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Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Jaba By Luiginna Frederique March 28, 2022 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 5

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Results: 2020 Exit Polls By Everton Prospere Volume 1 Issue 2 November 24, 2020 Image provided by Ben Kirchner With the 2020 presidential election concluded, exit polls in all states continue to be reviewed. Exit polls are conducted directly after voters cast their ballots that give a more detailed report to the demographics of a region. The 2020 exit polls specifically provide an important outlook to the difference between the 2016 and 2020 presidential election. It is important to note that this election has shown record voter turnout, with the most votes cast in over a century. According to NBC news, more than 150 million voters cast ballots. Due to the drastic change in voter turnout (in comparison, only 138 million Americans voted in the 2016 presidential election), the exit polls changed as well. In the 18-29 age group, the presumed President-elect Joe Biden gained five percent more votes in comparison to the 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, as stated by CNN. Furthermore, CNN reports that President Donald Trump lost the support of older voters aged 45-64 years of age by seven percent. While Democratic nominee Joe Biden performed stronger in the age category in comparison to the 2016 democratic nominee, he underperformed among Black voters. According to CBC news, Trump gained five percent more of the Black vote while Biden lost two percent of the Black vote when comparing the 2016 and 2020 election results. However, Biden still won the Black vote nationwide by a large margin. As reported by NBC news, although nationally most Latinos voted for Biden, President Trump continued to strengthen his Latino vote in battle ground states such as Florida. The 55% of the Cuban American vote, 30% of the Puerto Rican vote, and 48% of other Latinos that voted for the President largely impacted the rest of the state. For example, in the largest county by population in Florida, Miami-Dade, the President improved his total vote from 334,000 votes to 529,000. In comparison, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won 624,000 votes, while the presumed President-elect Joe Biden only won 613,000, a decrease in votes. Although Trump lost in Miami-Dade County, he won enough votes elsewhere in Florida to win the state. As stated by Jennifer De Pinto and Fred Backus of CBS news, “Florida Latinos said Mr. Trump would do a better job than Biden handling the economy”. Therefore, the economy played a major factor to the gains the president made in the Latino community. Although media outlets continue to study and report exit polls, the data clearly show a divided nation. As former President Barack Obama stated in reference to the election results, “What it says is that we are deeply divided. The power of the alternative worldview that’s presented in the media that those voters consume -- it carries a lot of weight”. With record-breaking voter turnout and a tight election, Americans continue to be divided on politics. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Echoes of You Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 5 Issue 2 November 25, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching In quiet moments, shadows cast, A laughter echoes from the past. Cousin, friend, with spirit bright, Now lost to us, like stars at night. Memories linger, bittersweet, In every smile, in every heartbeat. The games we played, the dreams we shared, In every corner, your spirit’s bared. Time moves on, yet still I stand, With heavy heart and empty hand. Your voice, a melody in the breeze, A whispered comfort, a gentle tease. Though distance stretches, love remains, A bond that time can’t break or change. In every tear and every sigh, You live within me, never goodbye. So here I hold your memory dear, In every moment, you are near. Though we must part, this truth holds fast: Love knows no end; it ever lasts. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections The Story of Wordle By Cody Sung Volume 2 Issue 5 March 28, 2022 Original screenshot by Cody Sung Have you heard of an online game called Wordle? Wordle is a word game, released less than half a year ago, and yet has captivated millions of players. How did it do it? How did it get to this point, and what are the factors in the story of how a simple game became an international hit? Josh Wardle has had a bit of history with making things for the Internet to enjoy. For example, he created The Button in 2015 and Place in 2017. With this experience, he decided to create Wordle just for his girlfriend Palak Shah, who loves word games. Without her, the game wouldn’t be the same. She helped create the word list by sorting through over 12,000 words and determining if she knew them or not. The two played it for months. Seeing success with his girlfriend, Wardle introduced it to his family’s WhatsApp group. The game quickly became an obsession with them. Wardle, after seeing the success with both his girlfriend and his family, released it to the public in October 2021. The climb was swift. On November 1, 90 people played it. Not at all bad for a game originally made for two. However, two months later, over 2 million people played it, over a 22,000% rise. The game grew so big that Wardle was overwhelmed by its success, saying that he feels “a sense of responsibility for the players” and that it is his responsibility to keep the game operational. There are a few reasons why Wordle ended up becoming extremely popular. Firstly, Wordle, unlike many other online games, doesn't want your money. It has no paywall that blocks the game, nor does it have any ads, making it simple and uncluttered. Secondly, there is only one word per day. According to Wardle, this makes players hungry for more, and so a lot of them come back tomorrow. Lastly, and the factor that contributed most to the sudden rise of Wordle, would be the result-sharing feature added in December. Wardle, inspired by players sharing their results using green, yellow, and black emojis, created an automated system to share results without spoiling the answer for anyone else. After the feature was added, the game exploded in popularity. On January 31, 2022, the New York Times bought Wordle for a price in the “low-seven figures”. In its announcement they indicated that the game would remain free. However, concerns arose, as they have a paywall for its games already, and since Wordle was now owned by the New York Times, they may put Wordle behind that paywall. This caused people to download the webpage of Wordle to prevent the paywall from affecting them. While the New York Times has not implemented a paywall (as of the time of writing), it has made some changes to the game. One of the changes made by them was moving the game to a new URL. The old URL did not include nytimes.com, instead using powerlanguage.co.uk, which was a domain that was not designed to go viral. A side effect of that move was that although the New York Times said that data would transfer over, streaks were reset. However, it was more or less resolved a day afterwards. There were other changes made by the New York Times too. The title of the game has been changed from a Helvetica font to the signature font of the New York Times to match their other games. Another change was that there is now a menu to the left of the help symbol, leading to more New York Times products. These changes do not affect gameplay, as they are mostly cosmetics. However, there are changes that affect the gameplay itself. One change affected what words were allowed to be entered into the game, as the New York Times stopped players from using certain words. If someone tries to use them, the message “Not in the word list” shows. The other change affects the list of words used to determine the answers to Wordle, as the New York Times has removed answers that it has called “insensitive”. While that may not seem like an issue at first, this causes the New York Times version of the game to be out of sync with the original, affecting score-sharing with the few people that still can and do play on the original list. Wordle’s success has sparked a rise of games similar to it. Some have a unique twist on the concept. Take Absurdle as an example. Absurdle tries to prevent you from winning, even changing the answer in some cases. Others have tried to copy the game on Apple’s App Store. However, Apple did remove the copycats. Like everything else, Wordle has a story. It rose from obscurity to becoming a hit on the Internet to becoming a product offered by the New York Times. Thanks to its unique features and clean design, it will become more and more popular, unless the New York Times puts it behind a paywall. For now, though, Wordle will be enjoyed by millions for free. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Holiday Sweets By Christina Ossa Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Original photography by Christina Ossa As we continue settling into the New Year, it’s always a good idea to reflect on what made our year and the passing holiday season special. Holiday desserts are a pinnacle of Christmas for me since I bake many different desserts during every winter break for my family to enjoy. Even during a more underwhelming Christmas season (in my opinion at least), I looked forward to baking different varieties of holiday-themed cookies as well as pies and other desserts. Here, I’ll share a couple of my favorite recipes you can enjoy either in passing for the rest of this cold winter season. While these recipes are perfect for the holidays, you could also cook them on a rather cold winter day, or at your leisure when you’re in the mood for something sweet! Linzer Cookies: This recipe is one of, if not my favorite cookie recipes since you’d never be able to imagine the perfect combination sweet raspberry jam creates when spread atop a buttery Linzer cookie, sandwiched perfectly between another Linzer cookie. Also referred to as a Linzer Tart, this cookie is made with two components: 2 powdered sugar-coated cookies to be sandwiched atop of each other, holding a homemade raspberry jam in the middle. The cookie itself is almost like a sandwich, its size perfect for one-serving but that slight acidity from the lemons to the raspberry jam offsets the more sweet and rich flavor the cookie itself holds. This variation of Linzer tarts contains poppy seeds which set it apart from many other Linzer cookie recipes, which I find is a beautiful touch to the cookie. When you first bite into it, the cookie is buttery and soft, almost melting in your mouth, and the addition of poppy seeds gives the cookie an extra crunch that isn’t particularly necessary but adds to the overall flavor profile of the cookie. The dough lasts up to 2 weeks when kept in the refrigerator, and can even last 1-2 months if you choose to freeze it, making it a perfect cookie to make in passing for whenever you have a craving for something sweet. Linzer cookies are a perfect, less-complicated treat to enjoy and share with your family during the holidays, and you could even make for your friends to give them a small gift to show your appreciation for them if you can’t think of any gifts to give to them. Ingredients: Raspberry Jam : -2 cups (or 1 large package/2 small packages) raspberries -½ cup sugar -1 tsp lemon juice -3 tsp lemon zest Cookie Dough : -1 cup flour (possibly more needed for kneading) -1 cup almond flour -½ cup + 2 tbsp (1 stick and ¼ stick) butter -½ cup sugar -Pinch of salt -1 egg -½ tsp lemon zest -1 tsp vanilla extract -4 tsp poppy seeds Directions: Raspberry Jam : -Take the raspberries and wash in a colander (wash your fruit before baking anytime attempting a recipe!) -Grab a medium-sized saucepan and add the raspberries, sugar, lemon juice and zest to the pot -Simmer the jam for about 30-45 minutes on medium-low, stirring very occasionally and tilting the top of the pan to ensure heat releases from it (the jam will overflow if the pot is completely covered) -When the jam is finished (it should be a blood-red type color that sticks to a spoon and is slightly syrupy), transfer it to a glass container and have it chill for 5-10 hours Cookies : -Pre-heat your oven to 350°F -Once the jam is done, grab a small to medium bowl and whisk; add the almond and AP (all-purpose) flour to the sift atop the bowl and carefully sift in the flours; once combined and finely sifted, set aside -In a large bowl, add the butter and sugar and begin to whisk them together until they’re completely combined -Once combined add the salt and egg, thoroughly whisking the mixture until combined again -Add the lemon zest by zesting a lemon with a lemon zester over the mixture, and after add the vanilla extract -After the wet ingredients are combined, add the flours to the mixture and fold them in with a spatula; after the flour comes together with the wet ingredients, mix the poppy seeds in with a spatula -Once the dough is completely combined, scrap the dough (which should be slightly thick but also a bit runny) onto enough plastic wrap to cover the dough; after you’ve gathered the dough into the plastic wrap, place it in the fridge to cool for 1-4 hours, overnight, or place it to freeze (if you’d like to preserve the dough for a later time) in your freezer -Once the dough is chilled, unwrap it and spread flour across a countertop or flat surface large enough to roll out the dough; begin to roll out the dough with a rolling pin to ¼ of an inch thickness -After the dough is rolled out, take a cookie cutter and begin forming cookie shapes, placing them aside from the dough as you go (take them out from the dough so nothing smushes together, I recommend forming them at the ends of the dough and work toward the middle/top) -Once you’ve formed your cookies, grease at least two baking sheets and place parchment paper atop them; after placing the parchment, put your cookies on top and spread them out equally so they have enough space to bake without one cookie baking into the other -Next, if you want the classic Linzer tart look with a hole in the middle of the top cookie, make a small hole with a smaller cookie cutter (I use the hole end of a large icing tip) in the middle of half the number of cookies you’ve formed -Once completely formed and cut to desired shape, chill the cookies in the freezer for at least 10-15 minutes; after chilling, place the baking sheets in the oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes (you’ll know they’re done once the cookies begin to brown on their surface); store the cookies away if the jam is still not finished chilling -After your jam is done chilling and your cookies are cooled, place a generous teaspoon (use a small spoon) of jam onto non-hole-cookies (the ones that don’t have the holes in the middle) and top them with the holed-cookies -Once you’ve finished spooning the jam and constructing the cookies, set a display (optional) and enjoy! Blueberry Pie: Pie is another holiday classic dessert, as many families across the world enjoy many different varieties and flavors of pie. Each year, I make this recipe for my family and myself, and each year it’s always gone in only a matter of days - even hours if my extended family is over. This pie highlights the tartness of blueberries yet that same tartness is offset by the sweetness that’s brought out of the blueberries once the pie is left to cool. This pie contains a beautifully rich and sweet blueberry filling, mixing components like acidity from lemons and accentuating the sweetness that’s hidden in blueberries with sugar and spices. It also has a buttery crust that melts in the mouth, the same crust from one of my other pie recipes ( Fresh Pumpkin Pie vs. Canned Pumpkin Pie: Is it Worth the Time? ) which only adds to and supports the sweet and sour blueberry pie filling. It’s almost like combining a sugar cookie base with blueberry jam, and in theory that sounds very sweet, but when the acidity and spice level is controlled it amounts to a perfect combination of both sugar and tart flavors that mesh beautifully on the tongue. This pie recipe is a dish any family member would be ecstatic to try when it’s placed out on the dinner table or with the other desserts many others brought. The crust is beautifully browned, and the blueberry filling is perfectly set once the pie cools, creating an elegant display of blueberry pie. So, if you enjoy pie and sweets that are not too sweet and just a little tart, then you and your family or even friends will surely enjoy this recipe. Ingredients: Filling : -¾ cup sugar -¼ cup cornstarch -1 tsp vanilla extract - ½ tsp cinnamon -¼ tsp allspice -2 pinches of salt -Zest of 1 Lemon -Half a lemon, juiced -2 lbs blueberries -1 egg whisked (for brushing) -2 tbsp butter -Cane sugar (dusting) Pie Crust : -2 cups all-purpose flour (more needed for kneading) -2 tbsp granulated sugar -Pinch (about ½ tsp) kosher/fine salt -1 ½ egg yolks -4 tbsp ice water Directions: Crust : -First add the dry ingredients, whisking the flour, sugar, and salt together -Make sure your butter is COLD or frozen and chop it into cubes -Combine the butter with your dry mixture and rub the butter into your flour mixture with your fingertips (the coldest part of your hand) -Once combined, pour about a tablespoon at a time into your dough and combine it with a fork until it forms clumps in your hand when you squeeze a piece of the dough -Turn this mixture into a ball and put saran wrap over it and let it chill for 2-3 hours (or until hardened) -Once hardened, flour a counter/surface and a rolling pin, cut the dough in half (you’ll need half the dough for the base and half for the top), and roll out your dough to ¼ in thick -Lightly fold your dough over 4 times and place the tip, lined in the middle of your pie pan -Unfold the dough and make sure it’s lined up with the pie pan correctly -Optional: once lined up, make a design of your choice for the edges of the pie shell -Once done, put in the fridge to chill until your filling is ready OR -Use a pre-bought pie shell (you’ll need the one you roll out though, I recommend Pillsbury pie crusts) Filling : -Grab the blueberries and wash in a colander (wash your fruit before baking/cooking anytime attempting a recipe!); once washed, add the blueberries to a large bowl -To the bowl, add the sugar, cornstarch, salt, spices, and vanilla extract -Zest and juice the lemon as necessary, combine all ingredients with a rubber spatula -Grab your chilled, lined dough add the blueberries inside -Preheat oven to 350°F Preparation of the Pie : -Once the filling is evenly spread across the pie, roll out the other half of the dough and begin slicing into even, long, horizontal, medium-sized slices -Take each slice and carefully lay it onto the top of the pie, place the horizontal (or vertical) ones first if you’d like to crochet the top of the pie -(Option 1: Crocheted): Once the vertical/horizontal pieces are placed, one by one place the opposing pieces along the top of the pie -Act as if you are braiding the pie, crocheting the strip over one part of the opposing slice then putting it under the next one; continue this process for each slice, if you need further clarification look up Pie Braiding/Latticing on YouTube (it’s hard to explain the technique when you see it it’s easier to figure it out) -(Option 2: Non-Crocheted): Once the vertical/horizontal pieces are placed, drape the opposing pieces atop the vertical/horizontal pieces, making sure they are evenly spaced -Once you have the top of your pie situated and covered, place the pie pan atop a baking sheet to prevent overflow staining your oven -After placing the pie on a baking sheet, whisk 1-2 eggs, grab a pastry brush or spoon, and spread with your hands the egg wash onto the edges and top of the pie shell; sprinkle cane sugar (optional but tastes very good and adds to the flavor of the crust) atop the pie shell -Put the pie in the oven for 20-25 minutes until you notice the edges of the pie beginning to brown, take it out and place onto the stove; take either silicone pie crust shields or aluminum foil and wrap it around the edges of the pie (carefully, though, you don’t want to burn yourself!) -Once the shields/aluminum foil is wrapped around the edges, egg wash the top of the pie again and add another light dusting of cane sugar (the cane sugar part is optional) -Place the pie back in the oven for another 25-30 minutes, or until you notice the pie crust has browned in the middle and the filling is bubbling -Once you see the pie is done, remove it from the oven, allow to cool for 1 to 1 ½ hour (allows the filling to set and enhances the sugars in the blueberries), and enjoy! If you enjoy desserts during the holidays and overall during the wintertime as much as I do, these two recipes would be perfect to attempt if you have a craving for something both sweet and tart. The holidays are a time for giving and sharing, and though they may have passed, it’s never too early to start thinking about the next holiday season and how you would like to give back to those whom you care about. Even as a late holiday gift, these cookies or even a slice or whole pie would be a perfect late gift that no one would mind (and would even be happy about) receiving. So, though these two recipes are time-consuming and may not be for everyone, these desserts are delicious and if you’re looking to give late holiday gifts would be perfect to give to a family member or friend! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Behind the Rallies: Your 2025 Girls’ Badminton Team Rehmat Kaur Volume 5 Issue 5 July 5, 2025 Image Provided By Coach Croce In this article, through Q&As and team surveys, we’ve uncovered the perfect superlatives for our players, managers, and Coach C. Everyone on this team were incredibly kind, talented, and full of personality—and I felt genuinely lucky to be part of such an amazing group. Meet the Team: Players : Singles: Rehmat Kaur Melanie Cevada Iman Ali Doubles: Richmia Erisnor & Marcia Salinas Melany Orozco & Maura Lavigne Baconaje Navrose Kudlas & Sahar Ali Leigha LaJoie & Angelina Gonzalez Exabition Players: Mariana Gomez, Alianiz Visnay, Destiny McNulty, Garima Rana Magar, Makhila Crosley, Lia Federique, Madison Mohan, and Jasreen Kaur Managers : Afaf Aswad, Ariana Hack, and Thailyn Cruz Coach : Coach Croce Team Superlatives Who’s most likely to be caught dancing during warm-ups? Top Pick : Richmia Erisnor “She’s always dancing to the Badminton playlist” Honorable Mentions: (Rehmat, Marcia) Who would win if badminton matches were based on vibes alone?  Top Pick : Marcia Salinas “She’s so chill and fun to be around with” Honorable Mentions: (Melanie C., Iman) Who has the best game-day energy (in their zone, hyping others, etc.)?  Top Pick : Navrosedip Kundlas “Her energy is amazing!” Honorable Mentions: (Sahar, Destiny) Who’s most likely to make the team laugh when everyone’s tired?  Top Pick : Iman Ali “She is naturally a funny person with her bubbly personality” Honorable Mentions: (Angelina, Richmia) Who gives the best pep talks? Top Pick: Rehmat Kaur “She is always encouraging and plays her captain role very well” Honorable Mentions: (Coach C, Navrose) Who’s the loudest on court? Top Pick: Leigha LaJoie “She’s very energetic on court and is always up to something” Honorable Mentions: (Garima, Lia F) Who’s got the best "game face"—never letting anyone know if they’re nervous? Top Pick: Melanie Cevada “She displays her confidence and always looks super focused” Honorable Mentions: (Rehmat, Maura) Who’s the glue of the team—the one who holds everyone together? Top Pick: Coach Croce “She’s the backbone of the team and promotes unity among team players” “WE LOVE HER!” “The Best Coach” “So supportive” Honorable Mentions: (Rehmat, Navrosedip) Who’s quietly consistent—the one you always know you can count on? Top Pick: Maura Lavigne Baconaje “She is both consistent and encouraging and someone everyone can count on” Honorable Mentions: (Mariana, Sahar) Who’s the most underrated hero on the team? Top Pick: Ariana Hack “She’s always there when we need her and cheers us throughout our matches” Honorable Mentions: (Maura, Iman) Who do you think deserves a surprise award for just being awesome? Top Pick: Coach Croce "No words can describe how awesome she is” Honorable Mentions: (Jasreen, Makhila, Madison) “They are great underclassmen student-athletes. They are all very nice and show great potential.” Manager Spotlights Who’s most likely to say something completely unhinged but somehow still makes sense? Top Pick: Ariana Hack “ Always the one who says things out of pocket but at the end of the day she gets her point across.” “ARIANA WHAT R U DOING HERE???” “Everyone tells me I’m unhinged. And it’s true.” - A.H. Who’s the behind-the-scenes boss—quiet but always has everything under control? Top Pick: Thailyn Cruz “ Quiet queen who slays every day. She’s always at practice as well and is the reason why we slay so much as a team” “She manages to do everything.” “She is very consistent, and you can always have a good chat with her” Who’s the team’s voice of reason—calm, thoughtful, and always there when you need them? Top Pick: Afaf Aswad “THE SWEETEST. Always has some good advice” “She’s so thoughtful and soft spoken which makes it so easy to talk to her or have her cheer you up.” “She's always thoughtful through her actions and towards others.” Coach’s Corner: A quick Q&A and interview with Coach Croce: Intro: “My name is Miss Croce, and I am the Girls' Varsity Badminton Coach here at Valley Stream North. This is my third season coaching badminton and it has been a great experience. Badminton is a great sport for all; anyone can pick up a racket and have fun!” Who’s the most improved player this season (or someone who surprised you)? “ Most improved player is Iman Ali. She moved up to being a singles player this season.” Who makes you laugh during practice? “ Who makes me laugh is my whole team in their own ways.” Who’s the most focused under pressure? “The most focused under pressure is my first singles player Rehmat Kaur” What’s one thing this team does that makes you proud every single time? “ What makes me proud of my team is their kindness, positive attitudes and overall presence they bring to our matches and practices, this is a great group of girls.” If you had to give the team a collective nickname, what would it be? “The collective nickname for the team would be smiles.” I had so much fun every step of the way putting this together. For a lot of us, this was our last year on the team, and it meant even more to be able to grow together and build on everything we accomplished last season. We made history this year — the first-ever Girls' Badminton team at North to win the championship. From the very beginning, everyone showed up and gave it their all. We turned tough losses into wins, pushed through every challenge, and it all paid off in the best possible way. It really was the perfect ending to this chapter — the kind of ending we all hoped for. I’m going to miss this group so much. Everyone brought something different to the team, and somehow, all those different personalities just clicked. We made so many memories together that I’ll never forget. Thank you — for the moments that became memories, for the people who became family, and for being part of something I’ll carry with me, always. BACK TO TOP

ABOUT US Welcome to North Star, Valley Stream North High School's Student News Magazine, and POLARIS, North's Literary Magazine! Whether you want to read about your specific interests or browse the work of talented students, we have something for everyone. Any suggestions are welcome and should be emailed to northstarmag20@gmail.com . Happy reading! AWARDS 3RD PLACE BEST LAYOUT ADELPHI QUILL AWARDS 2021 1ST PLACE BEST VISUAL ADELPHI QUILL AWARDS 2022 2ND PLACE BEST OPINION PIECE ADELPHI QUILL AWARDS 2022 3RD PLACE BEST NEWS ARTICLE ADELPHI QUILL AWARDS 2022 HONORABLE MENTION BEST LAYOUT ADELPHI QUILL AWARDS 2024 3RD PLACE BEST VISUAL ADELPHI QUILL AWARDS 2024 HONORABLE MENTION BEST FEATURE ADELPHI QUILL AWARDS 2025 MEET THE EDITORS Read More Noa Cordova She/Her/Hers EDITOR IN CHIEF cordovan01@vschsd.org Hello North Students! My name is Noa Cordova, and besides writing, I have a passion for languages, traveling, learning, and getting to know others. Apart from North Star, I am an active member of several clubs including STOP, SPO, and SADD. As Editorial section leader, I write articles on current world and school events. If you are interested in keeping up with significant topics in society or our school community, check out the Editorial section! Everyone should have their voice heard, so feel free to share your ideas and write for the Editorial section. Read More Elaine Ching She/Her/Hers LEAD LAYOUT & SOCIAL MEDIA DESIGNER, ART SECTION EDITOR chinge@vschsd.org Hi readers! I'm Elaine Ching, but you can call me Laney. I'm the Social Media Designer, Lead Layout Designer, and Art Section Editor. I make and post flyers and promotions for new articles and issues on the North Star Instagram, @vsnorthstarmag. Along with this I organize the North Star and Polaris website. I also do illustrations, recipes, and some creative writing. Outside of North Star you can find me drawing, painting, doing some variation of music or art, reading, and being in clubs like the Culture Society and Art Club. Read More Isabel Barrett She/Her/Hers FEATURE SECTION EDITOR barreti@vschsd.org Hi! I’m Isabel Barrett, the editor for the Featured section of North Star. If you enjoy human interest stories, then the Featured section is for you! Besides writing, I also enjoy art, playing video games, and making websites, and I’m part of the Tri-M Honor Society and Drama Club. I look forward to sharing fun and interesting stories with our community this year! Read More Sahar Ali She/Her/Hers NEWS SECTION EDITOR alis02@vschsd.org Hey guys! My name is Sahar Ali and I’m editor for the news section. You can see that my articles range from political news to current world events, and you may occasionally find me in the feature section too. Along with writing articles, I do winter track and badminton in the spring. I can’t wait to read all your submissions and if you ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to send me an email anytime! Read More Leah Ally She/Her/Hers MANAGING EDITOR allyl3497@vschsd.org Hi! I‘m Leah Ally, the managing editor of North Star. I enjoy writing about sports and current events. Outside of North Star, I’m apart of various clubs and sports such as, basketball and softball. Feel free to contact me with any questions through my VSN email and I look forward to working with you all! Read More Marco Alvarez He/Him/His LAYOUT TEAM & SPREADSHEET MANAGER alvarezm02@vschsd.org Hello all! I am part of the Layout Team and I manage the spreadsheet for the North Star and Polaris Magazine. My goal is to help publish the works of your fellow students. You may have seen me around in other activities or classes, so know that I keep your interests in mind when I meet with other members and editors. I look forward to sharing your work with our community this year! Read More Rachel Ezeadichie Any ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA SECTION EDITOR/TREASURER ezeadicr@vschsd.org Hello! My name is Rachel Ezeadichie, and I am the Entertainment and Media Editor for the North Star. I love watching new shows and analyzing all types of media. If you’re interested in the coverage of new or interesting shows, books, or movies, you can find it in my section. I’m also apart of Spartan Update and Drama Club, so you can see me performing or covering many school events. I’m excited to be an editor for North Star and can’t wait to keep writing! Read More Rehmat Kaur She/Her/Hers SPORTS SECTION EDITOR, HISTORY COLUMNIST rkaurr3015@vschsd.org Hello, dear readers! I'm Rehmat Kaur, the North Star's SPORTS Editor and History Columnist. All my Feature History articles will be under the column named "Tales Through Time". I will also be assisting our fellow writers with ideas and see them through to completion. Outside of North Star, I also take part in sports. I'm Girl's Varsity Badminton Team's Captain and play for our school's Tennis team. I'm also a member of SPO which helps the 7th graders have a wonderful first year at North. I'm looking forward to having an exquisite time and helping you in bringing out your creative side. NORTH STAR SENIORS CREDITS FACULTY ADVISOR Mrs. Christy Mansfield EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Noa Cordova MANAGING EDITOR Leah Ally NEWS SECTION EDITOR Sahar Ali FEATURE SECTION EDITOR Isabel Barret SPORTS EDITOR, HISTORY COLUMNIST Rehmat Kaur ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA SECTION EDITOR Rachel Ezeadichie POLARIS EDITOR ... ARTWORK SECTION EDITOR Elaine Ching SENIOR LAYOUT EDITOR Elaine Ching SPREADSHEET MANAGER/ASSISTANT LAYOUT EDITOR Marco Alvarez ASSISTANT LAYOUT EDITOR Max Ching SENIOR SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Elaine Ching TREASURER Leah Ally STUDENT ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR Mrs. Amy Italiano PRINCIPAL Dr. Robin Small ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL Mrs. Jennifer Buonaspina ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL Mr. Fabian Jara ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL Mr. Charles Loiseau LOUD AMERICAN Garrick Neuner

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 Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Sarah Wilder - Lights On for Education By Sarah Wilder April 22, 2021 Marker Volume 1 Issue 7

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Breast Cancer Awareness Month Sarah Velez Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by UAB News October represents Breast Cancer Awareness month, which tragically affects about 240,000 women in the United States along with 2,100 men annually. Of those 240,000 women, 42,000 pass away and 500 men pass away each year. It is important to take a month to spread awareness of this cancer and dedicate it to those who have passed. Breast cancer is a disease in which the cells in a breast grow out of control. The type of breast cancer you get is dependent on which cells in the breast turn into cancer. In most cases, breast cancer begins in what is called the “ducts” or “lobules.” The breast is split into three main parts: lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. As the cancer grows, it spreads through blood and lymph vessels. When breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it is said to have “metastasized.” Now, there are two common types of breast cancer. Invasive ductal carcinoma is when the cancer cells start forming inside the ducts and then grow outside the ducts into other parts of the tissue. These invasive cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body. The next most common breast cancer is called Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. This is similar to Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, but it originates within the lobules instead of the ducts. This dangerous cancer can also spread to other parts of the body. Some of the less common types are Paget’s disease, medullary, mucinous, and inflammatory breast cancer. There are many ways to prevent breast cancer, but in some cases, there is nothing you can do to control it. Maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption can be effective in preventing breast cancer. If you are someone who takes hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives, it is best to talk to your doctor and see what may be safer for you. As healthy as you may be, breast cancer is occasionally inherited through family genes or changes in your BRCA1 and BRCA2 can also be inherited. With all of this in mind, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer. Are there ways to notice breast cancer before it becomes a deadly issue? Screening is a way to check women for breast cancer before symptoms and signs are noticeable. A mammogram is an x-ray taken of the breast. Mammograms provide the benefit of noticing breast cancer early on, making it easier to treat. It is important to regularly get mammograms, to benefit both your health and be able to catch such a deadly cancer early on. It is significant to note though, mammograms do not help cure breast cancer, they only help recognize it to ensure the cancer gets taken care of early on. Thanks to the advancement in technology and the medical field, there are many ways to treat breast cancer. Depending on how far the cancer has spread the type of treatment you will receive can be determined. Surgery is one of the most common options. The doctor will simply cut out the cancer if it has not spread too far. Chemotherapy is a medicine that is used to shrink or kill the cancer cells. The medicine can either be given in shots or pills, although in some cases it may even be both. Hormonal therapy blocks cancer cells from receiving the hormones they need to grow. There are many other medical procedures that help treat breast cancer. It is extremely important to discuss what medical procedure may be best for you. There are many ways to support people struggling with breast cancer. You can donate to breast cancer foundations and even start fundraisers to donate the money. Wearing pink can also help bring awareness to this tragic disease. It is important to spread awareness to help those who need it and partake in actions that can lead people to live and brighter and healthier life. Sources: https://www.cdc.gov https://www.mayoclinic.org BACK TO TOP