Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections An Ode to Normalcy By Eva Grace Martinez Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by Kendall McLeod To find love in simple things isn't easy, so over the past month, I have challenged myself to write dramatic descriptions of simple objects as an exercise in reminding myself about all the beautiful things around us. The following are 5 selections from this challenge:  The orange bowl I eat from each morning:  Smooth, cold, yet entirely perfect. A shade too dark to be tangerine, yet too light to be anything close to amber. Far from the neon shades of paint seen in stores, it is an orange that is perfectly acceptable, not too much of anything, just a simple, and maybe perfect for it, bowl.  The aqua blue glasses, the only glasses I will drink from: Slightly too heavy for a cup, almost as weighty as a mug, yet not nearly light enough to hand to anyone under the age of 6. These made-in Bulgaria IKEA glasses stand as a testament to the awe-inspiring power of light. No matter how dark or bright, the shifting shades of blue paint an ocean in my cup, and for a moment, all is well.  The out of tune acoustic guitar next to my window: The strings are too tense; each note plucked resonates sharp and unforgiving. This is the price of progress, as the electric hangs beautifully in tune away from any potential threats to its static perfection. Rarely now will I find my fingers wrapped around the wooden neck of an instrument that has taught me to love sound in all its forms, and even when reaching out for it, it knows me now as an unloving parent, doomed to place it by the wayside.  The polka dot lunchbox I’ve kept since 4th grade:  Obnoxiously bright, I hide the flinch at its migraine-inducing coloration each time I pack myself a simple sandwich or salad. The yellow has dulled to a mustard grey as the years have passed, and the pinks have blended into their red neighbors. I have always hated this lunchbox, never marked with the trademarked characters which inspired lunchroom seat hierarchies; I loathed ever to let my 4th-grade enemies catch a glimpse of this glaring weakness. Yet, as I place it into my bag, I am reminded of an easier time, where a polka dot lunch box can hold and is the biggest of my worries.  The vejigante which sits on my dresser:  Are you indeed a demon? The eight-year-old who placed you so gently in her room nearly ten years ago would like to know. If so, are you not indebted to me? The bright yellow triangle carved into a coconut painted in a deep black, or what would be your face, has been well-loved since you have been brought here. Though your left horn is no longer as tight as it once was, I hope you are still comfortable here, in this house, or maybe as that eight-year-old futilely hoped—your home.  BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Next Level Electives Noa Cordova Volume 4 Issue 2 January 16, 2024 Image provided by The Guardian New School Year, New Electives Creative Writing, Public Speaking, Journalism, Intro to Film, and Theater are some of the many English electives offered here at North. What if students had the opportunity to take English electives that would prepare them for their English studies outside of the English classrooms here at North? For the 2024-2025 school year, the English department proposes five English electives, three that will provide North students with the opportunity to earn college credit from either Molloy College or Stonybrook University. How does will these new opportunities impact students’ future studies of English at the college level? Are they worth taking? Students should definitely consider taking these new English electives as they will encourage students to expand their horizons and delve into multicultural literature, essay writing, film, creative writing, and theater at a college level, while earning college credits before ever leaving high school. Why Take Electives to Begin With? As we go through our years here at North, our schedules become fuller, and the workload becomes heavier; it’s easy to set aside our passions to focus on core curriculum classes. Although most electives don’t have any weight to your GPA, they do carry some weight apart from your transcript. By taking electives you can “identify and develop new skills that will make you a valuable addition to any workplace” (College Raptor, 2023). Electives can essentially help you learn more about yourself and your interests. You may discover a new passion while taking an elective, and discover it as something you may want to pursue a future career in. Apart from opening yourself up to new experiences, electives provide you with the power to control what you learn about and help foster an intrinsic motivation to explore different topics (Marzano 2023). Choosing an elective because you are passionate about it or because you want to try something new may feel like a breath of fresh air in a day packed with more traditionally structured classes. It’s a common belief amongst many highschoolers that your schedule must be packed with as many AP classes as possible, but it's time to consider that electives have a different type of importance; they may lead to the discovery to new passions, help balance your schedule and motivate you to learn. College Theater and Film: Behind the Curtain and Behind the scenes Theater and Intro to Film are electives currently offered at North; however, College theater and Film will be offered in cooperation with Stony Brook University. College theater will provide students with the opportunity to play all the roles in theater; students can play the role of an actor, director, and playwright. College Theater may be the perfect elective for those that participate in the VSN Drama Club productions regularly, but it may be equally suitable for someone who’s never stepped foot on a stage. Electives are your chance to step out from behind the curtain and into the spotlight. You may find yourself surprised by what theater can do for your public speaking and performing skills. Giving up your seat in the audience to learn about the backstage goings on of theater may prove to be an enlightening experience you wouldn’t have lived otherwise. I’ll also encourage you, whether you are a film buff or not, to move from in front of your screen to behind the scenes with the college level Intro to Film elective. In this half-year elective, you will learn the various components of film, from directing techniques to the social impact of film. Taking a walk-through time as you explore the different film styles from eras will expose you to the unique perspectives of accredited film makers and deepen your appreciation for the countless themes that those behind the cameras portray. For three college credits, Stony Brook welcomes you to take a walk behind the curtain and behind the scenes. College Creative Writing: Learning the Craft and How to Draft In cooperation with Molloy College for three college credits, our English department here at North offers a college creative writing class taught in a workshop approach. For those, like me, who took Creative Writing in the past, this course offers the chance to delve deeper into the writing process touched upon in Creative Writing. For aspiring poets, or those who can appreciate strong creative writing pieces, this elective will help you master the craft of imagery, creating dialogue and analyzing the many wonders of literature. You may want to consider taking this elective as a break from the typical non-fiction pieces that take up your class periods throughout the day and focus on something a little more personally realistic, like the deep ideas conveyed through creative writing. Finding Your Voice in Literature and English College Prep: Multicultural and Multifaceted Our Valley Stream North English Department encourages you to ‘’expand your horizons’’ and immerse yourself in ‘’diverse literary landscapes’’ with the new elective, Finding Your Voice in Literature. As we’re taught in Social Studies classes we live in a globalized society, meaning we should acknowledge and try to understand the different perspectives of the world around us. Exposing yourself to multicultural literature will enable you to hear the powerful voices of people around the world through silent letters of a page. Our English Department teachers remind us of the danger of having a single story, a reminder of what author Chimamanda Adichie talks about during her TED Talk, The Danger of a Single Story. You may want to think about welcoming multi-cultural literature into your world, not just in preparation for college, but for your own edification. On the topic of voices through writing, the English College Prep elective helps you learn to distinguish your voice from the thousands of other applicants through your college essay, a personal narrative. Your college essay gives you the freedom to show admissions officers who you really are, so I’d say it is worth your while if you're looking to wow the admissions officers. We all know by now that the college application process is multi-faceted and requires more than just a college essay; resumes can be equally as important. This elective will help you create a resume that will shine a light on your passions and the skills you have to offer, so that you can stand out. The transition from high school to college is far from easy, but you may decide to try this elective to help smooth your transition and make the multi-step application process seem less daunting. Will you consider giving these electives a try? If so, what will you choose? Will you explore what goes on backstage or behind the camera? Or will let your imagination wild with creative writing? Maybe you’ll learn to make your voice stand out. Whichever electives you choose to check off when Guidance comes around, you’ll surely be able to get an idea of the exciting college elective experience. Sources: College Raptor Staff. “Why Students Should Take College Electives - College Raptor.” College Raptor Blog , 23 Oct. 2023, www.collegeraptor.com/getting-in/articles/questions-answers/take-electives-electives-important/ . Marzano, Robert. “The Highly Engaged Classroom, Tips.” The Highly Engaged Classroom, Tips , www.marzanoresources.com/resources/tips/hec_tips_archive/ . Accessed 7 Dec. 2023. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Suwaira By Isabella Somma March 28, 2022 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 5

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections North's Captivating Courtyard: Spotlight on North's Hardworking Clubs By Ericka Leus Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Original photos by Christy Mansfield and Christina Ossa. Top left: National Junior Honor Society, Top right: North Star, Bottom left: Interact, Bottom right: Art Honor Society You have most likely heard the saying “April showers bring May flowers” before, and that is exactly what has happened to North’s outdoor areas! Pushing through the heavy showers of April and moving into the late season of Spring, it has enabled several clubs at North to participate in cleaning up the outdoor garden areas of the Valley Stream North building’s courtyard. It has been the goal of these clubs to renovate and beautify the courtyard as a good way to end off the year on a high note, and it is true! As of the end of May, the courtyard and garden areas by the Valley Stream North sign look colorful, tidy, and inviting to those who view it. In this article, I will be discussing what some of these clubs have done to participate in North’s outdoor cleanup and their thoughts on it. I will also be introducing some outdoor aspects that these clubs are currently in the process of creating, so be sure to stay tuned! View the original photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/3fBKmcb9rM29fL7YA National Junior Honor Society: The National Junior Honor Society has played a big role in cleaning up the courtyard area of the school. Interestingly, NJHS has been working on this ongoing three-year project all this school year! They began their work in the fall and continued the work in early April. NJHS has received help from their many student members to help in its cleanup efforts, and their work is truly outstanding. With the help of advisors Mrs. Italiano and Mrs. Suarez, the club has been busy painting chairs, benches, and tables, planting flowers, painting the stones with intricate designs, and overall, renovating the various areas, even turning one into a ‘Zen Garden’. They have also done important physical work such as pulling weeds, washing stones, clearing bushes, and moving bricks. Currently the club is planning to work on the concrete stage and a pathway in the courtyard. The motivations that drove the club to clean up the courtyard was the idea of students and teachers occupying the courtyard during class. Currently, there have been multiple English classes that have taken their students out into the courtyard for independent reading and to take a break from their screens. Not only is the cleanup good for the garden, but it is also beneficial to our North community. It was believed that the better the courtyard looked, the happier it would make the North community: “The courtyard is a blank canvas for a garden and has so much potential to be beautiful” said NJHS advisor Mrs. Italiano. Mrs. Suarez also commented that “being outdoors and enjoying what we have played a huge role in encouraging the courtyard cleanup.” Regarding the courtyard, NJHS President Hannah Lee added, “We wanted to beautify it and make a safe, relaxing place in our school.” NJHS’s ‘Zen Garden’ is currently being worked on, and their progress so far looks amazing! Make sure to check it out when you have the chance to do it at school! Interact: The Interact club, led by faculty advisors Ms. O’Donohue and Mrs. Baker, have taken their part in the courtyard cleanup by painting furniture such as chairs, tables, and benches. Over the last month, its several members have taken time to work after school to design images for the furniture. In the future, the club plans to volunteer on remaining projects for the courtyard. The inspirations for the club’s decoration all revolved around the missed opportunities this year due to Covid. Learning and school events are some of the important aspects of North that have changed. Therefore, cleaning up the courtyard would give students a push of motivation. After being masked in all day, having a nice, clean, and decorative outdoor courtyard to hang out in would help students. The chance to beautify the courtyard has also opened student service projects, which have been limited in the past year. But so many students earned many, many service hours because of the courtyard cleanup. North Star : North Star ’s faculty advisor, Mrs. Mansfield, came up with the great idea of having different clubs or grades “adopt” a table or bench in the courtyard, and personalize it after Mrs. Italiano reached out regarding our Courtyard Beautification project underway for the past three years now. So North Star has its very own table, and it is an item you cannot miss! The green-and-white-painted table displays the North Star logo and is amongst the pieces of furniture that stand out. This special project started just last month with help from junior Jack Schwabe, who helped prime the table. Other painters included Everton Prospere, Craig Papajohn Shaw, Lucy Wu, Garrick Neuner, and Grace Martinez, Mathew Olivencia, as well as Alyssa Garufi. Every day, there were kids out there willing to help with anything that was needed. Mrs. Mansfield described her experience as a “mood-elevating activity!” The renovated courtyard provides the opportunity for a change of scenery and fresh air on a nice day, and it will also be much more comfortable for the audience during the Drama Club’s annual “Shakespeare in the Courtyard”. There are QR codes on the table which bring you right to our North Star website, so be sure to check it out! Readers can read Issue 8 or check out our archives. Art Honor Society: The Art Honor Society, alongside faculty advisor Mr. Nafte, is credited with adding the intricate artistic touch to the courtyard. The plans for the courtyard consist of painting designs on stone slabs. Also, the honor society has plans to paint a special mural on the brick wall in honor of North. Rumor has it it’s going to be a lotus with a featured Spartan head, so be sure to check that out! AHS’s designated table in the courtyard is the colorful table with fruits on it, and it is currently in the final touches stage. The club has also displayed a garden sculpture, hoping to start a “garden sculpture revolution.” President Alena Moreira has done some impressive work on her own for the courtyard. She has dedicated her time to painting some chairs and tables in the past few years. The motivations for these decorative additions were inspired by the students of North. The courtyard is one of the very few outdoor places on North grounds where students can hang out during school hours. Having a student-personalized area to hang out allows students to feel safe and relaxed. “It’s like adding and maintaining a mini park on school grounds” said by Alena regarding AHS’s work. The outdoors was a big motivator as well. Taking advantage of the space makes it enjoyable to all. A breath of fresh air is something we all need during these times of staying indoors. As Mr. Nafte enthusiastically commented, “long live the courtyard!” or “Viva le courtyard!” Ecology Club: The Ecology club is fully dedicated to beautifying North’s outdoors and has been doing it for an impressive 15 years. This club focuses on the building’s outdoor areas and takes into consideration its condition. Once a month, its several student participants pick up trash on both school grounds and the area of Seabury Avenue. Not only do they make the Earth happy, but they also make residents happy as well! This school year, the Ecology club’s achievements include starting cleanups during the Fall. Have you seen the beautifully planted flowers by the Valley Stream North sign? That is all thanks to the Ecology club. With the help of faculty advisor Mrs. Restuccio, the club has planted over 100 tulips by the sign. The creation of a welcoming and attractive landscape was the main inspiration for their work. Planting and gardening itself is a process that students can benefit from, and the satisfying product of delicate flowers is a reward. Mrs. Restuccio emphasized the important idea that “gardening also has a positive physical and psychological effect on people.” Especially during Covid times, we have all been on our devices constantly. Gardening provides an opportunity where we can get off screens, get in a good workout, and have a positive mood. Thank you, National Junior Honor Society, Interact, North Star, Art Honor Society, and Ecology Club for your outstanding work! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections Halloween Traditions Around the World Leah Ally Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by History | A+E Networks Halloween, celebrated on October 31st each year, is a holiday that is primarily associated with the United States and Canada. However, Halloween traditions can be found in various forms across the globe. From Mexico to Ireland, different countries have their unique customs and rituals that add a touch of cultural diversity to this international holiday. A country that notably has its own distinct Halloween tradition is Mexico. In Mexico, the holiday is known as Día de los Muertos , or Day of the Dead. Rather than being a day of fear and fright, it is a joyful celebration of deceased loved ones. Families create altars in their homes, adorned with photographs, candles, and marigolds, to honor and remember their ancestors. They also visit cemeteries to clean and decorate the graves, leaving offerings of food, drinks, and personal belongings for the spirits to enjoy. The Day of the Dead is a colorful and vibrant celebration that showcases the Mexican culture's unique perspective on death and the afterlife. In Ireland, the birthplace of Halloween, the holiday is known as Samhain . It is believed to have originated from ancient Celtic traditions. Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Irish people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off evil spirits. They also believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, allowing spirits to roam freely. To appease these spirits, people would leave food and drinks outside their homes. Today, Ireland continues to celebrate Halloween with bonfires, costume parties, and traditional Irish music. Moving to Asia, we find the country of Japan, which has its own unique Halloween traditions. Halloween has gained popularity in recent years, particularly among young people. However, the Japanese celebration has a more commercial and playful nature. Halloween parties and parades are common, with people dressing up in costumes inspired by both Western and Japanese pop culture. Many shopping centers and amusement parks decorate their premises with Halloween-themed decorations, and children go trick-or-treating in their neighborhoods. While Halloween in Japan may not have deep historical roots, it has become a fun and exciting event for people of all ages. In Germany, Halloween is celebrated with a mix of traditional customs and modern influences. One of the most notable traditions is the carving of turnips or beets into lanterns, similar to the jack-o'-lanterns made from pumpkins in the United States. These lanterns, known as "Rübengeister," are placed outside homes to ward off evil spirits. German children also go trick-or-treating, but instead of saying "trick or treat," they say " Süßes oder Saures ," which translates to "sweets or sour." This playful twist adds a unique touch to the Halloween experience in Germany. In addition to these countries, Halloween is celebrated in various other parts of the world, including Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Each country puts its own spin on the holiday, incorporating local customs and traditions. However, the common thread that runs through all these celebrations is the spirit of fun, creativity, and community. So, Halloween is not just an American holiday; it has become a global phenomenon with diverse traditions and customs. From the joyful remembrance of ancestors in Mexico to the playful trick-or-treating in Germany, Halloween traditions around the world showcase the rich cultural tapestry of our global community. Whether it's carving pumpkins, wearing costumes, or participating in festive events, Halloween brings people together in a spirit of fun and celebration, transcending borders and uniting us in the joy of this spooky holiday. Sources: Halloween in Mexico: How Do They Celebrate? - JoinMyTrip Blog Samhain (Samain) - The Celtic roots of Halloween ( newgrange.com ) Halloween 2023 in Japan: Traditions and Where to Go | JRail Pass Halloween in Germany: Traditions, customs & events ( iamexpat.de ) BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections Review of Polish Food (with a dash of some personal biases) By Alicja Paruch Volume 2 Issue 5 March 28, 2022 Image provided by Hotels.com As the people slowly come back to the regular, pre-pandemic habits, such as going out to eat, I would like to rate some Polish dishes commonly served in Polish restaurants. Overall, Polish food tends to be rather heavy, and filling. It often consists of potatoes, pork, sausage, and what really makes most of the dishes stodgy for some is the frequent reliance on oil. The desserts on the other hand, usually are healthier than the ones sold in the US (which use large amounts of sugar) and focus on subtle flavor combinations. Appetizers: Naleśniki z serem /Cheese crepes - thin crepes with a sweet white cheese filling, often drizzled with honey, or heavy cream and fruits. I honestly want to say this is one of my favorites, but most of these are. This however does have a nice balance of sweet and salty flavors with a hint of sour from the fruit. These are considerably healthy and make for a good appetizer.  Najlepsze naleśniki z serem - Przepis od Po Prostu Pycha Chleb z smalcem i ogórkiem kiszonym /Bread with lard and pickles - This is the Polish version of the bread with butter appetizer in Italian restaurants. Simply smear the lard on the bread and top with the pickle. Simplicity is key. As you can predict, this is less healthy than the crepes, but it’s a staple everyone should try at least once. Smalec i ogórek – połączenie doskonałe - Zjadlbym.pl Soups: Barszcz Biały /White Borscht - A chicken-based broth with kiełbasa (sausage), vegetables, hard or soft boiled eggs. This soup has a similar, but more sour, counterpart called “ żurek ” and these are often a part of the traditional Easter breakfast. This soup is quite filling and fatty, but the rich flavors of the soup always have me hungry for more. https://www.curiouscuisiniere.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Polish-White-Borscht-1608.21.jpg.webp Barszcz Czerwony z uszkami /Red Borscht with dumplings - This borscht on the other hand is traditionally made without any meat, because it is usually served for the Christmas Eve supper at which people don’t eat meat. The vegetable broth is enriched with beets, where it gets its beautiful burgundy color and a deep earthy flavor. Accompanied by cabbage and mushroom filled dumplings, this is a relatively healthier choice than the white borscht and still full of flavor, and to me, and most Poles, is the smell of Christmas. Przepis na tradycyjny polski barszcz z uszkami - Blog EasySend Barszcz po Ukraińsku /Ukrainian Borscht - This is a cold-served soup with a chicken-based broth with beets, some sour cream, and heavy cream. It is a nice and refreshing dish to have during hot summer days and the addition of mint just elevates the flavor. Personally, I associate this with my childhood memories of my mom calling me over to eat something while playing in the backyard. It is close to my heart, and even though it’s cold, it definitely has warm memories attached to it. This is also a relatively healthy dish and is definitely worth getting! Barszcz ukraiński - JAK uMAMI - pyszna zupa w wersji wegetariańskiej. As a side note, we, as Polish people, do not exclusively eat different types of borschts. These are soups I saw mostly served in Polish restaurants that I would consider foreign to non-Polish  people.  Entrees: Gołąbki /Stuffed cabbage with tomato sauce - Steamed cabbage leaf stuffed with rice and meat topped with tomato sauce. This is a surprisingly healthy dish with nice mellow flavors of the meat and a sharper contrast of flavor of the tomato sauce. This Polish staple makes for a good, light dinner. The name “ Gołąbki ,” in literal translation, means little pigeons, but do not fret, no pigeons were hurt in making your dish! Gołąbki warzywne - wegetariańskie | Kwestia Smaku Placki ziemniaczane po Węgiersku /Hungarian pancakes - fried potato pancakes (kind of like thinner hash browns) topped with a rich beef and vegetable goulash. This is definitely a heavier of the bunch but is my comfort food on a rainy day. The crispiness of the potato pancakes and the creaminess of the sauce blend so seamlessly, as if they were made for each other. Placek po węgiersku - Foodwiki - Pyszne.pl Kluski Śląskie /Silesian dumplings - soft and chewy potato dumplings often topped with a pork or beef sauce. This is a texture dish, so if you’re not open to new textures, I can’t guarantee you won’t be averse to it. If you don’t mind them though, the combination of the thick meat sauce and the velvety dumplings will satisfy your hunger for new experiences. Jak zrobić kluski śląskie bez wagi i miarki - Vademecum Kuchni - Akademia Smaku Pierogi - The famous dumplings! They can be served with potatoes and white cheese (they’re commonly called “Russian dumplings,” but they don't originate from there), cabbage and mushrooms (often served at Christmas Eve), or minced meat. The potato pierogi are hands down my favorite type with the potatoes and cheese blending nicely into a beautiful harmony of flavors. Personally, I haven’t had cabbage and mushroom pierogi in a long time because I don’t like mushrooms, but for people who like them, this will taste great! As much as others love the rich meat pierogi, I often find them a little dry, unless done properly, which is not often done at restaurants. Another very important factor of pierogi is the quality. Since they have become a well-known polish staple, many companies have made frozen versions of them. I do not find that wrong, it is the natural way of modern commercialization, but what I do find sad is when restaurants serve them to their clients. You can easily tell the difference between a homemade one and a store bought one. If your pierogi have more filling than dough, and the filling is well-seasoned, then they are most probably hand made. On the other hand, if the dough overshadows the filling in its quantity and thickness, and the filling is perfectly smooth and bland, it is most definitely store bought. Pierogi are often topped with caramelized onions, sour cream or sometimes bacon bits. I personally love the contrast of the coldness and taste of sour cream against the warm and creamy dumplings, but I also see the appeal of adding the extra sweetness of the onions or the savory flair of the bacon against the smooth potatoes. There are so many ways one could go with pierogi and you will not be disappointed when you find your favorite. My Grandma's Homemade Pierogi - Spend With Pennies Bigos /Hunter’s stew - is a delicious and hearty dish made of sauerkraut, vegetables, sausage, mushrooms, pork or beef, and prunes. This savory dish lives close to my heart, as my grandma makes it for me fairly often. It is yet another heavy dish, and is usually served with bread, which only increases its calorie count, but the salty and umami flavors, with the occasional hint of sweetness from the prunes surrounded by the slightly acidic flavor of the cabbage have me thinking about when I’ll have it again. Bigos, a Polish Hunter's Stew | Paleo Leap Desserts: Karpatka - This dessert is similar to a napoleon pastry but has a sweet origin story. The name “ karpatka ” comes from the name of a Polish mountain range “Karpaty,” because the pastry the cream is surrounded in looks like a mountain range after it is baked. The sweet filling nicely complements the pastry creating a very enjoyable experience. Traditional Karpatka - one of the most popular Polish desserts. - https://tasteisyours.com Chrust or faworki - This desert might be hard to find at a restaurant, but it is a Polish delicacy. Very thinly rolled dough, fried and sprinkled with powdered sugar is a dessert served most commonly for Fat Thursday (February pre-Lent Christian celebration). It is best served fresh and still slightly warm. Babcia’s Polish Chrust Recipe (Faworki) – matthew eats the world (wordpress.com) Honorable mentions: Ptasie Mleczko - You won’t find this at a restaurant, but in your local Polish store. This candy is the most popular (and one of the best in my opinion) Polish candy. It’s a sweet marshmallow covered in chocolate. Wedel, the company that makes Ptasie Mleczko , manufactures many flavors of the candy, from the original (and arguably the best) vanilla flavor, to chocolate, caramel, or even lemon. Wedel.pl - Czas na przyjemność Thank you so much for reading and allowing me to share my love for Polish food with you. Growing up in Poland, it was my everyday life, and after moving it has made it even more special. The comforting flavors bring me back to some of my fondest memories, looking up at my grandma and seeing magic happen in her kitchen. Food has a lot of power to keep one grounded and I know I can always come back to it after a harsh day. I hope this review will help you choose a dish of your liking next time you end up at a Polish restaurant. There are of course many that I have not covered but be daring and try new flavors as well!  BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections The Jealous Ghost By Victoria Niksa Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image provided by Elaine Ching Jennifer had been writing in her diary the past few days and ending every entry with these words. She’d being going through trouble with her friends because they’d been talking and playing around without her. Now, she would’ve been alright with this, as long as it wasn’t happening in their group chat with them and their other friends. E: ‘Hi darling :)’ L: ‘Hello bae!!’ “ Ugh ” Jennifer scoffed. “These two and their shenanigans again?” Not even five seconds later, her friend Angelica texted her. A: ‘Are you seeing this? I swear these two are killing me.’ J: ‘Yes, I am seeing this. Can’t they do this in private messages???’ A: ‘I guess not because they’re still at it.’ *In the group chat* A: ‘Can you guys like stop there’s more than just the two of you guys here and this getting very annoying.’ L: ‘You’re just jealous.’ E: ‘Yeah you’re just jealous of bae and my relationship.’ L: ‘Yeah and Jennifer’s our bae too!’ *Messaging Angelica* J: ‘Are you seeing this!? They don’t include me in their conversations, but they include me in this??’ A: ‘What? Wait let me scroll up and look through the messages.’ at 4:35pm A: ‘Oh my gosh they don’t even respond to you they just continue to talk and ignore you. Aren’t they your friends?’ J: ‘Yes, they are but I don’t know why they’re including me in this. What the hell, they don’t even pay me any mind half the time.’ Lilac and Evie were in the group chat once again talking, ‘singing’ songs. Jennifer was feeling extremely confused and upset. She had no idea why they’d always ostracize her from everything. *a week goes by* Aside from Jennifer crying in Social Studies one period, crying while texting her friend about her issue, crying herself to sleep, and just crying. She had been feeling alright about where she stood with her friends, but she and her friend Donna agreed it’s about time Jennifer confronted Evie and Lilac. J: ‘Guys if I’m going to be like 100% real with you. I’m honestly upset with how I’m being ignored by you both. I feel as if you’re both constantly ignoring me, and I’m just done with it.’ E: ‘I was doing homework what.’ J: ‘No I mean like a week ago, when you guys would talk to each other.’ E: ‘I never purposefully tried to ignore you…’ J: ‘That’s the point.’ L: ‘Eliza and I are doing ‘’The Call of the Wild’’ questions lol these are so difficult.” J: ‘Are you kidding me. Did you seriously just ignore all of this??’ Jennifer had gotten no response. She decided to tell Donna the issue. After an emotion-filled document Jennifer made to send Donna to fill her in so she wouldn’t be clueless. She’d gotten a response about 20 minutes later. D: ‘That was a lot to take in but oh my goodness how come they still haven’t responded? Also, Lilac must be joking. Can she not read the room?’ J: ‘She has to be. This is so stupid. All I wanted was for them to include me in their conversations and now this has happened?’ D: ‘At this point just ghost them. No pun intended.’ J: ‘At this point maybe I should.’ *the next morning* In her Home and Careers class, Jennifer’s class had been learning what to do about anger. What a coincidence. During class, she’d been excluding herself from her group. She didn’t want to associate herself with them. While they were all rambling on about the supernatural and whatever anime it is that Evie and Lilac liked, she sat there and listened. Head down, mind blank. Nobody saw her there. It was like she was a ghost to them. A jealous ghost. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Fun Winter Snow Activities By Carolina Figueroa Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Image provided by The Know - Denver Post The core of the winter season is upon us, and what better way to have fun than to play in the snow? We recently enjoyed our first snow day off from school and had 4-6 inches of snowfall in our community. Many students were outside enjoying the excitement of winter activities. Even with the Covid-19 pandemic, we were able to find ways to revel in some outdoor fun while still staying safe. Children and adults raced down hills sleigh riding, participated in snowball fights, made snow angels, created snowmen, went ice skating, played ice hockey, caught snowflakes on their tongues and took long, peaceful walks in the snow. After a long day in the fresh air, many people enjoyed creating their own snow cones using freshly fallen white snow with flavored juices and syrups or drinking some hot chocolate. Some fun winter sports and activities that many people often partake in are skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, snow shoeing, dog sledding or mushing (with Siberian Huskies or Alaskan Malamutes), building igloos (snow huts) and making ice sculptures (ice carvings). Even the thought of riding in a horse-drawn carriage or horseback riding in dusty, newly fallen snow sounds appealing to me! One magical winter attraction that interests me is seeing the frozen “Ice Castles” which are created and built using hundreds of thousands of icicles that are carefully hand-placed by professionally skilled ice artists to create fairy tale castles. These “Ice Castles” include frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, fountains, caves, icicle-adorned archways and beautiful LED-lit sculptures. It certainly sounds like a winter wonderland to me! Additional outdoor winter sports and activities that are interesting include ice fishing, riding a snow mobile, cross country skiing and bobsleighing. Snow-kiting, or kite skiing, is an activity in which people “use kite power to glide on snow or ice”. The skier uses a large kite to travel across snow and give them power over large jumps in the air. This sport is quite similar to water-based kiteboarding, but with the footwear used in skiing or snowboarding since the terrain is different. Many kiteboarders nowadays use foil or inflatable kites. Another winter sport that captivates me is “curling”, where players “slide stones, or rocks, on a sheet of ice toward a target area which is segmented into four concentric circles”. It is related to shuffleboard and is often called “chess on ice”. One would require precision and accuracy and need four members per team to play this sport. In the winter months, families and friends enjoy getting away at snow-filled mountain villages, staying in rustic log cabins, peaceful resorts, or tranquil ranches. To top it off, if these places are equipped with roaring fireplaces or bonfires, families can enjoy reciting stories as they roast marshmallows or make s’mores, creating many unforgettable memories together. Winter is definitely a great season to have “snow-much-fun”! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Pop Art Back to Sections Ella Puccio - Pop Art By Ella Puccio January 14, 2022 Acrylic Volume 2 Issue 3

Back to Artwork Heckscher Back to Sections St. Basil's Cathedral Entry 10 April 14, 2022 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 6