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 Sports Back to Sections NBA 2021-2022 Regular Season By Leah Ally Volume 2 Issue 6 April 14, 2022 Image provided by The Washington Post The National Basketball Association (NBA) has recently finished its 76th regular season, as the playoffs begin to kick off with its most competitive twenty teams. After two abbreviated seasons owing to the COVID-19 epidemic, the NBA returned to an entire 82-game regular season in its customary mid-October to mid-April schedule for the first time since the 2018-2019 NBA season. For instance, the 2019-2020 season was delayed until late July or early August, while the 2020-2021 season began in December and concluded in the middle of July. Throughout the season, only the cities of Los Angeles, Toronto, New York City, San Francisco, and Philadelphia have implemented COVID-19 vaccine mandates for fans at sporting events. While the majority of the league’s players (about 95 percent) have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 97% are fully vaccinated with two doses, players in these identified markets who refused to be vaccinated were not eligible to play in home games throughout most of the season. In addition, the NBA has stated these players would be forced to forfeit money for the missed games. An example of this regulation can be shown from the Brooklyn Nets’s star point guard, Kyrie Irving, who recently made his debut in Barclays Center for the first time this year on March 27th, shortly after New York City ended its vaccine mandate. As a result of his refusal to receive the vaccine, Kyrie lost out on $380,000 every game he missed, making it a total of about $17 million that was cut from his paycheck this year. As of right now, there has been a total of 11 games postponed due to COVID-19 cases and have been successfully rescheduled. On August 2nd, 2021, the free agency began. Longtime Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry announced his decision to sign a long-term contract with the Miami Heat. In addition, young star Lonzo Ball announced he would be signing a four-year, $85 million deal with the Chicago Bulls, joining fellow free agency signing Demar Derozan. The Los Angeles Clippers re-signed superstar Kawhi Leonard, and the Phoenix Suns re-signed superstar Chris Paul. The Brooklyn Nets extended Kevin Durant to a four-year $198 million deal in the East. Not only did the 2021-2022 season offer numerous notable free agency signings, but many transactions and retirement announcements took place. The biggest deal of 2022 happened just hours before the deadline when the Brooklyn Nets agreed to a trade between sending James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons, making it an impactful move for both Eastern Conference contenders. That deal followed a huge one when the Damian Lillard-CJ McCollum era in Portland ended. He joined the New Orleans Pelicans, where he would play alongside Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. The Sacramento Kings then traded All-Star Domantas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb, and Justin Holiday to the Indiana Pacers for promising second-year guard Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Tristan Thompson. Some notable retirees this season include JJ Redick (37 yrs. old), Chandler Parsons (33 yrs. old), Tyson Chandler (38 yrs. old), J.R Smith (35 yrs. old), and Jamal Crawford (42 yrs. old). From April 12-15, 2022, the NBA will host a play-in tournament for clubs placed 7th through 10th in each conference. The club in seventh place will host the team in eighth place, with the winner earning the seventh seed in the playoffs. The team in the ninth position will face the club in tenth place, with the loser being eliminated from postseason contention. The loser of the 7th-8th place game will next host the winner of the 9th – 10th place game, with the winner earning the 8th seed and the loser being eliminated. As the 2022 NBA playoffs are the main topic of discussion, the playoffs will begin on April 16th. The finals are planned to start on June 2nd, with a possible game seven on June 19th. BACK TO TOP

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

Back to Artwork Beauty in Nature Back to Sections Chris Cooper By Anonymous February 10, 2022 Photography Volume 2 Issue 4

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 Articles News Back to Sections The Future of the Supreme Court By Craig Papajohn-Shaw Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 Image provided by AP News The recent passing of Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in late September has led to a controversy surrounding the judicial branch. Her passing under the currently Republican Trump administration caused a problematic uprising among Democratic politicians. Many claimed a new justice should only be appointed once the election has taken place. Democratic Senators such as Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) were outraged with President Trump’s decision to make an appointment to the Supreme Court, tweeting on September 20, “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.” Much of this backlash was provoked by the perceived hypocrisy within the Republican Party when former President Obama attempted to appoint a new justice in his final year of office. He made this effort after Justice Anthony Scalia, a conservative, passed away in February of 2016, 237 days prior to the 2016 presidential election. However, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) dismissed him from doing so, stating back in 2016, “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.” President Obama would go on to nominate Circuit Judge Merrick Garland; however, the Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee prevented any hearings from being held for the judge. Mitch McConnell further said in 2016 that, “One of my proudest moments was when I looked Barack Obama in the eye and I said, ‘Mr. President, you will not fill the Supreme Court vacancy.’” Even with the past precedents that Republican senators set, President Trump would still nominate Circuit Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be the next Associate Justice on the Supreme Court, this time only 27 days prior to Election Day. The Republican Senate would ensure her placement on the court, as only a majority is needed for a Justice to be confirmed. On October 26, the Senate would confirm her with a 52-48 vote, staying along party lines apart from Susan Collins (R-ME). Senator Collins stated, “Prior to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death, I stated that should a vacancy on the Supreme Court arise, the Senate should follow the precedent set four years ago and not vote on a nominee prior to the presidential election.” Her decision was striking to many, as she was in a close senate race with Sara Gideon (D). Judge Barrett would be sworn in that evening by Justice Clarence Thomas. The third confirmed justice by President Trump solidified a 6-3 conservative supermajority on the Supreme Court. During the 2019-2020 term, Chief Justice John Roberts was seen as a swing vote, occasionally joining the liberal bloc of the court, as in cases such as June Medical Services LLC v. Russo and Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California , both of which resulted in a 5-4 decision solidified by Justice Roberts’ vote. However, his role as a “swing vote” has been eliminated. This was recently exemplified in the November 25th decision of Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo where even though the ideological right-leaning Chief Justice, sided with the liberal bloc, he would still be in the minority as newly appointed Justice Amy Coney Barrett sided with the conservative bloc, making this a 5-4 win for conservatives. Pending decisions on cases such as California v. Texas , which questions the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act (commonly referred to as Obamacare), which now has a penalty of zero for not buying health insurance, and if it is ruled to be unconstitutional, may further demonstrate the impact of the supermajority. Throughout Joe Biden’s campaign, the former Vice President, as well as Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), were pressed on their views regarding “court-packing,” or adding justices to the Supreme Court in order to benefit the Democratic agenda. The Constitution does not state a maximum number of justices the Court is required to have. However, the current state of having eight Associate Justices and one Chief Justice has been in place since 1869. Both the Former Vice President and the Senator have been avoiding and deflecting questions on this topic. Back in late October, Biden told CBS, “If elected, what I will do is I'll put together a national...bipartisan commission of scholars, constitutional scholars, Democrats, Republicans, liberal, conservative. And I will ask them to [spectate] over [the next] 180 days [and] come back to me with recommendations as to how to reform the court system because it's getting out of whack.” While the messages about the pressing issue from the incoming administration are unclear, it should be stressed that packing the courts is not a simple process. In the 1930s, Democratic President Franklin Delano Roosevelt attempted to pack the courts when his “New Deal” legislation was being struck down. The Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937, which would ultimately fail, was proposed as a way for Roosevelt to appoint up to six new justices for every member of the court over the age of 70. In the modern era, Joe Biden would need a simple majority in each chamber of Congress to add justices. However, even if the Democrats win both Georgia Senate runoff races in January, schisms within the party might make court-packing difficult, as certain Democratic senators have implied, they do not support the idea. As the 2020-2021 Supreme Court term progresses, the supermajority on the court will make influential decisions that will shape the country for decades to come. BACK TO TOP

ALL ARTICLES NEWS ART & CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA FEATURE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY POLARIS EDITORIAL SPORTS ADVICE The Rabbit’s Foot Polaris Nathaly Zavala June 8, 2026 READ MORE Polaris Meeting Game Polaris Shea Flanelly June 8, 2026 READ MORE Karma Polaris Nathaly Zavala June 8, 2026 READ MORE North’s 7th Grade Fun Day Feature Akilan Subramaniyan June 8, 2026 READ MORE Shower Polaris Caitlyn Hunte June 8, 2026 READ MORE Eternal Love Polaris Nathaly Zavala June 8, 2026 READ MORE Exam Study Tips Advice Wardah Khizer June 8, 2026 READ MORE Tired Blood Polaris Caitlyn Hunte June 8, 2026 READ MORE Does Glasses Equal Intelligence: A Stereotype or Fact? Feature Akilan Subramaniyan June 8, 2026 READ MORE 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 ... 90

Back to Artwork Portrait Back to Sections Obedson Renelus - Portrait By Obedson Renelus January 20, 2021 Graphite Volume 1 Issue 4

Back to Articles News Back to Sections The Mystery Behind the Gabby Petito Case By Alisson Alas Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Image provided by CNN Twenty-two-year-old Gabby Petito, born on Long Island, New York, was not heard from again since late August after going on a road trip with her twenty-two-year-old fiancé, Brian Laundrie of Florida. Before her disappearance, she sent a text her mother found very strange saying “Can you help Stan? I just keep getting his voicemails and missed calls.” Her mother Nichole Schmitt claims her daughter did not call her grandfather by his first name “Stan.” Brian Laundrie returned to his parent’s home in Florida on August seventeenth, a few days after the videotaped interaction he and Gabby had with the police on August twelfth, in Moab City, Utah. This case blew up pretty quickly, mostly thanks to social media. I saw many speculations on Tik Tok about this case; some of them proved true. One thing I noticed was that many people put their heads together on social media to figure this out by noticing tiny details. I saw and read about so many theories, and it is crazy what happens when so many people work together to figure something out. There are still so many details to this case that we do not know about. In my opinion, this case is heartbreaking, and it feels awful to know that Gabby was only six years older than me, that she went to school here on Long Island and grew up here. It is honestly terrifying how such a thing can happen to anyone in general. So many kids, women, and men go missing every year, every month, and every day. Some are found and others, unfortunately, are not. It is also very upsetting how someone so close to you, someone you trust, could be able to hurt you. Right now, we do not know what exactly happened with Brian and Gabby, what they fought about, how long it had been going on, or how bad it was. We only know of what we have seen from the police bodycam and the things their friends have told. Hopefully, her family can get more answers. I interviewed some staff and students at North to get to know their opinions about this case. What do you think about the Gabby Petito case? “I was very upset to hear about the disappearance and passing of Gabby Petito. It's always sad to see someone lose a life but it's especially sad when it's a young person with so much life ahead of her.” “I think it's sad anytime that there's someone who is so young and has their whole life ahead of them and they die and have their life cut short. It's tragic and I feel bad for her parents to see something so tragic happen to their daughter... It's every parent's worst nightmare.” “I believe the Petito case is very sad and disturbing. As a father of a daughter, I worry that this could happen to my daughter, or one of my female students. It should serve as a lesson for all that domestic abuse should be taken seriously because there could be terrible consequences if not addressed appropriately. Women and men need to know what rights they have and how to handle an abusive partner” How do you feel about the fact that her boyfriend knew she was missing but said nothing? “It's concerning that he did not report she was missing, and we always hope that people do the right thing, and if something happened between them, like regardless of the status of the relationship, we hope that as a human being he should have let the authorities know. What do you think about the fact that her boyfriend might have killed her? “We don't know that he killed her but obviously has something to do with her, and it's sad that someone so close to you can do something like this. The case won't be solved until Brian is found, but I don't feel that they will get answers from him because in cases like this the other partner commits suicide.” What could have been correct for his parents to do in this situation? “The correct thing should have been for his parents to not let him go out, to pay more attention and to have let the authorities know because if he wasn't guilty, he should have not run away. If it had been my kid, I would have checked more and I would have guessed something was being hidden, but as parents, yes, it's true we have to protect our children, but Gabby also has parents, she is a daughter and she and her parents both should have justice.” BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Beauty in Nature Back to Sections Fabian Rivera - Beauty in Nature By Fabian Rivera February 10, 2022 Photography Volume 2 Issue 4