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Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Numbers By Alain Deen Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Image provided by WNYC Numbers. An age-old concept, defined on Google as a “mathematical, object used to count, measure or label.” However, When I say “numbers”, I don’t literally mean 1, 2 or 75,496. Modern day has placed increasing emphasis on the value of numbers, whether through money, views, likes, or NFT’s. Specifically, I’m interested in giving my take on the presence of numbers on social media. Views, likes, comments, and even shares typically degrade the simplicity of social media, most prominently from the angle of a creator. As a social media creator with somewhat of a following myself, the numbers seem to plague social media to the extent where creating is no longer an art form, but rather a chore. I consider acting and filmmaking two of my strongest passions. However, it only beats pancake baking and burger flipping by a hair. Anyway, I have brought filmmaking and acting to a certain social media platform, allowing me to express myself to thousands of people around the world. Whether I spread awareness on current issues through a short film medium or produce captivating yet sometimes cheesy renditions of iconic scenes from movie and TV, I think it’s safe to say I enjoy what I do. This was of course until…the numbers rolled in. “50,000 views. Wow!” “200,000 views. HUH!?” “1 million views. Hey: where’s my limo?” In an instant, it all went right to my head. It was a lot to take in, especially due to my under-developed pre-frontal cortex. That feeling of impacting someone’s day is indescribable. On the surface it may not seem that deep, but when you think about it, anyone has the power to brighten someone’s else’s day. All it takes is some courage, passion, and I was producing the content I loved, while still gaining traction. Sweet! Until I wasn’t… “Dang. This video didn’t do well”. Says the kid with a large community of supporters, failing to recognize the sheer sense of community present. I no longer produced content for my supporters and for me, but rather a few pixels at the bottom left of the videos on my page. I lost that sense of community which gave me traction in the first place. Months and months of mindless content, with no thought or desire to impact someone’s day, but rather the app’s algorithm. This is what I like to call “Creators End-Game”. Do you see what I did there? Never mind. If I’m being honest, that was an awful pairing of words. My condolences to any Marvel fans. Anyway, I was producing content for the app’s algorithm. It was…miserable, to say the least. However, I had a stark realization a couple of weeks ago. What do numbers really mean? Nothing! Why worry about numbers when you have a large community of amazing people, sitting right in front of you? In my opinion, community is irreplaceable. Simply put, it’s a group of unified souls with the same interests and hobbies as one another. Even if that’s not the case, there is a sense of family present. Now that, my friend, no number can top. This concept doesn’t entirely apply to social media. Look outside! So many interesting souls, with unique stories. Remarkable. That realization has prompted a spike in my content. Not in numbers, but in passion and quality. I’m now producing content solely based on my desire to simply create. Although the numbers haven’t been as spectacular, the fun of creating greatly outweighs any possible number of viewers imaginable. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections An Interview With Ms. Scheurer By Alisson Alas Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image provided by Allison Alas This year we welcomed many permanent subs here at North, which was much needed. Our newest subs are some of North's next generation staff members, and they seem to be doing a great job handling their new teaching environment. I truly admire them all, and hopefully, one day, I'll be able to be part of them here at North. I had the opportunity to interview Ms. Scheurer, who has subbed for many of my classes and has given me great advice on the teaching environment. What's something that you are really looking forward to in your first year at North? “Building my skill sets needed to be a teacher. This year I hope to find my pedagogy as a teacher and build a foundational basis for one day when I have my own classroom.” What's a piece of advice you would want young kids who want to be teachers to know? “Time management is key. It is best to learn to manage both an academic, social and emotional balance. Communication is key with your teachers and peers.” Are you originally from Valley Stream or Franklin Square? “No, I’m not.” Do you like your job so far ? “Yes. It has not always been the easiest to transition into a new job in a new school but both the admin, faculty and students have made me feel welcome.” What inspired you to become a teacher? “Being able to help students both academically and with mental health related matters.” When you were in high school did any teachers inspire you to want to become a teacher? “My high school Social Studies teacher for 9th and 10th grade.” BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections The Benefits of Running Manal Layachi Volume 5 Issue 2 November 25, 2024 Image Provided by Mother of Manal Layachi I have been on North’s Cross Country and Track and Field team since seventh grade and enjoy running every day. Whenever I feel stressed or just need to clear my mind, I go for a run, and I feel amazing and energetic like I just drank forty cups of coffee. Running not only improves your mental and physical health, but it provides individuals with important life lessons. I have learned over the years that it is important to be on time, persevere when facing obstacles, remain “hungry” for opportunities in which I can reach full potential, have a winner’s mindset, build self-confidence, and most importantly have fun. Firstly, running improves an individual’s physical and mental health. For example, running improves cardio health and lowers the risk of having cardiovascular diseases. Even if it is for just fifteen minutes a day, a little can go a long way. It also lowers an individual’s resting heart rate, thus leading to them having a more efficient heartbeat. Furthermore, running can improve sleep, knee health and back health. Running helps lower stress and clears the mind, which leads to better sleep and relaxation. It can even lead to a lower arthritis rate and improved back health as runners must have good running form, which includes keeping your back straight and relaxed. Lastly, running can help lower the odds of someone obtaining upper tract respiratory infections and leads to a better mood and energy. After every run, I always feel like a new person and become excited for the day. I also feel more productive when completing homework and am in a better mood. Additionally, running also improves academic performance and learning ability. In other words, exercise increases circulation throughout the body and enhances brain function, thus leading to academic achievement. For example, students that perform aerobic exercises daily may have higher test scores than those who do not exercise. I have seen this in my life as well because as a junior in high school and take multiple AP classes. Running after school helps me deal with stress and the workload of junior year. Coming home from school without running does not help me complete my homework, as I feel unmotivated and my brain overflows with thoughts from the school day. On the other hand, running after school helps me clear my mind, have fun, and prepares me for the schoolwork ahead. The next day, I ace my exams and get the grades that I want. In essence, running is a lifelong sport. Whether you are 13 or 45, running is for everyone. All you have to do is put on your shoes and start running. It is not a sport that requires a lot of equipment. If you decide to start running, start off easy, be sure to hydrate (Trader Joe’s Alkaline water is my favorite), eat foods heavy in protein and fruits and vegetables, and most importantly have fun and run with close friends or relatives. All in all, being on the team has brought me closer to the North community and I have made many friends that I would not have made had I not joined cross country and track. I would like to thank my brother and my coaches for motivating me to join Cross Country and Track and fight through the pain of running. I will miss running for North when I graduate; however, I cannot wait to see what we can accomplish in the 2024-2025 season. References: How Does Running Improve Your Health? ( webmd.com ) The Correlation Between Running And The Classroom ( coachweber.org ) BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections A Drive into the Archive of New York’s License Plates Akilan Subramaniyan Volume 6 Issue 2 December 22, 2025 Image Provided by Akilan Subramaniyan   You are on a road trip, the type that is excruciatingly long and mundane. The sort that makes you investigate license plates that hang behind cars. You scan through traffic, analyzing unique license plate designs. Out of nowhere, you gawk at an SUV bearing an iconic NY license plate. A plate that incorporates hues of yellow and blue, featuring Niagara Falls to the Montauk Lighthouse and everything in between (“Excelsior Plates | NY DMV”). A simple yet stunning license plate. However, you ponder how the state of New York ended up with this marvelous design. What is the history behind it?              Before we dive into the historical aspect, let us first comprehend what license plates are used for and their significance. The first was introduced in the late 1800s (Search Quarry). The first state that mandated the use of plates was, ironically, New York. Nevertheless, this state never issued these plates. Nor did they express any strict regulations on whether the plates should be visible. During those times, people created their own license plates by hand, using initials and materials such as metal or leather. Despite that, in 1903, Massachusetts was the first state to hand out plates directly to its citizens. Did you know the first license plate manufactured by this state only had the number “1” on it! (Rosenberg) Promptly, states across the United States began distributing license plates to residents. This action enables the police to effortlessly interpret license plates. This marked the beginning of vehicle enrollment laws in the US (Search Quarry). After years of evolution, the Department of Motor Vehicles administers license plates in the US (Rosenberg). Current plates abide by standards but include elements that support state patriotism. This includes iconic slogans or symbols, stunning or dazzling designs, and more. It also has niche roles. For example, allowing police to locate a suspect’s car, showing the ownership of a vehicle, and having taxes, tolls, or rules all tied to the license plate registration (Search Quarry). As already discussed, New York was the first state to mandate license plates. On the other hand, the state had not distributed the license plates itself. Relying on people to make license plates made the license plate system unorganized and messy. Observing this, New York started to provide license plates for uniformity and organization. In 1910, the state of New York distributed state-made license plates, which became the first standardized license plate. This 1910 license plate design, made of steel with a porcelain coat, was selected for durability on roads. It was composed of white lettering and “NY” written vertically on the right-hand side behind a dark blue background. This massive leap was met with a few challenges. Manufacturing these plates in mass production, dealing with organization, and distributing them to an increasingly large population was demanding. Spreading awareness to folks about “Requirements and ensuring widespread compliance,” according to the New York State Blog, was another grueling task. Additionally, another hurdle was that while officials adapted to this new system, they also needed to find vehicles that were still using owner-made or no license plates at all. The good news is that this change laid the vital path for advanced vehicle identification soon ( Newyorkstate.blog ). As the 1920s rolled around, plates became more uniform, made of steel, and often simply had “N.Y” on the side with the year and numbers. Throughout the 1930s to 1940s, license plates were practical and sophisticated in design due to materials’ availability after World War II. Moving on, the 1950s introduced multi-year-old plates and saw the making of the renowned 1957 orange lettering on a black background. Post 1960, New York evolved to use aluminum for their license plates. This material has anti-corrosion, lightweight, and easy recycling qualities. ( Newyorkstate.blog ). All of New York’s license plate designs keep practicality and looks. When it came to practicality, designs committed to contrasts like the 1929 and 1930 plates. In addition, the state embraced sharp contrasts to increase the visibility of the plate. On the other hand, attractiveness stemmed from the utilization of colors that represented, “…the evolving visual identity of New York's roadways,” as stated by the New York State Blog. An important event was the inclusion of the famous slogan, “Empire State,” in 1951. This slogan was both historically significant and contributed to state patriotism, as it was the prediction of New York’s future by George Washington. It was subtle but still powerful. ( Newyorkstate.blog ). Now, after a profound investigation of New York’s license plate history, we surface back to the present day. New York License plates in the present day still prioritize practicality and security while steered by modern technology, and an ever-changing appeal of different beautiful plate designs. The 1900s and early 21 st century advanced toward standard and famed designs that would be etched into New York as a distinctive icon. Starting with the 1986 plate design, which contained dark blue on a white introducing the symbolic Statue of Liberty. It developed such a strong identity that it became a benchmark for two decades. The following was the 2001 plate, which had blue lettering on a golden yellow before switching back to the original blue-on-white. In 2010, a famous updated, “Empire State,” plate was revealed to be often connected to the concrete jungle of NYC. Finally…the most recent license plate is none other than the 2020 “Excelsior” plate. It continues with the blue text on white, has a detailed background, and the slogan, “Excelsior.” This design will continue to be a staple on New York roads around the state ( Newyorkstate.blog ). The final aspect of the current New York license plate is to do with modernization. Modern plates employ a highly reflective coating and are embossed (imprinting the letters for a raised look). This increased readability during the nighttime. Security elements implanted into the seal in the middle of the license plate deter counterfeits. All these measures make the modern plate more secure and functional than older counterparts ( Newyorkstate.blog ). New York State, just like the rest of the states, started out small in the system of license plates. After decades and centuries of development, from owner-made handicrafts to symbolic plate designs, New York has been through a long journey. All this work has not just been forgotten in New York’s interstates and streets. Instead, it turned into a staple in New York. With state loyalty, it hangs behind New York yellow taxis, lengthy MTA buses, flashing and bright NYPD patrol cars, enormous FDNY ladder trucks, and even behind an ordinary New Yorker's car. This piece of metal will follow behind wherever New York is headed, serving as a reminder of New York’s proud license plate ( Newyorkstate.blog ). Excelsior Plates | NY DMV The History of License Plates in the U.S. The History of License Plates in the United States - Fun Facts to Know Journey Through New York License Plates History: A Reveal! - Newyorkstate.blog License Plates of New York US_NYXX_GI4.jpg (598×392) BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris, Fiction Back to Sections The Orb Part 3 By Alanna Tieschmaker Volume 3 Issue 4 May 18, 2023 Image Provided by Elaine Ching Editor’s note: This piece goes along with the previous two pieces I have written. All three are part of the same series. Despite the task at hand, Richard could not help but gawk at the room before him. His hatred for the king flared as he took in the grandeur before him. It was grander than anything he had seen in his life, and it was only one room. Yet despite this, most of the people of the kingdom lived as peasants, with only the top 10% living in comfort. A huge statue of Jerry Movius, the famous merchant, was centered in the room. Jerry was a huge part of developing the kingdom’s economy. The legends say that with his cloak, named the Cloak of Tharion, he was able to travel through time and space allowing him to know what and when to buy and sell. One day he never showed up to his stall and he was never heard from again. The kingdom, however, continued to prosper from the information left behind by Jerry. Richard shook his head, clearing his thoughts of ancient legends. He had a job to do, and no time to look at all the things he couldn’t have. The bandits did not give him a list of what he needed to take. All they had said was ‘something expensive’. Knowing that it was his brother’s life on the line, Richard endeavored to take the most expensive seeming items he could. Heading through the door to the right, Richard entered a display room. There were exhibits lining the wall, minor artifacts in everyone. The main piece of the room, however, was the circular display case that displayed a rather unassuming shield. It was red and circular, with a metal rim and obvious signs of wear. The description read “The Shield of Ragnor - An artifact from XXXX. It is said to protect its owner from fire and harm.” Richard eyed it warily. It seemed that it wouldn’t be used, but it seemed risky to take something in a central display case. Taking a last glance around the room, he moved on to the next room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ He had been through multiple exhibits now, and he still had not found something he could steal. The amount of time was dwindling, the longer he stayed the higher his chance of being caught. The current exhibit displayed a beautiful sword. There were intricate designs along the pommel and grip, yet they were burdened by rust. The improper care was obvious, despite the beauty of it. Once he looked at the display case, he understood why. “The Sword of Elora - A sword reclaimed by the king after stopping riots caused by a rogue princess.” Richard scoffed at the description. The lack of date and the poor quality of the sword made it obvious the king had nothing to do with ‘reclaiming’ the sword or stopping riots. The sword was not even used in recent years but in history. The whispered tales told from village to village did not talk about a ‘rogue princess’. The legends told of a princess who was beloved by her subjects but the daughter of a cruel tyrant. Elora sided with her people and personally led the rebellion and overthrew the cruel ruler. Once they reached the castle, she took on her father but was dealt a fatal blow by him before he died. The people buried her body under her favorite willow tree, which had withstood the fires that burned throughout the day, and her sword was hung above the throne, as a reminder of their princess and what she did for them. The story of Princess Elora was his favorite legend. He aspired to have the courage and bravery she did. Some courage he was showing now… As tempting as it was to take the sword and hold a part of his favorite child story, the security wouldn’t allow an easy escape. Additionally, he wouldn’t want to give the sword to the thugs. They did not deserve to hold it. The king didn’t deserve to hold it either, but at least here it was safe. Uncared for, but safe. Richard was about to move on to the next exhibit when something caught his eye. Turning back towards the corner of the room, he saw a door that he had previously missed, hidden from view. Richard crept closer, taking note of the faded label on the door. ‘Staff only?’ he pondered, weighing his options. ‘Maybe I can find something here that won’t be missed.’ He pushed the door open and entered the room. The room itself was rather unassuming, with grayish-beige walls and a ceiling of a similar color. A dingy window let in just enough light to see the room, but not enough to be considered proper lighting. The light displayed the main focus of the room, boxes stacked on top of each other. Most were covered in layers of dust, indicating the length of time they had remained untouched in the room. The floor was also coated in a light coat of dust except for a long trail of the floor, where something must have been dragged over recently. Richard began his search for an object of value he could steal. With the amount of dust, nothing would be reported missing for weeks. He couldn’t explain why, but he felt drawn to the back of the room. He followed the clearer floor and found another box. Unlike the others, there was barely any dust covering the box. Despite this, Richard felt compelled to open the box. He looked around and found a crowbar hanging on the wall. He grabbed it and put the end underneath the top of the box. He pushed down with all his strength, managing to pry the top off. Peering inside, Richard found an orb. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Break Dancing to Become Olympic Sport for the First Time in 2024 By Carolina Grace Figueroa Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Image provided by ABC News The Olympic Games are international multi-sporting events that feature summer and winter sports competitions during which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a variety of competitions. More than 200 nations take part in this global athletic sports festival, with the ultimate goal of cultivating people and contributing to unity and world peace through sports. The Olympic Games are normally held every four years, alternating between the Summer and Winter Olympics every two years in the four-year period. The Summer Games were scheduled for Tokyo, Japan in July and August 2020, but were delayed for a year due to the Covid pandemic. They will now take place in July and August 2021 and will not allow spectators from overseas. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which oversees the global sporting competition, has chosen three new sports to enter the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Program, which are surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing. In addition, the IOC has announced that break dancing (also known as “breaking”) has been named an official Olympic sport and will first appear at the 2024 Summer Games to be held in Paris, France. Breaking was the only new sport chosen to make its debut in 2024, hoping to attract and appeal to younger audiences. Breaking is an athletic style of street dance that originated in New York in the early 1970’s. It is a full body activity and a high-energy dance, also known as “B-boying” or “B-girling”, that involves moving to hip hop music. It looks like a combination of dance, gymnastics, acrobatics, and martial arts. Break dancers do hand glides, head spins, and back spins using fluid athletic moves and stylized fast footwork. Breaking mainly consists of four kinds of movement, which are toprock, downrock, powermoves, and freezes. There are bursts of flips, spins, kicks, and freezes. Two very famous break dancing moves are known as “the moonwalk” and “the worm”. This cool form of dance was created as part of the early hip hop movement. Break dancing is popular all over the world, highly creative, and has always included a competitive element, with dancers trying to outdo each other in one-on-one dance “battles”. The next step is for break dancers from around the world to start preparing for 2024. Those dancers with dreams of winning an Olympic medal can train, plan, and prepare their break dancing routines, which will be judged in six categories: creativity, technique, variety, performance, musicality, and personality, There is no system in place yet to decide who will be chosen for the Olympics, but many founders of the break dancing movement are expected to help younger competitors prepare and motivate to train those who are gearing up to compete at the Olympic level. Break dancing will attract more youthful athletes and is a more urban dance style sport that will guarantee high levels of entertainment and much competition at the Summer Olympic Games in 2024. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Portfolio Back to Sections Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque By Marisa Mohan June 13, 2022 Photography Volume 2 Issue 7 This was taken in Dubai at one of the world's largest mosques, Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque.

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Clark and Charlotte's Lovely Marriage Moment By Nora Chery Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Image provided by Unsplash "Ahh -- Bills. Better do some bills. Let see, Water, electric, loans, mortgage…just bills. Bills bills bills bills bills bills bills bills bills bills, still more bills, bills bills bills bills— bills BILLS BILLS BILLS-Oh, Charlotte! Hello, darling."   *Door creaks*   "Hello. I just thought I'd walk by and bring you something to drink while you're working."   *Cling*   "Thank you…dear."   "You still haven't come down for dinner. Should I bring the food, too?"   "No. That’s fine, I'll come down when I'm finished."   "It'll get cold."   "I'll reheat it, it’s fine.”   "Alright then…"   "…"   "…" *Footsteps*   "Oh, not now Charlotte!"   "What!?! A loving wife can't kiss her loving husband?"   "Not while the working husband is paying for the bills that still have yet to be paid and are due to be paid."   "Well those bills can wait, the taxes can wait. Your stupid job can wait!"   "Charlotte--"   "Clark, if you can't eat the food, I cook for you or even let me kiss you on the cheek, then what am I!?! I’m just a mother, and now that's…practically meaningless. Oh…why do we even keep that damn booster seat--"   “I’m so tired of your complaining , acting like you’re some poor ol’ housewife. Why don’t you just get a job, quit being an annoying crybaby, and quit wasting my time?”   “Oh, that’s just like you Clark, you always treat everything with disdain and resentment. Everything always annoys you, I always annoy you. You never even try to sympathize with me, YOU’VE NEVER BEEN BY MY SIDE.”   “Tell me. Tell me why I would I ever be on the side of a woman who couldn’t even get around to watching our own 2-year-old child because she was too busy messing around with Jim McPherson in our own home.”   “…Y-you-”   “What? I what?”   *CRASH*   “That’s exactly like you Charlotte, like a toddler. You can even throw that broken teacup at me if you’d like.”   “You’re DISGUSTING. I want a divorce. Do you hear me!?! I want a divorce!”   *RING RING*   “I’ll go get it.”   “No, I’ll go get it.”   *RING RING CLICK*   “Hello?…Oh, hello Anne…Yes, everything is fine. Clark is fine, we’re both fine…Yes…. It is difficult but we’re sticking together, through this…Thank you, Anne…Goodbye.”   “…”   “…”   “I’m sorry. I’ll clean this up.”   “No, I’ll clean this up. You go down downstairs, I’ll join you in a bit.”   “I’m sorry-“   “Charlotte, I said I’ll join you in a bit.” BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Disney Characters Ariana Hack Volume 5 Issue 3 January 14, 2025 Image Provided by Elaine Ching From a Blonde princess who was forced to clean and cook To mysterious mustache pirates such as Captain Hook From a mermaid curious as can be Who spent most of her time trapped under the sea From a space astronaut “To Infinity and Beyond” To “Best friends forever” that will never break their bond To a little clownfish that almost ends up as bait Up to his father to decide his fate To a one-eyed monster aspiring to be scary To a jealous attitude filled pixie dust fairy What do these characters all have in common you see? Well, my dear they are friends of Walt Disney. Please dream whether you are near or far Because magic happens when you wish upon a star. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris, Fiction Back to Sections Is That Me (Comic) By Nora Chery Volume 3 Issue 4 May 18, 2023 Image provided by Nora Chery BACK TO TOP