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Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections What is bullying/cyberbullying? By Catherine Duong Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Image provided by Observatory of Educational Institution According to StopBullying.Gov Bullying/cyberbullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both the bully and victim may have serious, lasting problems. Bullying can be physical, i.e., hitting or kicking. It can also be verbal, i.e., taunting or threatening. Lastly, bullying can be social, like spreading personal or confidential information. Bullying can cause anxiety, and depression which leads to some victims of bullying avoiding school. Studies show that 1 in 5 kids are bullied, and 32% of students said they were victims of online harassment. Standing up to a bully can help you deal with their actions; however, you can also go to a trusted adult, and they can help you handle the situation. This short story is an example of one way to counteract bullying. When I was candle running1 at Daylight Prairie2, I saw a small group of sky players standing together at one of the corners of the map. I was curious and I flew to the small group, then lifted them up to see what they looked like. The small one has the appearance of a moth3, having a brown cape, default pants, and hair. The other two on the opposite side of the tiny moth seemed to be veteran players, wearing unique cosmetics4. I saw the veterans mocking the moth by copying the same emotes5 and then using a laugh emote to insult them. I could not hear what they said at once due to game mechanics which require a table for conversation. Once I realized what was happening, I created one so that we could speak, Once I could hear them, my suspicions were proven correct. I heard countless insults like: “You poor moth! Must be so broke that you don’t have any friends!” and “There is no way for you to get up to our level.” The moth was silent after their insult, but I knew the player behind the screen was upset. I had to act. This game was built to make friends, not tear each other down! “Hey, it’s not nice of you two to bully this player. They probably just started the game, and you are setting a bad example of how experienced players should act.” Once I typed and sent the message, I did the scolding emote and got my character to cross her arms to express how I felt. The two were quiet for a few seconds, looking at one another before texting back at my response. “Whatever. We were trying to help.” “Trying to help? You are insulting them!” After I finished my message, the two veterans abruptly left. Silently, the moth left soon after. Sadly, I never had the chance to give them advice, but hopefully stopping those bullies made the new players experience just a little bit better! Keywords: Candle Running – a process to collect wax from candles placed all around the realms Daylight Prairie – The second realm in Sky: CotL; known to be the most sociable realm between players Moth – A name given to inexperienced players on Sky: Children of the Light (CotL); wearing default cosmetics provided at the start of the game. Cosmetics – clothing and accessories that bought with candles and hearts from traveling spirits (TS) and spirits to customize your looks for your character Emotes – to express to another player with a click of a button a specific action/emotion BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Line Back to Sections Lillian Dolan - What is Line - 2 By Lillian Dolan November 1, 2020 Photography Volume 1 Issue 1 This picture is of the siding of my house, taken around 5pm (golden hour).

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections VSN Girl’s Tennis Team Continues their Success By Alyssa Garufi, Hannah Lee Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Original photography by Josephine Scalia The Valley Stream North’s Girls’ Varsity Tennis team annihilated their competition this year, coming in second place in Conference 4. Despite the challenging circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the girls played with ferocity and determination, finishing the season with 12 wins and only two losses. This achievement would not have been possible without the assistance of their new coach, Mr. Joseph Mando. Mr. Mando, a Valley Stream North alumni himself, now coaches the same sport he played during when he was a student here. Former girls coach, Ms. Kate Moran is brought back in a full circle, as Coach Mando uses skills taught by her in high school. Not only has Mr. Mando taught the girls tennis techniques and skills, but he has also left a big impression on all the girls by giving good advice and teaching them important life lessons. The Girls’ Tennis Team started the season off strong, with a 5-2 win against Uniondale on September 13th. First Singles, Claudia Sanchez, defeated her opponent in two sets, 6-2 and 6-2. No. 1 doubles Josephine Scalia and Ashrita Seelan won their match in two sets as well, both going into tiebreaks. No. 2 doubles, Alyssa Garufi and Grace Scalia beat their opponents along with No. 3 doubles, Anna Persaud and Kimberly Shrestha. To finish off the match, Barnit Kaur and Shinedip Kundlas bested their opponents, giving the girls a definite win from the beginning of the season. In the middle of their season, the girls pulled a win of 7-0 at West Hempstead. No. 1 singles, Juliana Russell faced some setbacks during her first set with a score of 6-7, but eventually pulled through winning 6-3, 7-6. Claudia Sanchez, No. 2 singles, played an impressive double bagel of 6-0, 6-0, along with Jaela Cardoza-Alvarez, winning 6-1, 6-0. First doubles, Afira Mahmood and Josephine Scalia, won their match 6-0, 6-1, and all the other doubles players won with impressive 6-0, 6-0, all around, Ashrita Seelan and Sophia Trojanowski as No. 2 doubles, Grace Scalia, and Emily Seitz as No. 3, and finally Anna Persaud and Kimberly Shrestha as No. 4 doubles. The girls finished off their season with a win at Levittown Division. Claudia Sanchez, playing No. 2 singles, won her match 10-2, along with Jaela Cardoza-Alvarez, No. 3 singles, winning 10-3. These girls destroyed their opponents in their pro-set. All four pairs of doubles players won their match, with No. 1 doubles, Afira Mahmood and Josephine Scalia, winning 10-3, second, Hannah Lee and Ashrita Seelan, winning 10-1, third, Alyssa Garufi and Grace Scalia, winning 10-0, and fourth, Sophia Buonomo and Lindsey Jacob, winning an impressive score of 10-8. The six-to-one win at Levittown Division accurately represents the impressive victories of the Valley Stream North Girls Tennis team throughout their whole season. The Girls Varsity Tennis team owes great thanks to Coach Mando for teaching them the virtues of patience, strength, and perseverance. The girls persevered through a rough season with COVID-19 regulations and overall made Valley Stream North immensely proud. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Beads for Water Event By Kashmiraa Pandit and Lucy Wu Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 Original flyer by Kashmiraa Pandit On Tuesday, November 24th, The Culture Society hosted a special joint event with Georgia-based international nonprofit, Just One Africa, to share the clean water initiative with students at North. We invited national guest speaker Ms. Christina D. Hightower, Program Director at Just One Africa and presenter extraordinaire, to introduce the organization and explain the mission of Just One Africa in helping communities in Kenya. With 30+ attendees and a fun Nearpod presentation, we were able to communicate these ideas and inspire others to act towards aiding the Global Water Crisis directly from their homes. What is Just One Africa? Put simply, JOA is an international nonprofit organization located in Alpharetta, Georgia to provide sustainable solutions for families in Central and Southern Kenya through the combination of a Clean Water Fund and partnerships with local leaders and communities. Founded by wife and husband duo Amy and Clay Churchill, JOA has gradually gained support and volunteers from family, friends, community members, local organizations, and now schools across the United States. Upon visiting the country with her family years prior, founder Amy Churchill met families throughout rural Kenya. Though their trip only lasted a short while, the story of one woman ran through her mind for months following their visit. Under a straw roof, the woman had shown Ms. Amy her child and their urgent need for access to clean water. As she returned to the United States, Amy Churchill believed that although she could not provide clean water to all, she could help provide access to clean water to just that one woman, thus establishing the international organization and their central phrase, “Just One”. One of the most beautiful parts of JOA is that they not only help address the water crisis through their Beads for Water program, but they also partner with locals in Kenya, such as John and Dorcus, to rescue young girls from child marriage and FGM (female genital mutilation), empower and educate Kenyan women, and encourage students and volunteers within the United States to create direct change through a plethora of possibilities. What is the Beads for Water program? One of the largest issues JOA seeks to address is the Clean Water Crisis, which, according to the World Health Organization, prevents over a third of people across the world from accessing clean drinking water. In Kenya, this problem is only exacerbated as 40% of the population uses dirty lakes and wells as their water source, fueling the rampant spread of diseases including cholera and malaria. In effect, hundreds of Kenyan children face a lower quality of life, as the lack of access to clean water prevents young girls from attending school, reduces economic opportunities, and creates a higher infant mortality rate and a lower life expectancy. To combat these problems, JOA purchases the recycled paper bead jewelry and crafts handmade by local artisans and Maasai women. In turn, many Maasai women learn the fundamentals of economics, such as price setting and the laws of supply and demand. After importing the handmade crafts, the Just One Africa organization sells the pieces throughout the US. 100% of all the proceeds raised are contributed to the organization’s Clean Water Fund, through which Uzima water filters are purchased and provided to rural communities in Central and Southern Kenya, in regions including Amboseli and Nairobi to provide clean water. The Uzima water filters effectively eliminate over 99% of contaminants in each water supply. Each filter can process over 1 million gallons of clean water! The last and most important step occurs when they work with local leaders to distribute filters and educate each community on the importance of sanitation. Why did the VSN Culture Society partner with Just One Africa? Over the past two years, The Culture Society has grown to encompass a myriad of initiatives, from performing cultural choreography to hosting monthly events celebrating ethnic festivities. While the platform and method of The Culture Society have meandered over the years, the purpose has always remained the same: we wish to share one culture while learning of others. This year, The Culture Society decided to broaden its scope to learn about other cultures while finding ways for students at North to transcend borders and provide aid to children abroad. The Culture Society aims to welcome people of varied backgrounds and educate others with their experiences and perspectives. Upon the onset of COVID-19, we sought to benefit not only those in our community, but also those across the world. JOA’s goals of sustainability and cooperation fit perfectly with everything we were looking for in a nonprofit and meeting the passionate founders and volunteers there has only reaffirmed our beliefs. One of their most influential sayings is “it takes just one to make a difference.” That mantra has resonated with us, as we know it can be difficult to feel that our actions make a real difference, but even just by sharing their story and mission, we can increase awareness and take a step toward solving global problems. What can you do to help? To everyone that participated in the event, bought a handmade item, or shared the JOA story: thank you for taking the initiative to improve the lives of others outside your community. If you didn’t get a chance to help yet, there are still so many ways to make a difference. Take the time now to share this story with your friends and family, raise awareness of this issue, and stay on the lookout for our next event. Remember: all it takes is just one to make a difference! Purchase handmade jewelry and support the clean water initiative today! Learn More: www.justoneafrica.org Shop: www.Shop.justoneafrica.org Follow their Instagram: @justoneafrica or www.instagram.com/justoneafrica/ Be One for Someone! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Study 4 By Kimberly Shrestha April 22, 2021 Study Volume 1 Issue 7

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