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Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections About Me! By Chloe O'Connell Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by Marketing Sage Hi, my name is Chloe O’Connell! I’m in 7th grade, and this is my section called “Ask Chloe”. Here’s a little about me. I am the oldest and I have two siblings. I have a dog named Bandit. Fun fact: I was born with plagiocephaly, which means I was born with a flat head, so I had to wear a helmet when I was a baby. When I grow up, I want to help kids and become a pediatrician. My family is Puerto Rican and Italian, and we are also a bit Irish. I hope this helps you get to know me! Please send in your questions for our new “ Ask Chloe” advice column to oconnelc3990@vschsd.org, and Chloe will try to help you navigate the wonders of middle school. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris, Fiction Back to Sections Petals By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 3 Issue 4 May 18, 2023 Image provided by Elaine Ching Glistening raindrops fall, On purple petals they rest, Nature's beauty shines BACK TO TOP

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

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections NBA 2021-2022 Regular Season By Leah Ally Volume 2 Issue 6 April 14, 2022 Image provided by The Washington Post The National Basketball Association (NBA) has recently finished its 76th regular season, as the playoffs begin to kick off with its most competitive twenty teams. After two abbreviated seasons owing to the COVID-19 epidemic, the NBA returned to an entire 82-game regular season in its customary mid-October to mid-April schedule for the first time since the 2018-2019 NBA season. For instance, the 2019-2020 season was delayed until late July or early August, while the 2020-2021 season began in December and concluded in the middle of July. Throughout the season, only the cities of Los Angeles, Toronto, New York City, San Francisco, and Philadelphia have implemented COVID-19 vaccine mandates for fans at sporting events. While the majority of the league’s players (about 95 percent) have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 97% are fully vaccinated with two doses, players in these identified markets who refused to be vaccinated were not eligible to play in home games throughout most of the season. In addition, the NBA has stated these players would be forced to forfeit money for the missed games. An example of this regulation can be shown from the Brooklyn Nets’s star point guard, Kyrie Irving, who recently made his debut in Barclays Center for the first time this year on March 27th, shortly after New York City ended its vaccine mandate. As a result of his refusal to receive the vaccine, Kyrie lost out on $380,000 every game he missed, making it a total of about $17 million that was cut from his paycheck this year. As of right now, there has been a total of 11 games postponed due to COVID-19 cases and have been successfully rescheduled. On August 2nd, 2021, the free agency began. Longtime Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry announced his decision to sign a long-term contract with the Miami Heat. In addition, young star Lonzo Ball announced he would be signing a four-year, $85 million deal with the Chicago Bulls, joining fellow free agency signing Demar Derozan. The Los Angeles Clippers re-signed superstar Kawhi Leonard, and the Phoenix Suns re-signed superstar Chris Paul. The Brooklyn Nets extended Kevin Durant to a four-year $198 million deal in the East. Not only did the 2021-2022 season offer numerous notable free agency signings, but many transactions and retirement announcements took place. The biggest deal of 2022 happened just hours before the deadline when the Brooklyn Nets agreed to a trade between sending James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons, making it an impactful move for both Eastern Conference contenders. That deal followed a huge one when the Damian Lillard-CJ McCollum era in Portland ended. He joined the New Orleans Pelicans, where he would play alongside Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. The Sacramento Kings then traded All-Star Domantas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb, and Justin Holiday to the Indiana Pacers for promising second-year guard Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Tristan Thompson. Some notable retirees this season include JJ Redick (37 yrs. old), Chandler Parsons (33 yrs. old), Tyson Chandler (38 yrs. old), J.R Smith (35 yrs. old), and Jamal Crawford (42 yrs. old). From April 12-15, 2022, the NBA will host a play-in tournament for clubs placed 7th through 10th in each conference. The club in seventh place will host the team in eighth place, with the winner earning the seventh seed in the playoffs. The team in the ninth position will face the club in tenth place, with the loser being eliminated from postseason contention. The loser of the 7th-8th place game will next host the winner of the 9th – 10th place game, with the winner earning the 8th seed and the loser being eliminated. As the 2022 NBA playoffs are the main topic of discussion, the playoffs will begin on April 16th. The finals are planned to start on June 2nd, with a possible game seven on June 19th. BACK TO TOP

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Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Alheri By Gilana Etame March 28, 2022 Digital Art Volume 2 Issue 5

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections The Compliment to Cezanne's Complimentary Colors By Isabella Somma November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Dalip Singh Saund | Asian American Pacific Islanders Heritage Month By Shinedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by Heritageseries.us Born in Amritsar, Punjab, Dalip Singh Saund became the first Sikh member of Congress and the first Asian American member of Congress. His commitment to his southern California district and its farmers was unwavering. He was also a county judge. His backstory of being born in India, a naturalized US citizen, and a successful businessman propelled him to the global stage. Saund became one of the most engaging politicians during the height of the Cold War while serving in the House of Representatives. Saund’s belief that American democracy holds promise was not shaken despite the many discriminations he faced when living in the United States. On September 20, 1899, Dalip Singh was born and raised in the village Chhajjal Waddi in Punjab, India. His father worked as a construction contractor for the British-Indian government. The Saund family had lived through the period of British colonialism, where Saund’s parents didn’t attend school. Despite this, education was a keystone of Saund’s life. Though he came from an uneducated family, the Saund family was known for their conscientious and successful work with a background of Sikh reformism and activism. Through the active Sikh reformism and activism in his family, Saund learned the basis of activism. During his college years at the University of Punjab, Saund supported the independence movement in India. He graduated with a BS degree in 1919 and went on to further his education in America. Saund intended to learn the fruit-canning business in America for a few years. On September 27, 1920, after traveling from Bombay to England and then to England, he arrived at Ellis Island, New York. While in the US, he earned his MA and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics in 1924. Due to his race, Saund could not find a teaching job and started farming in California. To circumvent a California law that prevented Asians from owning land, he got a friend to sign the deed on his behalf. In 1930, Saund was commissioned by the Khalsa Diwan Society to write “My Mother India”, a book supporting the Independence movement in India. His books highlighted the political and cultural problems in India. Saund closely studied the issues of the 1924 and 1928 presidential elections during his stay in California. After witnessing the struggles of the American people during the Great Depression while he was a farmer, he became a supporter of the New Deal. During the 1930s, Saund actively advocated for Indians to become citizen Americans, which Congress approved in 1946. A couple of years later, Saund became an American citizen and ran for a judgeship the following year. He was elected even amid constant racism-a reporter once asked him whether “turbans would be provided to all those who entered his court”. In 1956, Dalip Singh Saund ran for his local district’s open congressional seat as a Democrat and won the election against Jacqueline Cochran (R-). Saund served three terms in Congress. His support marked his service for civil rights legislation, small farmers, and efforts to improve relations between Mexico, the US, and India. Dalip Singh Saund has continued to inspire generations of Asian and Sikh Americans with his contributions and dedication to the American people. Dalip Singh Saund died on April 22, 1973. “Everyone though I had no chance… But I had faith in the American sense of justice and fair play .”- Dalip Singh Saund Sources 1.) https://history.house.gov/People/Detail/21228 2.) https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2008/12/19/breaking-barriers-congressman-dalip-singh-saund/ 3.) https://www.smc.edu/administration/governance/academicsenate/committees/documents/sabbaticals/HariFellowshipProposal.pdf BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections JV Girls Basketball By Aleeza Dhillon Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Original photography by Aleeza Dhillon Girls JV Basketball: Interview with the Team North’s JV Girls' Basketball team kicked off the season with a bang starting mid-November. The team includes freshmen Ryann Blount, Savyon Rodriguez, Emily Lam, Angelina Villalba, sophomore Arunima Roy, and junior Jodi Zaky. Freshman Ericka Leus led this team. So far, the team has won three games out of six. This season is essential for the girls, especially since it is the first time many of them have played on a team since seventh grade. Here is what Ericka Leus has to say about the team’s progress so far: How do you feel you have performed so far in the season? “So far this season, I think I have performed pretty well. I haven’t played basketball since my JH season in 7th grade, so I was not expecting to do good this season.” What is your favorite part of being on this team? “My favorite part of being on the team is being surrounded with such funny teammates and an amazing coach. The open environment of our team is something I admire.” What do you look forward to the most? “I am looking forward to playing more of our league games towards the end of the season. I think we have grown as a team, and we are ready to take on more challenging opponents.” How do you feel you have performed so far in the season? “I would say I’m doing decent, not the best but not the worst, but I feel like I’m getting better each practice and each game.” What is your favorite part of being on this team? “My favorite part about being on the team is probably playing with all my friends as a team.” What do you look forward to the most? “I’m looking forward to getting more points in games.” By the time of writing this article, the team has won one league game out of two. That is a fantastic start, considering how long it has been since these girls have played together. Team member Ryann Blount also has some thoughts she would like to share about how the season is going: “The team has come extremely far in improving all aspects. I have attended many of their games and noticed the growth in their ability to play as a team and their skills and technique. Not only are spectators seeing the growth, but so is captain Ericka Leus.” This is what she had to say about the team: “I think the team has done amazing so far this season. It was a rough start with our low numbers of players and having a new coach, but now that we are halfway through the season, I think we have got it down. As a team, we have gotten closer, and we are starting to work more as a team both on and off the court.” Half the season is left for this team, and they intend to improve every second of it. No doubt they will with the help of Coach Dasher. Combined with Ericka’s strong leadership, the team is guaranteed a successful season. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections College Application Advice Sahar Ali Volume 5 Issue 3 January 14, 2025 Image Provided by Elaine Ching College applications can be overwhelming during senior year, especially while trying to manage work, school, sports, and maintaining a high GPA. For me, navigating the Common App and completing applications has been a struggle. Through my own experience, I’ve learned how to better approach the college application process which can help future seniors feel calm and relaxed while completing their applications. #1 - THE SAT/ACT The SAT is an exam many students take before going into college; however, some students opt for the ACT or take both. The SAT, composed of English and mathematics, is scored out of 1600 points, while the ACT, composed of English, mathematics, reading, science, and an optional writing section, is scored out of 36 points. Most students, according to the College Board, tend to take the SAT more than the ACT due to its many benefits such as more time per question. Although the SAT may appear frightening at first, practice can help students with understanding how questions are asked to become accustomed to the exam. I recommend taking an SAT course, either offered in school or from another organization, especially if you are aiming for a high score above 1300 because SAT questions get more complex with each module, so getting the right coaching can help chances of scoring higher. Aiming for a high score is possible for anyone, but it can be difficult to achieve if there is no practice involved. Fortunately, I was able to have the experience of receiving SAT prep outside of school; however, many people are unable to have the same. If you are unable to fit the SAT prep course offered at North in your schedule or are unable to receive prep outside of school, Khan Academy has a free SAT prep course with practice questions and videos on SAT topics. The Princeton Review also has textbooks with a QR code that provides five practice exams. The SAT is not simple English or math, rather, the questions test your deeper understanding and application of diverse concepts. Practicing for the exam can take months, which is why I recommend starting to practice before or during your junior year. Just remember: practice, practice, practice! #2 – STARTING THE COMMON APP The Common App is not something North students will start in class. Instead, they have to start the application on their own time over the summer. I recommend starting it around the start of August, which gives students enough time to answer the surplus of lengthy questions required by Common App. Depending on what schools you apply to, there will be more essays than just the college essay that you work on during English class. Starting the Common App early during the summer can help students jump start supplementals and reduce stress during the start of the school year. However, I believe the essays are the hardest part. #4 – LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Letters of recommendation are also a vital aspect of your college application as they show a student through the lens of other people, like high school teachers. During the end of your junior year, take some time to think about which teachers you would like to write your letter of recommendation. Keep in mind that you should find two teachers to write a letter on your behalf, unless otherwise stated by a specific school or program, like CUNY’s Sophie Davis Biomedical Education Program, which requires five letters of recommendation. Think about teachers who you have created a bond with and are aware of your strengths and capabilities. It is recommended that you ask a teacher in person rather through Teams Chat, or email, in an extremely polite manner; writing a letter of recommendation takes time and thought and is no easy task. Ask your teachers at the end of junior year or at the start of senior year, so they have ample time to create a well written letter. Your teachers will upload your letter from Naviance. Guidance will help students navigate through the website during senior year. Common App has a unique feature for most, if not all schools, where students can add additional recommenders besides high school teachers. Select a school, and on the left-hand side bar where it shows the specific parts of the application, you will see “Recommenders and FERPA.” Scroll down until you see “Other recommender.” Over here, all the extra recommender types that are allowed by the school will be shown (Ex. Arts Teacher, Coach, Employer, Peer, Other). Some schools allow students to choose from a lot of recommender types, while other schools may only allow some recommender types; some schools may only allow one additional letter, while others may allow up to three – this solely depends on the school itself. Then proceed to add your recommender, and Common App will send them an email where they can upload your letter. In my own experience, I have asked a peer and an employer to write me an additional letter. Asking a peer to write a letter of recommendation is beneficial in my opinion since it shows admission counselors who you are outside of school and how you resonate with people; I personally love the fact that some schools, like Dartmouth, allow the peer recommendations as it sheds light on an applicant from a different perspective. I have written a peer recommendation for a friend and had found it to be quite interesting, yet fun at the same time. Remember, if you hope to ask a peer recommendation, choose wisely! Additionally, you are unable to see your letters of recommendations and are heavily encouraged to waive your rights. This will be done in the “Recommenders and FERPA” section of each school’s application on Common App. #3 - ESSAYS For many students, writing supplemental essays along with the main essay is one of the hardest parts of a college application. AP LIT students must write a draft of their college essay over the summer as an assignment; however, English 4 students write it during the school year. When writing your essay, you want to focus solely on yourself. That does not mean that you cannot write about others in your life. Focus on a specific event in your life and how it has impacted you. Or think about something that is special to you. It’s important to take some time to think about your essay, especially since it is a reflection of you as a person to admissions counselors. Even if you do not like the first draft of your college essay, do not panic! North’s 12th grade English teachers provide some of the best outlooks and will take time to help you brainstorm ideas. From my own experience, talking with my teacher and revising it with her has made my essay extremely unique; with her coaching, I was able to transform an unlikeable first draft into an exceptional final draft. Supplemental essays for certain schools, however, are not the main focus of 12th grade English classes. The number of supplementals a student has to write depends on the colleges they choose to apply to. Some students may have more essays than others, while some students may not have as many. Although you may not have your teacher to help with these specific essays, students may feel more confident writing them after writing their personal essay. Yet, many students, like myself, still have trouble writing supplementals. This is where I recommend you begin to look for a private writing instructor. My experience with a writing instructor has been immaculate, especially since the instructor has helped me get my thoughts down on words. Preply, a website where students can find tutors, has helped me find a highly qualified instructor for a reasonable price per hour. Even though it is not necessary to have that help, it certainly will help make your essays stand out more. Not only that, but certain supplementals can be reused if essay prompts are similar to one another. Just keep in mind to fix certain sections to make it specific to the school. Always do some research about the school and include it in your essays; whether it be classes, the campus’ environment, or even clubs, showing the school that you are aware of what they offer and showing your interest in the school, which is always favorable. Finally, if you ever need help with college applications, do not hesitate to reach out to your guidance counselor, any of your teachers, or even upperclassmen who are completing their applications. College applications can be overwhelming, but don’t forget that there are people who are willing to help. All you have to do is reach out, keep on top of your deadlines, and work hard. SOURCES: SAT vs. ACT: Which Test Should I Take? - College Board Blog BACK TO TOP