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Back to Articles News Back to Sections Farewell, Mrs. Byrne! By Jeselys Vazquez Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Original photography by VSN Mrs. Byrne has worked at North High School since 1988, an astounding 34 years. That is a pretty long time, but now it is her time to retire and fulfill her life with everything she has planned to do and accomplish. Throughout her time at North, she has made so many memories, not being able to pick a favorite! For her time she has been here and made friends whom she considers family. Her most memorable moments are students who have become teachers, businesspeople, and nurses. It has been a blessing to her to have had students’ parents as her students. In her time, she has advised SADD and changed so many lives for the better. The daily interactions with her students and getting to know them as people have always been unique to her in understanding their type of person. She said her time here at North has been such a blast and roller coaster; however, what she is most looking forward to in retirement is spending time with her granddaughter, looking into becoming a life coach, doing some relaxation, and reading more. The age group she enjoys working with is 10-12 because that’s when teens start becoming young adults, mature and grow within their knowledge. Fun fact, her favorite subjects are Social Studies and English. She believes they both tell a story and spring so many different discussions about ideas/beliefs you may have about it. Funny memories she has are of Ms. Bobe and herself being the moms of Mr. Achatz and him playing tricks on them as a little kid would. Next year in April, she plans to visit two parts of Italy: Tuscany and Sicily. She would not change her career choice for anything; she loves what she does and enjoys having a part in students’ futures and leaving an impact on them. I have chatted with Ms. Bobe, Ms. Mansfield, Ms. Bombardier, Ms. Lopez, and one of her SADD club members, Everton Prospere. They have all kindly shared their thoughts, moments they have shared with her, and the impacts she has left on them. People have said they will miss her most because of her positivity: how she has a big heart, kindness, selflessness, dedication to her work, and how she helps her students. She is just beyond words incredible and has an outshining personality. Everything she does always leads to success in helping her students who struggle to achieve their goals and succeed. Teachers and students have made unforgettable memories with her, filled with love and laughter. They have noted her energy, positivity, enthusiasm, love, and care towards her students, effort, and power to push through any circumstances. Many people, including myself, have been impacted tremendously by her in so many beautiful ways. We will miss you so much, Mrs. Byrne! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Lumpia Recipe By Elaine Ching Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by Rasa Malayasia Ingredients - 1/2-pound ground sirloin - 1 carrot (chopped small or grated) - Small can of water chestnuts-chopped into small pieces - Onion powder - One teaspoon crushed garlic  - Half teaspoon relish (optional) - Salt  - Pepper - Lumpia (Filipino eggroll) wraps Instructions - In a large mixing bowl, combine ground sirloin add carrots, water chestnuts onion powder, garlic, relish, salt and pepper. - Stir/mix well; Let sit for 15 mins. - Take one eggroll wrap, if you want smaller portions, cut wrap diagonally to make two triangles. - Place a teaspoon size of the mixture in the middle of wrap. Fold in sides of wrap. Roll wrap up, tapping the edge with a small bit of water. The water will seal the wrap--holding it together. - In medium size pot, add vegetable oil approximately halfway. Heat oil. - Place 3 -4 eggrolls in oil. Cook until lightly tan, approximately 3-4 mins. - Remove and place on a paper towel lined plate. Let cool for a minute. Cut eggroll in half.  Eggroll should be fully cooked on the inside. - Serve with sweet hot chili pepper sauce.  BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Sophia Rhall - Lights On for Education - 1 By Sophia Rhall April 22, 2021 Colored Pencil Volume 1 Issue 7

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Athlete Spotlight: Kevin Beltran By Navrosedip Kundlas and Matteo Somma Volume 3 Issue 4 May 18, 2023 Image Provided by Valley Stream North XC/Track Facebook Page Junior distance runner Kevin Beltran has been making waves in the running world with his impressive accomplishments. As a four-time All-County athlete and two-time All-State athlete, Beltran has consistently proven himself an exceptional runner. His talents have not gone unnoticed, as he has been ranked #1 on the Long Island Team in Cross Country by Just In Time Racing . Beltran's achievements are not limited to the team rankings. He also holds several Valley Stream North distance records. As Beltran continues to excel in his running career, we are all looking forward to seeing what he will achieve in the future. Beltran’s Athletic High School Accomplishments (thus far): Four-Time Season All-County Runner for Indoor Track and Field (2021-22), Outdoor Track and Field (2022), Cross Country (2022), and Indoor Track (2022-23) Two-Time All-State Runner in the 5000-meter and the 1000-meter Intersectional Relay #1 Long Island Cross Country Team by Just in Time Racing School Records Held by Kevin Beltran (thus far): Junior and overall, 5000-meter School Record Holder (Cross Country 2022) with a time of 15:47.75 Junior and overall, 4000-meter School Record Holder (Cross-Country 2022) with a time of 12:52.30 Junior and overall, 1000-meter School Record Holder (Indoor Track 2022-23) with a time of 2:33.98 Junior and overall, 1600-meter School Record Holder (Indoor Track 2022-23) with a time of 4:30.33 Junior and overall, one mile (1609-meters) School Record Holder (Indoor Track 2022-23) with a time of 4:24.57 Junior and overall, 3200-meter School Record Holder (Indoor Track 2022-23) with a time of 9:41.39 Sophomore and overall, 1600-meter School Record Holder (Outdoor Track 2022) with a time of 4:20.40 As Kevin Beltran looks towards the future, it's clear he has already made a significant impact on the local world of distance running. His impressive achievements as a junior have earned him widespread recognition and respect from the running community, as well as VSN students, staff and alumni. Beltran's hard work and dedication to his sport, as well as the influence of VSN Track coaches Mr. Frazer and Mr. Boyens, have certainly paid off, and it's likely he will continue to achieve great heights in the years to come. As we have watched Beltran's scholastic running career unfold, he is a rising star in the sport, and we can't wait to see where his talents take him next. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Just Dance! By Ismaela Andre Volume 1 Issue 5 February 12, 2021 Image provided by Ubisoft Have you heard of Just Dance ? This is a kid-friendly video game that you can use to dance with family and friends. There are many editions to choose from since a new version is released each year. Each version comes with about 40 different tracks with the hottest songs at the time of their release. With the new Just Dance Unlimited service, though, you can gain access to hundreds of songs from the existing Just Dance catalogue! Just Dance Unlimited is a monthly/yearly plan that gives you access to the newest and old songs of Just Dance . The product is available on all latest game consoles, as well as the PS4 and Xbox One. This product is rated E for Everyone and can be bought on Amazon, the J ust Dance website, or on your console. Now go and have fun dancing with family and friends! (Visit https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/just-dance/2021 to learn more) BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Glicked: Which Movie is Better? Mya Hans Volume 5 Issue 3 January 14, 2025 Image Provided by Max Ching “Glicked” is a portmanteau fans are using to describe the coincidence of the movies Gladiator II and Wicked, debuting on the same day in theaters, on November 22, 2024. This unique term brings attention to both movies, increasing viewership. “Glicked” is doing exceptionally well in box office, both movies receiving multiple Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, but which movie is better? Gladiator II is a continuation of the classic 2000’s movie Gladiator with an audience rating of 3.1/5 stars. People were at first hesitant to see it, considering the universal opinion that sequels are usually nowhere near as good as the original movie. There are mixed reviews about this movie, some claiming the acting is great, but not accurate to the time period, or that it was an unnecessary sequel, or even that the characters in Gladiator II don’t live up to the iconic characters in the first movie. Erik Kain, a writer for Forbes magazine states that, “ Gladiator II is a truly terrible film in almost every way imaginable, making even its wildly bombastic combat dull and trite.” Inversely, Kristy Puchko, a top critic on the Rotten Tomatoes website says, “For all its faults, Gladiator II is an extraordinary film, the kind that demands to be seen in theaters.” Overall, the feedback from Gladiator II has been a mix of positive and negative. Wicked on the other hand, has been receiving a lot of love and positive reviews, with an audience rating of 4.1/5 stars. Wicked is an on-screen adaptation of the well-known Broadway hit. It is the first part of the story, representing Act 1 of the musical. The second movie will come out next year, to finish the story, representing Act 2 of the musical. The two main characters are one of the most influential pop stars of the century, Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda and talented Oscar-winning actress and singer Cynthia Erivo who plays Elphaba. Top Critics on the Rotten Tomatoes website called it “Wickedly magical” and “a thrill, at times wildly funny, heart-soaring, and ultimately inspirational.” I agree with all the positive reviews of Wicked . Although I did not see the original show on Broadway, this movie convinced me to. The singing, choreography, costume designs, and all the actors in the movie are incredible. The movie was very long (2 hours and 40 minutes); however, it certainly did not feel that long. I may be biased because I have not seen Gladiator II but based on reviews, clearly the consensus would agree. If I had to recommend a movie, I would recommend Wicked . You don’t have to be a musical theater lover, or even a fan of the story to enjoy a 10/10 movie! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Senior Advice By Alicja Paruch Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by Lawson State Community College As another school year comes to an end, and the senior class approaches graduation, they would like to share some life and school advice with the underclassmen. We hope the knowledge we have gathered in the past 12 years of our education will help you and spark new hope into your lives. “If you’re studying past 12, you’re probably not absorbing the information anymore” -Jack Schwabe “Esta avise es para todo el mundo, pero más para personas que allá llegado de otros países, la mejor manera de conocer gente es unirte a actividades después del colegio puede ser algún deporte, arte pero has lo que te gusta y vas a conocer mucha gente y recuerda nadie es superior o inferior que ti, tú eres el único que se da el valor que de verdad te mereces” This advice is for the whole world, but more for the people who came from foreign countries. The best way to get to know people is to join after school activities, it can even be a sport, or art but do what you like and get to know many people and remember no one is superior or inferior to you. You are the only one who gives value and respect that YOU yourself deserve.” -Joshua Montero “Start your college essay over the summer and keep track of your deadlines.” - Tiffany Wong “Don’t catch senioritis too early.” - Micaela Creo  “School is not a democracy.” - Lucy Wu “Don’t worry about something you cannot control.” - Francheska Martin Quesada “Be kind to everyone.” - Zohair Khan “Enjoy every second because it goes by fast.” - Alex Benincasa   “Reuse your application supplements and keep them in one spot.” - Leema Caravan “Take every opportunity you can and live every day to your fullest.” -Ian Ramos “It’s better to try and fail than not try at all” and “The worst they can say is no.” - Eva Grace Martinez “Live life to enjoy yourself, not to appease others.” - Afia Kapadwala “Always remember there is a bigger picture.” - Daniel Ellis “Don’t give up near the end, you’re so close!” - Disha Bhalla “Live your life how you want and don’t let negative thoughts change it.” -Nimish Lotlikar “Make wise choices and don’t fear mistakes.” - Ahmik Muhammad “Don’t stress over a bad grade. When in doubt, don't send your SAT scores.” - Michael Munson “Try to go to a lot of school events and make the most of your senior year.” - Karen Ye “Don't be a tryhard. You’re more than a 100.” -Will Mullin “Don’t forget to live and enjoy the present. Often it is very easy to get caught up in the thought of the future and forget about what is happening right now.” -Mari-Angeli Lugo “Make sure to take the time and enjoy the little time you have left”- Jack DelCarpine “Take every opportunity you get. You don’t want to be left with regrets” - Daniel Amin “Do everything to the best of your ability.” - Matt Long “It’s okay to rely on your friends; they’re all in the same boat.” - Ashrita Seelan “Don’t run in the halls.” - Dahlia Valentin BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Who Am I Back to Sections All Eyes on You By Emily Dahl November 19, 2021 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 2 This piece was inspired by the feeling of everyone watching you, but not for the reasons you’d normally want to be seen. There’s a big difference between people watching you perform in a talent show and watching you after you’ve done something embarrassing, and my goal with this artwork was to capture the latter.

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections The Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg By Craig Papajohn-Shaw Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Image provided by The New Yorker Notorious Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG): unstoppable, strategic, dissenting, iconic. The death of late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg came to a shock to many in late September after losing her battle with pancreatic cancer. Ginsburg, beloved by many, was notable for fighting for gender equality and for her feminist qualities prior and during her tenure on the Supreme Court. Prior to her term on the court, she overcame adversities to her gender. When she attended Harvard Law, she was one of nine women in classes consisting of 500 students. However, Ginsburg would not graduate from Harvard Law. Her husband, Martin, graduated from Harvard a year sooner and was offered a job at a law firm in New York City. With Ginsburg still having a year yet to receive her degree, she requested her credits be transferred to Columbia University, which would allow her to graduate with a Harvard Degree. The request was not granted, but she would still graduate top of her class from Colombia. Her past experiences defined her and contributed to the role she would play as both a lawyer and a judge. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter (D-GA) appointed Ginsburg to the United State Appeals for the District of Columbia. Serving for 13 years, President Bill Clinton (D-AR) would then appoint her to the Supreme Court as only the second female Justice (after Sandra Day O’Connor). President Joe Biden (D-DE) chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee at the time of Justice Ginsburg’s nomination, rallying his colleagues to support her nomination to the Supreme Court. When she joined the court, she was known as the “consensus builder,” having a moderate ideology. However, as time progressed and the political landscape of the country changed, she became known as one of the most, if not the most, liberal Justices on the court, even though her views on the law did not change. Ginsburg did not let her liberal ideologies stand in the way of her relationship with conservative Justices such as Sandra Day O’Connor and Anthony Scalia. In Ginsburg’s and Scalia’s joint appearance in 2015, Scalia jokingly stated, “Call us the odd couple. She likes opera, and she is a very nice person. What is not to like? Except her views on the law.” The ideological opposites attracted and contributed to the civil dynamic on the most prestigious court in the country. Ginsburg’s career epitomizes the idea of equality for all citizens and her views on the law played a crucial role in several landmark decisions. First displayed in her majority opinion in United States v. Virginia, Ginsburg stated the decision that the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) male-only admissions policy was unconstitutional in 1996. Furthering on her views of equal treatment and opportunity for all, the 2015 Supreme Court Case Obergefell v. Hodges decided the fate of legalizing gay marriage on a federal level; she joined the majority opinion of the court. In the controversial 5-4 decision, the opinion of the court claimed that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees the right to marry as one of the foundational liberties it protects. In memory of Ginsburg, a six-foot bronze statue was unveiled on March 15th outside 445 Albee Square in Downtown Brooklyn's City Point in New York City. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams (D-NY) tweeted on that day: “Ruth Bader Ginsburg dedicated her life to breaking down barriers and making our country a more equitable place. Her powerful example has inspired New Yorkers of all generations, and this new statue will ensure her legacy lives on for generations.” Ginsburg challenged laws that discriminated on the basis of sex, and while the door to her composing decisions on the court has closed, the precedents Ginsburg set have changed the course of history, and those doors will forever remain open. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Happiness By Elaine Ching March 28, 2022 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 5