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Back to Artwork Portfolio Back to Sections Portfolio Arunima Roy - 2 By Arunima Roy June 13, 2022 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 7

Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections Pianotime By Quinn O'Connor Volume 1 Issue 6 March 18, 2021 Image provided by Microsoft As an alternative to singing or playing shared instruments, students have been learning the basics of piano in a new and safe way. Using the extension “Pianotime” on school-issued computers, which is free to download with a quick search, students can learn the basics of piano without an instrument in front of them. While using the touchscreen and tablet mode, students press the keys on a keyboard as one would with a real piano. Students have learned right-handed scales and a few basic songs; they are currently learning to play chords and how to use the left and right hand simultaneously. While using a computer in tablet mode instead of a real piano has its setbacks. For example, it can be hard to play multiple notes at the same time accurately. This alternative has been overall successful in teaching the basics of piano. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections My Lifeline During Finals Week: Running Manal Layachi Volume 5 Issue 1 September 20, 2024 Image Provided by Manal Layachi Study Work Study Six hours' worth of Quizlets and practice tests When will the exams end? I need a break Where do I go? A place called home: the local park I lace up my favorite running shoes, tie my hair into a perfect bun Then, I start running As I listen to my favorite music, the sun shining brightly on my face the breeze cooling my body, my mind begins to clear I feel refreshed and new As I get home, I am ready to study again The next day, I ace the chemistry regents Running is truly a lifeline during finals week BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Who Am I Back to Sections Anonymous - Who Am I? - 5 By Anonymous November 19, 2021 Volume 2 Issue 2

< Back About the Course This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own content or import it from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, and videos. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Your Instructor Brian Chung This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. To manage all your collections, click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left.

Back to Artwork Who Am I Back to Sections Anonymous - Who Am I? - 6 By Anonymous November 19, 2021 Volume 2 Issue 2

Back to Articles Entertainment & Media Back to Sections The Warden By Augustine Magapan Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by Gamespot.com Minecraft , the famous and adored overworld sandbox game, has implemented numerous updates throughout the last two years. For instance, new animals and mobs have emerged, along with new and improved biomes and items. These updates have caused Minecraft to diverge from its traditional playing style, allowing players to explore the depths and intricacies of the game. However, Minecraft has failed to develop a strong, powerful mob for many years. This new update consists of a singular mob with an unfamiliar territory within caves. It is known as The Warden. The Warden is the latest mob of Minecraft’s latest update "Caves and Cliffs” (update 1.17). The mob stands out due to its parallels to a giant blue which lacks all facial features besides a mouth. Furthermore, the creature sports horns along the sides of its head, along with vastly extended arms. While the mob’s physical features are not its specialty, its heartbeat aura at the center of its chest yields utmost importance and prominence. It reminds me of the P.E.K.K.A. from Clash of Clans, another golem-like creature with intricate armor. Furthermore, the Warden’s lack of facial features makes it the first blind mob added to Minecraft . To track players, the Warden will use the sensors coming from the horns to detect vibrations. In that sense, players are advised to utilize sound to distract the mob. Mojang developers stated that the mob is not meant to be fought, for it has 84 health points. In regular Minecraft health, that is 42 hearts. The primary purpose of the mob is to scare the players and guard valuable loot in its domain. Additionally, the developers have made its attack strength to be 31 hit points (15.5 Minecraft Hearts) which will result in a swift death if players engage contact with the mob. Even with netherite armor (the strongest armor in the game), players will die in one or two hits from The Warden. If the player decides to engage in combat with The Warden, it will become faster and stronger when attacked. Even if players attempt to distract The Warden by using other noises, it is still locked onto the player as they have already inflicted damage upon the mob. It is demonstrated to have an audible heartbeat. The more the mob is attacked, the stronger the heartbeat in the middle of the Warden’s chest grows. Knowing that the Warden is a strong mob that will guard valuable loot in its domain, the domain is not clear yet. These mobs are found in deep dark caves, located within the deepest depths of the world. In this terrain, the area is very dark which makes the environment nonvisible to players. This allows The Warden to scare and attack players. Additionally, if The Warden is near, all light sources will flicker. Overall, I believe that this mob will bring more challenges and thrill to Minecraft due to its overpowered physics and its scary aura. Some players have begun making conspiracies and theories about the new mob as well. Additionally, The Warden has become an immensely popular mob on the internet for some time and some fans even got a chance to experience gameplay with the mob. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Closing to Fall TOPSoccer Season: Changing Lives Through the Joy of Soccer Manal Layachi Volume 4 Issue 2 January 16, 2024 Images provided by Manal Layachi TOPSoccer stands for “The Outreach Program for Soccer.” It is a soccer program for young adults and children who have physical/intellectual disabilities ranging from ages four to nineteen. TOPSoccer was founded in 1978, and there are now twenty-six LIJSL clubs with this program. My father, Azzedine Layachi, founded the Valley Stream Soccer Club TOPSoccer program in December of 2014. There were no soccer programs that fit the needs of my brother Zak, so my father created it for the Valley Stream community. In addition, Azzedine was named TOPSoccer Coach of the Year in 2016 by the LI Herald. His son, Zakarya Layachi, is the cofounder of this program. As the daughter of Azzedine Layachi, I have been volunteering as a “buddy” in this program for seven years and I greatly enjoy it. It feels good helping kids in my community learn and enjoy the beautiful game of soccer, a sport that I have played and loved since I was four. Furthermore, my brother Elyas, who is now in college, has been volunteering since he was nine. He also enjoys playing soccer and spending time with children, as he is a camp counselor during the summer, and has been playing soccer since he was four. Working together with my family to benefit the community makes our bond stronger and makes us feel good as we are changing the world through the joy of soccer. Every Saturday since 2014, we have held the TopSoccer practice at Brooklyn Avenue Elementary School from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. We first start off by helping the children warm up and get ready to play. My father always likes to count ten in the wrong way. For example, one, two, four, nine, a hundred, two hundred twenty, ten. He would ask the kids, “Did I count right?” They would laugh and reply “No!” Building connections with the children creates a positive and peaceful environment while also making the experience more fun. After the warmup, I lead some of the aerobic exercises and then my father asks the kids to chase me until they tag me. I always look forward to this part as I love seeing if the kids can run fast enough to catch me. It’s always fun! Next, we do some foot drills such as hurdles and the ladder. Then, we set up two stations for a drill where the players have to dribble between the cones and then shoot the ball in the goal from far away. After this comes the best part of all, the parachute! Everyone holds one handle and then a ball is put in the middle. We all have to get up and lift the parachute and our goal is to get the ball in the air and out of the parachute. This is the kids’ favorite part. In addition, we lift the parachute high into the air, and then we move in a circle and sing “Ring Around the Rosie.” When we get to the part “We all fall down,” we bring the parachute to the ground and collapse. Lastly, we play a scrimmage. All the players are congratulated when they score a goal. The volunteers help the players that are on their team. At the end of the scrimmage, we all sit down and reflect on the session. My father asks the kids questions such as “How many goals did you score?” and “What was your favorite part about today’s session?” For our last practice of the 2023 fall season, we met up with the players at Fireman’s Field, the Valley Stream Soccer Clubhouse. We did the usual warmup, aerobic exercises, chasing of one of our volunteers, hurdles, dribbling through the cones, and the parachute. During our scrimmage, the players got to play with a jumbo-sized soccer ball. The kids had a lot of fun as it was intriguing playing with a huge soccer ball. I enjoyed watching and helping them play. It’s amazing seeing some of our veteran players’ growth and development over the years. My father, Elyas, Zakarya, and I are extremely proud of their hard work and dedication to the sport. As it started to get cold, we decided to head inside and give out the awards. Every player received a medal and took a picture with coach Azzedine. It was heartwarming seeing the smiles on every kids face. After that came the best part, the snacks, and drinks! We had a great season, and I am glad the kids had fun! I cannot wait for the spring season! Additionally, I interviewed Azzedine Layachi, the founder of the Valley Stream program. What motivated you to create the TOPSoccer program in 2014? “Having a son on the autism spectrum who expressed an early interest in the "beautiful game of soccer" I started searching for a suitable place or program for him. I found none for him in regular soccer programs in Valley Stream and surrounding towns until I discovered The Outreach Program for Soccer, commonly known as TOPSoccer, for special-needs youth in West Hempstead. After a year, I decided to ask the Valley Stream Soccer Club where my other two kids were enrolled if I could create a TOPSoccer program in the club. This is how Valley Stream acquired its first TOPSoccer program in 2014. Dozens of kids with special needs have enjoyed it since then.” What is your favorite part about TOPSoccer? “The whole program is a favorite weekly activity, including seeing these wonderful kids attend a sports activity that caters to their own needs and interests with open arms, respect and consideration. Seeing them slowly acquire soccer skills, learn to play with others, and become independent in the field brings a lot of joy for me and their parents.” Do you love teaching kids how to play soccer? “Yes, very much. I fell in love with soccer at a very early age when we did not have the luxury of grass fields or modern sports facilities. I often played with friends in the street, using “balls” made of bags stuffed with rags. That passion for the sport never left me and I decided to pass it on to the next generations by coaching.  Besides TOPSoccer, I have also coached, at the same time, a Travel team for girls and another one for boys. Both teams ended up winning the championships of their respective divisions and the girls team won the 2019 Long Island Cup.” Will you continue to hold this program in the future? “Yes, for as long as I can, with the hope that younger coaches will also acquire interest in getting involved and maybe one day lead this and other sports programs for children with special needs.” I interviewed Zak, the cofounder, and a participant of this program. What led you to cofound this program? “I wanted to provide myself and other kids an opportunity to play soccer.” What is your favorite part about TOPSoccer? My favorite part of Top Soccer is giving people with disabilities an opportunity to grow and mature and to develop an enjoyment for soccer. What is your favorite thing about soccer? “My favorite thing about soccer is that it brings people together no matter the race ethnicity or religion.” What do you recommend the program adds in the future? “A couple of advances I would add to the program is an organized routine to keep everything organized.” Elyas Layachi, a “buddy”, was interviewed. How do you think the fall season went? “Even though I wasn’t at every practice, I think the fall season went very well. At the practices I attended, I noticed many new faces, and everyone seemed to be having a great time.” Do you feel that everyone made progress? “I definitely feel that everyone made progress. Even if they didn’t necessarily improve at soccer, I know the players definitely improved their social skills or even started loving soccer, which is definitely progress in my book.” Do you love spending time with kids and teaching them how to play soccer? “I do love spending time teaching kids how to play soccer - it's one of the main reasons why I’m an education major. I love helping the players learn how to play soccer, and when they learn a new skill or even get out of their comfort zone, I find such accomplishments very rewarding for both the player and myself.” What do you enjoy most about volunteering in the TOPSoccer program? “The thing I enjoy most about TOPSoccer is the sense of community it creates for its volunteers and its players. It is an opportunity for everyone in Valley Stream to come together, play soccer, and help the community, which is beautiful.” What would you like to see more of? Why? “ I would definitely like to see more players and volunteers at TOPSoccer, especially because it’s a great experience for both and the program is meant to serve the entire community.” Are you excited for the spring season? Why? “Yes, I am very excited for the spring season, especially since it means new volunteers and players could join the program!” I interviewed Bouchra Zerhouni, who has been coming to support her family since the start of the program and is Azzedine’s wife and the mother of Elyas and Zakarya. How long has Zakarya been a part of the Valley Stream TOPSoccer program? “Zak has been a part of the TOPSoccer program since he was five years old. He used to go to the Hempstead TOPSoccer program, then Azzedine created the Valley Stream one for him.” What is your opinion on the program? “The program is nice and engaging for the kids with disabilities. However, we need more volunteers to assist the kids and the coaches.” How has TOPSoccer impacted you and your children’s lives? “TOPSoccer has given me a different perspective on life. I have become more grateful for what I have. My children are more responsible and compassionate as a result of participating in this program.” What is your favorite thing about the program? “My favorite thing about the program is the sense of community that it brings to the players, volunteers, parents, and coaches.” Romi, one of our veteran players, and her mother were also interviewed. Romi: Do you love to play soccer? “Yes, she absolutely loves it.” Why? “It's fun.” What is your favorite thing about TOP Soccer? “Seeing the volunteers and players each week and socialize.” What is your favorite activity that we do during practice? “The parachute activities.” Are you excited for the Spring season? “Yes!” Ms. Lilach Koch: How long has Romi been a part of the Valley Stream TOPSoccer program? “For 6 years.” How did you hear about TOPSoccer? “Through a community member.” What is your opinion on the program? “Very inclusive and accommodating. Everyone is truly nice and supportive.” How has TOPSoccer impacted you and your children’s lives? “Helped keeping Romi physically and socially active.” What is your favorite thing about the program? “That Romi gets an ‘off’ time from her cellphone.” In essence, TOPSoccer not only helps build relationships with children but also changes lives through the joy of soccer. Remember, you do not need experience in soccer if you would like to participate in this program. If you want to become a “buddy,” experience is also not needed, so if you are interested, join us in creating memories that will last a lifetime and help us provide kids with disabilities with lifechanging opportunities. Coach Azzedine Layachi’s Contact information: Email: layachi77@gmail.com Phone number: (718)-66-7420 If you know any young person who could benefit from this program, please contact. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Turkey and Syria’s Earthquakes By Sahar Ali Volume 3 Issue 4 May 18, 2023 Image provided by Al Jazeera TURKEY & SYRIA – On February 6th, 2023, a tragedy occurred that changed the lives of millions. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeast Turkey and the border of Syria, causing more than 48,000 deaths. Days later on February 20th, 2023, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake strikes the Hatay province in southern Turkey. As people slept, the earthquakes caused apartment buildings to collapse, resulting in many to be stuck underneath rubble for hours or even days. Rescuers were sent in to help and seek out those trapped underneath collapsed buildings. The earthquakes caused more than 45,000 deaths and millions of people were left displaced or homeless in Turkey. The damage caused in Turkey is estimated to cost around $34 billion. Across 11 provinces in Turkey, at least 230,000 buildings were either damaged or destroyed. In northwest Syria, about 10,600 buildings were partially or completely destroyed. The mental toll these earthquakes have caused on Turks and Syrians are unimaginable. Hundreds of people lost their loved ones in less than a few minutes, people lost their homes and their prized possessions, and their dreams have been crushed. All of this happened in a period of just a few hours. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections The Destructive Aftermath of Hurricane Melissa Akilan Subramaniyan Image Provided by Akilan Subramaniyan Breaking News! The path of Hurricane Melissa reveals the ruins of Jamaica, affecting 1.9 million people and claiming eight million dollars…! (“Jamaica: Hurricane Melissa | IFRC” ;) The reporter continues to yell from the screen, but…you cannot digest what was just stated. No way could such an event happen so quickly. However, the fact is that it is true. There is nothing to do about the past. However, we can educate ourselves and prepare for the future. We must learn the ways we can help the affected, understand the magnitude of this devastating natural disaster, and acknowledge what hurricanes are. Before we discuss the specifics of Hurricane Melissa, we must be knowledgeable about what a normal hurricane is. Hurricane is how they are referred to in the Eastern North Pacific, North Atlantic regions, and the Caribbean; however, they are commonly known as tropical cyclones. Tropical cyclones are storms associated with large rain, low atmospheric pressure, and intense winds. This type of fierce circular storm derives above warm waters, supporting its strength by gaining energy from the ocean. These aggressive storms can even get wild when winds pass 119 km (74 miles) per hour. These brutal storms will now be classified as hurricanes. In the meantime, in rare cases, winds could exceed 320 km (two hundred miles) (Zehnder). For reference, Hurricane Melissa had winds of 298 km (185 miles) when it reached Jamaica (Rafferty)! A mix of torrential rain and powerful winds causes a dangerous crossover known as storm surge, raising the sea level to six meters (20 feet). Hurricanes or cyclones target coastal and tropical or sub-tropical regions. In between the summer months, these dangerous natural disasters hit places like the northwestern region of Australia, the Gulf Coast of North America, to Bangladesh and the eastern parts of India (Zehnder). The last piece of information that is important for completely understanding hurricanes is the anatomy of one. A hurricane's eye experiences warm temperatures, clear skies, and low atmospheric pressure. It typically faces calm conditions amidst horrific conditions around it! The eye ordinarily endures 960 millibars compared to Earth’s 1,000 but could go lower (Zehnder). For example, Hurricane Melissa had a lowest of 892 millibars (Rafferty). The eyewall, which is next to the eye, is the most devastating component of a hurricane. It encounters tremendous rainfall, extreme winds, and dense convective clouds elevated to 15,000 meters (49,000 feet). Finally, rainbands from which the spiral originate from the center. When a tropical cyclone makes landfall, it surges convergence and surface tension, causing torrential rain (Zehnder). It is now time to advance to the specifics of Hurricane Melisaa. Melissa began near western Africa during the middle of October 2025 as an atmospheric disturbance. In the late morning of the 21 st of October, traveling to the Caribbean Sea, the weather system merged from an expanse of scattered storms into a tropical storm, turning into a more structured storm in the process. The National Hurricane Center by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and the World Meteorological Organization gave a name for this young tropical storm. Melissa halted and floated near the central Caribbean, gaining energy through the warm water underneath it. Throughout the 21 st and 28 th of October, the tropical storm was moving at a slow 3 (about 5 km) miles per hour, heading in the west-northwest direction. Tropical Storm Melissa, on the afternoon of the 25 th of October, finally matured into a Category 1 hurricane (not immensely powerful or dangerous). Unfortunately, Melissa quickly increased power over three days before touching the land. The young storm had the highest sustained winds of 160 miles (about 258 km) per hour, intensifying into a devastating Category 5 hurricane (extremely dangerous and powerful). Nonetheless, the beast still becomes more powerful for another full day, reaching sustained winds at 185 miles (about 298 km) per hour (Rafferty). The dreaded time had come. Melissa hit Jamaica with full fury at 1:PM (EDT) on the 28 th of October. It first stepped into town in Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica. The hurricane moved away from the northern coast of Jamaica and instead progressed across western Jamaica by 5 PM (EDT), leaving behind ruins. Melissa briefly lost its warm water source, decreasing its sustained wind speed to 145 miles (223 km) per hour. With the decrease in winds, at 3:10 AM (EDT), the hurricane slammed into its next victim, Cuba. The hurricane entered near Chivirico, located in the Santiago de Cuba province. Melissa marched through the island, exiting from the other side near Guardalavaca. The beast slipped into the Atlantic Ocean, decreasing drastically into a Category 2 hurricane (quite powerful but not extremely dangerous); its sustained winds topping out at one hundred miles (about 161 km) per hour. Melissa’s final suffer is the Bahamas, hitting the island with a lower ninety miles (144 km) per hour sustained winds and as a category one hurricane. After traveling away from the now destroyed islands, the hurricane passed between 130 miles (209.2 km) of Bermuda during the overnight October 30 th (Rafferty). The catastrophic destruction is over, and the beast has left behind a demolished Jamaica, ruined Cuba, and a wrecked Bahamas. The worst is yet to happen-the aftermath. Seventy percent of Jamaica's and most of eastern Cuba’s electricity was wiped out by the morning of the 29 th of October. Additionally, news sources have not given precise or necessarily reliable information on the damage inflicted by Melissa on Jamaica. Although it is clear the victim islands have all encountered massive devastation. Several examples of the destruction that took place in Jamaica included the wreckage that littered everywhere in developed areas, roofless buildings, and the roots of palm trees exposed. Moreover, mudslides occurred, and farmlands became submerged in water, both caused by a torrential downpour. The unfortunate seaside town named Black River, existing in Jamaica’s St. Elizabeth Parish region, was the most affected and the area that directly took Melissa’s rage. A storm surge of sixteen feet (4.9 meters) in height caused the town to be plunged into water, while rain and wind took care of the rest, making 90 percent of the houses roofless. The absence of electricity and streets engulfed in muddy water were the last things the residents needed (Rafferty). On the other hand, we never talked about Cuba’s extensive damage. Cuba faced similar challenges and devastation as Jamaica, with flash flooding and storm surges alike taking place on the southern coast of the island. The southern coast also experiences heavy annelation of buildings and the now usual landslides. Fortunately, evacuation efforts were underway before Melissa reached the coast. Officials evacuated an estimated 735,000 people. On the flipside, many folks living in remote neighborhoods were detached from the rest of the island because of Melissa. An unlucky 100,000 Cubans were left isolated by overflowing rivers. Leaving Cuba, the Bahamas were pushed into an exhausted but still violent storm. According to Britannica, “Although many people in Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas are feared dead or injured, casualty reports thus far have been largely scattered” (Rafferty). In simpler terms, we cannot conclude with numbers, but many may be harmed. The mayor of Petit-Goâve has reported twenty-five people deceased in a town on Haiti’s westward-facing southern peninsula. The deaths were caused because of Hurricane Melissa’s intense rains from the hurricane’s outer-lying bands overflowing the La Digue river (Rafferty). Hurricane Melissa, a system that originated near Africa, turned into a mighty Category 5 hurricane, flipping Jamaica, Cuba, and the Bahamas upside down. At the time of writing the article, it was said that there were sixty-seven confirmed deaths and nearly four billion dollars in damages, according to NBC News (Li and Cusumano). Chances are; these could grow. There are still hundreds of thousands of people who are trapped in debris, starving, and without the basic needs of a human (Smith and Lavietes). However, it is in your hands whether you are going to read this article and move on or help the affected. One way you can help is by donating to reputable organizations that will use the donated money to directly help the victims caught by Melissa. A few examples of these organizations are the Red Cross, The Salvation Army, IFRC, and United Way (Pasquini and Adams; Yancey-Bragg and Neeley; “Jamaica: Hurricane Melissa | IFRC”). Furthermore, another way you can aid in these efforts is by going in person and donating food and supplies to local schools, centers, and more. Any Valley Stream North High School student can directly contribute to the relief in Jamaica by giving supplies to their school. Websites: Jamaica : Hurricane Melissa | IFRC Hurricane | Britannica Hurricane Melissa | Path, Jamaica, & Facts | Britannica https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clylqpyg8pjo Hurricane Melissa death toll rises to sixty-seven as insured losses in Jamaica could top $4 billion Hurricane Melissa has wreaked havoc in the Caribbean. Here is how you can help. | United Way Worldwide How to Help Hurricane Melissa Victims Recover from Historic Storm Hurricane Melissa leaves recovery challenge for Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba after more than thirty killed BACK TO TOP