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Back to Artwork Nostalgic Musings Back to Sections Sophia Song - Nostalgic Musings - 3 By Sophia Song February 10, 2022 Photography Volume 2 Issue 4

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections The Fifth Ocean By Cody Sung Volume 3 Issue 4 May 18, 2023 Image Provided by Gary Bembridge via Wikipedia There have always been four named oceans on Earth – the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Arctic – until now. Recently there have been five oceans recognized and confirmed, with the Southern Ocean added to the list. At the bottom of the globe, it surrounds Antarctica, and its currents are unique enough for National Geographic to consider it a separate ocean. The Southern Ocean is at the bottom of the Earth, below the 60-degree southern latitude line. Scientists have considered it to be a separate ocean for decades, with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names considering its categorization as a separate ocean since 1999. This is due to the Antarctic Circumpolar Current containing the cold waters around Antarctica around the 60-degree line, forming an ecologically distinct area, with thousands of species living there and nowhere else. Despite the scientific evidence to prove the Southern Ocean was distinct from the others, attempts to make it official in organizations such as the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) were marred in controversy. In 1937, the IHO did recognize the Southern Ocean as distinct, however, they retracted this in 1953, stating that “the majority of opinions received since… 1937 are to the effect that there exists no real justification” for labeling the Southern Ocean. The draft fourth edition does include the Southern Ocean as a separate entity; however, it has never been published due to various naming disputes. Since National Geographic generally follows the IHO with marine names, it has not recognized the Southern Ocean either. However, they have broken from the IHO in labeling the Southern Ocean as an ocean. The Southern Ocean is unique and recognized by scientists, however, it has had a long history of not being recognized on the world map. That has now changed for the benefit of the scientific world. Sources: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/theres-a-new-ocean-now-can-you-name-all-five-southern-ocean https://iho.int/uploads/user/pubs/standards/s-23/S-23_Ed3_1953_EN.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20140201213815/http://eastsea.khoa.go.kr/eng/open_content/iho/magazine.asp BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Artemis I – NASA’s Return to The Moon By Elyas Layachi Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by NASA On July 20th, 1969, Neil Armstrong made history by becoming the first human to walk on the Moon, uttering his famous words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” as he exited the lunar module. Out of the 15 total Apollo Missions, seven landed on the moon, with a total of twelve astronauts setting foot on the moon between 1969 and 1972. Since the Apollo moon landing, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has focused most of its resources on Low-Earth Orbit activities, including the Space Shuttle Program (1981 – 2011), the development of various space telescopes, and the construction and use of the International Space Station (1993 – present). However, NASA is not currently diverting all its resources to the ISS. With the help of private industries such as SpaceX and Boeing, NASA is using some of its resources to create both the Space Launch System, the world’s most powerful three-stage rocket system, and the Orion space capsule, the next-generation space capsule (based on the Apollo capsule’s design) that will be used to send humans to the Moon and even Mars soon. NASA created its Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion space capsule for its Artemis 1 Moon Program to return to the moon by the end of the decade. Construction on the Space Launch System began in 2011 by NASA and was completed in 2021. The super rocket can produce 8.8 million pounds of maximum thrust during its launch and can be modified in several ways for different types of missions. According to NASA, the Orion spacecraft will serve “as the exploration vehicle that will carry the crew to space, provide emergency and capability, sustain astronauts during their missions and provide safe re-entry from deep space return velocities.” Its heat shield is designed similarly to that of the Apollo capsule, but Orion is larger and can house four astronauts as opposed to three. Artemis 1, the first in a series of Artemis missions, will be the first unmanned flight test of both components of Artemis: SLS and the Orion spacecraft. SLS will launch Orion into Earth orbit while releasing 10 small satellites, and Orion will use its propulsion systems to maneuver around the moon and return to Earth. The launch was originally planned for August 2022, but NASA delayed the launch to October 2022 due to rocket malfunctions and tropical storm Ian. The new launch date is now November 14th, 2022, with a launch window opening at 12:07 AM Eastern. If all goes well and Artemis 1 proves to be successful, NASA will continue to work through its Artemis timeline, preparing for Artemis 2, the first scheduled crew mission of NASA’s Orion Spacecraft and SLS. It has a planned mission duration of 10 days and is expected to be launched in May 2024. In total, the Artemis program plans to have three launches, but that is subject to change depending on the results of those launches. Artemis 1 is paving the way for humans to set foot once again on the Moon. As NASA says in their launch advertisements, “We are going back to the moon!” Be sure to tune in to NASA’s social media live streams on November 14th, 2022, to witness history in the making. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Double Standards: State Instruction Allows for High-Risk Sports but Not Performance Groups By Craig Papajohn-Shaw and Lucy Wu Volume 1 Issue 5 February 12, 2021 Images provided by Robert Summerlin (top) and the University of Richmond Orchestra (bottom) On Friday, January 22nd, Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) set forth guidance to allow sports that are classified as “high-risk” after much pushback from parents. The Governor advised local officials, who would make the final verdict on the play of high-risk sports, to determine “whether there has been a more transmissible variant of COVID-19 identified in the area; local rates of COVID-19 transmission or rate of positivity; and local ability to monitor and enforce compliance.” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D) announced that high-risk sports will be permitted to begin play, while Nassau’s Executive Laura Curran (D) finalized and approved procedures a few days after.  During County Executive Curran’s press conference, she expressed two policies that were in contrast of Executive Bellone’s policies: athletes playing high-risk sports in Nassau would not be mandated to take part in weekly COVID testing, and two spectators per athlete will be allowed to attend Section VIII sporting events. However, districts can choose to opt-out of partaking in high-risk sports, or add additional safety measures, such as testing, as they see fit. The Valley Stream Central High School District has indicated mandated tests will be enforced for those athletes participating in high-risk sports. However, the letter released from the District Director of Athletics, Mr. Scott Stueber, on January 25th - which outlined the kick-off to Winter Sports - did not mention safety procedures. Reassuringly, Mr. Michael Frazer, the Valley Stream North Athletic Director, reiterated Curran’s mask and social distancing mandate in a message to students on February 1st. It is worth mentioning students who are “full-remote” may still come after school to participate in after-school sports in person, as per state instruction. High-risk Junior-Varsity and Varsity sports include basketball, competitive cheerleading, football, wrestling, volleyball, and lacrosse. The Winter sports of basketball, competitive cheerleading, and wrestling began tryouts around some districts in Section XI and Section VIII as early as Wednesday, February 3rd. The district further announced it would allow Junior-High sports for the modified “Fall” and Spring season. It is worth noting COVID-19 rates in both counties are still high; the 14-day average on January 28th was 6.6% in Nassau County and 7.1% in Suffolk County, but are slowly declining. These rates are still over the 14-day Nassau County average of 1.1% on September 6th when Executives deemed high-risk sports as well as low and moderate risk sports unsafe to go forward with. Many were unsure about student safety, especially in wrestling. Patrick Pizzarelli, the Section VIII Executive Director, which is the governing body of sports in Nassau County, stated he is "concerned about the safety of wrestling. We are already seeing the implications of allowing high-risk sports. Newsday reported on February 9th that 14 basketball teams and two wrestling programs had to pause their season in Suffolk County for either positive COVID-19 tests or contact tracing. While wearing masks is required for sitting on the sideline or spectating in the audience, when playing a sport, no mask is required. However, it is advisable to mandate masks while performing a sport. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) announced the mandate of masks while playing volleyball, a high-risk sport. While it was not a mandate of masks in all high-risk sports, it was a step in the right direction from the Association to keep everyone as safe as possible. In addition, according to NYS, the District will lose over a million dollars or a nearly 4% depreciation in total aid for the 2021-2022 school year. VSCHSD is within the top 10 school districts in Long Island that will suffer from losses to state aid, yet the district is still prioritizing sports programs even with the knowledge of the imminent future. Guide: Link here to Newsday [ 50 LI school districts would lose state aid under Cuomo's proposal | Newsday ] While high-risk sports will occur no matter the potential risk or cost, performance-based extracurriculars, and other music programs are still not allowed to take place. Currently, at Valley Stream North (VSN), Orchestra is the only music class where students are permitted to play instruments in person which started in September; everyone must be separated by six feet and masked, based on state guidelines. Chorus and Band, on the other hand, are only permitted if 12 feet of distancing between instrumentalists or vocalists is available; however, Mr. Holly and Mr. Morris’s band classes are playing with special masks at 12 feet apart, which just started on Tuesday, February 9th. Furthermore, performance-based extracurriculars are also not allowed to be held in the school district, regardless if proper distancing can be achieved. Music groups at VSN such as Breakfast Club, advised by Ms. Rebecca Hayden, 7:10 Downbeats, advised by Mr. Adam Thorn, Jazz Band, advised by Mr. Todd Holly, and Theatre Productions, directed by Mr. Joseph Moniaci, were all halted due to the pandemic. However, the commencement of high-risk sports raises the question if it is necessary to prevent these groups from performing. The only planned music performance for the entire school year is the Virtual District Music Festival (VDMF). It will consist of two pieces of music chosen by the respective conductors in the Orchestra, Chorus, and Band. Students involved will record themselves playing each piece individually and will send it to be incorporated in an integrated video. While many are grateful to have even one performance this year, although virtual, the music department will not hold its two regularly scheduled student concerts in the Winter and the Spring. If contact sports such as football and wrestling can occur, why can’t extracurricular performance groups perform in person when social distancing can easily be achieved? Furthermore, Dr. David Brown, President of the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), has addressed the hypocrisy of choosing to allow sports but not music in an impassioned letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo. Guide: Link here to letter [ https://www.nyssma.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Letter-to-Governor-in-regard-to-Atheltics-and-12-Feet-for-Music.pdf ]. The double standard of prioritizing high-risk sporting events and sports in general, which debatably put students at a greater risk of contracting the virus, displays the misinterpreted message of “safety” that districts are attempting to exemplify. As we are approaching the one-year mark of the pandemic, many students feel desperate to go back to “normal.” On January 25th, the District sent an email to parents surveying the interest in hybrid students to go into school five days a week. To some capacity, this would combine cohorts A and B leading to larger class sizes. However, proceeding with this plan only contributes to the double-standard, especially when extracurricular performance groups cannot meet even when social distancing can be attained. Once again, this option raises safety concerns for students especially when some students and faculty members have failed to properly wear masks in certain instances. Because this is the case, musical groups objectively pose a smaller risk because they require no person-to-person contact and as in Orchestra groups, will mandate masks. When high-risk contact sports are allowed to practice and play games, and students will soon be ushered back into the building, what is to stop musicians from performing together in-person? BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Mansir By Arunima Roy March 28, 2022 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 5

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Trapped By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Saatchiart.Com Trapped in a glass box I can see out, but no one can see in People think I'm like a fox But they don’t know what's under my skin All they see is the outside Which I easily cover up with a face No one can see what I hide Whatever they see, they embrace   No one asks questions No how was your day They don't bother reading expressions It doesn't matter how gray Sitting there in a depressed like-state At this point I'm too far gone That I don't care if I'm late Or if the test in front of me is done   Phony laughs, fake smiles No one can tell the difference All my coach cares about are the miles If I'm there or not, no cares about my presence Everyone thinks my life is picture perfect Perfect grades, friends, family, and life But they don't know the real effect They don’t know about the knife   I'm shattered into tiny pieces Too small to glue back together It doesn’t matter the amount of braces You can't help someone who already surrendered Deep down inside its ugly But don't worry, no one knows I’m not happy Everyone thinks I'm so friendly They don't know that I'm pretty snappy   Binded by those ice-cold chains There's not enough warmth to melt the pain Those empty eyes are all the remains Everything else is drowning in the rain My wings fell down three years ago Leaving me all alone Broken down with an empty echo Dead without a backbone   BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Perspective Back to Sections Ailani Aguilar - Perspective By Ailani Aguilar December 16, 2020 Digital Art Volume 1 Issue 3

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Usman- Ava Strojan Ava Strojan February 24, 2023 Volume 3 Issue 3

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Senior Day By Olivia Neuner Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Original photos by VSN photographer (top left), Sumaiya Ramsaroop (left middle), and Garrrick Neuner (bottom right) On March 26th, the day before spring break, North's seniors were invited to partake in the district's first-ever Senior Day! A few weeks before the event, students were asked to create pods of 10 households to keep things organized and COVID safe. I say 10 'households' because groups with twins were allowed more than 10. For some, this was the first time they had been in the building since March 2020. Grades 7-11 had a fully remote day, and seniors who chose not to participate were excused from classes. The day started early, with some students arriving early for group pictures (including my group, who went all out with matching shirts and had my Dad take professional pictures! Included in collage .) First period, students signed in with our vice principals, had their temperature taken and scanned in with their ID's. Small groups were then let inside the lobby to partake in candy guessing games, which were kept COVID safe; students scanned QR Codes, which took them to a form where they guessed how many candies were in each jar. The winners got to take the candy home. The seniors were then given a goodie bag with a T-shirt, lanyard, drawstring bag, and snack. They were also given a one raffle ticket, which was immediately thrown into the drawing pile. For the rest of first period, students relaxed in the cafeteria while waiting for the day's main activities. In between each period, Mr. Frazer hyped up students and announced raffle winners who received gift cards donated by the parents. He also sang popular songs, including the SpongeBob theme, which many students (and teachers) joined him in singing. The hallways were decked out with streamers, balloons, and handmade posters by VSN underclassmen and club members. Many students caught up with their favorite teachers during free time, saw old friends, and took LOTS of pictures. Because of the COVID pandemic, these pictures will make up a significant amount of our yearbook. Each pod received a schedule for the day, which followed the regular bell schedule. The activities were as follows: Gym Activities: Badminton, Cornhole, Kan-Jam, and Spikeball were set up in the gym. Students were given a chance to play with others who were not in their pod. Breakfast: Donations from parents and teachers made up breakfast, including bagels (premade with butter/ cream cheese) and juice. Students were seated 6 feet apart, just like in an average lunch period. Students could emerge from their pods here as well. Senior Story: Each group was given a large post-it note and instructed to write down their favorite memories at North. Some used bullets, while others wrote out anecdotes. Lunch: A generous donation from the Valley Stream Teacher's Association provided seniors with various wraps from Valley Caterers. Drinks, chips, and snacks were provided by parent donations. Students were also asked to fill out a form to be put in a time capsule during this period, which will be returned in 10 years. Some of the questions included info about favorite teachers, goals, and favorite things. Tik-Tok Challenge: Groups were given one period to create a "pass the phone" challenge video. At the end of the day, all videos were submitted to the Senior grade advisors for judging (winners TBD). I Scream for Ice Cream ! – Lenny's Twistee Freeze truck parked next to the gym, where students were given one coupon for a cone or bar. The beautiful weather was perfect for enjoying the sweet treats. Teachers were also able to grab a bite thanks to a donation by VSN Principal, Ms. Green. Senior Sign: Every Senior in attendance signed a large banner. For the rest of the period, students hung out in the courtyard, caught up, and took pictures. Scavenger Hunt: Each group started the period by finding a hidden envelope in the lobby which contained hints for the hunt. Pods were instructed to take pictures on the football field, with George, by our main sign, next to something with school colors, and next to an inspirational quote. They were also asked to create a meme. All pictures were sent to our grade advisors for collection. At the end of the day, the 30 raffle winners claimed their prizes, and the Seniors helped to clear the halls by ripping down streamers and selecting their favorite posters to take home. After that, we were let out for our spring break! For me, Senior Day was by far one of my favorite days of high school. It felt awesome to be appreciated and to spend quality time with my friends. My favorite part was the ice cream truck and the scavenger hunt. We are so grateful for all the work put in by our school Director of Student Activities Mrs. Italiano, and all teachers, parents, staff, underclassmen, and administration. A very special thank you to our grade advisors Mrs. Oliver and Mrs. Balducci! Thank you for everything you do! BACK TO TOP