Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Interview with Mr. Moniaci By Cody Sung Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Image provided by Discovery.Inc I was fortunate to be able to interview Mr. Moniaci virtually through Teams. He graduated from Binghamton University in 1996. His first teaching experience came from one of his close friend’s mom, who was one of the secretaries at Berner Junior High School in Massapequa, where he was a substitute teacher. With that, he also got an opportunity to be the drama director there. “I kind of enjoyed running the drama club,” he stated, and realized that he wanted to be a teacher, going back to school to get his master’s degree in secondary education from Columbia University, graduating in 1998. He did his student teaching at LaGuardia High School for Music & Art and Performing Arts in Manhattan; he started his formal teaching career at North High School in September of 1998. He has run the Drama Club here for almost as long as he has been a teacher, saying “I always wanted to do both [teaching history and being involved in the performing arts], and I was happy to have the opportunity at North all these years.” In his 25 years here, he recalls how the school has had more and more students, from around 800 to 1400, and how the hallways used to be less crowded. I inquired to Mr. Moniaci about whether his dual passion for history and acting led him to be the host of What History Forgot, a TV show about forgotten American history. He remembers he got the job from a former Binghamton student who had to do an internship at a production company, Atlas. As part of the internship, he had to pitch a show to the CEO and emailed Mr. Moniaci about a possible history show. In his reply, Mr. Moniaci gave him ideas for what to talk about. “And then, totally kidding around, I wrote at the end, ‘and I get to be the host.’” At the meeting, the CEO liked the forgotten history idea, and the following day, Mr. Moniaci found out he was pitched to be the host. He did a test run of it, and American Heroes Channel picked it up. When the show got released, he said, “the fact that I had a TV show in the first place was pretty crazy.” How did North find out about this? The first year it came out, in 2015, he told his students he was doing a show. “The way I was doing it … I didn’t miss any days at North … I would film on the weekends,” he stated. For one episode during season 2, he took the luggage from North, went to JFK Airport, and flew to California to film. He recalled that his students knew it was coming out. When it did, he entered a classroom, and the students gave him a standing ovation, “which was really sweet. It was really funny.” However, he says the funniest stories came from when his students didn’t know about the show. They would go to him, shocked to see Mr. Moniaci on TV. After what he noted was a unique experience, Mr. Moniaci returned to his usual schedule. Now, he teaches AP United States History, African American History, a sociology elective, and US History and Government. He says he is extremely passionate about teaching history and enjoys being a teacher at North, and he wants to return to doing so as soon as possible. Mr. Moniaci is very inspirational, and we all have something to learn from him. We are all very lucky at North to have Mr. Moniaci as a social studies teacher. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections I Would Do it Again: Loving Without Regret in Hozier’s ‘Francesca’ Shea Flanelly Volume 6 Issue 3 Image Provided by Hozier Condemned. Being swept into a forever storm. Being cast as a warning for centuries to come. That is the story of Francesca da Rimini, a character in Dante Alighieri’s “Inferno,” part of his larger work “The Divine Comedy.” In Dante’s poem, Francesca and her husband’s brother Paolo are trapped in the second circle of hell, eternally swept together in a violent wind after having an affair with each other. They are so close to one another but are condemned to never touch. Giovanni Malatesta, her husband, killed Paolo and Francesca after catching them both in bed. Their story is meant to serve as a moral lesson; a warning about lust and its consequences. However, singer Hozier shifts the focus of their story into his song Francesca. Instead of a story of shame and punishment, he emphasizes devotion and choice. The heart of the song is not about what they lost… it is about what they would choose again . “I’d tell them put me back in it,” the first line of the chorus, is a defiant expression of the love Francesca feels for Paolo. She is willing to go through literal hell and back for her lover, further proven with the lyric “I would do it again.” The punishment becomes secondary when love is eternal. That fierce refusal to regret loving someone feels especially relevant to teenagers. Adolescence is often when emotions first feel overwhelming and all-consuming. First, love can feel infinite, and first heartbreak can feel catastrophic! Adults sometimes dismiss teenage relationships as dramatic or temporary, but “Francesca” validates that intensity. It suggests that loving deeply is not foolish; it is incredibly human. For teens, loving “despite the storm” can take many forms. It might mean standing by a relationship others do not fully understand, or displaying vulnerability in a world that’s avoidant of emotions. It might even mean accepting that heartbreak is possible and choosing to create that connection anyway. The combination of these lyrics “If someone asked me in the end/I’d tell them to put me back in it” shows the boldness and willingness of wanting to experience love again, even if it ended badly before. Instead of seeking pain as proof that love was a mistake, Hozier suggests that pain can simply be evidence that something mattered . At the same time, the song offers a moment to reflect. Passion is powerful, but it should not erase one’s identity. For young people, there is a balance between devotion and preserving yourself. The beauty of the song Francesca lies in that kind of tension. That love can have fire without denying its consequences. Francesca is not just a retelling of a medieval forbidden romance. It is a reminder that love, no matter how complicated, imperfect, or short-lived, can shape who we become. This message is especially important to teenagers – we are beings of ‘firsts’ after all. And Hozier, my favorite man EVER, turns this cautionary tale into a declaration – that love can be worth the storm! Sources: Hozier Explores Themes of Identity, Modernity, and Religion in Unreal Unearth – The Oberlin Review BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Goodbye Leah Ally Volume 5 Issue 5 July 5, 2025 It was a mild night in February when a little girl decided to leave her home. Her parents had gone out that night and wouldn’t be home until an hour later. So, she had decided to use the time to explore her new neighborhood freely. They had just moved there and therefore knew very little about their surroundings. As she made it to the pavement outside her home, she excitedly began skipping along the sidewalk as she had never felt such a sense of independence as she now did. Not only was she out past her 9 pm curfew, but she was by herself. As she curiously looked at all the houses in her neighborhood, it began to dawn on her that she had traveled so far for so long that she had no sense of direction of how to return home. Not only that, but she had no sense of time, either. With tears forming in her eyes and her feet slowly dragging on the cement, she saw a boy seemingly around her age sitting on the opposite side of the sidewalk. Out of desperation, she cautiously crossed over to him and began questioning who he was and why he was out so late. The boy never looked up and merely muttered that he did not have a family. As a soft rain began to fall, he slowly stood up and made eye contact with the girl. Though somber, he made a small gesture with his hand that motioned that he wanted her to walk with him. For what seemed like forever there were no words exchanged between the two of them. Only small glances that said more words than sentences could. After some time, they introduced themselves, still walking in a light rain that thumped on both of their jackets. Even though they did not know each other well, they knew that they were one of the same, children with seemingly no direction. Later that night the police, who were notified by the girl’s parents, eventually found her with the boy. She was ushered into the car to be taken home. A sense of relief rushed through her body. But sadness also loomed over her as her watery eyes glanced over the boy’s face. She knew in her heart she wouldn’t see him again. His eyes were still fixated on hers as his gaze softened just enough to communicate a “goodbye”. With no words she understood him. The entire night she understood him more than anyone else ever had. It mattered in the moment, but not now, not as the car drove off, forever separating the girl and the boy. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Mother Celeste By Macayla McCaffery April 22, 2021 Digital Art Volume 1 Issue 7

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Signs for Wellness By Aleeza Dhillon Volume 2 Issue 1 October 8, 2021 Original photography by Eva Grace Martinez To kick off Wellness Week, North’s AP Biology and Science Research students made eye-catching signs. Mr. DiSclafani’s students put their creative skills to use by designing signs that promote the importance of mental health. They held their signs high while participating in the “Wellness Walk” on North’s new track. Here’s what Adaobi Okammelu had to say about her experience: “I had so much fun creating the signs to be a representative for 9th grade Science Research for Wellness Day. It was so great seeing others come together for such a nice event!” By combining physical science with mental health, these signs turned out awesome. The opening of the wellness center will allow students of all disciplines to visit and either meet one-on-one with a counselor or participate in group activities, including mindfulness practices. BACK TO TOP

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Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections The Neuroscience of Summer Vacation By Alyssa Garufi and Hannah Lee Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by Manual Red Eye As the school year comes to an end, most students begin to experience improved moods and excitement for summer. Summer is a time of year in which students do not have to worry about school or tests; it is a break from the constant cycle of work during the school year, whether through a prolonged trip to another country or even just an escape to the local beach. Vacations lead to a change in a student’s life from the usual rhythms of school during the summer. This change in routine can limit an individual’s stress and anxiety and cause them to feel happier and more adventurous. There is no doubt that summer vacation imbues significant improvements in an individual's health; however, some research shows that it is not only the lack of school that causes these improvements, but the very science behind the summer season has shown to limit mental fatigue.  The neuroscience of summer vacation starts with the increased prevalence of vitamin D. Vitamin D is an essential component of the human body that comes from the sun. It is good for the absorption of iron, proper function of the immune system, wound healing, and maintenance of cartilage, helping an individual sustain a healthy life. However, during the winter months, there is less sun exposure, resulting in a widespread vitamin D deficiency among individuals. There is a great correlation between vitamin D deficiency and mental illness, usually resulting in depression, chronic stress, and anxiety. It is the very vitamins themselves that come from the sun that makes summer as appealing as it is. Not only does the sun give you excess vitamin D, but so does exercise. The more physical activity you partake in, the more vitamin D your body produces, thus decreasing levels of stress and anxiety. The summer climate also plays an important role in this production of vitamin D, since increased temperatures mean there is a greater chance of an individual running around and partaking in physical activity outdoors, like swimming. The summer season has a strong correlation between increased levels of vitamin D in the body, and thus greater well-being.   In addition to an increase in vitamin D during the summer days, there is also more time for physical activity. While many of us may instinctually want to rest and relax, it is incredibly important to ensure that we take some time for physical activity during the summer break as well, due to the numerous benefits it yields to our mental health. A recent meta-analysis of studies found that aerobic exercise prevents age-related deterioration in the hippocampus, which is the region of the brain that controls memory and learning. As we age, our hippocampus shrinks, thus decreasing our ability to remember and learn information. People who make time for aerobic exercises, such as running, hiking, or swimming, demonstrate a much slower rate of deterioration. This allows the hippocampus, and our memory and learning skills, to remain intact much longer than those who did not exercise. Making time for this sort of exercise is incredibly important in maintaining our brain health, and during the summer we have plenty of time to do so. The exercise required doesn’t have to be extreme, it could be anything from a bike ride to the store or a morning walk around your neighborhood. By increasing your physical activity during the summer break, you can easily improve your brain health and decrease the rate at which your hippocampus shrinks. Summer vacation also gives us the time to relax and take a break. As many scientists have already concluded, cell phone addictions are a prevalent problem in many people. We use our cell phones for nearly everything, and it is rare that we are found without our phones. Most of our population has a cell phone by the age of 12, and an even greater percentage has a phone by the age of 14. A 2015 study found that 63% of American university students had an evident cell phone addiction (Scheyer). Addictive behavior dysregulates the reward system of the brain. It leaves a lasting impact on both behavioral and emotional domains such as reward anticipation, judgements, and rational decision-making skills by altering the dopamine levels in the brain. An addiction to cell phones is correlated with loneliness, poor sleep, and chronic stress, which all lead to chronic inflammation in the brain. This increases the rate of neurodegeneration, decreases cognitive function, and causes issues such as chronic anxiety and depression. Vacation can allow us to disconnect from our cell phones, thus allowing us to recuperate from the stress induced by our always-connected lifestyle. Taking a break from our cell phones is incredibly important, as it will relieve the anxiety and stress that comes from always being on them. Breaking our constant connection to our cell phones during our summer vacation will allow us to relieve some of the depression and loneliness that results from our phones. This also helps us break our addiction to cell phones as well, allowing the effect on our behavioral and emotional domains to be lessened. Overall, summer break can help us in many ways. Increasing our levels of vitamin D intake, raising our levels of physical activity, and decreasing the amount of time spent on our cell phones will allow us to relax and limit our mental fatigue. This allows us to increase our brain health by decreasing the prevalence of mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. Scientific studies have found that taking a break such as summer results in decreases in the psychological measures of stress and depression, as well as improved brain health. However, while it is important for us to focus on improving our brain health, it is also important for us to focus on ourselves during this break. Ensure that you enjoy your time off so you can be refreshed and re-energized for the upcoming school year! Source: The Neuroscience of Summer Vacation - Maze Engineers (conductscience.com) 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 Feature Back to Sections An Interview With Ms. Sarmiento By Elyas Layachi Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image provided by Elyas Layachi *Message Elyas for text * BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Back to Sections Matteo Somma By Matteo Somma Volume 3 Issue 1