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 Articles Feature Back to Sections Power Of Sunsets By Rehmat Kaur Volume 3 Issue 4 May 18, 2023 Image Provided by Rehmat Kaur Exotic locations are not needed to appreciate a sunset's peaceful, gorgeous, and life-changing moments. The sun rises and sets every day, so, there's no reason you can't take a few moments to appreciate it. Health Benefits Viewing sunsets have a transcending spiritual component that is beneficial, therapeutic, creative, and restorative. It's a meditation that helps you cleanse your thoughts of anything happening outside of that moment. One of the best ways to decompress is to watch the sunset. According to research, being around nature and particularly natural light can help people feel less stressed and anxious. You can slow down, unwind, and enjoy the beauty of nature by watching the sun slowly sink behind the horizon. Sunsets may make us feel insignificant (but in a positive way), and in these moments, sublime; you feel a connection that reminds us of the infinite potential within each of us. They remind us of the beauty that exists in the world. According to 2012 research, participants who experienced the beauty and power of the sunset reported feeling like they had more time available and were less impatient. You can enjoy sunsets in several ways, including exercising, strolling, bicycling, or just sitting and looking. Exercise has been shown to reduce the signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. However, merely sitting and watching the sunset can also improve your health by allowing you to engage in mindfulness exercises. According to a study published in Perspectives on Psychological Science , mindfulness is "the nonjudgmental awareness of experiences in the present moment". It has been shown to have numerous advantages, including lowered levels of stress and enhanced cognitive function. Watching the literal passage of time as the sun descends below the horizon is a perfect way to practice being present. Many more gorgeous sunsets will inspire, raise us, and help us rise beyond the trivial to live a full life. Sources https://studyfinds.org/sunrises-sunsets-well-being/ https://www.ambong-ambong.com/blog/health-benefits-of-watching-sunsets/#:~:text=Watching%20the%20sunset%20can%20be,help%20reduce%20your%20stress%20levels . https://www.agoldlining.com/post/reasons-why-you-should-make-time-for-the-sunset#:~:text=Research%20shows%20that%20sunsets%20have,a%20reason%20to%20go%20outside . https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/minding-the-body/201407/how-admiring-the-sunset-changes-you-the-better https://communikait.com/2018/06/5-reasons-why-sunsets-are-good-for-your-health/ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/make-time-for-sunset_n_5066629 BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Drug Abuse During the Pandemic By Everton Prospere Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Image provided by The Economist While the threat of COVID-19 continues, a hidden issue grows. Drug abuse has skyrocketed in the United States overall and right here in New York, both for adults and adolescents. The factors contributing to this crisis include the disruption of everyday life and stress. In New York City, overdose deaths have dramatically escalated in the past year. According to The City newsroom and a report from the City University of New York, 22% of injection drug users reported reusing needles, a fourfold increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the Bloomberg Businessweek Magazine detailed that the opioid crisis has also increased, largely due to the pandemic. The magazine interviewed Charlotte Bismuth, a former New York County’s assistant district attorney, who stated, “[people] are living in tents because they lost their spot in sober homes because they lost their job...it’s so much worse than it was when Covid began [in regard to the opioid epidemic]”. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] has reported the overdose deaths during 2020 to understand a more numerical value. As per the CDC, over 81,000 United States citizens died of drug overdose deaths, the largest number reported by the CDC. The agency supports the claim that the pandemic contributed to the increased number of substance abusers and, in turn, deaths due to “the disruption to daily life.” In addition to the considerable increase in drug abuse, the profound impact of drugs on teenagers during the pandemic must not be ignored. Time magazine reports a study conducted by the organization FAIR health, in which a sharp spike in drug abuse was discovered in comparison to the year before the pandemic. In addition, the University of Minnesota reports an increase of 94.9% regarding overdoses in 13-year olds and a 119.3% increase in 18-year olds. While the factor of everyday life disruption is included as a cause of this statistic, stress levels must also be accounted for. Schoolwork especially has resulted in over half of students stressing more in the 2020 school year than the 2019 school year, as per a survey conducted by the NBC News and Challenge Success non-profit. The pandemic has caused increased levels of drug abuse due to a disruption in daily life and stress. While teenagers especially may feel these struggles, we are reminded once more during the celebration of Red Ribbon Week at North, which takes place between March 15th and March 19th , to live a drug-free life. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Cool Creature Episode 4: With a twist! By Matteo Somma Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by Pet Keen Emerging from the grasslands of Sub-Saharan Africa comes a sleek, slithering creature. Reaching lengths of 4 feet, this creature commonly dines on birds, amphibians, and rodents in the wild. Can you guess what it is? It’s a ball python! If you didn’t already know, there is one living right here at Valley Stream North High School. Go to room 314 to see Mr. DiSclafani’s albino juvenile ball python named Peaches! Ball pythons originate from Africa and live in humid environments. Also, ball pythons are among the most common pets in the pet trade and come in over 100 different colors and morphs. Our ball python right here at North is 1 foot 4 inches in length and weighs a little over 80 grams. Ball pythons are NOT venomous and will most likely NOT bite you (however, remember they have teeth, and anything with teeth can bite…even humans). Ball pythons are generally docile animals. At Valley Stream North, Peaches has changed peoples’ views on reptiles, especially snakes. As people hold Peaches, they realize that snakes are friends, not enemies. Fun Facts About Ball Pythons: 1. No two ball pythons have the same pattern on their skin, just like no two people have the same fingerprints. 2. Ball pythons are NOT like your average snake, mainly because they don’t have fangs. Instead, they have 100-150 small pointed, hooked teeth. 3. Ball pythons don’t eat much or often. Some won’t eat for months, and others can take up to 3 days to digest their food. 4. Female ball pythons can lay up to 11 eggs at a time and will bury them under the ground and under their bodies. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections My Predictions For The New York Knicks 2024-2025 NBA Season Yusuf Hamid Volume 5 Issue 2 November 25, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching Predictions for The New York Knicks 2024-2025 NBA Season As the 2024-2025 NBA season starts, I wanted to share my prediction for the Knicks’ upcoming season. The Knicks made huge moves this current off-season by trading two superstars, Mikal Bridges and Karl Anthony Towns, and Jalen Brunson’s selfless move to take a $113 million pay cut (Brener, 2024). Their expectations, not just for Knicks fans, but for all NBA fans, are tremendous. It is vital to talk about the Knicks’ last season. The Knicks finished their regular season with a record of 50-32 and the second-best team in the east. While this is upstanding news, there was a “bitter pill” the Knicks had to swallow along the way. The Knicks’ starting power forward, Julius Randle, injured his shoulder on January 27th against the Miami Heat (Sam, 2023). Randle was not able to play for the rest of both the regular season and post season. This was devastating news to hear as a Knicks fan because Randle plays a key role on the team. Randle averaged 24 points, 5 assists, and 9.2 rebounds per game. To lose such a player like Randle felt like blowing out a tire while racing the Daytona 500. Luckily, the Knicks had a spare, Josh Hart. When Josh Hart was pushed to the starting role for the Knicks, he averaged 11.4 points, 5.5 assists, and 10.3 rebounds (Stat Muse). This statistic clearly showed the proverb, when one door closes, another door opens. Some Knicks fans even talked about trading Randle overall because Josh Hart was doing a better job at power forward and the uncertainty of Randle’s shoulder injury and how it would affect his ability to play basketball. When the Knicks entered the post season, they had to verse the 2023 MVP, Joel Embiid, and a menacing 76er team in the first round. It was a “dog fight” between these two teams, but overall, the Knicks beat the 76ers in 6 games. Beating the 76ers was a magnificent accomplishment for the Knicks, but they suffered injuries to Mitchell Robinson, Bojan Bogdanovic, and OG Anunoby. This hindered the possibility of the Knicks' chances of winning the NBA Finale. The Knicks then had to beat the Pacers in the second round. During this series, even more Knicks players got injured like Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. Even after facing these difficulties, the Knicks were able to take the Pacers to seven games, where they eventually lost and were eliminated from the playoffs. This was devastating news as a Knicks fan, knowing that the Knicks were expected to, at the bare minimum, make it to the Easter Conference Finals, but were affected immensely by how many key players were injured on their team. The Knicks were simply dealt a bad hand. This current off-season, the Knicks made two huge trades for two huge superstars. The Knicks first traded away Bojan Bogdanovic, Mamadi Diakite, Shake Milton, and an astonishing five first round picks to the Nets for Mikal Bridges, Keita Bates-Diop, and a second-round pick (NBA News Service). Mikal Bridges is a 6’6 small forward who is averaging almost 20 points per game. The Knicks then traded away Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, other small role players and a second-round pick for Karl Anthony Towns. According to USA Today Sports basketball section, HOOPSHYPE, Karl Anthony Towns is the fifth best power forward this upcoming NBA season. And the “cherry on top” was Jalen Brunson’s selfless act of taking a $113 million pay cut so the Knicks could afford all their players. With their star-studded line up, the Knicks were one of the four teams that were predicted to win this season’s NBA championship (Cluff, 2024). Overall, this could be the Knicks’ year as they went through immeasurable mishaps last season. The combination of Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony Towns will be one of the best all-star duos in the league. Plus, the chemistry of this team overall is significant. Nerveless, there is always the chance of the unpredictable, but as for right now…expect in June to see Jalen Brunson holding the NBA Finals championship. Sources: - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiJ-9fSxJuJAxUqFlkFHVfiAEIQFnoECBMQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.statmuse.com%2Fnba%2Fask%2Fjosh-hart-stats-without-randle-on-knicks&usg=AOvVaw2blqFcryiwYoo-g4RGatoX&opi=89978449 - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjHnPu_v5uJAxVoEFkFHYWxLcgQFnoECBMQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbleacherreport.com%2Farticles%2F10136150-knicks-rumors-julius-randle-expected-to-return-from-injury-for-start-of-nba-season%23%3A~%3Atext%3DRandle%2520injured%2520his%2520shoulder%2520during%2Cseason%252Dending%2520procedure%2520in%2520April.&usg=AOvVaw0XxY3bmVwBcOBJryWn-LFd&opi=89978449 - New York Knicks Legend Carmelo Anthony Addresses Jalen Brunson Contract ( si.com ) - 2023-24 New York Knicks Roster and Stats | Basketball-Reference.com - Knicks acquire Mikal Bridges from Nets for haul of picks, Bojan Bogdanovic | NBA.com - Knicks acquire Karl-Anthony Towns in 3-team trade | NBA.com - NBA ranking: The Top 24 power forwards for the 2023-24 season ( hoopshype.com ) - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjg9oyD55uJAxVKKlkFHcHVNDcQvOMEKAB6BAgOEAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.azcentral.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fnba%2F2024%2F10%2F18%2Fnba-championship-odds-celtics-thunder-knicks-76ers-2024-25-season%2F75737066007%2F&usg=AOvVaw1e6tWZjGXP6dUmO9ja7T6r&opi=89978449 BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Art Guild Back to Sections My Sister and I By Willene Exinvil November 24, 2020 Charcoal Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections In Honor of Gina Pellettiere Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by Massapequa Funeral Home In the world of music, a teacher's grace, Gina Pellettiere, a shining face. Dude, was her call, all fun through and through, In her community, bonds forever grew.   In the band that felt like a family's embrace, She built a supportive, positive space. A safe haven where her students could be, Impacting their lives, a legacy to see.   Energetic and full of life's zest, She inspired her students, always their best. Happiest memories, nugget fights and more, Creating bonds that our hearts still adore.   As she played the trumpet, her passion did show, In band camp and karaoke, a vibrant flow. Her love for her students, an unwavering flame, Inspiring a music teacher, in her name.   In her work, music's rhythm, and band's charm, She led with devotion, with warmth and calm. She'd ask about muffins, the weather, and more, Creating moments worth cherishing for sure.   Gina Pellettiere, a teacher so dear, In the world of music, she's always near. Her impact, her energy, her legacy, so grand, In the hearts of her students, forever to stand. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections The Nightmare Before Christmas - A Reaction Rachel Ezeadichie Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by Tim Burton and Rick Heinrichs As the spooky season rears its ugly head and Halloween draws closer and closer, people are starting to rewatch older Halloween movies to get into the spooky mood. The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of the most well-known Halloween movies to date and is still very popular. The Nightmare Before Christmas is a 1993 stop-motion film not directed by Tim Burton contrary to popular belief but by Henry Selick who also directed Coraline . Although he didn’t direct the movie, Tim Burton produced and wrote its story. Production of the movie started in 1991 and was finally completed in October 1993. That Halloween season marked the first of many years of merchandise, costumes, and the movie’s popularity. The Nightmare Before Christmas takes place in Halloween Town. A dark, scary place where its residents prepare for Halloween each day. Our protagonist, Jack Skellington, is the representative of this town. He is respected and revered, but something is missing. We follow Jack as he travels outside Halloween Town for the first time and discovers Christmas. He feels as if he has discovered a part of him that was missing. We watch as he tries to introduce Christmas to Halloween Town and even attempts to replace Santa Claus himself. He kidnaps Santa Claus and takes over Christmas, trying to deliver presents all over the world. While Jack tries to prepare for Christmas, Santa is taken by Oogie Boogie, an evildoer in Halloween Town, and is held captive. Despite his efforts, Jack’s attempts to replace Santa fail and he is unable to deliver all the presents. Through his failure, Jack realizes that he doesn’t need to take over Christmas when he can fully appreciate Halloween Town and what it has to offer him. He returns to Halloween Town to free Santa Claus from Oogie Boogie so Santa can save Christmas. Overall, the movie is an enjoyable watch and great for a comfortable Saturday in autumn. The stop-motion animation creates a cozy feeling that, despite the movie’s Halloween theme, makes it feel a lot more Christmas-y. Stop motion is a difficult animation style that requires each scene of the film to be shot photo by photo, with someone moving each figure after every picture. Knowing this, I have such a large amount of respect for the people who were a part of the production of this film. This animation style fits the movie perfectly and helps create the nostalgic feeling the movie has today. Not only is the animation impeccable but the compositions are just as great. The Nightmare Before Christmas is a musical and each musical number was masterfully crafted by Danny Elfman. Each song is so catchy; I found myself humming them for weeks after I rewatched the movie. Even the background music makes every scene so impactful. Each song fit the scene it was in and made me enjoy the movie even more. The Nightmare Before Christmas is an amazing movie that I would highly recommend to anybody who hasn’t seen it. Valley Stream North recently hosted a movie night showing the movie with snacks and a dark spooky atmosphere for you to enjoy. Even if you missed the showing, watching this movie is definitely worth your time. Whether you see it as a Christmas or Halloween movie, one thing is clear. The Nightmare Before Christmas is a movie that will invoke nostalgia and Halloween joy for years to come. BACK TO TOP

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 Articles News Back to Sections Cody's Words of Advice Cody Sung Volume 5 Issue 1 September 20, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching It has been an amazing five years at Valley Stream North High School. Before I leave, I want to give a few words of advice. Don’t procrastinate. I procrastinate with everything (even with this article!) and while I have made it out, it was very stressful sometimes. Something that I found helpful is taking breaks every 30 minutes. Use around 5 minutes to drink, exercise, or do anything else that you find helpful, and then focus for the next 30 minutes. Keep going until you are done with the task. Manage your time well. I always struggled with this since I always underestimated the time I needed to do a certain task. Always allot significantly more time to a task than you think it takes. Additionally, start early with big projects. I always waited until the last day or last few days, and I always stayed up multiple hours late finishing the project. My mom was not happy. Starting early allows you to spread out the project over many days and not have to crunch everything into a few days. There’s always the issue of you having so much work to do in a day that it doesn’t allow you to work on the project, and a more spread-out approach helps mitigate this – just work more on the project a different day when you have less work! Find a balance in life. I don’t have specific advice about this as it depends on the person, but don’t try to overload yourself with classes and activities – it’s a great way to harm your mental health. Yes, sometimes you must do that (*cough* beloved Asian parents cough ), but if you do, pick classes and activities you genuinely find enjoyable. No, “activities” doesn’t mean that you should relax for multiple hours and cram work in at the end of the day (see the first paragraph on procrastination). And as a final piece of advice: stay informed about science and the news in general. It never hurts knowing more about what’s going on in the world. Thank you for reading my articles in the North Star , and good luck. BACK TO TOP