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Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections 'Ben' By Gabriela Mensah Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by iStock Living in a world where society messes with ya head normalizing the notion that your brother is now dead. “Mistaken” the officers said he was mistaken for someone he fit the description of a false ascription. Six foot tall he stood…damn it, I knew I should've told him to take of his hood. We live in fear knowing the end is near It’s no longer a game which is honestly quite a shame His name was Ben. He was only ten. Walking home from school on this day, his birthday was only a week away. Black hoodie, sweatpants and those brand new j’s Hands in his pocket he was just trying to get home…unfortunately he was all alone. Blue & red lights flash in his face! On this day he reached the end of his race. He had rehearsed with his parents: DO NOT CURSE NOR SHOW ADVERSE. DO NOT LIE AND ALWAYS COMPLY. “Put your hands where I can see ‘em!” he heard. Ben could not even gather his words. “Officer, Officer please don’t shoot.” The rest of the world went mute. “Get on your knees” Ben heard as he pouted in utter fear as he knew the end was near “Officer, please do I have to get on my knees?” Reaching to his belt, my fear consumed me. He pulled out his gun and at this point I could no longer run. ***BOOM! POP, POP, POP!*** Ten year old black male Benjamin Warren shot and killed we already knew the drill. The officer received one month’s probation that’s why I’ll continue to pray for this nation It’s my obligation. All withing God’s creation. We need to be awaken’ Terrence Crutcher, Samuel Dubose, Sandra Bland, and Trayvon Martin. How many innocent lives taken? How many hearts have to feel like breakin’? For us to open our eyes and realize a uniform can disguise the true lies of the gun that ended that little boy’s fun. His name was Ben, he was only ten. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Spring Festivals Celebrated Around the World By Sahar Ali Volume 2 Issue 6 April 14, 2022 Image provided by Yue Su Spring is finally here, which means countries worldwide are preparing for celebrations to welcome one of the most beloved seasons. From South America, all the way to Scandinavia and beyond, countries have beautiful, vibrant festivals. Here are some spring celebrations that take place around the world. Semana Santa Semana Santa, which translates to “Holy Week,” is an important holiday celebrated in Catholic countries, such as Mexico and Spain. This holiday was established in the 16th century by the Catholic Church to explain the story of the Passion of Christ to non-religious individuals. Semana Santa lasts one week, including vibrant parades, fireworks, masses, and ceremonies. In 2022, Semana Santa will begin on Sunday, April 10th, and end on Saturday, April 16th. Holi Holi is a celebration that occurs in India that is celebrated by Hindus for the arrival of the spring season and the many colors that come along with it. It is also said that Holi is the reenactment of Lord Krishna, a Hindu god, played with Radha, his consort. It is a day that celebrates happiness, love, good harvest, and events that occurred in Hindu mythology. Holi also symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. This Hindu celebration occurred on Friday, March 18th, 2022. Nowruz Nowruz, which translates to “New Day,” is also known as the Persian New Year. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical northward equinox and marks the beginning of spring. In Iran, Nowruz marks the first day of the year (the solar calendar for Iranians begins with the vernal equinox). The Persian New Year has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years in Iran, Persia, and Central Asia. Nowruz occurred on Sunday, March 20th, 2022. Walpurgis Night Walpurgis Night, named after Saint Walpurga, an English missionary, is celebrated throughout Scandinavia and Northern Europe. Precisely six months after All Hallows’ Eve (Halloween), Walpurgis Night is celebrated with bonfires, dancing, and singing traditional spring folk songs. In German folklore, Walpurgis Night is particularly associated with witches. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Art Guild Back to Sections Symbiosis By Keren Dial November 24, 2020 Colored Pencil Volume 1 Issue 2

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3 January 14, 2022 "ARCTURUS" ARTICLES 1500m Racewalk By Navrosedip Kundlas Polaris Read More Behind the Meme – Drake is the Type of Guy to__ By Augustine Magapan Entertainment & Media Read More Cool Creatures: Episode 3 - The Anglerfish By Matteo Somma Science & Technology Read More Déjà Vu? Speculation Rises of a Return to Remote Learning By Craig Papajohn-Shaw News Read More Faith in Yourself By Ismaela Andre Advice Read More Heart By Nora Chery Polaris Read More Holiday Sweets By Christina Ossa Feature Read More Ice Cream Sandwich Recipes By Elaine Ching, Angelina Odone, and Nora Rivera Feature Read More JV Girls Basketball By Aleeza Dhillon Sports Read More MLB 2021 Season By Leah Ally Sports Read More My Favorite Homemade Pecan Pie Recipe By Carolina Figueroa Feature Read More North Star Club and Mrs. Byrne By Jeselys Vazquez News Read More Shop: A Pop Opera By Rachel Ezeadichie Entertainment & Media Read More The Life of a Jellyfish By Navrosedip Kundlas Science & Technology Read More Trapped By Navrosedip Kundlas Polaris Read More Why Leaves Change Color By Manal Layachi Science & Technology Read More prejudice tastes like apple pie By Lucy Wu Polaris Read More An Ode to the Cassiopeia Jellyfish By Eva Grace Martinez Polaris Read More Breaking Down the Oxford High School Shooting By Sahar Ali News Read More DART By Cody Sung Science & Technology Read More EGM’s Top 5 By Eva Grace Martinez Entertainment & Media Read More Five Nights at Freddy's Security Breach By Augustine Magapan Entertainment & Media Read More Holiday Films: A Bleak De-Evolution By Alain Deen Entertainment & Media Read More How to Deal with Narcissim By Ala Paruch Advice Read More Inflation Crisis By Everton Prospere News Read More James Webb: A Cosmic Time Machine By Elyas Layachi Science & Technology Read More Ms. Santomauro Interview By Rachel Ezeadichie Feature Read More NS2 By Alisson Andrea Alas Bonilla Polaris Read More Self-Worth in the Educational System By Alicja Paruch Editorial Read More Squid Games By Augustine Magapan Entertainment & Media Read More The Shadow By Huan Evo Alipio Polaris Read More What is number theory? By Alyssa Garufi and Hannah Lee Science & Technology Read More Winter Track By Navrosedip Kundlas Polaris Read More POP ART LOAD MORE

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Ducks By Navrosedip Kindles Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image provided by Elaine Ching so softly floating lovely ripples in the lake Oh my…… such cute ducks! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Purpose Back to Sections Gilana Etame - Red Green Study By Gilana Etame November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections White Flowers By Nora Chery Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image provided by Unsplash.com Do you remember when it rained for two weeks straight? I did and I thought it resulted in a good thing. Sure, the townsfolk, especially my mother, would disagree. "They're just flowers dearie," she'd say to me. "The town nearly washed away out of existence due to that catastrophe, and all god could offer is some flowers!?" "Beautiful flowers," I retorted softly, perching over to see the flowers clearly. My mother snorted and turned her back towards me, she lifted the hem of her dress and marched through the soaked grass, making her way back home, not far where the flowers are. They were beautiful flowers, indeed they were. A beautiful clomp of white lilies, whiter than any lily, whiter that the one’s Mrs. Harper used to sell before her store got destroyed. Whiter than the beautiful dress my mother had to sell in exchange for money and food. Whiter than the clouds that turned to gray ones drenching us with water. They smelled nice with petals soft to the touch, despite the rain. I would spend hours in my garden, tending to them, watching them grow, and dreaming of the day I could finally pick one and bring it inside. But then you came along, and at first, I thought you were the answer to my prayers. You were kind, gentle, and you seemed to genuinely care about me and my garden. You even helped me with the watering and weeding, and I couldn't have been happier. But then, one day, you took my white flowers. You said you wanted to give them to your sister, who was upset due her destroyed house, and you promised to bring them back. But you never did. I waited and waited, but you never returned. And as the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, my garden began to wither and die. Without those white flowers, my garden was nothing but a barren wasteland. And without you, my heart was nothing but a hollow shell. Do you remember when it rained for two weeks straight? I do, and I thought it was a curse. Because that's when my white flowers were taken from me, and the man I thought loved me left me behind. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Traditions By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Image provided by Grateful My family’s full of traditions Big and small More are added like new additions What if I don’t answer the call? 10th Birthday Should I follow or not? Take a turn, enter a new hallway? Or should I follow what I was taught? A few months later It’s time for another Should I be the traitor? Or follow my mother? So many questions To be answered Can you offer any suggestions? Or will they be left unanswered? 3 years later Time to cross a boundary Tradition as big as an alligator I can’t break the rules voluntarily Traditions are the building stones For my family’s foundation Valued like my ancestor’s bones Break them you’ll end up in probation There are flaws in some traditions Bridges too old to cross I know my ancestors’ ambitions But I can’t afford the loss I want to explore Not be trapped in a house I want a dog to adore I don’t need a spouse I want to write As well go into the sciences I know it’s hard but why not take a new bite Just like we change appliances A little change wouldn’t hurt We can keep our ancestor’s legacies Change ourselves for the better spirt And in our heart keep their memories BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Ask Ala: Maintaining Friendships By Ala Paruch Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Image provided by Tiny Buddha Q. Hey Ala, My friend and I are growing apart. It feels like I’m the only one trying to stay friends. As much as they’re a great person, I’m tired of putting in effort and getting nothing back. We’ve been friends forever, so I can’t just drop them. What can I do? A. Hello and thank you for asking this question. I must admit, this is definitely something not simple or straightforward. All friendships are intricate and work with their own rules and because of that they can stop working due to specific reasons. First of all, you should probably look back at the history of your friendship. How did everything start? Was it always a little bit one-sided? How did you really get to know each other? Has social distancing been a factor of what is happening? And most importantly, as you know yourself best, you have to analyze your own actions. Maybe you distanced yourself and now are trying to get back to the way things used to be? The other person might not want to talk to you as much because of some of your behaviors. During this time, you should also ask yourself what you want out of this friendship. Does the other person want the same? Just because you are used to something, doesn’t mean it should stay. Afterwards, consider having a serious conversation with them. You should be straightforward and get right to the point. Express to them the problems you are experiencing and some ways you would expect them to fix it. They have to want to keep this friendship as well as you and they need to show that with their effort. To feel more prepared, it can be helpful to write out a list of examples you want to mention, and you can write out some solutions yourself. Don’t forget to include the things you need to do better as well. You should come to some sort of consensus by the end of the conversation, but be aware that life is unpredictable, so be ready to adjust your plans along the way. If during your reflection, you come to the conclusion that this friendship it’s not exactly what you want anymore, you can try to just let the friendship go. Don’t abruptly end all contact, don’t burn any bridges, be calm and let it fall apart on its own. As hard as it may seem, not everything in life works out, and that is completely fine! You had good times together, you shared laughs and sorrows but sometimes it’s just the time to let it go. People change, times change, life changes, and you cannot keep hurting yourself or trying to force others to do something that is not going to bring you joy. Hold on tight, everything will be alright. There are always new friends to be made. BACK TO TOP