Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections 1984 Book Review Leah Ally Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by The Guardian War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. World war, civil struggle, and revolution wrecked civilization in 1984. Oceania’s Airstrip One , previously known as Great Britain, is one of three totalitarian super-states. It is dominated by “The Party,” which controls every aspect of Oceania. The Party watches every civilian in Oceania through devices known as telescreens, transferring sound and motion to the Party’s ominous figure known as Big Brother. The Party controls everything in Oceania, from the language spoken, to the people’s history, brainwashing their thoughts to love Big Brother. Using the “Thought Police” and continual surveillance via telescreens, cameras, and hidden microphones, the Party violently removes anyone who does not fully go along with their dictatorship. Winston Smith is the main character of 1984 and is portrayed as a man who is disillusioned with the society he lives in. He works for the government’s propaganda department, yet secretly rebels. As daring as Winston appears to be in challenging government authority, he battles his own vulnerability and possible belief of Big Brother. Eric Authur Blair, also known as George Orwell, was an English novelist, essayist, poet, literary critic, screenwriter, and publicist. He wrote the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four or 1984 as a social science fiction novel and a warning. It was Orwell’s ninth and final book completed during his lifetime, published on June 8th, 1949, about a year before his death. He was a man of strong opinions who addressed some of the major political movements of his times, including imperialism, fascism, and communism. The chilling tale made an impression on readers; his ideas entered mainstream culture in a way achieved by very few books. The novel’s themes include totalitarianism (a government that asserts complete control of its citizens), mass surveillance, and coercive regimentation of people and behaviors in society. The novel was modeled after real-life occurrences with Russian ruler Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin and the leader of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler. Throughout the novel, George Orwell explores the ideas of truth and fact through politics, including the danger of propaganda. I enjoyed 1984 ; however, in my opinion, the novel was drawn out at times and lacked detailed information. Even so, George Orwell’s writing style entertained me, and so did the complexity of each character's dialogue. I recommend 1984 to readers who may have read and enjoyed novels such as The Giver or Animal Farm . Sources: Woodcock, George. "George Orwell". Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Jan. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Orwell . Accessed 7 June 2022. George Orwell Biograph, Biography.com Editors, The Biography.com website, https://www.biography.com/writer/george-orwell , accessed May 7th, 2022, A&E Television Networks, last edited May 3, 2021, Published April 2, 2014 BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Interview With the Seniors of Boys Varsity Volleyball Team Rehmat Kaur Volume 5 Issue 2 November 25, 2024 Image Provided by Sophia Songveertham Our Boys Varsity Volleyball Team is having a tremendous season with 11 wins and 7 losses. The team won their playoffs against Swanhaka with a dashing score of 3-0 and Quater Finals against South Side with score 3-2. I had the opportunity of interviewing the wonderful seniors and Coach Karahalios regarding their hopes and what they wish to achieve to make this season memorable. With the seniors, I asked them to share a little bit about themselves and these were their responses: Erik Ziemblicki (won All-County): What is your favorite sports team? “New York Yankees” What is your favorite athlete? “Juan Soto” Your favorite school subject? “History” What is your favorite movie? “Good Will Hunting” What is your favorite TV show? “The Office” What is your favorite meal? “Pasta” Ziemblicki began playing volleyball in 7th grade after learning about the sport from his mother and aunt, both of whom played volleyball at their school. He returned to the sport in ninth grade and was introduced by Mr. Karahalios, who has been incredibly significant in reintroducing him to the sport and assisting him significantly with training. Ziemblicki plans to play college volleyball competitively and aspires to “win the county and maybe go father and win states” for this volleyball season. Ziemblicki views himself as a smart, aggressive, and confident player who embraces the most valuable advice he ever received: “Keep trying; even if you fail, you can always come back and win,” which he wants to pass on to future volleyball players. Nick Lang (won All-County): What is your favorite sports team? “New York Mets” What is your favorite athlete? “Paul Skenes” Your favorite school subject? “History” What is your favorite movie? “Star Wars” What is your favorite TV show? “Breaking Bad” What is your favorite meal? “Steak Tidbits” Lang started playing volleyball in 9th grade after being exposed to the sport by two of his relatives who played for South Side. His ambitions for this season are to “make a deep playoff run and hopefully improve from last year all in all”. Lang characterizes his playing style as aggressive overall. He wants to get as many kills and blocks as possible to help our team win. Lang also likes baseball and plans to play competitively at Pace University. Lang is a member of Athletes Helping Athletes and advises aspiring volleyball players to “work hard and focus on what makes you better as a person”. Sam Onuoha (won All-Conference) What is your favorite sports team? “The Lakers because of Lebron James” What is your favorite athlete? “Noah Lyles because he’s also a track athlete” Your favorite school subject? “Math” What is your favorite movie? “Never Back Down” What is your favorite TV show? “Breaking Bad” Mr. Karahalios introduced Onuoha to volleyball, and he began playing in 8th school. He felt the greatest influence from his track and volleyball coaches, who helped him become a better person and athlete. Onuoha admires Yuji Nishida (Japanese volleyball player) and looks up to him as an athlete. He defines his playing style as “sporadic”, implying that one never knows what he is going to do. He also talks about his passion for cooking, with lasagna being his favorite meal to make. He is part of Winter Track, Outdoor Track, Ecology Club, BSU, Grade Council and Student Council. Onuoha considers “working harder than everybody else” to be the finest piece of advice he has ever received. Onuoha offers this bit of advice to prospective volleyball players: “Keep working hard; do what you can and just play your part”. Liam Corbett What is your favorite sports team? “New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks” What is your favorite athlete? “Richard Sherman” Your favorite school subject? “Math” What is your favorite movie? “Good Will Hunting” What is your favorite TV show? “Dexter” What is your favorite meal? “Steak and rice” Corbett began playing volleyball in junior high and was introduced by Erik Ziemblicki (Senior 2025). He really admires Coach Karahalios, whom Corbett regards as a "good leader" who strikes the proper balance between strictness and fun when playing. Corbett h opes that the team “goes deep into the playoffs” and has a great season. Besides playing volleyball, Corbett enjoys playing baseball and will play for our team this upcoming season in spring. He also got into golf recently and really enjoys it. As for the upcoming volleyball players, he hopes that they “listen to Mr. K, he's got a lot of knowledge” and that the coach will help them improve as individuals and athletes. Daniel Banach What is your favorite sports team? “The New York Yankees” What is your favorite athlete? “Aaron Judge” Your favorite school movie? “Django Unchained” What is your favorite TV show? “Family Guy” What is your favorite meal? “Steak and eggs” Banach began playing volleyball in his sophomore year and attended tryouts with his friends. His mother played volleyball for her high school, through whom he was exposed to the sport. Mr. Karahalios has been an excellent mentor to him, someone he admires and who has taught him a great deal. According to Banach , “The only goal is nothing less than a County Championship and then a Long Island Championship” and he will give his all to assist the squad accomplish these goals. Aside from volleyball, Banach likes baseball and plans to play competitively in college. He also enjoys watching sports, learning more about history, and cooking. Banach advises aspiring volleyball players to put in the necessary time and effort, as well as to believe in themselves. Anthony Gomes (Senior Scholar Athlete): What is your favorite sports team? “FC Barcelona” What is your favorite athlete? “Messi” Your favorite school subject? “Math” What is your favorite movie? “Interstellar” What is your favorite TV show? “Walking Dead” What is your favorite meal? “Any type of burger” Gomes began playing volleyball in 10th grade and was introduced by his friend Leden Sarmiento (Senior 2025). Coach Karahalios has been the most helpful to Gomes because he understands him and helps him improve as an athlete. He characterizes his playing style as “defensive” because he plays in the back. Outside of school, he expresses his enthusiasm for playing guitar, both electric and acoustic. His hobbies include playing violin, soccer, and video games. Volleyball is his favorite sport to play since it allows him to spend time with friends like Erik Ziemblicki who he admires as an athlete. Gomes wishes the best for the upcoming volleyball players and believes that they understand what is expected from them. Coach Karahalios How do you keep the team feeling positive and motivated during a loss? “To keep the team positive after a loss, the coaching staff and I focus on learning from each game, celebrating small wins, and highlighting areas for improvement. We remind the team that setbacks are part of growth, and we set short-term goals to stay motivated moving forward.” What is one important lesson you have learned from your time as a coach? “The most important lesson I’ve learned as a coach is the power of empathy. When players feel understood and supported, they perform better, and trust grows. Empathy boosts communication, morale, and helps build a confident, united team.” Describe the qualities you believe an effective athlete must have. “An effective athlete needs discipline, resilience, and a strong work ethic. They stay committed to training, bounce back from setbacks, adapt to changing situations, and prioritize teamwork, showing leadership and dedication to the team's success.” What are your goals for the seniors to achieve this season? “Our goals for the seniors are to build their leadership skills, finish strong, and keep improving their game. We want them to develop resilience, adaptability, and teamwork skills they can use beyond sports. Lastly, we hope they leave a legacy of pride and tradition for our younger players. For the seniors and the whole program, we have one goal in mind. A Nassau County Championship.” I would like to express appreciation to the seniors and Mr. Karahalios for providing me with the opportunity to interview them and acknowledge their achievements. The volleyball team had an exceptional season. I wish seniors the best of success in their future endeavors. And always GO SPARTANS! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections Movies to Watch this Halloween Hydrangea, Staff Writer Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by Depositphotos Halloween is upon us once again, and with it comes the desire to watch horror films—or just something a little creepy! If you are looking for something to watch this Halloween, this article contains eight movies; whether you’re looking for something a little more fun, or you’re a horror fanatic, I hope I’ll be able to give you something new to watch or reintroduce you to an old favorite! (DISCLAIMER: Not every film on here is suitable for all students, especially younger ones. Even those with PG or PG-13 ratings may contain content that can be inappropriate for some.) Wendell and Wild (2022, dir. Henry Selick; PG-13) When Kat Elliot, an orphaned teenager with mysterious powers attending a Catholic school, summons demon brothers Wendell and Wild after they promise they will resurrect her parents. Kat, her classmate, a teacher with similar powers, and a demon-hunting janitor are pulled into an adventure full of zombies, cover-ups, punk rock, and criticism of the American prison system. While not quite scary, Henry Selick’s latest film, featuring the ever-hilarious Key and Peele duo, is a fun one to watch this month. Beetlejuice (1988, dir. Tim Burton; PG leaning PG-13) After a car accident, a young couple finds themselves stuck as ghosts haunting their own house. When unbearable new tenants and their mysterious daughter move in, they do everything in their power to try to scare them out—attracting a self-proclaimed “bio-exorcist” named Beetlejuice who causes even more trouble. More funny than scary, this is a great film to watch if you just want to get in the Halloween spirit! Coraline (2009, dir. Henry Selick; PG) Based on the Neil Gaiman novel of the same name, this stop-motion animated movie follows a girl named Coraline and her discovery of another world that seems so much better than her own…that is, until its version of her family tries to keep her there forever! Admittedly, I’ve never finished this film, but I still think it’s an amazing movie that anyone who loves stop-motion animation should check out. Scream (1996, dir. Wes Craven; R) In this classic slasher, a girl named Sidney Prescott and her friends, cross paths with a masked killer terrorizing their town. This movie, full of twists and self-aware humor, is a must-watch for any newcomer to horror. M3GAN (2022, dir. Gerard Johnstone; PG-13) A sci-fi and horror mashup for the ages, this movie tells the story of M3GAN, a life-like robot programmed to be the perfect companion for children. When its inventor unexpectedly gains custody of her young niece, she uses the robot for assistance—but things get violent when it starts attacking anything it deems a threat to the girl. The Conjuring (2013, dir. James Wan; R) Moving is always a stressful event, but at least you’ll probably never be as unlucky as the Perrons, who find themselves haunted by an evil spirit in their new house. This film kickstarted a franchise that is still going strong today—a spin-off, The Nun II , just hit theatres back in September. IT (2017, dir. Andy Muschietti; R) Based on the classic Stephen King novel, a group of kids are terrorized by a demon who feeds off fear and have to overcome their various fears in order to defeat it. This movie follows the first half of the novel, while the second half is adapted into a sequel. Carrie (1976, Dir. Brian De Palma; R) Another Stephen King adaptation, this film follows Carrie White, a shy teenager bullied relentlessly at school and abused by her ultra-religious mother, who discovers that she has psychic powers. Things begin looking up for her when she is asked to prom by a popular boy and is even crowned Prom Queen—but when one final prank is played on her, things go terribly wrong. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Kobe Bryant’s Lasting Legacy By Alain Deen Volume 1 Issue 1 November 1, 2020 Image provided by NBC News On January 26th, 2020, NBA legend Kobe Bryant, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna unfortunately passed away in a helicopter crash. Seven others also passed away: Gianna’s basketball teammates, their parents, coaches and pilot, Ara Zobayan. Kobe Bryant’s passing left the world in shock, primarily due to his heavy influence on basketball and society as a whole. Bryant certainly left a lasting legacy to the world, one which will be remembered for generations to come. Kobe Bryant entered the NBA soon after high school, to then lead a successful 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant, won five NBA championships, and Kobe was a two-time NBA finals MVP. On top of that, Kobe was the 2008 NBA most valuable player, and a two-time scoring champion in 2006 and 2007. Although his remarkable statistics classify him as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Kobe did not let his statistics define who he was. Bryant had multiple interests besides basketball. He enjoyed watching soccer (“football” in Europe) and was a fan of FC Barcelona. Kobe was also friends with Barcelona legend Lionel Messi. Kobe also founded the Mamba Sports Academy, where many young athletes developed their skills using Kobe’s winner mindset. After retirement from the NBA, Kobe Bryant focused on being a good father to his children, raising them to be successful young women. Kobe also wrote several children's books, as well as a short film. Kobe’s drive toward versatility emphasizes that he was much more than just a basketball player. That same short film, “Dear Basketball” went on to win an Academy Award in 2018, breaking boundaries. In the film, Kobe told of his early roots which developed his love for basketball. He explained his mentality, as well as his mindset which pushed him to strive for more. Kobe’s message and drive inspired many current NBA players, like Lebron James. As for Kobe’s daughter Gianna, she was an avid basketball player, expected to join the WNBA when she got older. Gianna, along with her teammates Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester, played on the Mamba Basketball team together, with hopes of making it big one day. Kobe Bryant’s inspiring legacy will leave an imprint on all future generations of basketball players, filmmakers, athletes, authors and philanthropists. Kobe emphasized when you stick to your dream with hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything, which is the Mamba Mentality, In the words of Kobe, “Mamba out.” R.I.P Kobe Bryant 1978-2020. R.I.P Gianna Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, Christina Mauser and Ara Zobayan. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Lies By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by Polygon Life is a game At the end you're still going to get the blame It doesn't matter if you want to play You'll still get tricked into saying okay People do things Which bind them in return with strings When they finally break through, their heart gets hit with regret No wonder why they rather forget We trust people without thinking It's so careless that we end up fleeing We hope our running will make us free When we know at the end, we'll end up at that same tree We keep going back Hoping we're ready for the next attack We lookout for the unknown enemy When they're standing right there acting friendly As soon as we turn around They get ready for a rebound Falling down, shattered into pieces We thought we had put up all the braces Swallowed into a hole of darkness Back into the castle of mistress When will we escape? From our own mistakes? Trust isn't something to give But something to earn It isn't a piece of candy Given to anyone who makes us happy We get trapped in our own puzzles Built from our own troubles We blame others for our misdeeds Like they're the ones who plant our seeds Life is a game At the end you're still going to get the blame It doesn't matter if you want to play You'll still get tricked into saying okay Phony smiles and showering compliments That's exactly how they play They use you for their accomplishments All you need to say is okay To get into their game of lies As soon as they get their prize They'll leave you without a goodbye Leaving you all alone to die BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Line Back to Sections Sienna Munro - What is Line By Sienna Munro November 1, 2020 Photography Volume 1 Issue 1

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections A Story of Good and Bad Leah Ally Volume 6 Issue 2 December 22, 2025 Ares prided himself on his courage. After all, he was the God of War and every brutality that war had to offer. At the moment, war was everywhere. Between small conflicts between friends, civil wars, and spontaneous battles between families, militarism was vastly growing and could not be stopped. At the same time, Poseidon, the God of the Sea, storms, and earthquakes, was in a constant rage. Every day there was a new natural disaster, devastating a different area. With the combination of Poseidon’s anger and Ares’ everlasting militaristic attitude, trouble was constantly brewing, making for a world of uncertainty and violence. Amidst all the bad, there were those that sought the good. Persephone was one of them. As the goddess of spring and flowers, she admired blue skies and flourishing agriculture, everything Ares and Poseidon were currently interfering with. She just wanted it to end. She knew that they were too powerful to be stopped even with her own divinity. Nonetheless, she worked tirelessly. When she thought Ares and Poseidon weren’t paying attention, she would sprout a small flower, hoping for it to blossom. However, time and time after, the flower was consistently destroyed by either large gusts of wind or careless warfare. Ares and Poseidon knew of Persephone’s aspiration to make the world a better and brighter place away from the misery they bestowed. Therefore, previously working individually, Ares and Poseidon now understood that their anger was best used together. Their devastation over the world coincided with each other too perfectly. When there wasn’t a storm, there was conflict, and when there wasn’t conflict, there were storms. Somewhat inspired by the gods’ cooperation to work together, Persephone sought the help of Demeter, the Goddess of Agriculture and Aphrodite, the goddess of love. They all tirelessly worked for the good of the people, to defend against Ares and Poseidon, yet nothing seemed to give. Aphrodite tried to implement her feelings of affection within civilians so they could begin to love each other and live as one. Demeter tried to plant trees and foster the lives of crops for harvest. Yet, the land remained barren, dark, and depressing for all. A depression that seemed to never end regardless of all the good that the goddesses fought the bad with for centuries. Years later, Ares and Poseidon faced a challenge they had never faced before. Their power was dying. Earthquakes were weaker, fights quickly ended with agreements, and the sky was bluer. The world was regaining its green once again. While the goddesses were working hard in their fight against Ares and Poseidon, that was not exactly why the world was returning to its normal state. Ares and Poseidon simply grew tired. Their power was no longer sustainable and their trouble to keep up only grew. It was slow and steady, but the goddesses worked together once more and the trees grew, the flowers sprouted, and day by day smiles became more common. The world was happier. The goddesses did not realize it then, but the bad was always meant to come to an end. There was meant to be healing for the world to be repaired, and for broken hearts to be patched together. From then on, the world knew that to get to the good, you first had to endure the bad. Healing was not a fast process, but instead a journey of time and patience. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Careful Souls By Willene Exinvil April 22, 2021 Acrylic Volume 1 Issue 7

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections The Human Meaning of Life - Reflection By Shinedip Kundlas Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image provided by Irina Koryagina I had the absolute privilege to read Viktor Frankl’s memoir Man’s Search for Meaning .  Through his experiences in the Holocaust and concentration camps, there is validity and appropriateness to Viktor Frankl's assertion that man can find meaning in all life experiences. Life's meaning gives structure and purpose to a person's existence since definition gives their lives a sense of purpose. The fact remains that humans are the only organisms able to put their lives in perspective and find meaning and validity in them. We are wired to want meaning and purpose in life, and it is an inherent part of our nature and temperament.   The meaning of life differs from person to person, day to day, and hour to hour. Life's meaning does not depend on what it means in general, but on what it means to a person at the time. Frankl connects this to a chess competition, unless one has a particular situation in a game and an opponent with a specific personality, there is no best or even good move. In the same way, human existence follows this principle. An individual should not search for a conceptual meaning of the existence of life. From this section of the memoir, I learned that everyone has their particular “vocation”- a mission in their life to carry out. As a result, every person's task is as unique as their chance to carry it out. Frankl emphasizes that throughout life, each situation presents humans with a challenge that must be overcome, which may reverse the question of meaning. I learned from Frankl that life’s meaning is constantly changing, but it never desists to be. Logotherapy (a concept Frankl explores) consists of discovering it through three different means: our actions; and our experiences and encounters. The fact that we are human means that we are always directed toward something, or someone, other than ourselves-whether we are seeking meaning or encountering another human being. A person becomes more human when they forget themselves, when they devote themselves to a cause or a person they love and actualize themself. Frankl writes that there is no such thing as self-actualization since the more one strives for it, the more one will miss it. It is only through self-transcendence that self-actualization is possible. By self-transcendence and self-actualization, we can discover the world and the meaning of life. Although Frankl mentions that the meaning of life changes, it never halts- catastrophes happen, natural disasters happen, and events happen, but it is part of human nature to move on. By moving on, one discovers how to experience something in this world, which brings me to the next significant quote. A central theme in the memoir is love - Frankl heavily emphasizes the power of love. For instance, love is shown when sick patients are being transported to rest camps. Frankl was on the list not to be sent to the rest camp due to his status as a doctor, however, there were speculations that the "rest camp" was a gas chamber. Frankl had the option of removing his name from the list, but he instead chose to stay with his loved ones, saying that he had to learn to let fate take its course. According to Frankl, one can fully understand a person only by loving him or her, since loving someone can enable one to see the potential in them. The act of helping someone find a vocation and meaning also helps one find one's own purpose in life. Throughout his life, Frankl taught that people—even those who have been suffering enormously—can, and must, find meaning in their lives. His writing is proof of how words can alter the perspective of an individual. Frankl concludes that there is no general meaning to life. Humans have different vocations, purposes, and views. However, no matter how different we are, we are all humans with different meanings of life.  “After all, man is that being who invented the gas chambers of Auschwitz; however, he is also that being who entered those gas chambers upright, with the Lord's Prayer or the Shema Yisrael on his lips.” - Viktor Frankl BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Art Guild Back to Sections Summer Sky Line By Kimberly Shrestha November 24, 2020 Mixed Media Volume 1 Issue 2