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Back to Articles News Back to Sections Donald Trump’s Indictments and Court Case Sahar Ali Volume 4 Issue 3 March 13, 2024 Image Provided by Kaiser Health News Lately, you may have heard about former President Donald Trump in the news. You may have heard about trials and indictments. These charges made against the former President may not seem serious to us; however, it is a significant moment in the history of the United States. WHO IS DONALD TRUMP? Former President Donald Trump was born on June 14th, 1946, in Queens, New York. His father, Fred Trump, was a real estate developer. As a child, he studied at the New York Military Academy, and later, the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania, during his adolescence. In 2005, Trump married Melania Knauss and later had his fifth child, Barron Trump. Children from his previous marriages include Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, and Tiffany. Donald Trump ran for president during the 2016 election. Although he had lost the popular vote against Democrat Hillary Clinton, he won the majority of the Electoral College votes, which determines who takes the role of U.S. President. Trump’s victory led him to become the 45th President of the United States of America. His slogan, which many people are familiar with was, “Make America Great Again.” During his presidency, Donald Trump made many changes and improvements to the United States. He signed a major tax reform bill into law and oversaw a reduction in federal regulations. Trump had protectionist trade policies that imposed tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum. Additionally, the Trump Administration discussed trade agreements with countries including Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Japan, and China. The former President also increased military budgets, enforced border and immigration control, and decreased the prices of prescription drugs. But even though all these accomplishments were made by Trump and his administration, this does not mean that Trump did not have any dark moments during his presidency. As President, Donald Trump used his position to criticize the media and members of his administration. On Twitter, now known as X, Trump posted 26,000 tweets consisting of false statements reflecting the former president’s ideas, which eventually led him to be permanently banned from the social media platform. Additionally, after more than 150 years, Trump was the United States’s first chief executive to not attend the next President’s inauguration. Under the Trump administration, there was a surge of fake news and misinformation regarding racism, terrorism, illegal immigration, and sexism. The former President also made multiple claims that would require fact checking; this included his assertion that voter fraud led to his defeat in the 2020 election. Not only that, but COVID hit the United States while Trump was in power; under the Trump Administration, the nation’s economy suffered as thousands of Americans lost their jobs and businesses during the pandemic. Donald Trump decided to run for a second presidential term during the 2020 election; however, it did not go as he planned. Trump lost both the popular vote and Electoral College Vote to the democratic candidate, Joe Biden, the current President of the United States. The former President falsely claimed that widespread voter fraud was the leading cause of his loss. His defeat in the 2020 election was the start of the many issues that would later arise for Trump. IMPEACHMENT Impeachment occurs when a government official is charged with a crime. If the official is found guilty during their trial, they will be removed from office. In 1868, President Andrew Johnson, along with President Bill Clinton in 1998, were both impeached by the House of Representatives. Former President Donald Trump was impeached in 2019 and 2021; later for the unprecedented events that occurred on January 6th, 2021. On January 6th, 2021, during the “Save America” rally, hundreds of Trump supporters gathered at Washington D.C., where the former President encouraged his supporters to protest the counting of the Electoral College Votes. As time progressed, violence erupted as law enforcement was overwhelmed by the enormous number of Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol. The violence caused by Trump’s supporters resulted in the breaching of the United States Capitol and impediment of the vote count. As a result, the United States Capitol suffered millions of dollars in damage and five people lost their lives. Following the violence at the Capitol, the United States House of Representatives approved the second Article of Impeachment against Donald Trump on January 13th, 2021: the incitement of insurrection. Donald Trump is the only president in the history of the United States to have been impeached twice by Congress. This January marked three years since the attack on the Capitol. COURT CASE Along with being impeached, the former President has multiple court cases to deal with. American journalist and author, E. Jean Carroll, claimed that former president Donald Trump sexually abused her in the 1990s. Trump denies these claims; however, in May 2023, a jury found that Trump sexually abused Carroll in 1996 at a luxury department store and further went on to defame her in 2022. As a result, Trump must pay $5 million dollars in damages, but the question that remains is how much the former president must pay for the defamation. As of publication of this issue, a Manhattan federal jury decided former President Donald Trump should pay $83.3 million to the writer, Carroll. The previous case is not the only one Trump must await trial for. Letitia James, the New York State Attorney General, led an investigation into Donald Trump’s business practices that eventually devised a lawsuit that accused the former President of “staggering” fraud. The investigation began back in 2019 when Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, testified to Congress that the former President manipulated his net worth for his own benefit. In a filing, Letitia James described how the Trump Organization inflated the value of the company’s properties. In September of 2022, James rejected a settlement offer given by Donald Trump’s lawyers. Further, James went on to file a lawsuit against the former President and his family business, which accused them of fraudulent business practices that were observed to occur in a pattern. A year later, the civil trial started against Trump on October 2nd, 2023. Although the former President attempted to have his trial delayed, a New York Appeals Court rejected his request. The judge of the case found that Donald Trump consistently engaged in fraud by inflating the value of his assets; in simple words, Trump did not conduct business according to the law, which caused the former President to lose control over many of his New York properties. Not only that, but Trump, along with his sons, could be prohibited from conducting business in New York. This case is still ongoing as Trump tries to delay the trial until after the 2024 election. Although Donald Trump and his administration had many achievements during the presidency, there are still numerous trials awaiting him. The former President has 91 felony charges for 4 criminal indictments, which include his attempt to overturn the result of the 2020 election after he faced defeat. Even with all these allegations against him, Donald Trump will again be a candidate for the 2024 election. As of publication, Nikki Haley has since dropped out of the race. SOURCES: Trump seeks delay of civil trial in E. Jean Carroll defamation suit - CBS News Donald J. Trump | The White House How federal impeachment works | USAGov Text - H.Res.24 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. | Congress.gov | Library of Congress Trump Trials: Two court appearances as Trump’s appeals and civil cases continue - The Washington Post How America Changed During Trump’s Presidency | Pew Research Center Trump NY Fraud Trial: What to Know After Closing Arguments - The New York Times ( nytimes.com ) BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections FAFSA Overview Rachel Ezeadichie Volume 4 Issue 4 May 29, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching College is a wonderful opportunity to continue one’s educational journey and learn more about oneself and what opportunities lie ahead. Attending college, however, can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars without scholarships or financial aid. This leads many students to apply for state and federal financial aid through the FAFSA form. FAFSA or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form is a form that students need to complete each year to receive financial aid for college. The form helps determine eligibility for financial aid and gives students access to financial assistance through grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and loans. The FAFSA form helps students by allowing them to apply for financial aid to assist them with college payments. It asks for information regarding the student’s and their family’s financial status, personal information, and other details to determine eligibility. This information is sent to the colleges of a student’s choice and each college decides the amount of aid given, if any. Some information needed to complete the form includes a social security number, federal income tax return, and W-2 forms. It is recommended to create a FSA ID (Federal Student Aid Identification) as it is needed to renew the FAFSA each year. The form itself takes about an hour to fill out and can be submitted online, mailed, or submitted through your college of choice. After the form is submitted, students receive a SAR (Student Aid Report) that reviews the information provided and an EFC (Expected Family Contribution), an index number that determines eligibility for federal aid. Completing the FAFSA offers many benefits and has become a crucial step in the college process for many. Although tedious and complicated at times, this form allows more students to receive the assistance they need and gives many people access to the resources they need to further their education. It serves as a gateway to new opportunities, and it should be utilized as such. If you are having difficulties with the form or do not understand parts of it, talk to a teacher or guidance counselor or visit the official website at studentaid.gov . With the FAFSA, students are paving the way for a more affordable education, one step at a time. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Art Guild Back to Sections Art Guild- Isabella Mascetti Isabella Mascetti November 6, 2023 Colored Pencil Volume 4 Issue 1

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections All County Athletes By Aleeza Dhillon Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Image provided by VSN XC/TF Instagram Listed below are all the All-County winners from North’s Winter Track team: All-County Girls Nattaly Lindo (11th grade) County Champion – Shot Put, County Champion – 20lb Weight Throw Melissa Innocent (12th grade) 2nd place – 3000m, 2nd place – 1500m, 3rd place – 1000m Moanna Thelusca (11th grade) 2nd place – 20lb Weight Throw Sahar Ali (10th grade) 2nd place – 1500m Racewalk Gabriela Mensah (12th grade) 3rd place – Triple Jump Brooke Fessler (11th grade) 3rd place – High Jump Haley Quinlan (9th grade) 3rd place – 1500m Racewalk All-County Boys Joshua Lopez (12th grade) County Champion – Shot Put Kevin Beltran (11th grade) 2nd place – 1000m, 2nd place – 1600m Sedgeley Duperval (11th grade) 2nd place – 300m, 2nd place – Long Jump Ethan Smalls (12th grade) 2nd place – 25lb Weight Throw On February 7th, North’s winter track team competed in the County Championship at St. Anthony’s High School. Boys’ and girls’ teams placed second in the County, with many athletes getting a new personal best! The team was Conference Champions this year, their 15th championship in a row. All-Conference Melissa Innocent (12th grade) Conference Champion – 3000m, 1500m and 1000m Gabriela Mensah (12th grade) Conference Champion – Long Jump and Triple Jump Moanna Thelusca (11th grade) Conference Champion – 20lb Weight Throw, 2nd place – Shot Put Nattaly Lindo (11th grade) Conference Champion – Shot Put, 2nd place – 20lb Weight Throw Charis Hackman (12th grade) Conference Champion – 4x400m Relay, 3rd place – High Jump Sahar Ali (10th grade) Conference Champion – 1500m Racewalk Victoria Singh (10th grade) Conference Champion – 4x400m Relay Kyla Lodge (12th grade) Conference Champion – 4x400m Relay Anaiya Jarrell (11th grade) Conference Champion – 4x400m Relay Brooke Fessler (11th grade) 2nd place – High Jump, 3rd place – Triple Jump Ericka Leus (10th grade) 3rd place – 55m Hurdles Haley Quinlan (9th grade) 3rd place – 1500m Racewalk All the athletes on the team worked their hardest to have an amazing season. The coaches, Mike Frazer and Tim Boyens, are proud of all the improvements and progress their athletes have made. Great job to everyone on the team, and let’s hope for an amazing spring season. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Gas Prices Continue to Increase By Raj Singh Volume 2 Issue 6 April 14, 2022 Image provided by USA Today I’m sure that if you have been watching the news, listening to your parents, or paying for gas itself, you know how expensive gas is. As of April 7th, in Nassau County, New York, gas prices per gallon were $4.268, which is a lot compared to last year’s average of $2.901. You might wonder, “Why is gas so expensive?” It’s a lot more complicated than you think, with a multitude of reasons. Firstly, COVID-19 has caused plenty of damage to the world economy, and one of the reasons is inflation. Let’s say in 2019, 5 barrels of oil cost $15 (this is a hypothetical); with shipping slowing during Covid has the number of barrels decreased, which wouldn’t be so bad as the barrels would be worth $6, right? Nope, inflation has caused the price of the, let’s say, only 2 barrels to go to $20, inflation has caused prices to rise at the same time stock of oil has decreased, causing the price of oil per gallon to rise a couple of dollars. (A link below will show the actual prices of barrels of oil.) Covid restrictions have become increasingly damaging as workers aren’t allowed to work, and production decreases are stopped entirely. In China, they have a “Zero Covid Policy,” which shuts down entire cities and areas in order to keep Covid cases at 0; this has caused lots of cities to be shut down and also oil refineries, which of course, ramps up the price of oil to nations that import Chinese oil like Australia, and even though here in the US we don’t use Chinese oil that high price impacts here too since the global economy is connected increasing our prices more. Now for the biggest and most prominent cause for the increase in price, the War in Ukraine. Foreign companies and investors have been running out of the country; they have left Russia due to its “Humanitarian Violations.” It is because they felt that other companies and investments would leave Russia, so they did it themselves, causing a chain reaction. Anyways, this lack of investment and foreign companies has caused the Russian economy to shrink and start collapsing. In turn, this has caused Russian oil and gas to collapse too, causing prices in Europe to rise and, in turn, the rest of the world. This is the leading cause of the current spike in price. Here is a reason that only has a mild effect currently and has a more significant impact in the future, America, and Canada have been producing more oil than ever before; in fact, in America, imports from the Middle East have been declining, and what oil we still import mostly comes from Canada, oil produced here has to come from shale and sand adding an extra process. At the same time, in the Middle East, they take it straight out of the ground, refine and sell it. This has caused North American oil to be a bit more expensive, the effect is small, and it’s an overall positive since soon America will be an overall oil exporter rather than an importer, and we probably won’t join any more wars in the Middle East since they don’t hold our oil interests anymore. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections prejudice tastes like apple pie By Lucy Wu Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Pinterest i why are our apples not the same? i concede our exteriors may not match you arrive pristine untouched from neighboring orchards while i may still be bruised manhandled from my journey but if i wield a knife slicing through translucent veins and thin skin wouldn’t you agree we are the same? ii seventeen years ago my mother sowed her seeds passed down from her family a figment of her mother in a fertile promised land she spread her roots meticulously and eventually without fear my belonging a trellis pale petals wrapped around her backbone after sunset i built palisades shielding her fragile sapling from unforgiving wind the piercing stares so she could assimilate and flourish each year come gentle spring her tree bloomed borne from sacrifice watered with tears and we reaped her ripened fruit cherishing its sweetness yet in one day you intruded on our garden ravaging her tree drowning her roots breaking her branches in insult and scorn what’s more you claim her lovely apples my apples as your own a product of your generosity fallen from the tree that once was small and shriveled pale jade and longing there’s nothing left to promise me her daughter how dare you cut down my mother’s tree you take a bite but i hope you choke iii i walk to the market looking for apples scouring the aisles peering at the mountains it’s easy to spot the bruised with their browned skin sunken in i avoid those and you do too i handpick just a few with crisp sides taut and overflowing with their juices almost permitting myself to believe they’ll be perfect but i’m no fool i show you how i drag my blade piercing the core and examine for rotting interiors and disposing rinse and repeat you follow my lead however some elude me the most deceiving are the ones that appear perfect both inside and out they make it all the way into the oven seeping their spoiled rancid juices into my crust my foundation at the table only i notice the fragrance wafting in the air is wrong it’s faint but brimming with malice spiced with hate that’s the thing they don’t tell you about prejudice and pie the apples seem fine so naively you taste them and then they reveal their true flavors only in the critical moments in solitude after the pie whisked away you’ll realize in your throat the aftertaste souring bitterness lingers forever it’s a shock when my tongue deludes my eyes nothing similar in the slightest i should warn you it’s an acquired taste one you develop after years of picking them letting them ruin your pies it’s subtle yet their acridness so potent to me i hope maybe someday you’ll taste it too and possess the wherewithal to say something but until then i do not betray truth i cut a generous slice feigning a smile through my salty tears swallowing whispering it’s delicious BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Health and Wellness at VSN: People Providing Support By Craig Papajohn-Shaw Volume 2 Issue 6 April 14, 2022 Image provided by NPR Two years have passed since the start of the quarantine period of the COVID-19 pandemic. With in-person learning, optional masking, and a full selection of extracurricular activities back in action, the last two years are starting to feel distant, and Valley Stream North High School students seem to be getting back to what was once known as "normal." However, the interruption of learning over the last couple of years has led many teens to suffer from what experts are calling “ pandemic-related stress ” Trying to learn through a screen, a disparity in the connection with others, and a lack of a consistent routine have generated stress, anxiety, and behavioral issues in the school environment. Valley Stream North, and the district alike, have employed various methods of supporting the complex reactions students have had to the return to school. A new study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on April 1st shows 1 in 3 high school students experienced “poor mental health” during the pandemic, with 44.2% encountering two or more weeks overcoming a period of “sadness and hopelessness.” In an interview with Assistant Principal Mrs. Buonaspina, she acknowledged how involved the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) department has been in expanding the resources in the wellness division and that the “cohesiveness of the department has contributed to the great work they have done.” She said, “Good communication is key,” adding, “having everyone in the loop benefits the mental health of the students because it allows the proper assistance to be provided.” The PPS department, comprised of our guidance counselors, school psychologists, and school social worker has addressed the mental state of students since the pandemic began:   “We recognize that there have been academic and social-emotional challenges associated with the return to full-time in-person learning. The goal of the PPS department is to provide ongoing support to meet the needs of our scholars through a variety of services including academic interventions, school-based counseling, individual check-ins with PPS staff, and referrals to community mental health resources when needed. The PPS department will continue to provide support to our students and families throughout the school year and help to encourage our students’ success.” Mrs. Buonaspina talked about some of the new resources the school and the district have put in place to support students. For one, there is the Wellness Center, which was established in the Spring Semester of the 2020-2021 school year. She describes how two guidance counselors and the three school psychologists (Ms. Christiansen, Ms. Kehoe, and Dr. Byrne) rotate hosting the center’s sessions. She also explains how the collaborative group activities that the PPS department creates on a weekly basis help overcome the potential stigma of getting guidance. The PPS department specifically explains, “Members of our staff are also available to meet with students during designated extra help times and at the Wellness Center, which offers additional support on Tuesdays from 3:15 pm-6:15 pm. As part of the programming, students can schedule individual appointments and participate in group activities to help promote overall wellness and community. The Wellness Center group activities have included activities which include meditation, art, cooking, yoga, and dance throughout this year.”  The Wellness Center has proven a good outlet for students dealing with mental health issues which sometimes manifest into academic struggles or an increase in disciplinary referrals. Learning at home may have resulted in a lack of structure and returning to school has caused some students to have a difficult time readjusting to routines and rules. Mrs. Buonaspina says the PPS department and the school administration have bi-weekly meetings to identify patterns in students who may need additional support. She has since added the dean and the school nurse to these meetings to see if there are connections between students’ disciplinary infractions and their mental health. To seek out more connections, the school sent out a survey to identify which students may need additional support. Within North, many students were identified, and all counselors will have meetings with those kids. To continue supporting the community, the PPS department states, “Parent forums and monthly newsletters are also made available on a district level to keep the community updated on current events, activities, and information regarding student wellness and available support resources. If students need the contact information for a PPS staff member, it is located on North’s website, as well as the showcase outside of the guidance office.” The mental health of students remains a top priority within the Valley Stream Central High School District; the PPS department, alongside our school administration, will continue to assess what students need in the coming months. Overall, the Wellness Center has been a remarkable success, with students consistently signing up for the creative weekly activities and individual appointments. For additional resources, please check out the North Star’s mental health corner . BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Lessons Learned in the Pool By Angelina Somma Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 Image provided by the Long Island Aquatic Club Upon entering the Long Island Aquatic Club Freedom pool, your eyes are immediately drawn to the patriotic-colored banners hanging from the ceiling.  The words GRIT, FRIENDSHIP, and COMPETITIVE GREATNESS printed in bold letters across these banners describe the three greatest lessons I have learned from competitive swimming. The quality of one’s swim practice is determined by yardage and speed. The accepted notion is that yardage and speed equate to strength and ultimately success. I spend fourteen and half hours each week in the pool.  During each practice, I swim seven to eight thousand yards at a considerable speed.  After a week of this training, my arms and legs ache, my mind and body crave sleep.  I often find myself questioning whether I can complete another week of training.  However, I continue training in the pursuit of a successful swim meet.  At certain meets I race my best, and in others I don’t.  When falling short of my best, I question why I train.  In those moments the words “grit,” “friendship,” and “competitive greatness” become a source of great encouragement.  I have learned to confront the challenge, to surround myself with friends for support, and to rise to the occasion. The swim community to which I belong has shaped the person I am today in many ways. Many view athletics as just a method of staying in shape or a hobby. However, each sport provides athletes with a unique community: a community to learn from and to rely on. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections The Life of a Jellyfish By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Numeral Paint Plunge deep into the dark sea Where there are many wonders to be seen Pearls as small as a pea Fishes that are bright green But the most wondrous of all Is the one that shall never fall They’re shinier than your shoe polish These beautiful jellyfish Some glow in the dark They really know how to leave their mark Others are the most venomous of all One touch and you’ll fall Some jellyfish are vegetarians Others are pescatarians The scariest of all jellyfish Are the ones that eat the other as a dish Jellyfish don’t settle down How do you think they get their crown? They drift throughout oceans Going through several motions They live all over the world Their arms and tentacles have never curled Such fascinating creatures They go on so many adventures However, don’t get a jellyfish sting Or else you’ll never be able to sing These wonders don’t like to be tampered with They’ll leave you battered Gorgeous, yet deadly After all jellyfish aren’t known to be friendly BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Homecoming is Back! By Everton Prospere Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Image provided by Hudl On October 30th, Valley Stream North High School hosted its annual football homecoming game. After a year where the usual festivities were canceled due to the pandemic, VSN students and staff alike were excited to return to a sense of normalcy with the festival and game. Homecoming is typically an event and game that invites school alumni to boost school spirit. With the Homecoming Dance canceled, the administration put in place an alternative: the Homecoming Festival. With a large gathering, many activities, and an exciting football game, this year’s festival was a great success! In preparation for the game, clubs and extracurricular activities were asked to prepare a sale to raise funds while also increasing excitement for the event. The custodial staff and administrative teams arrived early in the morning in preparation for the fun of the day. In front of the overhang of the main entrance by the gym lobby, multiple tables were set up in a market-like arrangement. Volunteers from clubs began to appear on site at 10:00 am, with two hours to put together their booth’s items. At 12:00 noon, the festivities began, with parents, teachers, current and former students, and residents attending. Some activities included a potato sack race from the Students Against Destructive Decisions, in which Mrs. Rieger, Mrs. Italiano, and Ms. Parisi participated. There were also sales for fundraisers: a tumbler — an insulated beverage container — by the Class of 2023 Grade Council, and an air pod case sale by the National Junior Honor Society. At 2:00 pm, the pregame festival concluded, and the football game began. Throughout the game, fans were encouraged to purchase food at Grover’s Grub food truck. A portion of the proceedings made at the truck funded the Class of 2022 and The Spartan Club. The Valley Stream North and Lynbrook High School varsity football teams versed each other in a thrilling battle. Although the Lynbrook Owls quickly took the lead, the Spartans turned the match around with outstanding defense and superb offense. The final score was 28-21, with Valley Stream North victorious at the end. The football team attributed their victory largely due to support from the full crowd of enthusiastic fans and the comical announcing by North’s beloved AP Psychology teacher, Mr. Daddino. This festival could not have been hosted nor so successful without the support and organization from the administrative team, custodial staff, security, the Student Activities Director, Mrs. Italiano, all the club and grade advisors, and North’s Athletic Director. Despite the pandemic, Valley Stream North rallied to host an amazing homecoming, and the bad weather forecast adjusted itself for the festivities. BACK TO TOP