did not support Biden due to his handling of the Israel-Hamas War (NBC News). The resentment many held toward Biden affected Harris in her campaign. Kamala Harris emphasized her campaign by speaking up for women’s rights, by “promising a ‘new generation of leadership,’ rallying women around abortion rights” (BBC). She also worked to gain the vote of the working class “by focusing on economic issues including rising costs and housing affordability” (BBC). Yet, during her campaign, Harris’s main verdict was that Trump posed “a clear and present danger to democracy,” which did not seem to help her campaign in any way or change voters’ way of perceiving Trump (Brookings). Donald Trump, the winner of the election, received about 50% of the nation’s vote, according to the Associated Press . He appealed to African American and Latino voters. According to Time Magazine , “Trump boosted his support from 32% four years ago to a 54% majority.” Trump also appealed to younger men who “appreciated Trump’s brashness and habit of smashing norms” (Time Magazine). While he gained the votes of young men, Trump also had to figure out how to gain the votes of women, especially since an abortion ban could be possible due to the overturn of Roe v. Wade. To try to keep and gain more votes from women, Trump would claimed abortion would be left up to the states, but he officially stated that he would not support a nationwide abortion ban (Time Magazine). For the Trump Administration, one of the biggest issues is immigration; the Biden Administration’s handling of which earned broad criticism. According to the BBC , 8 million illegal immigrants have entered the United States through Mexico since Biden took office in January 2021. Trump plans to use his power as President to carry out mass deportations of undocumented migrants (Time Magazine). Trump’s victory can be highlighted by flaws in Harris’s campaign and the resentment associated with the Biden Administration, as well as his own ideals which were appealing to many of the American population. These next four years will be the last where Trump will be President, as he can no longer serve for more than two terms due to the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution. Although the results of the election bring on different emotions to different American communities, we should remember we are part of an impeccable nation that allows all of us to voice our opinions and vote for our leaders. Afterall, we will be able to voice our opinions again in four years in the 2028 election. SOURCES: AP's essential role in elections | AP News Kamala Harris had a whirlwind 107-day campaign. What’s next for her? | Kamala Harris | The Guardian Young voters explain why they’re bailing on Biden — and whether they’d come back Why Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump Why Donald Trump won and Kamala Harris lost: An early analysis of the results How Donald Trump Won the 2024 Election | TIME How many migrants have crossed the US border illegally? BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Mother Celeste By Macayla McCaffery April 22, 2021 Digital Art Volume 1 Issue 7

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Winter Track By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Image provided by AAG Sports I stare across the locker room Wondering what I got myself into … I racewalk a couple laps Wondering what I got myself into … I wait outside freezing, praying someone opens the door Wondering what I got myself into … I stand on the starting line Wondering what I got myself into ...  Winter track ain't that bad That's what they all say But they're not the ones running everyday All the other athletes are nice and warm inside But here I am freezing outside   I’d rather be at home, with a cup of hot cocoa But here I am running my two warm up laps While my friends have a blast And as I put on my spikes I wonder, what did I get myself into?   But as the season comes to an end I realize, that maybe this ain't so bad After all I do have a medal to hang So as I grab the baton one last time I run as hard as I can so I end up with a good time So as I stare across the locker room I put a smile on my face … And as I racewalk a couple laps I push as hard as I can … And while I wait outside freezing, as nobody opens the door I let out a laugh at last … And as I finally stand on the starting line I smile, glad that I joined winter track BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Thanksgiving: History and Traditions By Charis Hackman Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image provided Getty Images Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated by people all over the country. The holiday is observed on November 24. The holiday is based on the ideals of the original Thanksgiving, a harvest festival, that the pilgrims and settlers from England had with the Native Americans of the area, the Wampanoag in 1621, probably over 400 years ago. History Of Thanksgiving In 1620, Pilgrims came to the New World on the Mayflower, seeking religious and economic freedom. Their original destination was between Virginia and the Hudson River area in what is now the state of New York. But bad weather, like storms and rough waves, caused the ship to change course resulting in the boat arriving in the area near what is known as Cape Cod on November 11, 1620. But after failing to find open land to settle on, they ventured further to the Plymouth area in Massachusetts. But there were people already living in Massachusetts long before the pilgrims came. Native Americans like the Wampanoag have lived in the Massachusetts area for hundreds of years. The pilgrims arrived in Plymouth on December 16, 1620, and started building their colony there. But the Pilgrims were not prepared for the winter in the area, which was very different than the winter in England. As a result, many got sick with exposure, scurvy, and many other contagious diseases as well as malnutrition, as the seeds they brought from England would not grow in the soils of early America. The pilgrims did not know how to hunt and fish on the land, as it was different than the land in England which resulted in many deaths and only half of the pilgrims surviving that first winter in the New World. In March, the pilgrims were visited by a man named Samoset, who welcomed them. Later, he brought an English-speaking man named Tisquantum, also known as Squanto, who was the last of a native American tribe called the Pawtuet. He was kidnapped by a sea captain who had come to his people’s land years before and taken him to Europe. He later gained his freedom and traveled back to the Americas, where he learned that all of his people had died from the plague; then, he began living with the Wampanoag people. After he was introduced to the pilgrims, he decided to help them and teach them how to survive the American wilderness. He taught the pilgrims how to catch fish, cultivate corn, find berries and plants and to tell which ones were not poisonous. Around the same time, the pilgrims, with Squanto’s help, made an alliance with the Wampanoag which lasted for more than 50 years. By the time fall rolled around, the pilgrims were doing much better, thanks to the Wampanoag. To celebrate, the governor of the pilgrims, William Bradford, organized a feast. He invited the leader of Wampanoag, Chief Massasoit, and some of his people to join them in the celebration. It lasted for three whole days. They ate duck, deer, turkey, berries, corn, corn soup, seafood, and the vegetables they grew that year, like carrots and beans. Thanksgiving Traditions People in the United States each have their unique way of celebrating Thanksgiving. The most common is having a traditional dinner with friends and family, eating turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, collard greens, etc., and desserts like apple and pumpkin pie. But there are other ways to celebrate Thanksgiving than just eating dinner. One of the most popular is watching Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, established by Macy in 1924. The parade draws more than 3 million spectators and more than 27.4 million viewers as of last year. Macy’s Thanksgiving parade is an event in which giant balloons of characters from popular culture, like Charlie Brown, Blues Clues the dog, and Hello Kitty. The parade also includes performances from famous singers and performance groups like the Rockettes, with Santa and Ms. Claus arriving at the end of the parade. Another Thanksgiving tradition is watching football which was developed in 1876 when the IFA (Intercollegiate Football Association) started hosting their championship day on the holiday. However, it was not as popular then as it is now. On Thanksgiving Day, the NFL hosts three football games; this year consisted of the Cowboys and the Lions, per tradition, with the Bills, Giants, Patriots, and Vikings. Another tradition is breaking a wishbone, a forked bone found in most birds and some non-avian birds, which is thus found in the turkey. It is said that with a wishbone, two people make a wish on it, then break it, and the one with the most significant piece of the bone wins and gets their wish granted. Another more recent tradition is the celebration of Friendsgiving, a casual meal enjoyed by friends, specifically during Thanksgiving. Friends get together, eat meals, do puzzles, do a scavenger hunt, play games like Bingo, Jenga, Connect 4, UNO, Poker, or Headbands, decorate pumpkins, and watch movies. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Seasons Everchanging By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Image provided by Wallpaper Stock look outside, up at the sky watch the birds fly is it summer or is it spring? each one has something different to bring summer brings fresh ice cream cones while winter brings baked cranberry scones spring's April brings showers Leading to May's flowers red, orange, yellow autumn's leaves are so mellow lay back in your rocking chair breathe in the heavenly air blizzards threaten winter's fun that's when people miss the sun snowball fights and winter lights all of those longer nights not too hot, nor too cold flowers the color of gold animals wake up from their slumber dreading the hot scorching summer lawns are ready to be mowed parents trying not to explode finally freedom is here at last! the horrible days of school are in the past! winter, summer, spring, and fall four seasons in all each brings in new excitement all has their own enrichment which one is your favorite? winter with its hot chocolate summer with its vacation or is it your graduation? fall with apple pie and pumpkins or do you prefer spring's new beginnings Whichever season you think is the best they'll still pop up with or without your request BACK TO TOP