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Back to Artwork Nostalgic Musings Back to Sections Sophia Song - Nostalgic Musings - 4 By Sophia Song February 10, 2022 Photography Volume 2 Issue 4

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Except from Eve Mikayla Aziz Volume 4 Issue 3 March 13, 2024 Image Provided by Olga Kawa from Pinterest Twisted and Bent and Burnt and finally Remolded, Finally, a girl made anew. I don’t even recognize her anymore; Hopefully he won’t either. Now she stumbles around, Head still high pumped with false confidence. She speaks with someone else’s tongue, Looks through someone else’s perspective, But she still thinks with my brain. That we still share; For now. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections California Wildfires Sahar Ali Volume 5 Issue 4 April 8, 2025 On January 7th, California’s powerful winds mixed with dry conditions created the perfect conditions for a wildfire to ignite around the Los Angeles area, specifically the Palisades and Eaton. The Palisades Fire ignited in the early morning of January 7th, as a brush fire according to NBC News. Eventually, the brush fire engulfed 23,448 acres of land and destroyed more than 5,000 buildings in its path (NBC News). Regardless of firefighters’ greatest efforts, the fires began to spread throughout the Los Angeles area; only hours after the Palisades Fire ignited, the Eaton Fire was set ablaze, covering 14,021 acres and damaged more than 10,000 structures according to NBC News. Unfortunately, Los Angeles County officials have confirmed that the fires took the lives of 29 people. The Los Angeles medical examiner’s office claims that the Eaton Fire caused least 17 deaths while the Palisades Fire caused the other 12 deaths; however, the medical examiner’s office asserted that it could take weeks to verify the identities of the victims. Recently, California’s department of forestry and fire protection announced that the Palisades and Eaton Fires have been contained completely, three weeks after the fires initially went ablaze. Even though the fires are no longer raging throughout Southern California, Los Angeles must rebuild its cities; however, the Los Angeles Times claims that the total economic loss and expected damage to be between $250 billion and $275 billion according to AccuWeather, a forecasting service. The cost of repercussions makes the natural disaster one of the worst in the history of the United States (Los Angeles Times). Yet, the initial cause of the fires remains unclear. However, drought-like conditions are one of the main factors as Southern California “has had less than 10% of average rainfall since Oct. 1” (NBC News). Mix these conditions with powerful offshore winds, and you have perfect conditions to start a fire. Daniel Swain, a climate scientist, brought attention to California’s weather in recent years that was highlighted by drought or heavy rainfall, both of which “are a key element of the fire weather gripping the region” (NBC News). Swain additionally asserts that even though the warming climate results in drier conditions, the constantly varying weather in the state creates a risk in the Southern California area. Climate change, an issue affecting the world severely, may be a factor for the fires, but it is unclear to say if the changes in the ever-changing environment played a vital role in the blaze. Recent studies find that climate change worsens already extreme conditions such as those that had started the fires in California (NPR). Human activity is also a factor that led to the Palisades and Eaton Fires as “there were no lightning storms at the time that would have sparked the fires” (NPR). UCLA’s director of the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, Alex Hall, claims that the “ignitions were undoubtedly due to human activity” (NPR). The Palisades and Eaton Fires have affected almost 200,000 people and many people lost their homes and business. There are multiple resources that we can use to support those in California. This website provides links to donation centers that are working to help those affected by the natural disaster. Through our donations, we can help Los Angeles build up the beautiful city it used to be, along with providing California residents with hope for the future. SOURCES: California wildfires: What we know about L.A.-area fires, what caused them, who is affected and more Estimated cost of fire damage balloons to more than $250 billion Los Angeles’ Palisades and Eaton wildfires are now fully contained Here's how climate change fueled the Los Angeles fires BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Rollercoasters By Navrosedip Kundlas Volume 3 Issue 1 November 7, 2022 Image provided by UnSplash Life's a rollercoaster, don't you see? It doesn't matter which you pick, you'll still scream Full of twists and turns, no one said it's easy Life's the same way, can't you see? One day you're on top of the world, the next day you're on the ground crying   One spins you, until your head's dizzy The other it drops you from extremes Sometimes it feels so slow waiting Then you're on but not you just want to get off Life's the same way, can't you see? One day you're on top of the world, the next day you're on the ground crying   Life speeds by just like a coaster You just sat in and the ride's already over Friends are the riders next to you Some stay and others leave you Life's the same way, can't you see? One day you're on top of the world, the next day you're on the ground crying BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Family Problems By Ala Paruch Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 Image provided by BigStockPhoto Q. Dear Ala, I need your help. I want more privacy. My parents don't seem to think that’s important. I also want to tell them that I have bad anxiety, but they don't think it’s real. I am twelve years old and I feel like I am still treated like my 8 year old brother. I was asking for my bedtime to be at 10:00. In my mind that’s reasonable because I still sleep at 9:30 at the same time as my brother. Thanks. Sincerely, Hello:) A. Hi! Thanks for asking! I agree, 10:00 pm would be a reasonable time. I would advise you to have a conversation with your parents and explain to them why you believe your bedtime should change. You can prepare a list of reasons for your statement and prepare for how you think they could answer your proposition. In your list you can include all the rationales you put in this letter to me, since they are pretty strong arguments, as well as more if you can think of those. Your parents will most likely think something is important if it is important enough for you to prepare in this way. So, if you put effort into this and show them this would help you, they might change their minds. Also, maybe you could ask them to “make it a rule” that anyone who wants to come in your room must knock first. Hope this helps! Q. Dear Ala, I share a room with my dog and I haven't been able to get much sleep because she snores to loud. I need some advice on how to help me get some better sleep or to try to get her to stop snoring. If you are able to help me that would be greatly appreciated Sincerely, Cat A. Hi Cat! Thank you for asking! Hmmm, sleep is important, so solving this problem is important as well. Firstly, I would advise to take your dog to the vet to see if this isn’t happening because of an infection or anything more serious. The vet will definitely try to help you out. You can also try to see if it’s possible if your pet can sleep in the hallway or any other room that is not occupied at night. Hope that helps! Q. Dear Ala,  I was wondering if you can help me with a problem. My sister, who is 19 and away at college, doesn't call me anymore. I want to talk to her, but truly, I don't know what to say or what she would respond back to me. She might not even want her little sister to be texting her. She still treats me like I'm five, but I'm really 14. Please give me some advice. Thank you, Ala! You really will be a big help to me. - Little sister issues! A. Hi! Thank you for the question! I think that the best option for this would be to simply reach out and tell her you want to keep in contact. Ask her how she’s been doing and how the workload is. Be supportive of her decision to go to college. Put together a nice message for her telling her you wouldn’t want the fact that she’s college drift you two apart. Hope this helps and good luck! ~Ala Q. Dear Ala, My parents won't let me bake in the house anymore because they think that I leave a big mess, but I do clean it up! Do you have any advice on what you think I should do for them to let them let me bake again? Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Furious Baker A. Hi and thank you for the question! Baking is such a great passion, keep it up! Ask your parents what part of the kitchen you specifically didn’t clean up to their liking and to give you one more chance to prove yourself. Then, make sure to clean up as you go, and to clean up at the end. Glad I could be of help! Good luck! Q. Dear Ala, I am in need of some help. I play on the same game console as my brother and we can never come up with a game to play together. Do you have any idea what we should do because it is getting really annoying. Hope you can help. Have a nice day. Sincerely, Me A. Hi! Thanks for the question! I don’t really know much about video games, but I asked my friend, and he recommended two games that you might like and are on most current major consoles. The first one is “Rocket League”. It is a multiplayer game that combines racing with soccer. The second one is called “Overcooked!” which is a game designed to play regardless of your skill level. In this game, you and your friends run around a kitchen and try to prepare a meal while being faced with obstacles. I hope this helps! Q. Dear Ala, I have a younger brother, and he won't leave me alone. He finds ways to bother me and when I tell him to stop, he doesn't listen. He always comes into my room and doesn't leave when I tell him to. I hope you can help me find a way to get him to listen when I tell him to stop. Thank you! -Bothersome Brother A. Hello and thank you for the question! Your younger brother is not someone you can just tell what to do and expect him to listen to everything you say. He is still his own person. A good way to approach this would be to talk it out with him. Tell him it is bothersome and ask him if he has a specific reason for coming into your room. There is a possibility he simply wants to be able to spend more time with you but doesn’t know how to express it well. Then come up with a system like he has to knock and ask you if it’s okay to come in. If you say no, he should not enter. Hope that helps and good luck! Q. Dear ALA,  Hello! I have an older sister who is 16 years old. We don't share a room, but her room is right next to mine. When it is 12 midnight, she is on a call with her friends. She makes so much noise, I cannot sleep. When I try to tell my parents, they think I am lying. Can you help me find a way for my parents to believe me? Or can you help me find a way for her to listen and stop? Bye. Have a great day. From, Younger Sister A. Hello and thanks for your question! Communication is key, and talking to her about it first would be a great idea. Confront her and tell her why you it is bothering you so much. She might try to brush it off saying that she’s older, but be confident and explain your argument. Calmly explain that how old a person is does not influence this argument. Regarding your parents, you can explain to them the effects the lack of sleep is causing you to show them that what you are saying is true. Be sure to tell them and express your troubles. Maybe if you say it will affect your schoolwork, they will pay more attention to your problem. Thank you, have a nice day as well and good luck! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections Recent ISS Crew Dragon Mission By Elyas Layachi Volume 1 Issue 8 June 8, 2021 Image provided by NASA Introduction The Commercial Crew Program is a program created by NASA helping to facilitate the development of U.S. commercial crew space transportation capabilities. The program’s main goal, like the Flight Opportunities program, is to achieve safe, reliable, and cost-effective access to and from low Earth orbit and the International Space Station. Through this program, NASA now tasks private companies, such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, to transport both astronauts and cargo to the ISS, allowing NASA to focus their resources on developing the technologies necessary for larger missions such as a lunar return. The Commercial Crew Program works specifically with Boeing and SpaceX, who developed the Crew Dragon and Starliner. The first official flight under this program took place on November 16th, 2020, with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. This mission, also known as the Crew-1 mission, had a goal of both transporting astronauts to the ISS and proving that private companies are viable and safe sources of space transportation. This was the first mission in history in which a third-party manufacturer created a crewed vehicle used in a space mission. The Crew-1 mission transported four astronauts (Shannon Walker, Victor J. Glover, Michael S. Hopkins, and Soichi Noguchi) along with their scientific material and other resources to the ISS. They returned safely to Earth after a 6-month mission aboard the ISS and splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico at 2:56 A.M. on May 2nd, 2021. Crew-2 Mission Overview The Crew-2 mission is the second of six missions under the Commercial Crew Program, launching just over a week before the Crew-1 mission had returned. The astronauts were launched using SpaceX’s second crew capsule, the Crew Dragon Endeavor, and SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. According to NASA, this mission has several firsts, including being the: First commercial crew mission to fly two international partners. First commercial crew handover between astronauts on the space station as Crew-1 and Crew-2 astronauts will spend about five days together on station before Crew-1 returns to Earth. First reuse of the Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket on a crew mission. First time two commercial crew spacecraft will be docked to the I.S.S. at the same time. Not only does this mission have the purpose of proving the viability of the Crew Dragon and SpaceX’s technology, but it has scientific purposes as well. The astronauts will continue the scientific research of the Crew-1 astronauts, which included important investigations and technological demonstrations that prepare for future Artemis missions to the Moon. Additionally, the crew will perform over 200 experiments, including medical research and studies of Earth’s own climate. Some experiments will even help scientists on Earth combat disease, while also helping space agencies around the world better understand how space affects the human body so they can better prepare astronauts for future, long-duration space travel to the moon. Meet the Astronauts The Crew-2 mission’s crew is described as an “international crew” since its astronauts have diverse backgrounds. The astronauts are from the United States, Japan, and France. Each have different educational and experience backgrounds, making the crew even more diverse. Below is a description of each of the astronauts and their backgrounds: Shane Kimbrough Shane Kimbrough, also known as Robert Shane Kimbrough, is a retired United States army officer and NASA astronaut. He was part of the first group of candidates selected for NASA astronaut training following the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. Born: June 4, 1967 (age 53 years), Killeen, Texas. Space missions: SpaceX Crew-2, Expedition 65, Expedition 50, Expedition 49, Soyuz MS-02, STS-126, STS-400. Spouse : Robbie Lynn Nickels Total EVAs : 6 Rank: Colonel, retired, USA. Siblings: Michael Scott Kimbrough K. Megan McArthur Kathrine Megan McArthur is an American oceanographer, engineer, and a NASA astronaut. She has served as a Capsule Communicator for both the space shuttle and space station. Born: August 30, 1971 (age 49 years), Honolulu, Hawaii. Space missions : SpaceX Crew-2, Expedition 65, STS-125, STS-400. Spouse : Bob Behnken Education : University of California, Los Angeles. Children : Theodore Behnken Parents: Don McArthur, Kit McArthur Akihiko Hoshide Akihiko Hoshide is a Japanese engineer, JAXA astronaut, and current Commander of the International Space Station. On August 30, 2012, Hoshide became the third Japanese astronaut to walk in space. Born: December 28, 1968 (age 52 years), Setagaya City, Tokyo, Japan. Space Missions: SpaceX Crew-2, Expedition 65, Expedition 32, STS-124, Expedition 33, Soyuz TMA-05M. Total EVAs: 3 Education: United World College of South East Asia Thomas Pesquet Thomas Gautier Pesquet is a French aerospace engineer, pilot, and European Space Agency astronaut Pesquet was selected by the ESA as a candidate in May 2009, and he successfully completed his basic training in November 2010. Born: February 27, 1978 (age 43 years), Rouen, France. Space Missions: SpaceX Crew-2, Expedition 65, Expedition 50, Soyuz MS-03, Expedition 51. Spouse: Anne Mottet Selection: 2009 ESA Group Total EVAs: 2. Education: Institut Superieur De L’aeronautique Et De L’espace. What does this mission mean for the future? This mission is only the second of six crewed missions facilitated by the Commercial Crew Program using SpaceX’s transportation modules. If all these missions, including Crew-2, are successful, they will prove that companies can viably use their technology to transport humans to space. Furthermore, the success of these missions increases the application of commercial technology to be used to transport normal people into space, for tours and sight-seeing. Additionally, the experiments the crew will perform on board will help scientists further understand and learn about the effects of long-term exposure to microgravity and intense radiation on the body. Such findings will prepare NASA and SpaceX to send astronauts back to the moon, and later to Mars. Featured Quiz Want to see how much you learned about the Crew-2 mission from this article? Take the quiz by clicking the link below! Good luck! Crew-2 Quiz Microsoft Form BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections The Power of Your Voice Everton Prospere Volume 3 Issue 4 May 18, 2023 Image Provided by iStock During the midst of the presidential election of 2008, Democratic Party nominee, Barack Obama, said these resonating words: “Your voice can change the world.” President Obama’s pursuit and successful position established in the nation’s highest office was achieved solely through the use of his iconic voice. Just as the President inspired millions, your voice can equally have the same effect on others. To end this school year, the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) hosted a gun violence awareness campaign to educate students about the firearm crisis in this nation and fundraise to make a significant contribution to the appropriate activist organizations. To bring true attention to this issue, student leaders in the SADD Club, including Shinedip Kundlas, Claudia Sanchez, Barnit Kaur, Janine Olivencia, Noa Cordova, Elaine Ching, and myself, led over 300 North students to walk out at noon and protest gun violence on May 22nd. During the event, each of the leaders highlighted a school shooting and memorialized over 126 victims. Students who walked out were also invited to participate in a 126 second moment of silence as well as sign a pledge to fight against gun violence. After leading this event firsthand, I truly was able to taste the beginnings of my career in social activism. I learned through careful planning and hard work to make this a successful event that your voice can make a difference. As I grabbed the megaphone and spoke to the crowd of students that gathered, I realized that everyone present sought one common goal: to end gun violence. My voice in that moment spoke to hundreds of people to not only bring attention to the lives lost, but also establish methods for students to help combat this crisis on a personal level. My voice mattered. The voice of the leaders mattered. And the voice of the students that gathered mattered. Each student who protested was given the opportunity to use their voice. This is the epitome of journalism. To push forward and attest to a topic, even in the face of trials that may prove controversial or dangerous. After seven years, my journey at Valley Stream North High School has come to a close. As my fingers type away at this final article, I can only thank those around me who have guided me to this next chapter of my life. To my family, friends, teachers for molding me into the person I am today. However, one special thank you extends to the entire North Star. To Ms. Swinton, Ms. Hirsch, and Mrs. Mansfield for advising the club. To the current and graduated editors for being dedicated to maintaining the magazine’s prestige. And, of course, to the readers, for supporting the North Star through its years of existence. However, the doors to the next chapter of my life have opened wide. The future articles and news reports await to be made, whether about current or historical events. However, before signing off as the News Editor, I must offer this piece of advice to all those reading this article. Be confident, even as you move into new unknowns. Whether in journalism or simply, your day to day life, keep using your voice to make your newsworthy contribution to our world. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Thirty-Four Minutes of Kindness Noa Cordova Volume 4 Issue 2 January 16, 2024 Image provided by Noa Cordova (Based on Charlie Mackesy's Illustrations) “What do you want to be when you grow up?” “Kind.” It is truly an admirable response and captures the main theme of  The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse . Its central theme of kindness inspired one of our AP English Language teachers, Mrs. Brodsky, to show us the film “in the spirit of Thanksgiving.” Initially, she planned to connect the film to our AP English Language curriculum but decided that its lessons were more valuable than the lessons of rhetorical devices and grammar instruction we are taught daily during period 4. I have to say, keeping a room full of high schoolers quiet for a solid thirty-four minutes can be a challenge, but it was something that this film was able to do. Most of us had exams and other commitments stressing us out, but for thirty-four minutes, we focused on something worthwhile; we focused on the depth and beauty of the film. Before Mrs. Brodsky, we have Charlie Mackesy to thank for the experience. The story started in a book written and illustrated by British illustrator, Charlie Mackesy. Inspired by the social restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mackesy sought to draw something that would keep us connected as humans regardless of the circumstances at the time. In his interview on CBS Sunday morning, he revealed that when he draws, “it starts as a feeling.” He describes the book as “a story for everyone”, and I’d have to agree; the story’s message, although ironically conveyed by animals, is a story about humanity. Apart from his work on  The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse , he worked with Nelson Mandela on  The Unity Series . When he is not working with his pencil in hand, he is co-running Mama Buci, an organization that supports bee-keeping communities in Zambia. I’d say it’s evident that Mackesy is a pure soul and dedicates his time to worthwhile causes he is passionate about; it is not surprising he told such a moving story with simple illustrations in just thirty-four minutes. A lost boy, a sensitive mole, a lonely fox, and a wise horse teach us a whole lot about kindness, friendship, and emotions as they embark on a journey to bring the boy home. We are first introduced to the boy who is feeling lost, as many of us have at one point. Next, we meet the mole who reminds us of the importance of appreciating the beauty of life and worrying less. He reminds us that often our worries have simple solutions, like cake. Like the mole, we all have our equivalent of cake; we each have something that makes us forget our worries, even if it’s just for a while. Under more ominous circumstances, we meet the fox, who becomes an unexpected friend to the boy and the mole. The fox embodies character growth; he teaches us the importance of second chances and seeing the good in others. The horse is the last to join the trio and provides them all with a great deal of wisdom throughout their journey home. He reminds us about the bravery in asking for help, the love of true friendship, and the validity of our emotions. By the end of the thirty-four minutes, it’s easy to see a little bit of ourselves in each of these four friends. Mrs. Brodsky shared the film with us in the spirit of Thanksgiving, Charlie Mackesy released the film last year on Christmas Eve, and I’m encouraging you to watch the film or even read the book to start the new year; it goes to show that its lessons are timeless. I think that since the new year kicks off the winter season, it makes it a perfect time to watch the film as its snowy atmosphere will make you want to wrap up in some blankets with some tea and of course, cake. As we think about going into the new year, watching this film may change your perspective on some things. As you write your New Year's resolutions maybe you’ll be reminded of the things that really matter like kindness, friendship, and love. As the boy reminds us from the beginning, growing up to be a kind person should be our ultimate goal; it should come before any other career choice because “everything happens on the inside.” This year, we can all apply a lesson or two from the film. Although like the mole we may feel small in such a vast world, we’ll be reminded that we do make a difference. I think the mole would likely appreciate Mahatma Gandhi’s saying that “in a gentle way, you can shake the world.” Maybe we’ll choose to accept some unexpected, new people into our lives as the characters did with the fox. Maybe we’ll learn to be someone people can lean on or a source of comfort, as the horse was for his new friends. Maybe we’ll discover what it means to have a home, like the boy. Hopefully, we’ll surround ourselves with people who are glad we are all here and remind us that we each have a purpose. According to the boy, that purpose is primarily to love, and I’d say it's hard to disagree. I’d say this film has a lesson for everyone, so I encourage you to find yours. The profound connections and touching lessons are heart-warming enough to keep us (and the boy who only has a hoodie even though it's snowing) warm this winter season. It is truly impressive how much you can learn about kindness in just thirty-four minutes. Watch The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse - Movie - Apple TV+ Charlie Mackesy Charlie Mackesy's lessons in kindness ( youtube.com ) Mama Buci - honey in its purest form BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections VSN Girl’s Tennis Team Continues their Success By Alyssa Garufi, Hannah Lee Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Original photography by Josephine Scalia The Valley Stream North’s Girls’ Varsity Tennis team annihilated their competition this year, coming in second place in Conference 4. Despite the challenging circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the girls played with ferocity and determination, finishing the season with 12 wins and only two losses. This achievement would not have been possible without the assistance of their new coach, Mr. Joseph Mando. Mr. Mando, a Valley Stream North alumni himself, now coaches the same sport he played during when he was a student here. Former girls coach, Ms. Kate Moran is brought back in a full circle, as Coach Mando uses skills taught by her in high school. Not only has Mr. Mando taught the girls tennis techniques and skills, but he has also left a big impression on all the girls by giving good advice and teaching them important life lessons. The Girls’ Tennis Team started the season off strong, with a 5-2 win against Uniondale on September 13th. First Singles, Claudia Sanchez, defeated her opponent in two sets, 6-2 and 6-2. No. 1 doubles Josephine Scalia and Ashrita Seelan won their match in two sets as well, both going into tiebreaks. No. 2 doubles, Alyssa Garufi and Grace Scalia beat their opponents along with No. 3 doubles, Anna Persaud and Kimberly Shrestha. To finish off the match, Barnit Kaur and Shinedip Kundlas bested their opponents, giving the girls a definite win from the beginning of the season. In the middle of their season, the girls pulled a win of 7-0 at West Hempstead. No. 1 singles, Juliana Russell faced some setbacks during her first set with a score of 6-7, but eventually pulled through winning 6-3, 7-6. Claudia Sanchez, No. 2 singles, played an impressive double bagel of 6-0, 6-0, along with Jaela Cardoza-Alvarez, winning 6-1, 6-0. First doubles, Afira Mahmood and Josephine Scalia, won their match 6-0, 6-1, and all the other doubles players won with impressive 6-0, 6-0, all around, Ashrita Seelan and Sophia Trojanowski as No. 2 doubles, Grace Scalia, and Emily Seitz as No. 3, and finally Anna Persaud and Kimberly Shrestha as No. 4 doubles. The girls finished off their season with a win at Levittown Division. Claudia Sanchez, playing No. 2 singles, won her match 10-2, along with Jaela Cardoza-Alvarez, No. 3 singles, winning 10-3. These girls destroyed their opponents in their pro-set. All four pairs of doubles players won their match, with No. 1 doubles, Afira Mahmood and Josephine Scalia, winning 10-3, second, Hannah Lee and Ashrita Seelan, winning 10-1, third, Alyssa Garufi and Grace Scalia, winning 10-0, and fourth, Sophia Buonomo and Lindsey Jacob, winning an impressive score of 10-8. The six-to-one win at Levittown Division accurately represents the impressive victories of the Valley Stream North Girls Tennis team throughout their whole season. The Girls Varsity Tennis team owes great thanks to Coach Mando for teaching them the virtues of patience, strength, and perseverance. The girls persevered through a rough season with COVID-19 regulations and overall made Valley Stream North immensely proud. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Sophomore English Class: 2A, or Not 2A, That is the Question Noa Cordova Volume 4 Issue 3 March 13, 2024 Image Provided by Vecteezy Scheduling season is upon us, and recently we’ve been tasked with picking our classes for the upcoming year. For those who know which classes they’d like to take, the process is a breeze. For others, it may be a difficult decision. I remember the winter of my freshman year when the guidance counselors presented us with our options for our sophomore English classes. For students in English 1A, our options were English 2A or AP Capstone Seminar. Based on the explanation provided, English 2A would essentially be a continuation of English 1A, and AP Capstone Seminar would be a research-based class. Needless to say, both of these courses offer much more, but these were the main ideas I kept in mind to help guide my decision, and I ultimately chose English 2A. In hopes that our sophomore readers will find it useful, I’ve outlined factors I’d consider as a freshman who is undecided about their choice of English class for 10th grade. Coursework As indicated by the name of the course, AP Capstone Seminar is an Advanced Placement course, so it entails a faster-paced course and heavier coursework than a traditional English course. The coursework you can manage is for you to decide, and counselors and parents can provide additional guidance. Apart from the amount of coursework, the kind of coursework is essential to consider when choosing between AP Capstone and English 2A. AP Capstone is research intensive; there are group and individual research projects and presentations as a part of the course. If you’re someone who enjoys researching collectively and independently, a research-based course like AP Capstone may be for you. Personally, I felt research projects would add stress to my sophomore year, and I knew there would be plenty of presentation and research opportunities throughout my school career, so I didn't feel the course would enhance my high school experience. English 2A resembles your typical English class with both fiction and non-fiction literature analysis with an emphasis on writing and grammar skills; if a traditional English class seems fitting, and if you love fiction, English 2A may be a better choice. Remember, you need to choose the class that will work the best for you and enrich your high school experience the most. Structure As a traditional English course, English 2A follows an organized, set curriculum suitable for those who prefer a more structured learning environment. AP Capstone, as a research-based class, allows for more freedom in terms of coursework. Based on experiences my classmates and sophomore sister shared with me, it seems that the independence the course offered made it appealing to them. Whether you prefer a little more structure or more freedom is for you to decide. Opportunities for creative and academic freedom are abundant here at North, and you may choose to take advantage of them through other classes as well besides AP Capstone. English electives are a great way to balance structure and freedom if you’re leaning toward English 2A rather than AP Capstone. Exams The structure of the English 2A course does come with its benefits in terms of future exams, including standardized tests, the Regents Exam, and AP exams. English 2A is a more grammar-intensive course, meaning that teachers will spend more time on grammatical aspects often assessed on the SAT and ACT, including punctuation, clauses, redundancies, and prepositions. Although many colleges and universities have become test-optional for admission, you may still opt to take one of these standardized tests and find the knowledge from English 2A helpful in the verbal section. While not everyone chooses to take the SAT or ACT, high schoolers must take the English Regents in their junior year of high school. English 2A definitely prepares you for these exams, as the course incorporates Regents prep into the curriculum. Although AP Capstone focuses on argumentation skills in writing, the argument essay is only one of three tasks required of students on the Regents exam. English 2A not only focuses on argumentation skills through writing but also text analysis and reading comprehension skills-the other two tasks tested on the regents. Naturally, your junior year English teachers will review these skills before the regents, but I found the prior knowledge useful as a junior who took the January Regents exam. Future English Classes Fast forward to the winter of your sophomore year, and assume you chose AP Language and Composition for your junior year English class in anticipation of taking AP English Literature your senior year; a majority of students who take either English 2A or AP Capstone decide to continue their English studies with AP Lang and AP Lit. AP Lang concerns itself with non-fiction texts more familiar to AP Capstone students in terms of genre; however, much of AP Lang focuses on rhetorical analysis which is more prominent in the English 2A curriculum. As a current junior in Mrs. Brodsky’s AP Lang class, I can't count the times she’s started her sentences with “if you had me in 10A” when discussing something grammar-related. In my opinion, this emphasizes that English 2A provides a strong foundation for students going into AP Lang. As for AP Lit, I can't speak from experience as I have not taken it yet, but classic literature is at the heart of the course. Students who chose English 2A would likely be more familiar with AP Lit texts as we were exposed to works like To Kill a Mockingbird , Othello , and Of Mice and Men . Although AP Lit texts are new for most students, AP Capstone students may find the genre more foreign unless they are avid fiction readers outside of school. I found the English 2A coursework enriching as it had a diverse curriculum that incorporated various aspects of English education into one course. One course is not necessarily superior to the other; it is a matter of individual needs and preferences. Guidance counselors, parents, and teachers can serve as trust-worthy consultants when making your choice, but ultimately you are in control. Talking to upperclassmen about their experiences in AP Capstone and English 2A may also help you get a better sense of which one is for you. BACK TO TOP