Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Boy's Varsity Basketball Recap with Interviews Rehmat Kaur Volume 5 Issue 4 April 8, 2025 Image Provided by Sophia Song Our Boys’ Varsity Basketball team ended their great season with 13 wins and 7 losses. They went on to the Nassau Class A playoffs and won the first round against Locust Valley with the score 59 – 39 following their quarterfinal round against Friends Academy with the score 58 – 51. The team had started their season with an amazing 6-win streak which included their exceptional matches against Island Trees finishing at a score of 67-44, Oceanside 55-48, Glen Cove 75-48 and more. Great plays from our basketball players Christian St. Amand (#4), Kaisei Sasagawa-Fields (#13), Vincent Rienzie (#2), Noah Obukwelu (#25), Ezekiel Morris (#5), Tristian Mitchell (#1), Omarion Holder (#3), Gavin Ferreira (#11), Mathew Hunt (#20) and Chris Chan (#22) who played incredibly and showed resilience throughout the season. Other matches against Valley Stream South with the dashing score of 50-34, Kings Park 68-52 and Locust Valley 61-54 showed our players’ dominance on the court. I was lucky enough to talk with a few of the senior basketball players that have really showed their skills during their last season for the betterment of the team. Ezekiel Morris How did you get started with basketball, and what inspired you to play? Morris: “I introduced and inspired by my brother back in 2019.” Who are your favorite basketball players and what do you admire about them? Morris: “Anthony Edwards and Collin Sexton are my favorite basketball players, and I admire their defensive play and how intense they are on court.” Can you describe your typical training routine Morris: “I run a mile and come back off court and do 200 shots on court.” What's your favorite basketball drill to practice? Morris: “My favorite drill is called Texas; it’s a 2-3 drill.” What life lessons has basketball taught you? Morris: “To be more outgoing and out there in the world.” Can you describe a time when you need a clutch shot in a game? Morris: “Last year I got a last-minute bucket against Plainedge for like 30 seconds left.” What is your favorite place to run on offense or defense? Morris: “Line. I’ll be near the basket, and somebody would be in the middle, and they would throw me the ball.” What advice do you have for the up-and-coming basketball players? “Play a lot of defenses, don’t shy away from the ball, and be confident.” Christian St. Amand How did you get started with basketball, and what introduced you to the sport? St. Amand: “My dad taught me at a very young age, and I love playing basketball till this day.” Who are your favorite basketball players and what do you admire about them? St. Amand: “Lebron James and I admire his hard work and dedication to the game.” What is your favorite basketball memory or game? St. Amand: “When I was in 8th grade, I dropped like 25 points, and I had a pretty good game.” What are your short-term and long-term goals in basketball? St. Amand: “My short-term goal is getting better every day; every day there’s a new obstacle. My long-term goal is to hopefully get money to play basketball some more.” Have you ever had to overcome a challenge with your team? How did you do it? St. Amand: “There’s ups and downs to the game and when you start losing...guys start getting down of themselves, but we just all have to stay together and pick each other up.” What advice do you have for the up-and-coming basketball players? St. Amand: “Stay focused stay locked in and be dedicated to the game” Gavin Ferreira How did you get started with basketball, and what inspired you to play? Ferreira: “I got started when I was 5 years old. The person who inspired me to play basketball was my brother but the person who motivates me to this day is Jalen Brunson [an American basketball point guard].” What is your favorite basketball memory or game? Ferreira: “My favorite basketball memory is when the team last year clinched conference champs.” What aspects of your game are you currently working on? Ferreira: “I’m currently working on my handles and finishing at the rim.” What is your favorite basketball movie and why? Ferreira: “My favorite basketball movie is The Last Dance because it gave me a history lesson about the game, and it also showed me how good of a player [Michael] Jordan was.” How do you support your teammates on the court? Ferreira: “Whenever I could I try to lift my teammates heads up when they’re down.” What is your favorite basketball drill to practice? Ferreira: “My favorite drill is the 3 on 2 shooting. It’s just rapid-fire shots for a minute straight; it’s really fun.” What advice do you have for the up-and-coming basketball players? Ferreira: “Enjoy these years because after school, most people are done playing sports, so just enjoy it.” BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Normal By Nehilah Grand-Pierre April 22, 2021 Colored Pencil Volume 1 Issue 7

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections 2022 Oscar Predictions By Alain Deen Volume 2 Issue 5 March 28, 2022 Image provided by ABC News The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, evaluates and rewards the creative prowess of films through an artistic and technical lens. For many, the ceremony is regarded as the most prestigious and significant in terms of the film industry. Over the years, the ceremony has faced a lot of controversy, memorable pop moments, and a long-awaited countdown. After two years of postponements, audiences crave a solid, smooth-flowing ceremony. The Oscars have always held a special place in my film-loving heart. It should be a national holiday. As an aspiring filmmaker, writer, and actor myself, the Oscars are more than just an awards ceremony. It is a culmination of a year’s creative, artistic, and introspective thought. This year’s ceremony is taking place on March 27th, proving to be vastly long awaited. There are various predictions for each category’s winners, and here are my takes. Best Picture: Belfast CODA Don’t Look Up Drive My Car Dune King Richard Licorice Pizza Nightmare Alley The Power of the Dog West Side Story In my opinion, this was the hardest category to predict. I believe West Side Story will take the cake due to the film’s visual and aesthetic beauty. Cinematography is a vastly underrated portion of the filmmaking process, and this film excels at it. Although it bombed at the box office, I believe it will steal the show. Best Actor: Javier Bardem, Being the Ricardos Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog Andrew Garfield , tick tick…BOOM! Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth Will Smith , King Richard It has been an interstellar year for Andrew Garfield. From Spider-Man: No Way Home to tick tick…BOOM! he has put on a stunning display in terms of his performances. Although Will Smith is the favorite to win, considering he has never won an Oscar before, I do believe Andrew Garfield takes the edge due to his surprisingly stunning singing, piano playing, and dancing in tick tick…BOOM! Best Actress: Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter Penelope Cruz, Parallel Mothers Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos Kristen Stewart, Spencer Watching Spencer was nothing short of a captivating, generation-defying experience. Kristen Stewart delivers a stunning performance as the late Princess Diana. Although the film has received mix reviews, it is worth noting that Stewart’s performance is the standout characteristic of the film. Any royal story is sure to grab audiences’ captivation, and Stewart portrays the Princess of our hearts in the most breathtaking manner possible. Best Supporting Actress: Jessie Buckley, The Lost Daughter Ariana DeBose, West Side Story Judi Dench, Belfast Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard In my humble opinion, Ariana DeBose is the likely winner for this category. West Side Story created a new definition for cinematic excellence. The film is stunning both visually and conceptually. This is largely in part due to DeBose’sperformance as well. Although a newcomer, she delivered the role of Maria perfectly. Her dedication to the character and the role at large is largely evident in the film’s output. Additionally, she has proven a fan favorite. Best Supporting Actor: Ciaran Hinds, Belfast Troy Kostur, CODA Jesse Plemons, The Power of the Dog J.K Simmons, Being the Ricardos Kodi Smit-Mcphee, The Power of the Dog This might be an unpopular opinion, but I believe J.K Simmons delivered a beautiful performance in Being the Ricardos. Simmons as been a regular in the industry for decades upon decades, and I believe it is his time to get his hands on a second iconic golden statue. It was amazing to see him portray William Frawley in such an intricate, in-depth manner. Therefore, I believe he is best suited for the award this time around. Best Director: Kenneth Branagh, Belfast Ryusuke Hamaguchi, Drive My Car Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog Paul Thomas Anderson, Licorice Pizza Steven Spielberg, West Side Story You have probably noticed a pattern over the course of this prediction list. I am slightly biased toward West Side Story, as I found the film spectacular through a plethora of cinematic landscapes. Most prominently, the film’s cinematography creates a new definition of the word. It is quite possibly the most cinematically appealing film I have ever watched. Never have I seen such a beautiful medley of angles, color grading, lighting, and shot output in a film before. Spielberg delivers big with this production, and I look forward for what he has to offer in the near future. Best Animated Feature: Encanto Flee Luca The Mitchells vs. the Machines Raya and the Last Dragon This category has three amazing nominees. Encanto, Luca, and The Mitchells vs. the Machines being the standouts for me. Although I prefer Pixar’s animated films, Disney stole the show this year with Encanto. It was an endearing, innocent tale conjoined with visually stunning representations of Colombian culture. Luca , another cultural phenomenon, demonstrated widespread appeal. However, the catchy songs of Encanto generated widespread buzz on a global scale. It is worth noting that The Mitchells vs. the Machines was an underrated masterpiece and deserves credit where it is due. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections James Webb – A Technological Precedent By Elyas Layachi Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 Image provided by NASA Introduction Space telescopes exist in many forms, whether they be from Target or Walmart as a child’s toy, or the over 11-ton Hubble Space Telescope. They have one main goal – to analyze, observe, and admire the sky. The first telescope was constructed in 1608 by spectacle-maker Hans Lippershey. It was made of wood and had several lenses. It was by far one of the simpler telescopes. As the years went on, the telescopes gradually became more complex and powerful, to the point where they took up entire buildings. However, in 1937, a new type of telescope, the radio telescope, was constructed. Its main purpose was to observe the different types of radiation in space. The years went on and astronomers and scientists began to think, “Why don’t we put a telescope in the sky?” So on April 24, 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope, named after Edwin Hubble, was launched, making it the first space-based telescope. However, it only operated within Earth’s orbit. Later, in 2006, the Kepler space telescope was launched. It stretched the limits of telescopes and was one of the first to operate outside of Earth’s orbit in the far reaches of the universe, searching for habitable planets. In October of 2021, NASA plans to launch the James Webb Space Telescope, representing the beginning of a whole new generation of telescope. Brief Overview of James Webb The James Webb Space Telescope, named after a former NASA administrator, James Webb. Sometimes, it’s even referred to as the “Next Generation Space Telescope.” According to NASA, it will be the premier observatory of the next decade, serving thousands of astronomers worldwide with observations and information. The telescope is made of an 18-mirror array to allow for the reflection of light. It has a five-layer sunshield that “attenuates,” or “reduces the effect of,” the heat of the sun, and according to NASA, it reduces the heat of the sun over a million times. To analyze the stars like never before, the James Webb uses infrared technology: technology used to analyze heat signatures visually, which cannot be seen with the human eye. As we investigate the universe using the James Webb, we are looking back in time. Since light takes time to travel to our eyes, a planet that we see today that is 4,000,000 light years away, for example, will be seen like it were 4,000,000 years ago, rather than as it is today. We won’t see what that planet looks like today for another 4,000,000 years. Furthermore, infrared will allow astronomers to look past obstacles such as dust clouds, as well as allow them to analyze the “red shift,” or whether celestial bodies are moving closer or farther away from the Earth. This is the power of infrared: it enables us to peer into the past of the universe and better understand our origin. We are bound to make many important discoveries with the use of this telescope. A Bright Future Ahead According to NASA, the projected launch date of James Webb is October 31, 2021. It was previously scheduled to launch in March 2021, but due to the coronavirus pandemic as well as technical challenges, it was rescheduled. It is still undergoing launch checks and testing, and a private company, Northrop Grumman, is assisting in this. The launch and use of the James Webb space telescope will define the next generation of space technology. It will be, by far, one of the most powerful infrared telescopes, and it will give humans the ability to see past the dust and rocks that occupy space, allowing us to peer into the past, understand our origin, and discover more about our vast, unknown universe. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Interview with Mr. Malizia: Featured New Faculty Member Manal Layachi Volume 4 Issue 3 March 13, 2024 Image Provided by Ms. Ansbacher Mr. Malizia and North Star's Sports Editor Manal Layachi Mr. Malizia is the new junior high (7th and 8th grade) band director at Valley Stream North High School. I had the opportunity to interview him about how he came to North, his personal connection to music, and advice he has for musicians at North and future music teachers. How he came to North: What college did you go to/what degrees did you earn in college? “I went to Hofstra University, and I got my Bachelor of Science in Music Education. When you go to Hofstra you are technically a dual major if you go there for education. You major in education and also major in whatever subject you want to teach.” Did you always want to become a teacher when you were younger ? “Teacher was always something that was in my head because my mom is a teacher, but she just retired recently. When she was a teacher and it was something that I had always seen, was familiar with, and how the teaching life works. I have always been around teachers as my mom’s friends were teachers. I was never set on teaching as a career until high school.” What brought you to teach at North High School? “I met Dr. Erdos playing in a pit with him for a musical and that’s how I heard about the job. I applied, picked up my resume, and had an interview at North. I had to play a little bit on a primary and secondary instrument. I played my trumpet, and the clarinet as well. After that, I did a demo lesson with the current 8th graders to show how I taught. Now that I have the current 8th graders, there are a couple of kids that I had made a brief connection with during my demo lesson, and they are my students now, so I get to really foster that connection which is pretty cool.” How was your first day at North? “Week One was a whirlwind because our first day was on a Friday. Leading up to that, the whole week was like ‘I don’t know any of my students. I don’t know what to expect. What’s going to happen?’ I planned out every second of that first day and even almost scripted myself. I created a little bit about me presentation and I kind of just rolled with it. I did a lot of planning and had a lot of preparation. I was like ‘What do I do? What if they don’t like me?’ It was nice to have Day One over with and have it under my belt. I met them. I got in a room. I did it. Only 179 more to go! Every day is a learning experience.” His Music Life: What is your personal connection to music? “It’s everything. It’s so much of who I am. I really feel like music is a living and breathing art form. Every single emotion that anybody has ever felt can be portrayed in music with sounds. Every idea and concept. Music has always been a big part of my life. I have always taken private lessons and always been involved in the music department. My personal connection to music blossomed in high school. I went to Farmingdale High School, and at Farmingdale we had such an amazing community within the band and in general. The Farmingdale community is an amazing community to be a part of and something that really fostered that love for me was being in music and the music department there. I felt it was so unique that we had what they have currently, and always have had. Everyone is so supportive of each other there and it is a positive environment to be a part of and welcoming. This spans further than where I went to high school and that is something I am also trying to foster here as well.” How do you support your students’ goals and musical endeavors? “I always tell my kids ‘You are always welcome in the band room. I am never going to turn you away.’ I grew up with the concept of we are creating something greater than ourselves. We are doing something so much bigger than one person can do. Everybody is important and makes a difference. Being involved in music is more than just making sounds and playing together. It’s this whole concept of doing something bigger than yourself and accomplishing things that you never thought could be accomplished. Developing your own sense of confidence, responsibility, and time management. Working as a team. Doing your part and also letting others do theirs. I could go on forever…” What do you love most about teaching? “Helping other people realize that you can do something that’s greater than yourself. What we are doing here is mental, physical, and all of the above, whereas Math is mostly mental. I wouldn’t argue that math or science is a physical thing. Putting the mental into the physical. It’s a full body thing. Music is the only subject that caters to every kind of intelligence. Some people are visual, logical, physical, or natural learners. Music is the only subject that really truly caters to all kinds. It’s a very unique subject.” What led you to join the Division 3 NMEA Festival Committee? “In college, I was always involved in volunteering at these festivals. A big part of our job is advocacy. Advocating for our students. Advocating for our programs. Advocating for the reason why music is important in our schools. It can be easy for people to be like ‘scratch the music program’ they do not truly understand what we are doing, so a lot of this advocacy that we are doing is really important. That’s a big part of what NMEA does and that’s a big part of All-County. Having these organizations really helps with advocacy and being able to provide these experiences for the next generation. I was a chairperson for the Division 5 All-County Jazz, and I also helped the Division 3 Chorus chair people.” What instruments are you able to play? “My main instrument would be the trumpet which I studied in college. I also studied the tenor saxophone a lot. I played trumpet in high school in the jazz and concert band ensembles. I also took private lessons in 5th grade for alto saxophone. I switched over to tenor as well. In 6th grade, I started clarinet and in 7th grade, I started flute. I did those four for NYSMMA every year going up levels five and six. In 10th grade, I did Allstate for trumpet and tenor saxophone. I got a 98 on trumpet and I got 100 on the tenor saxophone, but I was an alternate. I auditioned for the alternate all-National concert band and got in for tenor saxophone. I will never forget that day. I jumped up from off the couch and was like ‘I got in!’ It was such a cool experience! The next year I did four All State solos.” Advice/Closing: Do you have any advice for someone who wants to pursue music education in the future? “My suggestion is to get involved. Meet people, get involved, volunteer for things like All-County, the PEAK festival, and other events that NMEA does. Try teaching on your own such as private lessons for fourth and fifth graders. In college, get involved. Take private lessons, give private lessons. Just immerse yourself.” Do you have any advice for musicians at Valley Stream North High School? “Don’t take it for granted. There are not many opportunities that you really get to have. In the music department, we get to have so many different experiences. Being in a performance ensemble is so different than any other class period of the day. It’s worlds apart. It’s more interactive and personal. Being in the senior high groups, you get to know the upperclassmen and be in a class with people in other grades. There are not many classes and experiences like it. Little inside jokes and experiences with you and your friends in the ensemble. You go on different field trips, meet people, and have many different experiences that you would not be able to have if you weren’t involved in that.” Is there anything else you would like to add? “I am so lucky to do what I do. I am so fortunate to be here. You do what you love, and you never work a day in your life. I do love what I do. I try to pass that passion on to my students and try to make it a little contagious. I am really excited to help my students progress, be stronger, get them geared up to go onto the high school level, and be ready for everything that they are going to have thrown at them going forward. I am having a lot of fun and it's great getting to know all of the students. It’s been a lot of fun, and I am really fortunate to do what I do. I am very lucky, and I truly love what I do.” It was a pleasure interviewing Mr. Malizia, and he inspires me to continue on with music for the rest of my high school career and beyond! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections The Compliment of Green - 2 By Olivia Muscatelli November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections New Music in our Hallways? Express yourself! By Stephy Varughese Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image provided by Elaine Ching For years, Valley Stream North High School has been playing music in the hallways for special occasions such as spirit week. Our student body and teachers do not necessarily favor or notice the chosen music being played in the hallways. The music selection is generally lackluster and not loud enough to be heard. The current random selection of songs does not provoke the interest of the students, nor does it uplift the students emotionally. A student-based music committee, responsible for selecting the music that should be played in the hallways, may resolve this issue. The committee should follow basic school guidelines, such as the nonuse of inappropriate language and acceptable innuendos. However, multiple students regardless of their class status, should have an influence on what music should be played in hallways and classrooms. Music is an art form designed to evoke emotion in whoever is listening and the music in the hallways should reflect that. Students should listen to music that makes them feel energized and confident when going to class. Studies show that listening to music can have a positive impact on a person’s mental health. It can also lift the mood of the person who listens to it. When listening to the current songs in the hallways, students often feel unenthusiastic because it holds no significant resonance to them. Why not give our fellow students the self-confidence they need to face their next class with the help of the music they love? Our international students should also be able to express their opinions on the music selections. It is better to listen to authentic cultural music of different backgrounds rather than Disney songs in different languages that are currently being played. Let's face it, we are all not fans of Disney music. A better variety of music would generate a greater understanding and interest in music that people of various cultures are accustomed to. This isn’t limited to traditional songs. If students can listen to modern songs from other countries, then they can get interested in the cultures of other ethnic groups and enjoy the new variety of music. ____ I interviewed several students to ask what they think about the music that plays here at North. Commentators are left anonymous per their request: “There should be a designated group of students that will monitor the music played. There are many times where there are difficulties or poor music choices throughout our current process.” “I think a music committee should be established in North because it can help and further connect the students of North by choosing enjoyable songs for the students to listen to in the hallways. I feel that it is best for fellow students to pick these songs out because it allows for proper song choices that students will actually enjoy, rather than having an older staff member pick a song choice that students wouldn’t find enjoyable. Students will listen to these song choices picked up by their peers and feel better motivated while walking to their next class.” “Music is cool, and I love music and we should open up everyone to all genres to appreciate music as it is.” “There should be a designated group of students that will monitor the music played. There are many times where there are difficulties or poor music choices throughout our current process.” “I believe that we should create a music committee because it allows music from other cultures to be played which makes people feel more included. Also, I think that the speakers in the hallway were too quiet so barely anyone can hear the music.’ ___ Of the students I interviewed, 92% agreed that the music in North needs improvement in the choice of music and the need for a music committee. Most students say that they would like to hear better pop songs, rap, indie, K-pop, and other types of music. It seemed to agree that “less cringy” music, such as songs from movies and musicals, should be played in the halls. What can be done: The music committee shouldn’t be a club or part of a club, but an optional meeting for students interested in deciding what music should be played. Discussions, polling, and active communication would be beneficial to unite students and introduce new songs to them in the process. All music can be filtered through the teacher/advisor’s approval process and can be decided/voted upon what top music students would like to hear. This way, both teachers and students have a firmer acceptance of the choice of songs. Do you want a music committee in North High school or does the current music not affect you? Let us know! E-mail: varughes@vschsd.org BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Yahaya By Ava Stroja March 28, 2022 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 5

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections A Tribute to Selena By Christina Ossa Volume 2 Issue 1 October 8, 2021 Good Morning America article which shows a picture of Selena posing with her Grammy award in 1994 (https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/selena-quintanillas-husband-chris-perez-reflects-death-25-73440003) If you have a dream, don't let anybody take it away." -Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, let's take a moment to remember an insanely talented Mexican Tejano-pop singer, Selena Quintanilla, born on April 16, 1971. I've listened to her songs on repeat since I was a child. As an American Latina, her music was always playing at family get-togethers and at least once every month. The same could probably go for other Latino households and even others in general. She was a rising Spanish singer star in the 1990s who was just about to cross over to sing music in English. At the beginning of her career, she sang and helped her brother, A.B. Quintanilla, write songs, but her passion was to someday sing and write music in English. She had a unique, soulful voice and could sing multiple in genres with no problem. Her story and rise to fame had changed the Hispanic community, but it ended on a tragic note; she was shot dead by the president of her fan club, Yolanda Saldívar, on March 31, 1995. Selena's death was a massive shock to the Spanish community up to the present day; however, the lasting impact she left on our community still lingers, as she's widely known by almost all Latino families and has fans across the globe. A Slow Rise to Fame: Selena began her career by singing at quinceañeras, performing at weddings, and at her father's restaurant, “Papa Gayos” in Lake Jackson, which later shut down. She started with a family band, consisting of her dad, Abraham Quintanilla, as the manager, her sister, Suzette Quintanilla, on the drums, and her brother, A.B., writing songs and playing the bass. Once the family restaurant closed down, her dad decided to take a chance on Selena's talent and have them travel across the road. However, his rise to fame proved to be a slow one. She would travel across the West of the United States, performing shows for Latinos and other fan who followed her music. Eventually, she gained recognition and was signed by EMI Latin in 1989. From there, Selena would gain a large and almost cult-like following. Latino fans and others across the globe loved Selena's voice, her music, and her personality. Even when she gained more recognition, she didn't change and continued loving her fans equally no matter how many she had. One of the qualities she's most renowned for is her immense trust and kind attitude toward anyone and everyone. However, one of her most famous albums, Amor Prohibido (Translation: Prohibited Love ), brought her to the peak of her career. Along with one of her hit-singles, Como la Flor (Translation: Like the Flower ), she was recognized for her talent and in 1994-1995 was finally approved for a crossover album. It was rare and revolutionary for her career as a Latina singer to have the opportunity to sing her Hispanic music in English. Only a handful of other Latinos, such as Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias, or Gloria Estefan, had sung crossover albums; therefore, for Selena to have a crossover contract as a pop singer was an immense achievement, especially considering she was only twenty-four at the time. She even won her first Grammy for Best Mexican-American Album at the 36th GRAMMY Awards in 1994, which marked her as the first female Tejano artist who had ever won that category. Continuing with her momentum, she was even allowed to perform live at The Astrodome in front of over 61,000 fans on February 26, 1995. This concert, unbeknownst to anyone, would be her last live event. An Untimely Death: Selena's success only continued to grow, as the ambitious Tejano-singer would also go to form a fan club in mid-1991. However, since her family was caught up with her music production and she was busy with her new albums, songs, and live appearances, she had no one to manage her club. This led her to hire one of her most enthusiastic followers, "Selena's biggest fan," Yolanda Saldivar, who eventually quit her job as a nurse to run Selena’s club and boutiques. Even though Yolanda was just "Selena's fan" on the surface, she had a crazed obsession with the Tejano-singer. Selena trusted Yolanda to the extent that when she opened her first two boutique locations known as Selena, INC. in Corpus Christi and San Antonio, she relied on Saldivar to run them. At the same time, she was busy with her music career. The club began to go downhill in January of 1995 after her father started receiving calls from angry fans who never received the monthly "Selena goodies" they paid for with their enrollment in the club. With further research by Abraham, he found that Saldivar had used forged checks to embezzle $30,000 from both the fan club and boutiques. Abraham was enraged, consulting Suzette and Selena on what they should do about this situation. Abraham and Suzette wanted Yolanda immediately fired; however, Selena did not want to fire her because she believed Yolanda was her friend. Selena eventually fired Yolanda early spring 1995, and after three weeks, Selena finally agreed to meet Yolanda to get financial records, but Salvador refused to give them back. They met in Corpus Christi at a Days Inn motel, where Yolanda had a handgun ready. The outcome of this meeting was a nearly bled-out, dead Selena, found crawling to the lobby of the Days Inn. The days and weeks after her death, Latino and even American radios across the country played and had fans chanting her songs. Her death also happened just before she was set to release her new crossover album, which was released instead as a memorial to Selena. Selena has been missed since her death, and this year marks the 26th anniversary. She still has millions of fans to this day and is almost worshipped among the Latino community. Her debut, though not as long-lasting as was hoped, forever changed the Hispanic-English music industry. Her influence over the music industry paved the way for many famous Latino-American singers, such as Shakira, Demi Lovato, Becky G, and even Beyonce. She met Selena and looked up to her when she was younger. Even by me, Selena will forever be remembered. Her music will be played in Latino households across the globe for generations to come, and I know I have always admired Selena since I can remember. She's an inspiration through and through, and who knows the immense success she would've had if she continued down the path of global-wide fame she was approaching. Her story and end were overwhelmingly depressing, but this does not muddy the recognition and inspiration that comes along with the name "Selena Quintanilla. Sources Used: The Queen Is Dead – Texas Monthly 17 Artists Inspired By The Divine Glory Of Queen Selena Quintanilla | HuffPost Communities Selena: The Series ( https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjN57npxqTzAhWlY98KHT6SBaoQFnoECAYQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.netflix.com%2Ftitle%2F81022733&usg=AOvVaw3HZYiJAQMbuCJ0zGZ8TDB- ) (used as more of a guide of events, nothing specific) Selena (film)(again, used as more of a guide of events from what I can recall) BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Kobe Bryant Mural in Stairwell Jeselys Vazquez Volume 4 Issue 4 May 29, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching A beautiful masterpiece, the Kobe Bryant mural by the stairwell was created by Mr. Nafte’s students. It all started with an assignment known as the “Pivotal Portrait” which had students from different classes participate in it. According to Mr. Nafte, “the assignment is usually geared towards teaching student artists about value, tints, shades, monochromatic understanding, and the use of the medium selected for the initial portrait study,” so this year, students in Drawing and Painting electives selected Kobe Bryant. Due to his death in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, it has been a popular theme in the art world all around to present or make something in his honor by fans and artists in different parts of the world. For instance, the Lakers continue to honor his memory; talented people have made canvas paintings, sharing them live on various social media platforms and have shared how they are affected by it and their thoughts. In this case, our North High School’s creative students voted on a Kobe Bryant mural for the 3rd floor stairwell. Prior to the creation of the mural, students were given an assignment stating that they had to research a person they believe would be an inspiration to our Valley Stream North community, and once they finished researching, they presented it to the class for a vote and whoever ended up with the most votes from the class was the winner that got to be the person who decided the subject of the Pivotal Portrait. Did you know that there was a lesson behind it all with the medium of watercolors? As Mr. Nafte explains, “this year’s Kobe Bryant was a lesson in understanding, using, and experimenting with watercolor and how to appropriately apply watercolor in layers to achieve a variety of tints and shades, bringing the illusion of space and 3 dimensions to the viewer”. This kind of project takes about three weeks. In the first week students begin researching, in the second week they practice a variety of techniques on smaller-sized portions of paper to get the basic dynamic of watercolors, the medium, in this case, and in the last week, the students enlarge the scale to create the portrait and make an impression on our remarkable Valley Stream North High School community! Not only does the Kobe Bryant mural stand as a testament to artistry but also as a poignant homage to an incredible icon in NBA history whose legacy and hard work continues to reverberate across the realms of art and beyond. I can’t wait to see what else Mr. Nafte has up his sleeve to shock us all and be part of the marvelous creations that “spice” up our way to class and make us take a moment to appreciate it. BACK TO TOP