Back to Artwork Nightmare on Main Street Back to Sections Fears of the Night By Sophia Song October 8, 2021 Volume 2 Issue 1

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Why are We so Obsessed with Cheese? By Christina Ossa Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by Christina Ossa From pizza to calzones, cheese tacos, and cheeseburgers, our world seems to have an odd affinity for cheese. But why? This is partly due to our brains and how cheese triggers the same areas of the brain that drugs activate. Cheese is a very rich food, with its gooeyness and melting quality being some of its shining features. It’s the perfect ingredient to supplement almost any dish, providing a thickness that no other ingredient can combat. But apparently, our psychological reaction to cheese can also be to blame for humankind’s “cheese obsession.” A study by the University of Michigan revealed that ingesting cheese has similar effects on the brain to ingesting drugs, which is not as concerning as it seems. Cheese contains a chemical called casein (a chemical commonly found in dairy products like milk, butter, etc.) which activates parts of the brain that recognize proteins known as receptors. These parts of the brain that cheese activates are known as opioid receptors. Now, you may be familiar with opioids - as they are a type of drug/painkiller - but don’t worry, as cheese is (obviously) not an opioid. While it may contain casein, which causes the brain to react similarly to how it would to a drug, the chemical doesn’t have remotely the same effects addictive drugs do (like opioids) on the brain. Think of it like a coffee addiction; yes, it may be harmful to the body nutritionally, but it doesn’t extremely harm people or derail their lives. Cheese is a perfectly normal guilty pleasure, and the casein contained in it is the reason behind this. Furthermore, while all dairy products contain casein, cheese has more than double the amount of casein than a dairy product like milk. Since cheese is derived from milk, which only has a small amount of casein, this “small amount” of the chemical builds up as more milk is used to make cheese (it usually takes 10 pounds of milk to make cheese). This is why you may feel more content while eating a slice of pizza than after drinking a glass of milk. Even if enjoying cheese is normal, the addictive quality of the cheese is one of the more common causes of addictive eating behavior, especially for mainly highly processed cheese such as American Cheese (or “plastic cheese”). Processed Cheese Products, or PCPS, contain calcium phosphate Para casein (more common in cheeses like Cheddar or Gouda), which causes a significant addiction to cheese. The next time you feel like you may be eating cheese too frequently, just remember to eat it in moderation. But if you choose a less processed cheese or simply want cheese every few weeks, feel free to indulge. Just because cheese may be a bit addictive and tasty, this just means that your brain enjoys it. Healthy eating practices are crucial to a healthy life, but a cheese pasta dish every so often or cheese in moderation creates a healthy balance between mental health and diet. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Black American Artists Back to Sections Dress Rehearsal #2 By James Van Der Zee February 12, 2021 Volume 1 Issue 5 Medium: Gelatin Silver Print (Photography), Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Back to Articles News Back to Sections 2022 Midterm Elections Not Far Away: Possibility of a Polar Opposite of 2018 Results By Logan Balsan Volume 1 Issue 5 February 12, 2021 Image provided by CNN We are only two weeks into President Biden’s 4-year term, and he has signed 47 Executive Orders on a range of issues. As more Senators and Representatives announce their retirements after the 2022 midterm elections, what does the playing field look like for both parties now that Donald Trump is no longer in the White House? The United States House of Representatives is the most vulnerable for the Democratic Party. In 2020, in which the Democrats took both the Senate and the White House, the Republicans gained more than a dozen seats in the House of Representatives, with two of the crucial seats being in New York. This could mean that the Republicans are on the path to a majority in 2022, with the end result being Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the current House Minority Leader and Leader of the House Republican Conference. The United States Senate is currently the most vulnerable to the Republican Party, a surprise for a midterm year during a Democratic White House. Several key Republicans have announced their intents to retire in 2022, including Senators Rob Portman of Ohio, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, and Richard Burr of North Carolina. Along with the 2020 Democratic pickups in Georgia, Senator Raphael Warnock is up for a full term in 2022, which the Republicans will be fighting vigorously to take back. The most vulnerable swing states for the Republican Party happen to be those who have announced their retirements, including Wisconsin. The Democrats have an opportunity to gain up to 2 seats with more than a 50 percent probability, but if they overperform, they can gain up to 4. In 2018, the Democrats took the House from the Republicans while the Republicans gained 2 seats in the Senate from the Democrats. 2022 can have the potential to bring the exact opposite of 2018’s results. As more Senators announce their intentions to run for re-election or not, more predictions will be made on the outcome of who will hold the majority of the Senate. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Purpose Back to Sections Isabella Somma - Blue Orange Study By Isabella Somma November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Esther By Isabella Somma March 28, 2022 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 5

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Survey: Are Lunch Lines Too Long? Hydrangea, Staff Writer Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by Learning for Justice With the start of a new school year, comes the return of the almighty lunch period, a time to relax, talk to friends, and eat something. But a more dreadful tradition comes along with lunch: getting on line for food. We could debate whether or not cafeteria food is good for hours, but potential issues can be present in the lunch line itself. I did not have a lunch period last year, and so I was overjoyed to finally get one this time around—only to have to stand in line for almost twenty minutes every day just to get a cheeseburger. I’ve thought a lot about the lunch line. Why was I spending so much time on it when actually getting my food takes only a minute? What was keeping it backed up? And why did it feel so much longer than it did in years past? And so, I bring you a survey about lunch lines. I implore any student to take part, but especially those who get their lunch from the cafeteria. Do you also believe the lunch lines feel too long? Or do they feel shorter for you? I think it’s an interesting issue to look at, so please give me your thoughts! You can take the survey here . Please keep your responses on-topic and respectful, as I will be able to see who sent what. Results will be published in the next issue of NORTH STAR. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Perspective Back to Sections Kaitlin Barry - Perspective - 2 By Kaitlin Barry December 16, 2020 Photography Volume 1 Issue 3

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 Sports Back to Sections Autumn School Event Recap Giavanna Quagliata Volume 5 Issue 2 November 25, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching Since school has started, everybody has been getting used to their classes, taking tests, and doing homework. However, school is not just about work. Have you heard about North’s autumn events? Well, if not, then this article is for you! North has so many activities to participate in, or just to attend with friends. Football games - Specifically, FNL, which stands for Friday Night Lights. This is the biggest football game at North, and the stands are filled with people. Every year there is a different theme; this year’s for example, was Whiteout. The cheerleaders worked hard to perform perfectly and support our team, while the Varsity Kickline team performed during half-time to a genre that everyone loves: Hip-Hop. If you did not make it to this year’s game, it is definitely recommended to go at least once before you graduate. This next event is known as one of our biggest school events, the Pep Rally. If you haven’t heard of it already, Pep Rally is a big performance to show appreciation for all sports. For Pep Rally, students are taken out of their 8th and 9th period classes and go out to the football field to watch, and this year’s occurred on Friday October 18th. If you are not in any performances, students are seated on the bleachers. Every sport gets announced, and spectators cheer the players on the teams. The cheerleaders performed a special routine with amazing stunting skills, kickline did a surprise genre dance performance, and Step showed their skills with a performance as well (which included many of the World Language Department teachers and Mr. Loiseau, and it was awesome .) This year, Mrs. Goldman helped recruit teachers to join them during their routine. If you feel like dressing fancy, this next event is for you: The Homecoming Dance. Every year, 10-12th graders are invited to attend. Your class saves up money to contribute to a DJ, food, and drinks. Plan to go with your best friends, or maybe even be asked by someone special. When you walk in, a table with teachers awaits you to give them your ticket, and if you would prefer, you can drop off your coat. After, you walk into the cafeteria and see it is decorated and filled with people. Parent volunteers help you grab some food, and you go dance with friends. This year’s theme was Disco. The next day everyone is invited to attend the football game. This year, the Spartans won their game. These are only a few events at North. If you look deeper, you can find all diverse types of activities and events for something you might enjoy. If you are feeling spontaneous, join a club or get involved in an activity. It is better to join than to regret not joining at all. BACK TO TOP