Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Fall By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by DK Findout Look around The world's changing all around Colors flying Babies crying Out of all seasons This one's my favorite for many reasons Number one And then I'll be done   Trees swaying Children playing Bouncing up and down I can see the whole town Breeze is chilly, kissing my cheek Shivering, I run to the creek Strands of hair come lose from my bun And that's when it gets fun   Red, orange, yellow That's when things start to get mellow Shhhhhhhhhh Crack! I turn around and see a pack It seems like I'm flying And then I start crying Blood's dripping everywhere Looks like the creek doesn't want visitors here   Is it me or am I hallucinating Ghosts are emerging Zombies are popping from the ground I fall, waiting to be found Excitement races through my body Even though the blood is flowing Laughter rings throughout my yard My siblings' plan worked after all Anger shoots up to my head All I can see is red   Jumping up I face them Humor isn't in my mind A rock goes sailing in the air I can't tell who began the war But I all I know, is to get revenge Ahhhhhhhhhhh My body looks like a bloody mess I knew I should have played chess Instead I went outside Not knowing I might not come back inside   Red, blue, white Lights are flashing My mother's screaming Cut! Oh, how much I love fall Making movies and all 5 stars That's what we got My father loved the movie after all Maybe we'll make another one next fall BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Back to Sections Isabella Mascetti By Isabella Mascetti Volume 3 Issue 1

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Goodbye Ms. Suarez! By Elaine Ching Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Original photography by Mrs. Mansfield From being the advisor to multiple clubs to teaching in the Special Ed department and co-teaching in many subject areas, Ms. Suarez is wrapping up her North High School career, which began in 1988, this year. During recent years here at North, Ms. Suarez has served as the sole advisor to the Culture Society since the club was created just a few years ago. It is dedicated to exploring and teaching about different cultures. She has brought in speakers and special guests to share at club meetings. Due to her involvement and dedication, she helped multiple North students with the ability to experience new cultural foods and celebrations, along with registering the club with UNICEF to help those in need further as North pilots our first-ever chapter. As well as organizing multiple events over the years, this year’s International Night tickets were sold out, with students lining up after school to see if they could somehow still buy one and attend. That event is usually a big hit and includes food, dancing, and a fashion show contest. Ms. Suarez has proven herself to be a fantastic and hardworking advisor. Furthermore, Ms. Suarez also serves as co-advisor to the National Junior Honor Society at North. She helped with the beautifying of the courtyard alongside many NJHS members, as well as helping provide many NJHS members with service opportunities that helped them keep up with their service hour commitments. Not only this, but she cared about the NJHS members outside of their service at North, as she offered many activities and support for them. After speaking with a student who had Ms. Suarez as a teacher, they described her as a wonderful influence who pushed them to be their very best at math. In addition, the student said that they did try harder after being pushed. They said that this year was a difficult one for their academics due to the previous years with the coronavirus, so having a good teacher truly helped them. Also, they were saddened to hear that this would be Ms. Suarez’s last year as a teacher at North High School. This positive feedback demonstrates that Ms. Suarez is a wonderful advisor and a motivational teacher. Some quotes from North students who were thankful for having Ms. Suarez as a teacher/advisor: “She is motivated and enthusiastic when learning about other cultures, I’m really going to miss her” “Ms. Suarez was a wonderful advisor; I don’t know what I’m going to do next year without her!” “It’s a shame that she’s retiring, but I wish her all the best!” Some quotes from her North co-teachers: “After one of my colleagues inherited my co-teaching class with Ms. Suarez, I warned her: ‘She makes you work harder than you can ever imagine!’ She’s that dedicated to every aspect of her work and is always advocating for her students.” “She is a ROCK STAR co-teacher and an inspiration. She never stops working or thinking about her students and their needs, both academic and social-emotional. I never would have survived quarantine or hybrid teaching without her. She keeps in constant contact with her kids and their families and teachers – never accepting anything less than their best. And she gets it from them, and they succeed and move on. Her students and co-teachers are so fortunate to have her working for them, and I don’t know what we are going to do around here without her!” While the North community is saddened to see Ms. Suarez leave, we wish her all the best in her future adventures! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Eisha Nasar - Memory Project By Eisha Nasar March 18, 2021 Volume 1 Issue 6

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections FALL RECAP Rehmat Kaur Volume 4 Issue 2 January 16, 2024 Image provided by Sophia Songveeratham Boys Volleyball had an undefeated regular season going 16-0 and winning the Conference Championship. They qualified for the playoffs where they lost a hard-fought battle to Great Neck North. Senior Danny Kosior earned All-County honors. Junior Erik Ziemblicki also earned All-County Honors and was named Conference Player of the Year. Girls Volleyball had a conference record of 5-9. They played Bellmore JFK in the playoffs where they lost a hard-fought battle. Alyanna Nadal earned All-County honors, Isabella Feldman and Nattly Lindo both earned All-County Honorable Mention and Cianna Nadal earned All-Conference. They also earned distinction as a NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team with a team GPA of 93.214. The Girls Varsity Tennis team had 9 wins and 5 losses. Anna Persaud received All Conference and Ella Cason received the USTA Sportsmanship Award. The players performed admirably in all their matches, making the season memorable. They also earned distinction as a NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team with a team GPA of 93.325. Boys Varsity Cross-Country won the Division Champions with Coach Tim Boyens. Kevin Beltran and Matteo Somma received All-County, while Chamar Borden , Mateusz Grabowski , Frank Polizzi , and Charles Wu received All-Conference for their amazing performance. They also earned distinction as a NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team with a team GPA of 95.971. Girls Varsity Soccer earned distinction as a NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team with a team GPA of 91.652. Dayanara Castillo received All-Country, while Lia Giaconelli and Elena Magno earned the All-County Honorable Mention. Claudia Sherman received the All-Conference for her amazing performance. The Boys Varsity Football season was summed up by 2 wins, against Division and Floral Park, and 6 losses. Senior Nicholas Naumov earned the All-County Honorable Mention and Terry Medor received All-Conference. Boys Varsity Soccer player Alexis Avila Bermeo received the All-Country, while Raphael Baez and Joaquin Perez earned All-Conference. District Varsity Girls Swimmer, sophomore Sarah Flynn, received the All-Conference and 100M Butterfly & 200 Medley Relay. Girls Cross Country earned distinction as a NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Team with a team GPA of 93.496. Junior Manal Layachi represented the girls' team at the State-Qualifier Championships at Bethpage State Park on Saturday November 4th, 2023. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Aaron Judge Makes History By Leah Ally Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by Fox News Aaron Judge has made baseball history. The New York Yankees’ star outfielder, age 30, smashed his 62nd home run of the year, setting a new American League record for most home runs hit in a single season. On October 4th, 2022, against Texas Rangers pitcher Jesus Tinoco, Roger Maris’s 61 home-run record was surpassed after 61 years of holding the profound title. Coming into the league in 2016 at 24 years old, Yankee fans had high hopes for the young star, as he was the 32nd pick in the first round of the MLB 2013 draft. Judge would go on to have a record-breaking rookie season while winning numerous Player of the Month awards and being named American League (AL) rookie of the year, finishing as runner-up for the most valuable player in the AL. He was selected as an All-Star, becoming the first-ever debut player to win the Home Run Derby. Relating to his current achievement of 62 home runs within a season, Judge stood for two years as having the most home runs (52) for a rookie in MLB history. Unfortunately, after this extraordinary year, Judge would suffer from several injuries, including a wrist fracture and a rib fracture. Although Judge faced numerous setbacks, including the Covid-19 pandemic, he continued to succeed in maintaining high batting averages, getting league awards, and standing out on the team. He is responsible for leading the Yankees to the playoffs for nearly 5 years straight (2017-2022). Before the 2022 season, Judge had not yet successfully negotiated a long-term contract with the Yankees after turning down a seven-year, $213.5 million contract extension, creating tensions with Yankees’ management and uncertainty about Judge’s future with the Yankees. Shortly after, a $19 million deal for one year was made official with the manager, Brian Cashman. As the season began, Judge started off strong, picking up home runs nearly every game and making an even bigger name for himself. As it got deeper into the year, it was clear Aaron Judge had his sights set on making history, as every at-bat without a home run was followed by disappointment by both him and his fans. After hitting his 62nd home run, “Judge spoke about how he felt about being named the AL home run king, which he admitted was a “big relief” getting that done with the amount of pressure hovering over him each at-bat. When asked about the most memorable part of this season he was quoted stating “The fans at home, the fans on the road. The constant support. Seeing Yankee Stadium on their feet for every single at-bat. They’re booing pitchers for throwing balls, which I’ve never seen before. I think I got a base hit the other night and I think I was getting booed for hitting a single.” Although Aaron Judge’s next step in the MLB is unknown, for his 2022 season, he proved his value as a player, and it is safe to say there is more to come for the young star. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Art Back to Sections What is Line? By Luiginna Frederique Volume 1 Issue 1 November 1, 2020 Original artwork by Luiginna Frederique One of the primary elements of artistic creation is line. Defined most simply as points moving in a space, lines aren’t given enough credit for the impact they can have on a piece. The angle, width, and, even texture, of a line transforms a piece entirely based on its use. Not only are lines used to define shapes and figures, but a still image could resemble different motions and emotions based on the use of the line. Light and shadow could also be simulated through effective use of lines. Thick, textured lines can resemble a dark and more grimy part of an object, where as thin, delicate, and neat lines could be used to show how much light is shone on an object. Hatching is a popular technique that uses lines to portray color differences or even shadows in an image. Contour lines are also a great use of line. It’s a technique used to outline the most prominent features of an object or subject. In addition to line techniques that emphasize texture and light, the shape of the line can also add an aesthetic or essence to an image. Organic lines, more “realistic” lines that can be found in nature, can make an image seem smoother, or create a flow within the image. Inorganic lines, straight edges, neat and “perfect” lines, connect to a modern and man-made look. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Shower Caitlyn Hunte Volume 6 Issue 3 June 8, 2026 Image Provided by Unsplash I want to know what you think when you shower Not in a weird way though When you feel the water rushing down When you peer down at your toes What goes on in your head Oh, how desperate I am to know Are you thinking about your body? Are you neutral, proud, ashamed? Are you thinking about things that never should've happened? All the days you can't regain? Things that can't be removed? The rest of what remains? Are you thinking about your friendships? What's gone and who still stayed Do you ponder whether you should stay with them? If they really are what your brain made? Do you remember that one girl Do you want to braid her hair? Is that guy still on your mind? Has he proven that he cares? Maybe careers in the future, Maybe dreams lost in the past What could've happened if you didn't move fast enough? Would it still be here, in your grasp? Are you just thinking of butterflies and snow? Music that inspires you to grow? What happens in the afterlife? What lies down there, below? Is it your aunt, is it your dog? Is it an ant? Is it the crisis of smog?  Is it an alleyway? Is it sound? Is it lost, can it ever be found?  Is it me? Is it the trees? Is it a breeze, does it carry you away?  Is it the rain? Is it your god? Is it writing that makes you want to stay? I want to know. I want to know you I want to feel how you do I want to see you Have deep conversations with you What is it? That you think about? When you're in the shower? BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Junior spends summer in VietNam By Stephy Varughese Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by Hotels.com For summer vacation,11th-grade student and North Star/Polaris member, Catherine Duong, traveled to Southern Vietnam for two months to visit her family. Catherine was born in Ho Chi Minh City, Southern Vietnam. Her ethnic background is of both Chinese and Vietnamese descent. Health and safety concerns forced her family to move from Southern Vietnam to the US when she was two. I interviewed Catherine to discover more about her visit to Vietnam and to learn more about her recent experience there. --- Why did you go to Vietnam? Whom did you go with? "I went to Vietnam to reconnect with my mom's side of the family after a few years since I've traveled due to COVID. I went with my younger sibling and my mom for the two-month vacation." What was the terrain like? "Vietnam's general terrain is mountainous and mostly jungle." What sites did you see? What were your favorite spots? "I didn't go sightseeing this year, but I've encountered a lot of large religious temples and some mountains!" Where did you stay? "I stayed at my grandma and grandpa's house, having three floors in total." What did you do? "During my vacation, I have mainly spent good quality time with my mom's family, having one grandma/grandpa, four cousins, and four aunts and uncles. We visited the beachside in Vung Tau, Vietnam, going on a yacht ride, to the HUGE malls, and simply playing board/card games." How was the food there? Are there any special dishes? "The food in Vietnam commonly has some spicy flavor, whether it's Sriracha sauce or peppers at the side or incorporated. Vietnam also is somewhat known to use the freshest ingredients to make their dishes by buying from outdoor/night markets that have the animal still alive. Dishes like Pho and Banh Mi (baguettes) are some dish examples that are famously known and enjoyed across the world!" What surprised you about Vietnam? Did you learn anything new while you were there? "I'm surprised that I didn't know this at the start, but one thing I've noticed is that in EVERY house/store you come across, there will be at least one small Buddhist shrine. Vietnam's main religion is Buddhism, and based on that observation, I can assume they are semi-religious or fully." Are there any celebrations/traditions you were part of while in Vietnam? "There was one! It was where I was at the yacht party for a family member's birthday, and that was a fun time for sure. A personal tradition my family would do is they would have a full family feast once in a while at a fancy restaurant." Was there a language barrier? "Between my family, there is barely a language barrier since most of my family knows how to speak English or understood the basics, but between strangers? Yes, there was. The problem I have was to speak back in Vietnamese (which I didn't study much of) in order for me to communicate to them, but I've been relying on my mom for translating and communication." What do you dislike about Vietnam?  "I will say that how Americans view Vietnam is what I dislike since the Vietnam War has been seen to be some kind of joke (the "Vietnam flashback") and how communism restricts citizens/foreigners from [discuss]ing certain topics. I've tried talking to my family about communism, which made them very uncomfortable." What do you want people to know about Vietnam? "I want people to know that between Vietnam and the USA's inflation rate is VERY high. Having one dollar is equal to about 23,865 Vietnamese Dollars (VND)! Even a penny is worth a lot in Vietnam, which citizens in the US have the upper hand with the economy." Do you recommend people to visit Vietnam? "Since I've only been to Southern Vietnam of Ho Chi Minh City, I can recommend people visiting there! Just be sure to bring LOADS of sunscreen and swim gear since Vietnam is known for its humid weather and wet/dry seasons. If you are a person who loves to go out to shop, whether it be day or night and explore, then Vietnam will be a perfect place for you! " -------- It was interesting to learn about Vietnam from Catherine. There were things I didn't know about Vietnam, such as its many Buddhist temples and the different foods there! I was fortunate to view the many fascinating pictures she shared with me, which leads me to believe that Vietnam is now a beautiful place to discover and enjoy. It’s truly a wonderful place to explore. If Vietnam seems like a place you'd want to visit, put it on your bucket list for your next vacation! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections ENGLISH TEACHER Interviews - Grammar Issues Rehmat Kaur Volume 4 Issue 2 January 16, 2024 Image Provided by Picture by PaperTrue Grammar is a set of rules that helps us organize our sentences. It covers a variety of features of the English language. We all make grammatical errors on a regular basis, whether we are writing or speaking. I asked our amazing English teachers about the grammatical problems they see students have all the time. Capitalization A reader can benefit from capital letters. They indicate the beginning of a sentence, highlight essential words in a title, and they indicate proper names and formal titles. In English, the initial word of a phrase and all proper nouns (words that name a specific person, place, organization, or object) are capitalized. “Students forgetting to use basic capitalization really icks me!! That's text speaking crossing over to formal writing (Ms. Belbol). Similar Sounding Words “Older teens and adults mix up terms that can be easily corrected by a quick Google search like "their, there, they're" or "you're" and "your" (Ms. Mclarney). Words that sound the same but have distinct meanings and spellings might be difficult to distinguish. People are frequently perplexed by three extremely common ones: their, there, and they're. The words their, there, and they're all sound the same. The possessive pronoun their implies "belonging to them," as in "their house is new"; there is used to designate a specific area or location, as in "don't go there" and "there is a shop"; and they're is a contraction of "they are," as in "they're winning the game." ‘"there" is written when the writer means "they're" or "their"’ (Ms. Mansfield). Using you're and your wrongly is one of the most prevalent writing mistakes, especially when writing anything fast like an email or text message. You're is an abbreviation of the phrase you are, as in "you're wearing blue", "you're needed in class", and "make sure you're on time". Any of these lines would read the same if you were substituted with you're . Your is a possessive adjective that indicates ownership. There is no contraction here. Your is generally followed by a word, such as "Your seat is close to the window", "check your phone", or "I need your papers". If you’re was substituted for your in these example sentences, it would not make sense. Incorrect Usage of Apostrophes "My biggest grammar ick is the misuse of the apostrophe. Either people don't use it at all, so they have contractions and possessives without an apostrophe, OR they use it anytime there is a word that ends in an "s"" (Ms. Modzelewski). To express possession when the name is singular, add an apostrophe followed by a "s" to the end of the name (e.g., Mike's jacket). If a name is single but ends in a "s," you should always add an apostrophe to emphasize possession, but you can also add another "s" after the apostrophe if you choose (e.g., Lucas' car OR Lucas's car). If the name is plural, just add an apostrophe at the end to indicate ownership (e.g., the Miles' house). Forming a contraction with a name also requires adding an apostrophe with a "s," therefore examine the context of the phrase to ensure that the meaning is obvious. “Since it's holiday time, my BIGGEST ick is when people use an apostrophe with their names. It's wrong to say "Love, The Belbol's" because the Belbols don't own anything here; just put the s: "Love, The Belbols" (Ms. Belbol). “In a piece of student writing? Hm...so many grammar problems, so little time. But we have a virtual epidemic of missing possessive apostrophes in students ' (plural, possessive) writing today (Mrs. Mansfield). ” (Ms. Mansfield). Usage of “wanna” and “gonna” “I really despise when students use: wanna and gonna.... they are NOT words!!! Write want to or going to (Ms. Melluso). Formal English writing should be flawless, which means the writer should have chosen words with precision. When used in writing, "gonna" and "wanna" seem informal. Using "going to" and "want to" will improve the quality of your writing. These are just a few of the numerous grammatical errors that we make, as shared by some of our amazing English teachers. This involves not capitalizing when needed and getting confused between similar sounding words like "there" "their" "they're" and "your" "you're". The incorrect use of apostrophes is a typical error in student writing and using informal words like “gonna” and “wanna”. To improve our writing, we should proofread and check for grammatical errors. Sources Referenced: https://thewritepractice.com/grammar-vs https://omproofreading.com/grammar-vs-punctuation BACK TO TOP