Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Martin Luther King Jr. Day Leah Ally Volume 5 Issue 4 April 8, 2025 Every year on the third Monday of January we celebrate a special holiday, commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. This federal holiday allows for MLK’s life and contributions to be recognized and honored by the country. While he is considered a well-known name, not many understand the significance of his work, particularly in the Civil Rights Movement and in the fight against racial discrimination. His inspiring leadership has shaped our society for the better as signs of his impact have remained present in our communities, schools, and workplaces. To fully understand the impact of Martin Luther King Jr.’s work, it is important to learn about the Civil Rights Movement. It was a movement prominent during the 1950s and 60s that fought back against the commonplace mistreatment of African Americans in the United States. African Americans were often systematically excluded from society had to endure segregation that negatively impacted the quality of the education they received, job opportunities, and access to public services. This was especially prevalent in the South, where laws known as Jim Crow laws explicitly permitted the segregation of public services and private businesses. Beyond systematic oppression, Black Americans also faced physical violence and other hate crimes such as harassment and arson. The Civil Rights Movement was born from a desire to bring these issues to the forefront and end the legal protection of these inequalities. This movement was marked by significant events and efforts to challenge and overturn systemic racism and inequality. One of the earliest milestones was the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision in 1954, which declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional. This was followed by the Montgomery Bus Boycott from 1955 to 1956, sparked by Rosa Parks’s refusal to give up her seat to a white person, which symbolized resistance and led to the desegregation of many bus systems. The movement gained further momentum with the formation of organizations like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). These organizations used protests, sit-ins, and freedom rides in order to bring awareness and make a statement about the unequal treatment they faced. These milestones, among many others achieved during this time, are proof of the significant power that this movement had and the sweeping changes that it brought. Martin Luther King Jr was a prominent figure in the movement, proving himself to be a pivotal figure as his leadership and vision for a better world were instrumental in the struggle for racial equality and justice. His importance lay not only in his ability to inspire but also his commitment to nonviolent protests and civil disobedience to achieve social change. In 1957, he was elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, quicky expressing his worthiness of the position. He achieved this through hundreds of speeches around the country as he traveled extensively to make his voice heard. At the same time, he would go on to publish a variety of articles and books documenting the injustice faced by African Americans. Perhaps his most iconic action was during the March on Washington in 1963, where he would deliver his iconic address known as the “I Have a Dream” speech to the 250,000 people participating in the march and the thousands more who watched or listened to it as it was broadcasted. In it, he envisioned a future where people would be judged by the content of their character instead of their appearance, especially the color of their skin. This speech changed the Civil Rights Movement as it drew millions of people to fully understand the impacts of racial discrimination and inequality. Eventually, his hard work in improving the lives of Black Americans would pay off as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 would be created. These laws were significant victories as equal employment, less voting restrictions, and unsegregated public facilities for African Americans were established. All in all, with Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 20th, it is a time for reflection and commemoration. After all, his work in resolving racial issues has allowed us to enjoy the same rights and access to the same luxuries which will continually improve lives for the future. Sources: Civil Rights Movement: Timeline, Key Events & Leaders | HISTORY Civil Rights Timeline - Truman Library Institute Martin Luther King Jr. – Biography - NobelPrize.org BACK TO TOP

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

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Spring Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 4 Issue 4 May 29, 2024 Image Provided by Annie Diep In spring, the world comes alive, as flowers bloom and bees thrive Sunshine warms the earth below, and gentle breezes start to blow Trees dress up in vibrant green, a sight unlike any scene birds chirp melodies sweet, as they flit and fly with fleet children laugh and play outside, in the meadows, they frolic wide springtime joy fills every heart, as new beginnings get their start so let's rejoice in spring's embrace, and soak up its beauty, in every trace BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Fun vs. Responsibility By Alanna Tieschmaker Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Image provided by Inc Magazine I open my eyes to see a pitch-black room. I rub the sleep out of them wondering if the blackness is just spots in my eyes, but the room stays dark. I slowly move up from the cold, hard surface I had been lying on. What am I even on? When I look down, there is nothing underneath me except more darkness. Feeling my heartbeat thump, I reach my foot out and slowly lower it down, expecting to lose my footing. Instead, I see my shoe land above the void, slightly below my perch. Slowly, I shift my weight on it, half-expecting it to give way beneath me. Nothing happens. Even slower, I bring my other foot to rest next my first one, ready to jump back to where I hope the platform still is. When nothing happens, I slowly take another step into the void, then another. After I feel confident I won’t fall, I decide to head off in a direction. I'll find something eventually…right? I have been walking for what feels like hours. I am beginning to doubt I will ever find anything. Would I be forever stuck in a black void? No friends and no one to talk to? I'm not sure if I could stand it. Finally, I see a faint light in front of me. Elated to finally see something besides darkness, I break out into a sprint. I hope it is a path out of this suffocating black that has surrounded me. As I get closer, the light seems to morph. Instead of being straight in front of me, it splits in two opposite directions. Additionally, there seems to be two figures looming in the distance. I hesitate as I grow nearer, intimated by the figures. Wait, why should I be scared? I can handle anything this place throws at me. Feeling more confident, I get closer and see that the intimidating figures are actually a pair of very tall signposts. How strange. Who leaves signposts in an empty void? I crane my neck to read each one. " F..u..n, Fun?" I mumble to myself. "Responsibility? That’s a lot of i's." I ponder as I turn back to look at the 'Fun' sign again. It is" responded a male voice. "But it’s also what is needed in life. "Woah!" I shout, jumping backwards and away from the voice that popped up out of nowhere. I spin around to see a tall middle-aged man. He has black hair, which is barely visible in the room (Am I even in a room? Does a black void count as a room?), and brown eyes. He's wearing what I assume is a very expensive business suit and holding a briefcase. "Responsibility is the key to a successful life. You need to be responsible for things in your life. For example, you have a paper due in a few days. Why aren't you finishing it? You know your grades are very important" the man scolds. Without good grades, how will you get into a good college? Without a good college, how will you get a respectable and well-paying job? Without a respectable and well-paying job, how will you survive in life?" The man looks down at me, and I suddenly feel ashamed of my own procrastinating attitude. I need to finish my paper instead of wasting so much time. I start to trudge down the 'responsibility' path, but before I get very far, I hear a different, higher pitched voice call out. "Hey, wait a minute!" I turn around to see a girl that looks about my age standing by the other signpost. She's about my height, which is a relief. Looming people are kinda scary. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. She's also very easy to notice due to the bright pink and blue clothing she wears. "Where are you going?" she questions. "I have work to do" I respond, but my feet have already stopped moving. "Why should you follow him ?" she cries. "There's no fun in responsibility. If you go with him, then how will you have fun? You'll just sit around at a desk job and be boring all day" she whines. "Instead of him, you should come with me!" she exclaims. " We would have so much fun together! We could play all your favorite video games and try new games that you've wanted to try for the longest time and eat new foods and run around in the park and just have so much fun!" She seemed to run out of breath after that. I am surprised that she didn't run out before. That was a very long sentence. She seems to be a very energetic person, kind of like me when I'm doing something I love. Her offer is also very tempting. I long to let go of any worries and instead play games. I wait for months to play my newly-installed moded game. I start to amble towards her and her signpost. Once I get to the midpoint, all h-e-double hockey sticks breaks loose. "Now where are you going?! Do you not remember how much you have to do? All the responsibilities you have?" the older man remarks. "She's coming with me , to have fun and relax" replies the girl, glaring at the man with fury. "And what about the paper that is due?" "She can do that later." "Later can end up as never with you." Their voices begin to get louder as they become angrier with each other. "Well, at least I know how to relax! And I can show her how to as well!" "Your 'relaxing' will end up ruining her life! She still has so much left to do! She has a test tomorrow to study for!" "She doesn't need to study! She just needs to relax, and she'll do fine!" The man lets out an angry huff and turns to speak with me. "I demand you come with me this instant! You will not ruin your life with this nonsense!" He bends down to grab my hand and starts to pull me away, towards his sign. "Oh no you don't!" the girl shouts, grabbing my other hand. "She's coming with me! I won't let her waste away like you want her to!" she starts to pull me in the other direction, towards her sign. I am being tugged between the both of them like a piece of rope in a game of tug of war. I don't know who to choose! I need to finish my paper and that test will be on me any day now. Yet, I want to forget about those issues and just have fun instead. There's still so much I want to do and try with my friends. Which way should I go? Which way would you choose? BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Interview With the Seniors of Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse Team Rehmat Kaur Volume 5 Issue 5 July 5, 2025 Image Provided by mediabymarky on Instagram The district Boys’ Lacrosse team had officially started their season, featuring many of our dedicated North athletes. Among them, the senior players stood out, not only for their exceptional skills on the field but also for their commitment to the sport. Over the years, they have demonstrated leadership, perseverance, and a deep passion for lacrosse, inspiring many young players, and have contributed greatly to the team's overall success. I had the opportunity to sit down with some of these seniors to learn more about their experiences, both in lacrosse and beyond. We talked about their journey with the sport, their goals for the season, and even a little about who they are off the field. It was great to talk to them and get a glimpse into their lives as both athletes and individuals. Here is what they had to share: Imran Paul Paul plays as a short-stick defensive midfielder (SSDM), but he also takes on the offensive middie position when needed, making him, as he describes, “more like a two-way” player. What initially drew him to lacrosse was “the contact, because I wanted to do something in the offseason that involved contact. I didn’t wrestle because I ran track in the winter, so I started playing lacrosse.” Even before joining the team last year, Paul was already familiar with the sport, having grown up on Long Island, where lacrosse is widely popular. “I started picking it up just from being around it,” he says. Paul admits that when he first started playing, he “wasn’t definitely as confident, especially with the stick work,” but over time, with more practice and game experience, he felt himself improving. “Once I started practicing more and got used to playing in games, I definitely became more confident. And now I’m pretty excited for the season!” Looking back, he wishes he had known just how much stick work matters, rather than relying solely on physicality. “You can’t just try to run through people. You also have to use your stick work and kind of have it as an extension of your body,” he explains, noting how mastering this skill was a game-changer for him. When it comes to handling nerves, especially in high-pressure moments, he focuses on staying locked in. “During close games, you kind of have to keep playing and not let the nerves get to you—just find your state and stay within it.” One of Paul’s favorite memories on the field was last season’s rainy game against Freeport. “It was great for lacrosse. We were sliding all around, and we won, too. I did pretty good in that game—I think I had like three goals and one assist. Yeah, so it was definitely a fun game!” As an athlete, he takes pride in his physicality and strong work ethic. “I’m a pretty physical player in terms of contact sports, and I also think my work ethic stands out. When I get tired, I’m really good at keeping myself going and not giving in to that.” If he could give his freshman self any advice, it would be to take chances and step outside his comfort zone. “Be open to trying new things. When I was a freshman, most of the stuff I did was because my sisters did it. It wasn’t until last year that I started playing lacrosse, and now I realize I would rather play lacrosse than do anything else. So definitely try new things.” Looking ahead, Paul hopes to make this season one to remember. What is your favorite type of play or move in lacrosse? Imran: “Roll dodge, it’s pretty effective.” What is one part of your training routine that you think helps you the most? Imran: “Probably dodging drills and ground ball drills because especially as a D-Meddie a lot of your roles picking up ground balls and especially in a scrum. The ground ball drills we do like in the beginning of games or in the beginning of practices really help a lot and gets me ready to play.” Do you prefer practice or games? Why? Imran: “Definitely games because in practice we are still told to go 100% but like you don’t want to go full force on your teammate like try to knock them down but in games it’s definitely more fun cause you could be more physical.” What is your jersey number and why did you choose that number? Imran “My jersey number for all numbered sports is #5 and it’s because my mom and I were born on the 5th.” Who is your favorite athlete? (In general, and for lacrosse) Imran: “In general Saquon Barkley (football running back) and for lacrosse I will definitely say Lyle Thompson (lacrosse attacker), he’s really good.” What is a non-sports-related activity that you enjoy? Imran: “Making bracelets is fun.” Favorite TV show? Imran: “Naruto: Shippuden, that show is life changing.” If your team had to compete in a different sport, which one would you guys do well in? Imran: “Football, because a lot of us are football players.” What is your definition of success? Imran: “Being happy with yourself; with who you are. As long as what you are doing is good for you and everybody around you. Just not being comparative and figuring out what’s best for you.” Leden Sarmiento Sarmiento plays attack and takes on the role of a FOGO (Face-Off Get-Off), explaining, “FOGO is basically face-off, and then I switch my stick and move to attack.” He first got into lacrosse through his older brother, who’s three years older, and even had the chance to play alongside him during his freshman year. His brother played a big role in getting him to join the team, and since then, lacrosse has become a big part of his life. When he started, he didn’t pick it up right away, but the more he played, the faster he improved. As he puts it, his progress came naturally over time, and with more experience, his skills developed at a much quicker pace. When it comes to nerves before a game, Sarmiento does not let them affect him. He rarely gets nervous, and even when he does, he does not focus on it too much. Instead, he just goes with the flow and stays in the moment, making sure to enjoy the experience rather than overthink it. If he could give his younger self any advice, it would be to put in the effort year-round. “Work hard in the offseason. Don’t slack—that’s how you get the starting position.” It is a mindset he still follows today, always looking for ways to improve and grow as a player. As for what makes him stand out as an athlete, Sarmiento credits his speed and agility. “I’m small, so I don’t really have strength. I have to make up for it by being faster and more agile,” he explains. He also believes his ability to stay composed before a game gives him an edge. Over the years, lacrosse has taught him the importance of discipline, especially the value of staying committed during the offseason and always putting his best effort on the field. Do you have a favorite meal or snack before or after a game? Leden: “After the game, our home field is right by a bagel shop. I usually get a bacon, egg, and cheese after the game.” What is your jersey number and why did you choose that number? Leden: “#2 or #18 ; Number 2 just because I have always worn #2 , and #18 for Peyton Manning (Football quarterback) but officially #2 .” What are your favorite drills or plays? Leden: “My favorite drill is the usual 6 on 6 halfcourt or half field. We don’t have plays but another one of my favorite drills would be downhill attacking and passing and shooting.” Do you watch NCAA or PLL games? Any favorite team? Leden: “From PLL my favorite team is Atlas, obviously because of New York. Who is your favorite professional athlete? (In general, and for lacrosse) Leden: “I don’t know any lacrosse players, but my favorite athlete is Daniel Jones.” What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you? Leden: “Probably that I like it paint, the models (from Dungeons & Dragons).” If you could live in any fictional world, which would it be and why? Leden: “How to Train Your Dragon, 100%” What is your favorite movie and TV show? Leden: “Favorite movie is The Sandlot and favorite tv show is Gravity Falls.” What is your definition of success? Leden: “Achieving your dreams, as long as you achieve your dreams, you’re successful in life.” Luke Tartamella Tartamella plays an attacking role for the team, where his main responsibility is to "pass the bowl around and keep it moving." His journey in lacrosse began at a young age, around four years old, thanks to the encouragement and support of his parents, who introduced him to the sport and signed him up. Reflecting on those early days, he shares, "I enjoyed playing it, so I stuck with it," adding that he quickly caught up and developed his skills. One of the aspects Tartamella values most about his lacrosse experience is the camaraderie and fun he shares with his teammates, especially the moments spent "messing around after practice" that help create lasting memories. Although nerves can sometimes creep in before a game, he reminds himself to "have fun" and to always give his absolute best when stepping onto the field. Among his greatest strengths as an athlete, Tartamella cites his confidence, particularly his willingness "to try something new. As he enters his final season with the lacrosse team, his goals are clear: to enjoy every moment, build lasting memories with his teammates, and "win a bunch of games" before his time with the team ends. What is your jersey number and why did you choose that number? Luke: “I chose #20 and it’s just a good luck number that I have been using since I was 4 or 5 years old.” Do you watch NCAA or PLL games? Any favorite team? Luke: “I don’t watch a lot of games; I do watch college, and my favorite team is Navy.” What is your favorite movie and TV show? Luke: “My favorite movie is Epic, and my favorite TV show is SpongeBob.” Who is an athlete that you admire? (In general, and for lacrosse)? Luke: “From any sport, I’d say Matt Ryan (football quarterback) or Julio Jones (football wide receiver) but for lacrosse Paul Rabil.” If you could have dinner with any famous person, past or present, who would it be? Luke: “I’d have dinner with Tom Brady” If you could learn a new skill outside of sports, what would it be? Luke: “I’d learn how to do a backflip; I think that would be pretty cool to do.” What is the most random fact you know? “I might be wrong, but I think Genghis Khan got rid of like 70% of carbon emissions.” How would you describe lacrosse to someone who has never heard of it? Luke: “It’s like a mix of soccer, hockey, and football I'd say. It’s the physicality of football and then the conditioning and athleticism of soccer and hockey.” What is your definition of success? Luke: “If I had fun, if it was a good day and I consider it successful! I think just getting what needs to be done, done.” Thank you so much to these wonderful athletes and I hope they make North proud! Go Spartans! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections The Backrooms By Liliana Ossa Volume 2 Issue 4 February 10, 2022 Image provided by Creepy Pasta Fandom What are “The Backrooms”? Have you ever heard of no-clipping out of reality (one traveling quickly enough to pass through any solid object like a wall without breaking it)? Well, if you ever did no-clip out of existence, you would probably end up in The Backrooms. The Backrooms are a group of levels found in an unknown reality, location, and time. They can only be accessed by glitching or “no-clipping” out of reality. They are also challenging to escape, with about 999 levels of millions of square feet long. You can only get to another level if you find a door that teleports you there or some portal, but you would have to be extremely lucky to find an outlet. The Backrooms also include unknown entities that no humans on Earth know of. Although they are just creepy-pasta on Wikipedia, they could be accurate, and we humans would never know since it’s complicated to no-clip out of reality. Level 0 Level 0 is only possible to get to by no-clipping into it. Level 0 contains superficial features such as a yellow colored wallpaper, a damp carpet that gives off a funky smell, and strangely placed fluorescent lighting that flickers every few seconds. Since Level 0 is known to be millions of square feet long, there’s barely any hope for escape because of the many other levels that you have to get through once you arrive. As you roam through the endless hallways, it gives you a feeling of nostalgia and déjá vu; you feel like you’ve been there before. While roaming through the hallways, even if you’re careful about the directions you move in and the hallways you wander through, you may end up at your starting point repeatedly. If this happens, it gives you even less hope to escape than you had in the first place. There are no entities in Level 0 because it’s the “tutorial level.” Still, the pattern of the lights flickering may trick you into thinking that someone else is with you because of the humming sound that comes from the lights. Traveling throughout the hallways for hours will eventually drive you insane, so luckily, food called “Almond Water” keeps you sane and decreases your fatigue and thirst level exists. Due to the millions of square feet that exist and GPS and compasses not working in The Backrooms, it isn’t easy to navigate through the many halls in Level 0. Overall, The Backrooms are extremely difficult to navigate, and there is most likely a 0% chance that you would be able to escape all the 999 levels that exist. The Backrooms are a terrifying place, and hopefully, they don’t exist because if they did, no one would know what to do if they ended up in one of the levels. The entities, fluorescent lights, nostalgia, and just navigating through the levels would drive humans to insanity in just minutes, so it’s a great thing that people are not known to no-clip out of reality easily or no-clip out of reality at all. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Hajara- Gilana Etame Gilana Etame February 24, 2023 Volume 3 Issue 3

Back to Artwork Perspective Back to Sections Nayab Raja - Perspective - 2 By Nayab Raja December 16, 2020 Photography Volume 1 Issue 3

Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections Different Views of Art By Rachel Ezeadichie Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 Original image by Eva Grace Martinez Art is a universal language. Everyone and anyone can do art. I draw frequently and have seen many kinds of art, but anytime I see a new piece or type of art, I still feel awed and amazed. I love seeing how other people’s art styles compare to my own. Even though I feel this way, other people may not view their own art or art in general the same way I do. Art surrounds us, but each person views it differently. That is why I have interviewed a few of my peers to see how they view art. I asked the interviewees three questions: 1. What do you think about art?, 2. What types of art do you like?, and 3. What do you think of your own art? (if they were artists.) __________________________________________________________________ Anonymous Interviewee 1: Question 1 : “It’s an amazing way to express oneself.” Question 2 : “I like traditional and digital art.” Question 3 : “I don’t like it. I feel like I could do better.” __________________________________________________________________ Anonymous Interviewee 2: Question 1: “Well art, I believe, brings out the artist’s emotions to me, or their creativity.” Question 2: “I enjoy both digital and traditional art!” Question 3: “Currently, I feel my art lacks something, and I can never draw and express what I would like in my drawing anymore. I don’t enjoy drawing as I used to do.” __________________________________________________________________ Anonymous Artist 3: Question 1: “I can express my feelings in different way.” Question 2: “I really like digital art because it looks cool/cute, but I personally would use traditional art.” Question 3: “I would say I’m good for a twelve-year-old, but I am not a prodigy. I still have a long way to go until I get super good.” __________________________________________________________________ These results show that not everyone feels the same way about art and that artist don’t always feel the same way about their own art. It’s so difficult to step outside yourself, as someone else looking at your art. Maybe you should think about how you feel about art, and maybe you’ll find that you view art way differently than the people here, and others around you. These results show that even though art can mean different things to different people, but there are common thoughts about art. The interviewees all thought that art was important in helping the artist express themselves, but also commonly felt that they still have things to improve about their art. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections COVID-19 Vaccine: Ever-Changing By Matteo Somma Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Image provided by NY.GOV As many know, the COVID-19 vaccine has been available to the public for quite some time. Starting in late November/early December, two companies rolled out their vaccine: Pfizer and Moderna. To this day they are the leading vaccine manufacturers and distributors. Both brands of vaccine require two doses, with Pfizer’s being 21 days apart and Moderna’s 28 days apart. Both vaccines also hover around a 95% effectivity rate so far, and no major immediate reactions to the vaccine have been reported. Currently, front-line workers, residents over the age of 65, and essential workers, like teachers, have been prioritized in the distribution of the vaccine. At this time, there have been no trials on minors under 18 years old. Many people believe if you receive the COVID-19 vaccine, you will be immune to the virus. That is not entirely accurate; the vaccine only reduces the effects of the virus. You will also still have to wear a mask and socially distance in public after receiving the vaccine. However, the CDC recently released guidelines indicating that people who are vaccinated can remain indoors without social distancing under specific limitations. Despite popular belief, the COVID-19 vaccine is not a dead or weakened strain like other vaccines in the past, instead, mRNA can be found inside the vaccine. mRNA is a messenger RNA, and RNA is smaller strands of polymers. What the mRNA does is it leaves a set of instructions for the immune cells to make the antigens that are needed to fight the virus. The COVID-19 vaccine is still ever-changing with new technologies being discovered every day. Some companies are working on a one-time dose of the vaccine that mutates with the COVID-19 virus, while other companies are injecting tiny lipid nanoparticles into the bloodstream to act as artificial antigens for the virus. Ground-breaking scientific discoveries are being made every day. Now, while we don’t know if any of these will work, what is for certain is that we will get through this together if we continue to stay safe. BACK TO TOP