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Back to Articles News Back to Sections 2024 News Recap Sahar Ali Volume 5 Issue 4 April 8, 2025 The 2024 season has finally come to an end, which many of us are glad about. But to see the effects, negative or positive, that 2024 had on people, let us look back on some of the major events that occurred around the world this year. APRIL 8TH, 2024 – The total solar eclipse covered cities in a blanket of darkness across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Solar eclipses are a rare occurrence and tend to happen in the same place every 375 years (CNN). According to CNN, the next solar eclipse will most likely occur sometime in the 2040s. About 32 million people were in the path of the solar eclipse’s totality, which allowed many to experience a once in a lifetime occurrence. SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2024 – Famous rapper, Sean “Diddy” Combs, was arrested due to charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. As time went on, allegations of sexual abuse against Combs emerged, which he continued to deny. As of December 2024, BBC claims that Combs is detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center, located in Brooklyn, New York, and has denied more than two dozen sexual assault accusations; he has entered a not guilty plea. Not only that, but Combs has been denied bail for a third time (BBC). OCTOBER 9TH, 2024 – Hurricane Milton hit Florida in the evening as a category 3 hurricane, which is described to have winds between 111-129 miles per hour that bring devastating damage according to the National Weather Service. The damage was catastrophic, leaving 24 dead according to CBS News. Additionally, the storm created widespread damage, “leaving more than 3.5 million Florida residents without power following the storm, and significant flooding throughout the state” (Surfrider Foundation). OCTOBER 16TH, 2024 – Liam Payne, a member of the English boy band One Direction, fell to his death from the third floor of an Argentinean hotel. Before his death, staff at the Casa Sur Palermo hotel in Bueno Aires called emergency services about a guest “who is overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol” and “destroying his room” (BBC). Payne’s death shows the toll stardom can take on one’s mental and physical wellbeing. Payne himself opened up about his struggles with mental health and substance abuse which helped him cope with “the heavy burden of fame” (CNN). NOVEMBER 6TH, 2024 – The results of the US presidential elections came out, showing that Republican candidate and former president Donald Trump beat Democratic candidate Kamala Harris by 86 electoral college votes. The country during this time was divided between both candidates. The election was difficult for Harris as she replaced President Biden when he stepped down for the race with only 100 days to campaign. Trump’s campaign was defined by his vision to reduce illegal immigration while Harris’s campaign focused on her mission to make abortion legal across the country. In January of 2025, Trump was sworn in as the United States’s next President. DECEMBER 4TH, 2024 – Luigi Mangione, who allegedly resented the healthcare system as he suffered from severe back pain all his life, fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. Mangione gained supporters that raised more than $100,000 and showed their animosity towards the healthcare system in the United States (ABC News). Thompson’s death ignited debates surrounding the idea of whether or not Mangione’s actions were justifiable as 49% of Americans have a negative view of the healthcare system (ABC News). SOURCES: CNN’s top 100 digital stories of 2024 | CNN Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: A Timeline of Allegations | Teen Vogue Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail for third time in New York Hurricane Milton leaves path of destruction across Florida, at least 24 dead Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale A Perfect Storm: Hurricane Milton's Impacts Across the Sunshine State AP's essential role in elections | AP News Things to know on shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO | AP News   UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting prompts questions about how to prevent copycats - ABC News   Americans are unhappy with the state of health care and insurance - ABC News   BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections A Lack of Representation By Alain Deen Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Image provided by the European Broadcasting Union For centuries, the film and media industry has faced a lack of diversity, most often due to internalized prejudice and misrepresentation among their big budget productions. This concept has become normalized in recent times to the point where seeing a talented ensemble of black performers comes as a shock to critics. These instances of discrimination stem from a long history of blatant racism in these industries becoming increasingly subtle over the years. The film and media industry are arguably the most dominant forms of storytelling, whether through captivating news stories or feature films. Therefore, it doesn’t come as a surprise that biased views are spread through these outlets, influencing audiences across the globe. For example, award-winning journalist Elizabeth Llorente argues that there is “improper and little to no representation among people of color in journalism”. The same can be said for the film industry as well. For instance, the release of Marvel’s 2018 smash hit, “Black Panther” was met with either dubious or celebratory reviews for the very fact there was a black superhero lead. Again, this is due to the normalization of excluding colored actors in major feature films. In recent decades, films have developed a stereotype for Black males, portraying them as violent, aggressive, criminal, and/or uneducated. These tropes provide a myopic view of black life, shedding a perpetually negative light. This concept translates into real life as well. African Americans have experienced exclusion, aggressive discrimination, and police brutality which continues to plague society. These stereotypes also create cynical working environments for African Americans, and not just in the film industry. Therefore, it’s necessary that the film and media industry indulge in new projects with open-mindedness, unbiased opinions, and acceptance and encouragement of diversity. In terms of future generations, audience members of all colors can see someone on the big screen that happens to look like them, and actors can see themselves getting more work. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Homecoming is Back! By Everton Prospere Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Image provided by Hudl On October 30th, Valley Stream North High School hosted its annual football homecoming game. After a year where the usual festivities were canceled due to the pandemic, VSN students and staff alike were excited to return to a sense of normalcy with the festival and game. Homecoming is typically an event and game that invites school alumni to boost school spirit. With the Homecoming Dance canceled, the administration put in place an alternative: the Homecoming Festival. With a large gathering, many activities, and an exciting football game, this year’s festival was a great success! In preparation for the game, clubs and extracurricular activities were asked to prepare a sale to raise funds while also increasing excitement for the event. The custodial staff and administrative teams arrived early in the morning in preparation for the fun of the day. In front of the overhang of the main entrance by the gym lobby, multiple tables were set up in a market-like arrangement. Volunteers from clubs began to appear on site at 10:00 am, with two hours to put together their booth’s items. At 12:00 noon, the festivities began, with parents, teachers, current and former students, and residents attending. Some activities included a potato sack race from the Students Against Destructive Decisions, in which Mrs. Rieger, Mrs. Italiano, and Ms. Parisi participated. There were also sales for fundraisers: a tumbler — an insulated beverage container — by the Class of 2023 Grade Council, and an air pod case sale by the National Junior Honor Society. At 2:00 pm, the pregame festival concluded, and the football game began. Throughout the game, fans were encouraged to purchase food at Grover’s Grub food truck. A portion of the proceedings made at the truck funded the Class of 2022 and The Spartan Club. The Valley Stream North and Lynbrook High School varsity football teams versed each other in a thrilling battle. Although the Lynbrook Owls quickly took the lead, the Spartans turned the match around with outstanding defense and superb offense. The final score was 28-21, with Valley Stream North victorious at the end. The football team attributed their victory largely due to support from the full crowd of enthusiastic fans and the comical announcing by North’s beloved AP Psychology teacher, Mr. Daddino. This festival could not have been hosted nor so successful without the support and organization from the administrative team, custodial staff, security, the Student Activities Director, Mrs. Italiano, all the club and grade advisors, and North’s Athletic Director. Despite the pandemic, Valley Stream North rallied to host an amazing homecoming, and the bad weather forecast adjusted itself for the festivities. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Chess Club At Valley Stream North Sarah Velez Volume 5 Issue 2 November 25, 2024 Image Provided by Valley Stream Central High School District Instagram Are you interested in after school activities but sports just aren’t your thing? Maybe you are competitive, but lack interest in physical activities, well look no further! Chess club provides the competitiveness you’ve been looking for while also establishing a calm and friendly environment to simply wind down and play. Mr. Lepanto, 7th and 8th grade social studies teacher here at North High School, is the advisor for chess club, and you can believe me when I say he will make your chess-playing experience worth the while! I had an opportunity to speak to Mr. Lepanto about chess club, and this is what he had to say. Why did you start chess club? Mr. Lepanto: “Kids were expressing interest in a club that is fun but are not sports and so we brainstormed chess and asked if I would do it.” What do you hope to accomplish? Mr. Lepanto: “I wanted students to have a environment where they could socialize, have fun, relax, and forget about some of the pressures they have. I’m hoping that many of them will make new friends for the club, we want them to grow as chess players because it is a game of strategy and considering your next move before you make it. I’m hoping that they will be able to play against other member of the same levels and have tournaments. Eventually, it would be great if we could play against other schools.” Did you play chess growing up? Mr. Lepanto: “Yes I did, I played chess with my uncle.” What is the atmosphere of your chess club like? Mr. Lepanto: “Very fun, a cool atmosphere actually, that’s what’s cool about it. Very fun and sometimes, intensely competitive, and there are always games between two people that just met.” Why do you think students should join? Mr. Lepanto: “They should join for the reasons mentioned before, so they can have fun, socialize, meet new people, and perhaps most importantly, disconnect from electronics.” What are some challenges you faced in starting the club? Mr. Lepanto: “There were challenges, we needed to find enough members to justify the school letting us start it. We needed to submit a proposal to the principal. Students were required to meet with her to discuss the proposal of the club and as an advisor, I was expected to run the club successfully for one year.” Who are typical members of the club and how do you attract new ones? Mr. Lepanto: “There are members of the club who have varied interests and abilities. We attract new members through the club fair and other students hear about it through members.” If you have any questions regarding Chess Club, feel free to reach out to Mr. Lepanto through Teams chat or email. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Two New North Clubs By Cody Sung Volume 2 Issue 6 April 14, 2022 Image provided by Chess.com There are now two new clubs at Valley Stream North High School. The first one is the Chess Club, run by Mr. Lepanto, one of our Social Studies teachers. The second one is The Readers, advised by Mr. Toffolo, our Library-Media Specialist. I was given the chance to speak with both about their respective clubs. First, I spoke to Mr. Lepanto. I asked him how the Chess Club was established. He said that students approached him and asked if he plays chess and if he would like to start a club. He is an outstanding chess player himself and would like to share his knowledge with students. He says that the Chess Club is for anyone, no matter what level of chess player. He also has his own commitment to the students of North, as he says he always wants to be available for his students. The club officially meets every three weeks on Mondays, but Mr. Lepanto says that “When I’m going to be at school working late on other days, they can stay in the library and play chess on their own.” He added that a lot of students were interested in the club. He was incredibly happy that there was a large amount of interest and said, “That’s stunning.” He hopes that they can play against each other competitively in tournaments and next year play against other schools. I also spoke to Mr. Toffolo and asked him about how his new club, The Readers, started. He said that it began with three students coming to him and saying that they wanted to start a book club. They also talked to Ms. Belbol, the head of the English department, and Dr. Small, the principal, about it. Both Ms. Belbol and Dr. Small informed the students that an advisor was needed, so they came to Mr. Toffolo. The club meets every other Friday. While The Readers is initially meant for the upper grades, he is looking forward to starting a junior high book club. The junior high book club would occur every other week as well, alternating with The Readers. Mr. Toffolo said that “Right now, our important thing is we are trying to find a good first book for us to read.” With that book, he plans to do things a little bit differently compared to a regular book club or an English class. He says that in a regular English class, you get to read, but “to study it, and not necessarily for pleasure.” Students seem to enjoy that idea. The club had many interested students at its first meeting according to Mr. Toffolo. He is hoping to have a steady member count, enough to become an official club. These two clubs have a very promising outlook and will hopefully do very well in the future. If you are interested in joining the Chess Club, please contact Mr. Lepanto at lepantob@vschsd.org . If you are interested in joining The Readers, please contact Mr. Toffolo at toffoloc@vschsd.org . BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Deodorant: A History of Scents, Smells and Why You Should Use It! Giancarlo Oliveri Volume 4 Issue 4 May 29, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching Disclaimer: If you wear deodorant this does not apply to you, but you are more than welcome to read along! Good morning, Spartans! It is the dawn of a new school year! New classes, new teachers, new friends, and new weather patterns thanks to global warming! Undeniably, this building feels a lot warmer, causing many to sweat, perspire, and swelter, with interesting scents to come about. A sure-fire way to prevent certain odors is deodorant . The colorful history of deodorant dates back to the Ancient Egyptian civilization, where they incorporated oils, fruit, or even aluminum crystals (ouch!) as antiperspirants, effectively masking the stench stemming from the boiling Sun that still wreaks havoc on our building (Oars and Alps, 2013). Similarly, the Ancient Greeks incorporated natural techniques to smell pleasant, bathing regularly in baths scented with fragrant and aromatic oils, even spraying incense in the air (Oars and Alps, 2013). Following their innovation, the wealthiest of upper classes across numerous civilizations such as the Yuan, Ming, or Qing dynasties of Classical China, the Classical Mexica, Aztec, or Incans of South America, or popularly, Marie Antionette and the rest of the Versailles Third Estate in the late 1700s, used deodorant, most typically, in the form of perfume, typically, floral scented. However, contemporary deodorants similar to the ones used today rose to popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, developed and patented by Edna Murphey in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, titled “Mum” (Humble Brands, 2023). Originally, a waxy cream, the packaging differed from modern sticks of deodorant, arriving in a metal tin, and containing zinc, later evolved to contain antiperspirant ingredients such as aluminum compounds to control sweat and odor, connecting back all the way to the Ancient Egyptians (Humble Brands, 2023)! Now with this history lesson adjourned, I beg the question, do you want their work to go to waste? The Egyptians who pounded aluminum into crystals, the Ancient Aztecs who pulverized flowers into fragrances, and most recently, the incomparable Edna Murphey, who revolutionized how Americans would smell for years to come. Do you want their work to be all for nothing? Why neglect decades, even centuries, of human evolution and innovation? It used to be a privilege to smell pleasant, and now, you have the absolute, undeniable, and unbeatable right to every historical figure, and every person in this school to mask the musk! If you want to benefit the rest of humankind, do me, the rest of the student body, and the rest of the human body a favor, and wear deodorant. A Brief History of Deodorant – Humble Brands When Was Deodorant Invented and Why? | Oars + Alps ( oarsandalps.com ) BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Marvel’s Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: Cultural Identity Done Right By Alain Deen Volume 2 Issue 1 October 8, 2021 Image provided by Marvel Watching Marvel’s “Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” was both a refreshing and vivid experience. It is a film that dives deep into the roots of Asian American culture, as well as Chinese culture in general. Interestingly enough, I am not a Marvel fan. I know of many Marvel characters, their abilities, and general story lines. However, I classify myself as an average viewer looking only for the occasional Marvel entertainment. This is exactly what the film provided for my friends and me. It serves as an origin story, making the film rather easy to follow. On top of that, I grew attached to the characters with ease. In my book, that is the pinnacle of a great film. A film with intricate fight scenes, themes of familial strife, and a stunning performance by Awkwafina (who played Katy), Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings offers most attributes I look for in an origin story. The film follows Shang-Chi, who also goes by Shaun (Simu Liu), who resides in what is now present-day San Francisco with his friend Katy. While living a rather normal life, Shang-Chi is later forced to face the ramifications of his past. An epic journey ensues, during which we discover more and more about the origins of Shang-Chi as a character. Additionally, we are introduced to a wide range of characters on this epic journey, such as Shang-Chi’s sister Xialing, as well as the loveable Trevor Slattery and his Dijiang pet Morris. The film also has cinematography way ahead of its time. If I were to have a tier list of the best fight sequences of all time, the bus rodeo in this film would be up there. If there was one word to describe it: herculean. Let’s talk culture. I thought this film portrayed Asian American and Chinese culture beautifully. The subtle themes of familial bonding, accompanied with language, love, and sacrifice make the film all the better. On another note, the film was the first to have an entire Asian cast, making it revolutionary in its own sense. Not only that, but it is also the first Marvel film to contain an Asian lead. Because of this, the film has a wider appeal, which allows it to be a box-office bonanza. It has made $364.3 million at the box office so far. Overall, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” proves to be a cinematic masterpiece. I highly recommend it. It really is a beautiful showcase of Asian culture, and I am sure that there will be more greatness to come. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Five Nights at Freddy's Security Breach By Augustine Magapan Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Steam It has been two years since Scott Cawthon, an American video game developer and writer, created a new game. He is also well known for his Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise. To those who are unfamiliar with the franchise, Five Nights at Freddy’s is a popular horror game that revolves around players monitoring robotic animals known as animatronics until a certain time, specifically from 12AM to 6AM. Although typically most Five Nights at Freddy’s games are about watching animatronics, Scott Cawthon released a new video game that is unlike the rest. Before getting into the actual details of the game, it is reasonable to look at the past of Scott Cawthon. On July 24th, 2014, he released a small project called Five Nights at Freddy’s which was only allowed to be played on the computer before it was on other platforms. Going back to the horror game franchise that revolves around the players monitoring animatronics in a pizza place, players play as a guard working a night shift. While monitoring the animatronics until 6AM, it should be noted that the animatronics are alive and move around in the premise during that time frame. There are four main animatronics: Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy. The group wishes to murder the security guards and stuff them into animatronic suits. This transforms the game to instead of players focused on the animatronics, they transition to monitoring their own lives until 6AM. The only issue that players must focus on while monitoring themselves and the animatronics is the limited power accessed. The players are allowed to utilize the electrical power to shut doors and turn lights on and off to protect themselves from the animatronics. If either the players fail to monitor the animatronics from coming into the security room, or if all power is drained, an animatronic will pop up on the screen and frighten them. This is known as a jump scare, which implies the players lost…and the security guard is stuffed in a suit. For the next four to five games, the franchise revolved around the same gameplay, but with new environments, characters, and actions implemented. The small project became a whole franchise over the years, leading to Scott Cawthon’s success. Moving forward to late 2021, about 7 years from the first game, Scott Cawthon released a new game called, “Five Nights at Freddy’s: Security Breach.” This game is different compared to the other games that Scott Cawthon developed. The idea still revolves around winning by reaching 6AM; however, instead of playing as a security guard monitoring the animatronics, players play a child called, Gregory. Gregory was not able to leave the pizza place before it closes for the night causing him to be trapped; fortunately, Freddy, who is not an evil animatronic, assists Gregory with his escape from the pizza place. Instead of the game revolving around being stuck in one place, players are able to move freely around the enormous pizza place. While completing the goal of escaping the pizza complex, the other animatronics are on the lookout for finding Gregory. Not only the animatronics are looking for him, but also a security guard; therefore, players are able to utilize hiding spots in order to not be seen by any of them. Old and new ideas were implemented in the game such as new jump scares, old and new characters, and actions (closing and opening doors, using power). One gimmick that has surprised players was that Gregory is allowed to go inside Freddy. Instead of being stuffed into him, Gregory is allowed to utilize Freddy to obtain access to other parts of the pizza place and hide from other animatronics. Today, Scott Cawthon’s Five Nights at Freddy’s franchise has impacted many people. It is astonishing how a small project that was developed years ago led to big ideas. It has peaked multiple times, for famous YouTubers streamed his games in the past and present. While Scott Cawthon developed his games, he left easter eggs, or clues and secrets inside video games, for the players who wanted more than just winning. This led to an abundance of theories and analysis on websites and articles. People were able to put the pieces together where it is not only a game, but also a story. The whole entire franchise is connected to a singular timeline leading up to Security Breach. Additionally, Scott Cawthon has a giant fanbase where some people draw their own characters, speculate about animatronics getting romantically together, making music of their own parodies of the games, and posting a lot on social media platforms like TikTok. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections Lexi Sowerby - Prism By Lexi Sowerby November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Depop: How I Made over $200 by Cleaning my Room By Olivia Neuner Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Image provided by Alixe Wiley from the Philadelphia Magazine Have you ever stumbled across a YouTube video or Tiktok listing easy ways for teens to earn some extra cash? If so, you have probably heard the vague suggestion to “sell your old junk online!” Although this may seem like an outlandish task, selling your preowned (or as the thrift community says, “preloved”) items can be a fun and useful way to spend your free time. A few years ago, a good friend of mine told me about how she sold a bunch of her old clothes on a new app called Depop, which is like a trendy Ebay for teens. I was fascinated because I didn’t think people wanted stuff from a teen’s closet, let alone wanted to pay for it. Hesitant, I downloaded the app and checked out her page; I was shocked to see that she had sold over 20 items! Impressed, yet very busy with my million after school clubs, her success sat in my mind for about 1 ½ years. Then quarantine hit. I was longing for a purpose (other than sitting on the couch, chocolate in hand, and binge-watching Parks and Rec ). That’s when I decided to redo by room, and subsequently find a new home for some of my old items. The first few weeks of running my account was intimidating. I spent hours sorting through my closet and drawers for inventory, creating listings, and designing my store. Weeks went by and I was disappointed to see only a few measly likes; I felt like giving up but figured it didn’t hurt to keep trying for a final week. A few days later, I was shocked to see that I had sold one of my extra Broadway Playbills! One of my friends surprised me, and I was so thankful she was my first customer, especially since I didn’t think my Playbills would sell. The next day, I sold another Playbill, and the next day 2 more! From there, I’ve averaged about 1-2 sales per week, leaving me with 30 total sales and over $250 in earnings. If you are interested, I would love to share a few tips that helped me reach this success. Update your listings - In the height of this venture, I was updating every listing 1-2 times a day. This was around the same time I was averaging 3 sales a week. The more often you update, the more likely you are to have your items recommended to potential buyers. Learn how to use hashtags - This is outlined on the Depop help section, but it can be confusing if you don’t know where to start. Just like on Instagram, hashtags put you in specific section pertaining to your item. Using a mix of specific and basic hashtags can get you the most exposure, since the basics will give you a range (but you will be flooded by other listings) and the specifics will fit a niche (but will have fewer hashtag followers). List EVERYTHING (Even if you think it’s weird!) - You would be surprised by the amount of seemingly stupid junk I have sold - like the Playbills I mentioned earlier. As a musical nerd, I always grab the extra playbills left on chairs when I go to shows; sometimes I give them to friends, and sometimes I put them in a drawer. The majority of my sales have been from these! I also sold a rock/gem kit that I got as a kid for $50! I’m no geologist so I don’t know if I undersold, but at the same time I don’t care since I needed the closet space. Take good pictures- This one is self-explanatory- have good lighting, make a nice background, etc. BE YOU!- A lot of buyers value personality when making a purchase. If you don’t seem excited about your items, who will be? Have fun with your descriptions and make sure to include some fun facts or tidbits (ex: I wore this dress to my junior homecoming!) Hope you enjoyed and were able to learn a bit more about online sales! And if you would like to check me out or chat with me for more tips, my Depop account is @oliviaanalee 😊 BACK TO TOP