Back to Artwork Contemplation Back to Sections The Road By Arunima Roy June 8, 2021 Oil Volume 1 Issue 8

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Ask Ala: Friends By Ala Paruch Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Image provided by Infared Q. Dear Ala, I am in seventh grade and I don't have many friends. I had a lot of friends in elementary school, but most of them went to Memorial. That on top of Covid-19 is making it difficult for me to talk to the ones that are in North. It is hard for me to socialize because we have to wear masks and socially distance. Do you have any advice to help me make new friends? Sincerely, “Too” Socially Distant A. Hello and thank you for the question! Making friends in this new environment is definitely something we have to get used to. Firstly, I would advise you to try to still talk to your friends that went to Memorial. You already have a connection, and it would be a shame to just let that go without trying. To make new friends at North, I would join some clubs that interest you, and don’t be afraid to reach out to the people who attend them. You can check out the Virtual Club Fair channel on the North High School Team and see what clubs you might like. Hope this helps! Q. Dear Ala, My friend and I are starting to fight a lot more often, and it usually ends with us not talking to each other for a while. I always try to avoid arguing, but sometimes we just start to disagree, and disagreeing turns into arguing, and arguing turns into not talking to each other for days on end. How do I avoid fights with my friend so that we don't engage in passive-aggressive bickering almost every day? From, Arguing Friend A. Hello and thank you for the question! It seems to me that you and your friend have to realize having different opinions is not bad thing. Everyone has different viewpoints on situations and topics, and disagreeing is inevitable. Additionally, when you realize that the “disagreeing” is turning into “arguing,” that might be a good point to take a moment for yourself and calm down. Taking time to sort things out is also not bad, it is actually crucial. Keeping up a relationship, any type, requires work and patience such as talking things out and taking time for yourself. If you are not in the right space, keeping up a friendship is off the list. Hope this helps and good luck! Q. Dear Ala, I'm angry at one of my friends, but I don't know how to let her know. I've tried giving her subtle hints, but she either doesn't notice or doesn't care. Since she can be sensitive sometimes, I'm afraid that if I tell her, she'll take it too much to heart. I just really don't want to ruin the friendship. Thanks for your help, Sensitive Friend A. Hello and thank you for the question! The best option would be to just confront her about it. Be straightforward with what is bothering you. If the matter is important to you, it will also be important to her. I’m glad you are trying to look out for her and consider the fact that she is sensitive. However, after this much effort, you can’t keep sacrificing your emotions for her. This will be a little bit of a wakeup call for her to pay closer attention to what you are trying to tell her in the future. Good luck! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Prism Back to Sections Zaiden Jackson - Prism By Zaiden Jackson November 24, 2020 Volume 1 Issue 2

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Adiós, Señora Berg Mikayla Aziz Volume 5 Issue 2 November 25, 2024 Image Provided by Lauren Berg Adiós, Señora Berg Growth and new opportunities are exciting, yet they can leave a hole in the heart of what you outgrow. Señora Berg, a former student at North High School, now becomes a former North Spanish Teacher after 8 memorable years. As a versatile educator teaching classes from Spanish 1 to Spanish 3, and a forward-thinking leader who helped to create North’s accelerated Spanish program, Mrs. Berg has most definitely left her mark on this school. In her leaving, it is a good time to appreciate and reflect on her time at Valley Stream North. Mrs. Berg grew up in an environment that shaped her into the understanding and caring teacher she is today. Being the eldest of 4 siblings and around 20 cousins, she was a natural with kids. In fact, she never expected to teach high school at all, but she rather had her mind set on teaching elementary level children. Her career path altered while taking Spanish classes in high school. Mrs. Berg reminisces about these times stating, “In high school, I fell in love with language.” Because teaching Spanish was not as popular of an option in elementary schools, her college education veered more towards middle and high school, subsequently leading to new experiences during her schooling such as her “life-changing” trip to Spain. Living in a small town with a new family where everyone solely spoke Spanish for an entire college semester may seem nerve-wracking, but Señora Berg rose to the challenge. She ended up loving her time there and believes it helped her to develop as a Spanish speaker and person, even going as far as to say she “would highly recommend studying abroad to anybody, even if [they’re] not pursuing a language,” purely because of the exposure to new cultures and people it offers. Once finishing the necessary schooling, Mrs. Berg became a teacher at a secondary school outside of the VSCHS District, and from there is where her career really took off. Prior to teaching Spanish at North for eight years, she taught at Memorial Junior High School for six years and two other schools for two years, making this 2024-2025 school year her 17th year teaching. While a majority of that time was spent at VSN, it was certainly not her first experience with the school. Mrs. Berg attended North in seventh grade, eventually making her way back to the environment she feels is welcoming and unique. Based on her experiences as a student, and later as a teacher, Señora Berg concludes that “every school has its own culture … shaped by different administrators, colleagues, and students,” furthering this point by bringing up North’s large age range. In North’s hallways, you may pass a 12-year-old tween in seventh grade one second, and a legal 18-year-old senior the next. This school’s diversity is better put into perspective when one also takes into account that students and teachers come from so many backgrounds, ethnicities, home-lives, and even different countries at times. All these unique people come together to create a one-of-a-kind community. All these unique people come together to create Valley Stream North High School, a school with the ability to form a lasting impact. Another unforgettable experience from Mrs. Berg’s time at VSN besides its atmosphere was the COVID-19 pandemic. Covid was a notable point in everyone's career, student, and teacher alike. Yes, society has, for the most part, resumed as normal since the start of the pandemic over four years ago; however, Mrs. Berg recalls this time, stating, "[I] evolved a lot as a teacher, especially during Covid, because it forced me to figure out ways to differentiate and present information in different ways … [and] embrace technology...I think that that's changed me...permanently." After spending such a large portion of her teaching career at this school through a time that changed the way we learn during and following the COVID-19 pandemic as well as learning and becoming a part of North’s complex yet open community, it’s hard to leave. Señora Berg perfectly summarizes her transition to her new job as “bittersweet.” She is, of course, looking forward to the path that lies ahead of her in her new position as a language chairperson in a new district, as well as the opportunities this position brings professionally. Now that she has more of an administrative position rather than her former role as a classroom teacher, Mrs. Berg is eager to take control, stating, “I’m excited … [to] help shape the language department, encourage teachers, share what I’ve learned, and share what I know.” While this is all very exciting, there is much to miss. Mrs. Berg could never forget all of the friends she has met and students she’s met during her time working here, but she has proven that she will do extraordinarily wherever she is through the impact she has made during her time at North. For example, her support for the new accelerated program implemented at the start of the last school year demonstrates her dedication and willingness to take initiative. She says that when approached about the new idea, she “volunteered to basically spearhead that program [accelerated Spanish].” Her efforts are clear to even her students. Maxximus Estrada, for example, a tenth grader at North who had Mrs. Berg for Spanish 2.3 last year, notes “she made that Spanish class easier for me even though there was a lot of information within the course.” He also mentions her “innovation and creativity” with her use of her sticker system in which students who receive high test grades get a sticker on their test that they can collect and trade in for rewards such as a homework pass, extra credit points, or something more fun like Jibbitz for their Crocs. This kind of carefully crafted system makes it clear that Mrs. Berg keeps her students in mind, and she encourages them in their academic and personal lives. Liliana Ossa, another North student who had Mrs. Berg for Spanish 3, says “I will miss Señora Berg a lot because she was one of the best Spanish teachers at North! … [She] has made me feel more comfortable with Spanish as a language and helped me feel proud of my [Hispanic] heritage.” After getting a Spanish award at the end of ninth grade, Liliana says she was “overjoyed and continued to work even harder in her class and this year of Spanish,” showing that involved teachers like Mrs. Berg make a difference. She is even remembered by students who have already graduated, such as Marcos Aziz who graduated 2021, who said “Even though I already knew Spanish going into her class, Mrs. Berg helped me to further my knowledge and my formal Spanish.” Breeana Bernabe, a student who had Mrs. Berg for Spanish 1 in eighth grade after transferring schools, recalls “She's good at teaching especially because I was new to Spanish class.” Between Marcos’ and Breeana’s testaments, it is evident that Señora Berg is a flexible and versatile teacher who can adapt to teach at all levels. Outside of these amazing qualities and more, one of Mrs. Berg’s best characteristics is that she truly cares for her students. When asked about her legacy at North, she responded, “I know that not everyone loves language, but I hope that I've made it enjoyable.” Mrs. Berg’s tenacity, adaptability, and big heart are what made her a memorable teacher, and what will help her to become a great leader. She will be missed, but there is no doubt that she will excel in her new position. Adiós Señora Berg, we’ll miss you. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections 2024 Presidential Candidates Sahar Ali Volume 4 Issue 3 March 13, 2024 Image Provided by Commonwealth Fund It is finally 2024, which means that during the month of November, eligible United States citizens will cast their vote for the next president. The presidential election takes place every four years and consists of candidates that come from the two major parties in the United States: The Democrats and Republicans. Currently, Democrat Joe Biden is President of the United States, along with Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman in the history of the U.S. elected Vice President. As citizens of the United States, it is especially important to know who our presidential candidates are. Being the president of the United States is a big responsibility, which is why all eligible voters must think deeply and consider all the reasons why they are casting their vote for a certain candidate. In this article, you will be getting an idea of who the 2024 presidential candidates are. DEMOCRAT – JOE BIDEN Joe Biden, the current president of the United States, will be running for a second term in the 2024 election later this year. Political experts argue that Biden is the most probable democratic candidate to defeat Donald Trump, the most influential Republican candidate. For over 50 years, Biden has worked in the realm of politics and runs a platform that includes gun reform, health care, and abortion rights for women. Joe Biden is the oldest President in the history of the United States at 81 years old. Before Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States, he was the 47th Vice President from 2009 until 2017 under President Barack Obama. Not only that, but Biden was a U.S. Senator, representing Delaware from 1973 up until 2009. DEMOCRAT – DEAN PHILLIPS Dean Phillips, a former CEO, and a three-term congressman from the state of Minnesota, is the second Democratic presidential candidate. Phillips challenges Biden by asserting that the next generation should have the ability to lead the country. Not only that, but Phillips has also brought up multiple issues regarding Biden’s old age; being the oldest president at 81 takes a significant toll on Biden’s role as President. According to NBC News, Phillip’s campaign positions include enhancing public safety, supporting immigration reform which includes improved security at the United States border, and believing that patients should have the freedom to make decisions about any aspect of their health. DEMOCRAT – MARIANNE WILLIAMSON Marianne Williamson is the third democratic candidate. After making her appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show , Williamson gained popularity as Winfrey’s spiritual advisor. In the previous 2020 presidential election, Williamson was unsuccessful as she ran for a presidential candidate. Earlier in 2014, Williamson also sought for a seat in the United States House of Representatives, but this attempt was also deemed unsuccessful. Marianne Williamson was also the first to announce that she would be a democratic candidate challenging the current president, Joe Biden. Unlike her opponents Biden and Phillips, Williamson has never held a position in any political office. According to NBC News, Williamson’s campaign positions include an effort to restrict or diminish the reproductive rights granted by the notorious case, Roe v. Wade, limiting gun violence, legalizing cannabis for medical purposes, and reaching 100% renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions. REPUBLICAN – DONALD TRUMP As you may recall, Donald Trump is the former president of the United States. He is also the top Republican contestant in the 2024 election. Donald Trump is the first former president who has had to face criminal charges, along with federal charges for violation of the Espionage Act. Not only does Trump face criminal charges, but he has also been impeached twice. Donald Trump has also made false assertions by stating that he won the 2020 presidential election against his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden. According to NBC News, Trump’s campaign positions include pardoning a large group of people after they faced federal offenses for participating in the January 6th riot at the Capitol, eliminating medical programs that focus on sex/gender transitions, and working on the exceptions for a federal ban on abortions. REPUBLICAN – NIKKI HALEY Nikki Haley is the second Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election. Before becoming a presidential candidate, Haley was South Carolina’s governor from 2011 to 2017; this was where she began her work in politics. In order to serve as the US ambassador to the United Nations, Haley ended her second term early. Previously, Nikki Haley had stated that she would not run against Donald Trump; however, she was the first Republican to announce that she would run against the former president in the 2024 presidential election. If Haley wins the 2024 presidential election, she will become the first woman in the history of the United States to be President, along with being the first US President of Asian descent as she is the daughter of Indian immigrants. According to NBC News, Haley’s campaign positions include finding a “national consensus” on abortion, preventing illegal immigration, and limiting the term for members of Congress. SOURCES Who’s running for president in 2024? The Republican and Democratic candidates | US elections 2024 | The Guardian The 2024 presidential candidates: Who’s running from both sides ( nbcnews.com ) BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections The History of Christmas By Leah Ally Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Christmas, observed on December 25th, is a holy religious event as well as a cultural and economic phenomenon. The public has been celebrating it with customs and rituals both religious and secular in nature for two millennia now. Christmas Day is marked by Christians as the anniversary of the birth of the spiritual figure, known as Jesus, whose teachings serve the foundation of their faith. Around the world, the middle of winter has traditionally been a festive period. It began with early Europeans as they celebrated light and birth in the deepest winter days centuries before the arrival of the man known as Jesus. When the worst of winter was over and longer days and more sunlight could be looked forward to, the winter solstice was celebrated. In most of Europe, the end of December was the ideal period for festivities. Most cattle were killed at that time of year so they would not need to be fed throughout the winter. Many people only had access to fresh meat during that time of year. Also, much of the wine and beer produced over the year had finally fermented and was ready for consumption. As a result, people began to see the winter season as a rewarding time of year fit for celebration. The main holiday on the early years of Christianity was Easter as opposed to honoring the birth of Jesus. Church leaders made the decision to make the birth of Jesus a holiday in the fourth century. Church leaders boosted the likelihood that Christmas would be widely accepted by timing it to coincide with traditional winter solstice holidays, but they also relinquished control over how it was observed. Christianity had largely displaced pagan religion by the Middle Ages. On Christmas, believers went to church before having a wild celebration in a drunken carnival-like setting much like Mardi Gras today. Throughout the centuries, Christmas was considered one of the most joyous times of year, yet it did not become a national holiday until June 26th, 1870. The United States did not widely celebrate Christmas until the 19th century, yet it was America that had reinvented Christmas and its traditions. It was turned from a boisterous carnival festival into a day focusing on families, serenity, and nostalgia. Why was this transition made? Early in the 19th century, there was turbulence and class struggle. Unemployment was prevalent at the time, and the disenfranchised classes frequently rioted around the Christmas season. In reaction to a Christmas riot, the New York City Council established the first police force in the city in 1828. This inspired some upper-class citizens to start changing how Christmas was observed in America. Christmas has faced numerous reforms throughout its history, yet the basic idea of the holiday has remained: a time for family and friends to be with each other and celebrate the winter season. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Art Back to Sections Meaning of Lines from Different Perspectives By Nehilah Grand-Pierre Volume 1 Issue 1 November 1, 2020 Original artwork by Nehilah Grand-Pierre What is line? Though seemingly a simple question, the answer may vary depending on whom you ask. To the math teacher, line is the geometric building block of polygons, the diameter of a circle, or y=mx+b. To the English teacher, line is the story, or “story line”, that guides a story from conflicts, through climax, and finally resolving in the end. Yet to the history teacher, line is time, or timeline, that we study to learn from the past to develop our future. It is evident that “line” is awfully vague, but the art teacher truly defines line. To the art teacher, line is defined by the artist, able to bend and flex at the stroke of a paintbrush or pencil. To the art teacher, line has endless meaning, and endless masterpieces that can be brought from it. This is the importance of art… exactly what the artist makes it. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Midterm Elections 2022 - Exit Poll Analysis By Everton Prospere Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image provided by CNN On November 8th, 2022, the United States hosted a series of elections throughout the nation. These elections, called midterms (as they fall between presidential elections) play a pivotal role in deciding the balance of power between the two major parties in the country: the Democrats and the Republicans. Midterm elections also highlight demographic trends among various groups of voters. In order to measure these developments, surveys of voters as they leave a polling station, known as exit polls, are used. Before the midterms, most of the nation expected a “red wave,” in which the Republican Party would take a majority in both houses of Congress. The media, particularly right-wing outlets, predicted this trend through partisan sources. It is factual that during midterms, the sitting president’s party is likely to lose seats, as campaign promises do not reflect their current political agenda; for example, this happened to George W. Bush, with the exception of the midterms after 9/11, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. However, a difference occurred in this election: the Democratic Party lost an extremely small number of seats compared to the predicted value, especially with Joseph Biden in office. This can largely be attributed to multiple events that occurred in the summer, including the Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade and the large number of right-wing extremist candidates running for office who could not appeal to voters, such as Kari Lake, a far right extremist in Arizona. In addition, as previously stated, the media projected the idea of an anticipated “red wave.” Regardless of this perception, according to Rutgers University, the media uses “anecdotal evidence” to add “depth” and detail on reports; despite this, these outlets fail to objectively view polling, which, according to researchers, did not indicate a full Republican takeover in this election cycle. Statistically speaking, exit polls offer important insight on the performance of different demographic groups between both dominating parties. As per NBC News, 58% of White citizens polled voted for Republicans while 40% voted Democrat. In contrast, 68% of non-White citizens voted Democrat while 30% voted Republican. This trend, overall, shows a continued support of minority populations for Democrats, while the majority of Whites vote Republican. When age is used as a lens, a large percentage of young voters, ages 18-24, according to CNN, vote Democrat compared to Republican, 61% versus 36%, respectively. However, the gap between these parties decreases as age increases, with voters 65 and older voting more Republican than Democrat, 55% versus 43%, respectively. While, at a glance, these statistics show that Democrats have a large amount of support across age groups, it should be noted that young citizens have the lowest voter turnout rate in the entire country. Political scientists largely attribute this issue to difficulties with voter registration and election knowledge due to a focus on college studies rather than politics. While these polls offer a broad outlook on the outcome of the 2022 elections, these midterms also pave the way for the 2024 presidential elections. Researchers will continue to analyze these results to determine trends and voter tendencies in the coming election cycles. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Study 4 By Kimberly Shrestha April 22, 2021 Study Volume 1 Issue 7

Back to Articles News Back to Sections The Documents Found in Joe Biden’s Homes By Cael Javier Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Image provided by Reuters In the U.S., the Presidential Records Act controls all the rules on presidential records and classified files of the White House. It established that presidential records are the property of the U.S. government. They must be preserved and are not the president’s private property. Before this law was passed, presidents who were leaving office just took their documents with them when they left the White House. It was considered their personal property. With this law, the records became the property of the U.S. government, and the National Archives oversee them. The law applies to the president, vice president, and some portions of the Executive Office of the President, including the National Security Council and Council of Economic Advisers. It lays out the requirements for maintaining and securing the information during and after a presidency. Starting in November 2022, documents started turning up at Joe Biden’s former D.C. house. On November 2nd, Biden’s lawyers found classified documents in an office that Biden used after he left the vice presidency. A few days later, the National Archives inspector-general contacted a prosecutor at the Justice Department to let them know that classified documents were found at the office. The FBI then began an assessment to get better knowledge of whether the information was mishandled. On November 14th, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Chicago U.S. Attorney John Lausch Jr. to conduct an initial investigation. The FBI conducted a search of the former Biden office. It is unsure whether any new records were recovered. The search was mutual, and a warrant was not needed. About a month later, more documents were found in Biden’s garage in Delaware. On December 20th, Biden’s personal counsel informed Lausch about this information. On January 9th, 2023, the White House revealed that a small number of classified documents were found on November 2nd in a locked closet in Biden’s former office. The next day, Biden stated that he was shocked the documents were found and that he did not know what they consisted of. The White House then revealed that more documents were found in Joe Biden’s house in Wilmington, Delaware. Garland appointed the former justice official Robert Hur as special counsel to further investigate the handling of the documents. On January 20th, the FBI conducted a thorough search of Biden’s home in Wilmington, and they found six more classified items. This search did not require a warrant. On February 1st, the FBI searched Biden’s home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Biden’s lawyers reported that there were not any classified records recovered. The investigators took materials and handwritten notes that might be related to Biden’s time as vice president. There are still updates on this situation today. The documents should be kept safe with the U.S. government and the National Archives. Joe Biden has not faced accusations of destroying documents, unlike Donald Trump. Trump has been accused of destroying documents while in office. If he were convicted of destroying documents, he would not be eligible to run for president again. Biden’s case is different. The Act requires evidence that his actions were unlawful. BACK TO TOP