Back to Articles News Back to Sections The 2024 Presidential Election - Part 2 Sahar Ali Volume 5 Issue 3 January 14, 2025 Image Provided by Elaine Ching The 2024 presidential election was one that many Americans looked forward to. Yet, most of the country was split between the Republican candidate, Former President Donald Trump, and the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, the first female to be Vice President. Donald Trump beat Kamala Harris significantly as he received 312 votes from the electoral college, while Harris received only 226. In order to win the election, a candidate must receive 270 electoral college votes, which Trump surpassed substantially. Kamala Harris was the next candidate to run after President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential election after his first debate with Trump that made him appear as unfit to run for president. According to The Guardian , Harris entered the race with only 107 days to campaign. However, many Americans were not in favor of the Biden Administration, which Harris was a part of herself as she was Biden’s Vice President for the last four years. Most young people between the ages of 18 and 34 who once supported Biden during the 2020 election did not support him for the 2024 election, and as many as 70% of voters aged 35 and under did not support Biden due to his handling of the Israel-Hamas War (NBC News). The resentment many held toward Biden affected Harris in her campaign. Kamala Harris emphasized her campaign by speaking up for women’s rights, by “promising a ‘new generation of leadership,’ rallying women around abortion rights” (BBC). She also worked to gain the vote of the working class “by focusing on economic issues including rising costs and housing affordability” (BBC). Yet, during her campaign, Harris’s main verdict was that Trump posed “a clear and present danger to democracy,” which did not seem to help her campaign in any way or change voters’ way of perceiving Trump (Brookings). Donald Trump, the winner of the election, received about 50% of the nation’s vote, according to the Associated Press . He appealed to African American and Latino voters. According to Time Magazine , “Trump boosted his support from 32% four years ago to a 54% majority.” Trump also appealed to younger men who “appreciated Trump’s brashness and habit of smashing norms” (Time Magazine). While he gained the votes of young men, Trump also had to figure out how to gain the votes of women, especially since an abortion ban could be possible due to the overturn of Roe v. Wade. To try to keep and gain more votes from women, Trump would claimed abortion would be left up to the states, but he officially stated that he would not support a nationwide abortion ban (Time Magazine). For the Trump Administration, one of the biggest issues is immigration; the Biden Administration’s handling of which earned broad criticism. According to the BBC , 8 million illegal immigrants have entered the United States through Mexico since Biden took office in January 2021. Trump plans to use his power as President to carry out mass deportations of undocumented migrants (Time Magazine). Trump’s victory can be highlighted by flaws in Harris’s campaign and the resentment associated with the Biden Administration, as well as his own ideals which were appealing to many of the American population. These next four years will be the last where Trump will be President, as he can no longer serve for more than two terms due to the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution. Although the results of the election bring on different emotions to different American communities, we should remember we are part of an impeccable nation that allows all of us to voice our opinions and vote for our leaders. Afterall, we will be able to voice our opinions again in four years in the 2028 election. SOURCES: AP's essential role in elections | AP News Kamala Harris had a whirlwind 107-day campaign. What’s next for her? | Kamala Harris | The Guardian Young voters explain why they’re bailing on Biden — and whether they’d come back Why Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump Why Donald Trump won and Kamala Harris lost: An early analysis of the results How Donald Trump Won the 2024 Election | TIME How many migrants have crossed the US border illegally? BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Winter Track By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by NYSPHSSA Keep your eyes open Run your warm-up laps Avoid getting frozen Stretches and claps That's winter track   Don't let Boyens catch you late You'll end up cursing your fate Don't forget to smile Or else Frazer will make you run a mile The racewalkers are ready to strike some poses Leaving their competitors to wipe their noses The sprinters dash to the finish line As everyone watches from the sideline The pole-vaulters launch themselves into the sky Spread out their wings ready to fly Whoosh- the distances runners take everyone by surprise Their competition mortified   Keep your eyes open Run your warm-up laps Avoid getting frozen Stretches and claps That's winter track   Long jump, triple jump, high jump The jumpers really know their stuff Making the other teams look like dump Too bad they don’t have Boyens to make them huff Watch out for the hurdlers Owning the track, they look like rulers Thump- the throwers amaze the crowd Shuffling, spinning to great lengths Leaving everyone to bow down Cuozzo knows all their strengths Diaz takes out his clock New potential to unlock Look out for the middies Their a different kind of species Every day we do core It doesn’t matter how sore Put all of us together All the other teams are ready to surrender We’re hard workers None of us are lurkers Thanks to our coaches No team dare approaches Boyens, Cuozzo, Diaz, and Frazer Shaped our team sharp like a razor As we all leave the meet We know the victory was sweet To a goodnight’s rest Knowing we did our best Sore bodies, but we don’t complain With Boyens, better to let it remain BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections MSA Interview Catherine Duong Volume 4 Issue 4 May 29, 2024 Image Provided by Merab Fatima Within Valley Stream North High School, there are a variety of clubs, both old and new, students can partake in for various reasons. Recently a new club was formed called the MSA (Muslim Student Association), and I was fortunate enough to interview the creators of the MSA, current seniors Masooma Zaidi and Minayle Rahman. Please note that I have received permission from both to record the interview and transcribe it. Direct quotes are not verbatim. Introduce yourselves, and tell me something about the both of you. “Hi, my name is Masooma Zaidi, I’m from grade 12, and I really love sports.” “Hi, my name is Minayle Rahman, I’m in 12th grade, and a fun fact about me is I like cooking.” Who or what inspired you to create this club together? MASOOMA: “So basically, one thing is everything that is going around in the world... for example, social media and the things that aren’t in social media; they portray Islam in a very negative way, and we really want to raise awareness about people having prejudices towards Muslim people. We thought the best way to do this is to have an inclusive community and create it in the public schools, and this really helps raise awareness with staff and student members and really show the true beauty of Islam and how everyone is inclusive. Besides that, there are a lot of Muslims within the student population, and it helps to get to know them and make sure they are comfortable: a brother-sister type of bond.” MINAYLE: “My personal inspiration was my sisters because both of them are in college, and in comparison, the MSA isn’t popular in high schools and I often go with them to their MSA meetings or events that they hold. It was so nice to see a community where all Muslims and non-Muslims are together; it is a safe and welcoming atmosphere, and I want to bring that to North because as Masooma said, there are a lot of Muslims here as well, but they're not seen as much as they are seen in other MSAs. We want to bring that type of atmosphere to North.” Who is the club’s advisor? Why did you both pick this staff member to approach? MINAYLE: “Our club advisor is [science teacher] Mr. DiSclafani. We chose him because we had a hard time choosing an advisor, and we wanted to choose someone we knew who would help, support, and build a strong foundation for the club for it to continue for many years. I had Mr. DiSclafani for AP Bio last year, and I really enjoyed his class. I felt like he had a good relationship with the students. He would reach out to them to make sure they are comfortable, and he is very engaging in how he would represent himself in class. We could count on him to help us to make this a successful club.” MASOOMA: “Our core values for the association are unity, inclusivity, and trust. We saw these characteristics in Mr. DiSclafani, and we thought he be the perfect MSA advisor.” What days are you meeting, in what room, and how often will the club meet? MINAYLE: “We are going to be meeting on Fridays, hopefully in the library, and at minimum once a month.” What will the club be discussing in general, and what is the purpose of creating MSA? MASOOMA: “In the club, we are going to hold a social event like the Eid party and challenge or contest nights to enable people to get to know each other better and be more social in the future years. One of the events we plan to host is the Quran Challenge, which is to see how much knowledge you have of the holy book in Islam. Whoever has the most knowledge will receive a prize, and there will be second and third place.” MINAYLE: “Our goal is to spread awareness to prevent misconceptions, raise the issue of stereotypes in the community, and for all Muslims at North to feel comfortable. Our club is very inclusive and open to all students: everyone is welcome!” How can someone join the MSA/What are the requirements? MINAYLE: “To join the MSA, you can contact either of us for the code or find it in Microsoft Teams. You can also join the MSA Instagram account [@vsn_msa] where we will post updates and the code.” Overall, I had a lovely time interviewing Masooma & Minayle. For those who are interested, I strongly suggest you join! The MSA is looking forward to seeing new members in their next meeting. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections A Fresh Start Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by Adobe Stock To high schoolers young, both near and far, Listen closely to this guiding star, For life's a journey, a winding art, A chance for each, a fresh, bright start.   Ninth graders, so new, like buds in spring, With eagerness and dreams to bring, Embrace the change, step forth with might, You're on a journey, take that flight.   Tenth graders, finding your path's delight, Explore and learn, day and night, Your roots are growing, strong and deep, A fresh start's promise, your dreams to keep.   Eleventh graders, the weight of choices near, Embrace the challenges without fear, Your future beckons, a canvas blank, Put in the hard work now, later you’ll thank.   Twelfth graders, it's your final bow, But a fresh start awaits, as you go now, You're on the cusp of something grand, Hold your dreams tight, in your hand.   To high schoolers, in this new day's light, A fresh start awaits, so shining and bright, With courage, kindness, and dreams to impart, Embrace the journey, it's a fresh, new start. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Line Back to Sections Karina McNamara - What is Line By Karina McNamara November 1, 2020 Marker Volume 1 Issue 1

Back to Articles News Back to Sections The Global Food Crisis: The First Move By Raj Singh Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by WFP Ten weeks. The media and experts generally say we have ten more weeks until a global food shortage. Americans eat 3600 calories worth of food in a day, and the average Indian eats 2200 calories a day. Livestock alone in America eats enough food to feed 800 million people on Earth. We eat a lot, and the same is true for Europe, Oceania, and other North and South American countries. We live in a society that consumes extreme amounts of food, and that will not fare well in the future shortage. The Russo-Ukrainian War is a major cause of the upcoming crisis. Ukraine and Russia produce a huge portion of Earth’s wheat, and with the war going on, production in Ukraine is limited. As soldiers take land, crops cannot be planted. Crops that are planted go nowhere since Russia blockaded the Ukrainian ports. This has a direct effect on Africa in particular as they cannot produce enough wheat to feed their massive, growing population. The fertilizer shortage is not as famous as the food shortage right now, but it is much worse. China and Russia control the global fertilizer production, while America and India produce their own fertilizer for their farming industries. But for the rest of the world, they have to buy from China and Russia. Since sanctions have been implemented on Russia, they and China have postponed the export of fertilizer. Despite what history class tells you, most people on Earth still practice monoculture, planting the same plant year after year, so their soil is poor, and they rely on fertilizer. In particular, Central Asia’s former Soviet states, such as Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, rely on Russian wheat and fertilizer exports that have been withheld from them. It is probable that many citizens will become refugees and go to Europe, causing problems and potential destabilizing in the West, which would be a victory for China and Russia. China has been hoarding every resource it can get near itself. For the past couple of years, China has been stocking up on Ukrainian wheat to keep. In addition, with their current zero-Covid lockdowns, China has kept thousands of cargo ships off the shore of Shanghai as storage. China seems to have been preparing for a global food crisis for a long time, and when the crisis hits, they won’t be affected as badly. This problem was caused by the new Cold War going on between the West (America, Europe, and Oceania) and the Chinese-Russian alliance that has been solidified by a recent pact that openly declares to be the new world order to challenge the West. This upcoming global crisis is a move of a pawn by the Chinese and Russians; therefore, this means that a new Cold War has not only arisen but will affect the lives of billions of people globally. We have to depend on our government and ourselves to steer the world away from this crisis, and we have to act now if we want to avoid a refugee crisis. Millions, if not billions, could starve. Sources: https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/average-calorie-intake-human-per-day-versus-recommendation-1867.html https://www.india.com/lifestyle/diet-of-average-indian-lacks-protein-fruit-vegetables-4066766/ https://www.reuters.com/business/sanctions-bite-russia-fertilizer-shortage-imperils-world-food-supply-2022-03-23/ https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/russia-and-china-unveil-a-pact-against-america-and-the-west https://www.fox29.com/news/world-wheat-supply-food-shortage-un-security-council-sara-menker BACK TO TOP

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

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Former President Donald Trump's Conviction Sahar Ali Volume 5 Issue 1 September 20, 2024 Image Provided by White House Historical Association On May 30th, 2024, former president Donald Trump was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records, making him the first former president in United States history to be convicted of criminal charges. Falsifying business records is considered a felony in the State of New York, which makes the former president a convicted felon as a result of his actions. But what did Trump do that led him to this position? Former President Trump is notorious for the many actions that he took during and after his presidency, most notably the January 6th riot at the Capitol, in which thousands of Trump supporters protested the results of the 2020 election. The 2020 election was between Democrat Joe Biden and former president and republican Donald Trump, the outcome being a victory for the Democrats. Following the election, Trump made many public statements regarding the outcome of the election and proceeded to claim that voter fraud was involved, causing Trump supporters to gather at the Capitol and protest for their president whom they perceived to be the rightful president of the country. Trump openly spread false statements and made multiple attempts to revise the results of the 2020 election. Not only did Trump influence the storming of the Capitol, but he had also been impeached twice, making history as the only president in the United States to be impeached more than once. Trump was victorious in the 2016 election, as he beat Democrat Hillary Clinton. However, according to CBS News, Trump’s conviction originated from a “hush money” payment that was made to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star to keep quiet about her claims that she engaged in intimate activities with the former president years before the 2016 election. “But the actual charges that Trump faced were far less salacious and dealt with the comparatively mundane paperwork that was generated when he reimbursed Cohen for the payment” (CBS News). True to form, the former president would deny the claims by stating that the statements made by Daniels are false. However, according to BBC, giving a person hush money is not considered illegal; the reason he was convicted was because Trump claimed the $130,000 payment was for legal fees. Along with that, Trump made claims regarding the outcome of the 2020 election that were concluded to be false as he attempted to overturn the decision of the election. According to CBS News, New York election laws make it unlawful for “any two or more persons to conspire to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means,” which is what Trump did as he attempted to quiet Daniels but also claimed that the money was for legal fees, which as we know, was not true. But with the power and position Trump holds, it is unlikely that he would have to face jail time. Legal experts believe that a fine would be the most Trump has to face. Even with such a big felony on his name, it is very likely that the public will see Trump run in the 2024 election later this year as he meets all the criteria to be president which, according to CNN include, being a natural-born citizen, above 35 years of age, and living in the US for at least 14 years. SOURCES: What was Trump convicted of? Details on the 34 counts and his guilty verdict - CBS News   Two weeks since Trump’s New York guilty verdict: What have we learned? | Donald Trump News | Al Jazeera   A guide to Donald Trump's four criminal cases ( bbc.com )   Can Trump still run for president? Can he still vote? | CNN Politics BACK TO TOP

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

Back to Artwork Contemplation Back to Sections Mademoiselle Noir By Noorish Atif June 8, 2021 Graphite Volume 1 Issue 8