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Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections The Culture Fair’s Magnificence By Jeselys Naylana Vazques Volume 2 Issue 6 April 14, 2022 Image provided by Ariadne Yurem Palacios Martinez On April 1st, 2022, the first VSN Culture Night since the start of the pandemic was held to celebrate the end of World Language Week and everyone's unique and special nationalities from all around the world in school. It was my first time going, and I was excited to see all the different tastes of foods from all parts of the world and the entertaining performances. When you entered that evening, you saw a hallway with various options of food you could try—each one looking tastier than the next. I tried a Mexican dessert; it was amazing and could make anyone happy with just one bite. People wore their traditional clothes, looking spectacular, representing their ethnic backgrounds. Decorations all over the first floor and posters on each table to represent what part of the world the food was from and its significance. There was also a henna booth, and a competition to vote on posters! You thought that was all? As some time passed, it was already time for the fashion show of who wore the best outfit from their culture. It was a hard decision, but the two best dressed won an Amazon gift card! After all this, there were dance performances; participants choreographed and sometimes sang a song. I can't even put into words how spectacular Culture Night was. If I were to, though, I would say it was magnificent, and I wish to not only attend again next year, but to also participate in it all. If you couldn't participate in or make it this year, never forget there is always next year! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Single Sally Aamna Raja Volume 4 Issue 4 May 29, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching “I'm scared that I'll be alone for the rest of my life. No one has ever been romantically interested in me. I think I'm going to die single... What should I do?” -Single Sally Hi Single Sally! First of all, it's completely normal to have concerns about your future, especially in high school where social dynamics can feel overwhelming. Everyone wants to be appreciated and loved, and you are! Maybe not romantically, but I’m sure your friends and family love you and care about you as well. Remember, your worth isn't defined by whether someone is romantically interested in you. You have so much to offer beyond romantic relationships. If you want a healthy outlet to express these feelings, I’d recommend focusing on building your self-confidence and focusing on your interests and hobbies. This is great to help you feel better and you may find someone with similar interests this way! Friendships often develop into romantic relationships, so focus on fostering meaningful connections with others. Remember, don't rush things. High school is only the early stages of your love life, and there's plenty of time for romance to grow in the future. Stay open to new experiences and opportunities! You are worthy of love and companionship, no matter your relationship status. Hang in there, Sally, and every other person reading this. You're not alone, and there's an entire world of possibilities waiting for you beyond high school. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Call and Run By Nora Chery Volume 2 Issue 5 March 28, 2022 Image provided by Adrian Swancar Call   An old lover calls Through a neglected hotline It says please hold close Run   Many nights they run For sure they'll never see God With proof they could see BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Toxic Ball By Elizabeth Andre April 22, 2021 Digital Art Volume 1 Issue 7

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Ask Ala: Valentines Day: Two Years Since the Start of COVID-19 By Alicja Paruch Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by The Sun Hello Ala! What can I do for Valentine’s Day this year? It has been two years since covid-19 initially shut down most of the world. Many activities, including Valentine’s Day gifting, have drastically shifted, for many from in-person to online. Many had to send gifts to their loved ones directly before vaccines became widely available. Now, with more opportunities, these special occasions can become exciting again. If you are planning to celebrate Valentine’s Day, I recommend going back to the traditional activities, and putting on a little twist if necessary. In order to relate to the traditional part of Valentine's Day celebrations, I recommend dining out or seeing a movie at the theatre. Though, as times progress and knowing that every relationship is different, you can consider other options! You can go to the mall, try to pick out outfits for each other, or buy matching jewelry. You can also try baking cookies or some type of dessert (check out the National Baking Month in North Star ’s last issue for some yummy recipes). In my mind, Valentine’s Day can definitely be celebrated around traditional activities, but in your relationship, you should make it about yourself! Do something that you enjoy, so that you have fun! Feel free to think outside of the box and enjoy your day together! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Cherry Topped Cream Cheese Cake By Carolina Grace Figueroa Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by Food 52 Cheesecakes are dessert cakes made of cheese (usually cream cheese or ricotta cheese), eggs, and sugar. They often have a graham cracker crumb crust that is sometimes held together by melted butter. They are rich, decadent treats with a dense, smooth, and creamy consistency. The filling has a hefty, velvety texture. Some people add sour cream to make it easier to shape or fruit flavoring like strawberry, blueberry, or lemon. They reign as a perfect tasty summer dessert, chilled and sweet delicacies that make perfect antidotes to the heat outside. Cheesecake originated in Greece and was served to the Olympians during the first Olympics held in 776 BC to give them energy. Some people claim they are not really “cakes”, but more of a custard pie, torte, or tart because of the consistency of the base. The base can be made of crushed digestive biscuits and butter, graham cracker crumbs, crushed cookies, pastry, or even sponge cake. Italy makes their cheesecake with ricotta cheese, Germany and Poland use a soft cheese called “quark” or cottage cheese, while the US may use cream cheese or sour cream as the main ingredient. Toppings can range from whipped cream, nuts, chopped fresh fruits, syrups, sour cream, fruit compotes, caramel sauce, chocolate (syrups, shavings, melted), candy bars, cookies, spices, or matcha (a Japanese powdered green tea). In Brazil, cheesecake is served with a thin guava jelly or marmalade layer. “National Cheesecake Day” in the US is celebrated on July 30th of every year, an honorary day when you can indulge yourself with this delightful dessert and sample some of the tastiest flavors ever made (for example, key lime cheesecake or kit-kat cheesecake). My grandmother makes the perfect and delicious cherry topped cream cheesecake that I have ever tasted. It is topped with chilled cherry pie filling and can’t be beaten! I would like to share her infamous homemade recipe and challenge you to make it: Crust 2 ½ cups packaged graham cracker crumbs ¼ cup sugar ½ cup butter or regular margarine, softened Filling 5 pkg (8 oz. size) soft cream cheese 1 ¾ cups sugar 3 tablespoons flour 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel or 1 ½ teaspoon lemon juice ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract 5 eggs 2 egg yolks ¼ cup heavy cream Topping 2 cans of 21 oz. Comstock Cherry Pie Filling Needed One 12-inch Springform pan Make crust: In a medium bowl, with hands or the back of a spoon, mix graham cracker crumbs with sugar and soft butter until they are well combined. Press mixture on bottom and sides of 12-inch Springform pan, building up sides of pan to form a rim all around. Refrigerate until needed. Preheat the oven to 500F. Make filling: In a large bowl of electric mixer, combine cream cheese, sugar, flour, lemon peel (or lemon juice), and vanilla. Beat at high speed just to blend. Beat in eggs and egg yolks, one at a time. Add heavy cream, beating just until well combined. Pour in the crust-lined pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 250F and bake one hour longer. Take out of the oven and let cool in the pan on a wire rack. Refrigerate for three hours, or overnight. Before serving, add topping; spread Comstock canned cherry pie filling to the top of the chilled cheesecake (add as much to your liking). To serve: With a spatula, loosen the crust from the sides of the pan. Remove the side of the Springform pan. Cut cheesecake into wedge slices (makes 16 to 20 servings). Enjoy! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections My First Memory of Stitches By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado Life is full of troubles. Just waiting to unfold As fragile as bubbles But for a five-year-old, I was still bold The day was full of delight. However, the horror was yet to come As I approached the swings, the boy took flight Smashing my head till I fell, wishing I had never come The nails on the floor poking my ear Hoping they would fill their hunger RRRRIP as the world disappeared The last thing I heard was my mom screaming in anger. When I woke up, the nurse’s smile was as bright as the sun But I knew this was no fun My mother was a rabbit, scared and small I wished instead of the park we had gone to the mall I wished instead of the park we had gone to the mall BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Black American Artists Back to Sections Sir Charles, Alias Willie Harris By Barkley Hendricks February 12, 2021 Volume 1 Issue 5 Medium: Oil on Canvas, Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Willene Exinvil - Memory Project - 2 By Willene Exinvil March 18, 2021 Volume 1 Issue 6

Back to Artwork Portfolio Back to Sections Portfolio - Francheska Martin-Quesada By Francheska Martin-Quesada June 13, 2022 Sharpie Volume 2 Issue 7