Back to Articles Editorial Back to Sections Numbers By Alain Deen Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Image provided by WNYC Numbers. An age-old concept, defined on Google as a “mathematical, object used to count, measure or label.” However, When I say “numbers”, I don’t literally mean 1, 2 or 75,496. Modern day has placed increasing emphasis on the value of numbers, whether through money, views, likes, or NFT’s. Specifically, I’m interested in giving my take on the presence of numbers on social media. Views, likes, comments, and even shares typically degrade the simplicity of social media, most prominently from the angle of a creator. As a social media creator with somewhat of a following myself, the numbers seem to plague social media to the extent where creating is no longer an art form, but rather a chore. I consider acting and filmmaking two of my strongest passions. However, it only beats pancake baking and burger flipping by a hair. Anyway, I have brought filmmaking and acting to a certain social media platform, allowing me to express myself to thousands of people around the world. Whether I spread awareness on current issues through a short film medium or produce captivating yet sometimes cheesy renditions of iconic scenes from movie and TV, I think it’s safe to say I enjoy what I do. This was of course until…the numbers rolled in. “50,000 views. Wow!” “200,000 views. HUH!?” “1 million views. Hey: where’s my limo?” In an instant, it all went right to my head. It was a lot to take in, especially due to my under-developed pre-frontal cortex. That feeling of impacting someone’s day is indescribable. On the surface it may not seem that deep, but when you think about it, anyone has the power to brighten someone’s else’s day. All it takes is some courage, passion, and I was producing the content I loved, while still gaining traction. Sweet! Until I wasn’t… “Dang. This video didn’t do well”. Says the kid with a large community of supporters, failing to recognize the sheer sense of community present. I no longer produced content for my supporters and for me, but rather a few pixels at the bottom left of the videos on my page. I lost that sense of community which gave me traction in the first place. Months and months of mindless content, with no thought or desire to impact someone’s day, but rather the app’s algorithm. This is what I like to call “Creators End-Game”. Do you see what I did there? Never mind. If I’m being honest, that was an awful pairing of words. My condolences to any Marvel fans. Anyway, I was producing content for the app’s algorithm. It was…miserable, to say the least. However, I had a stark realization a couple of weeks ago. What do numbers really mean? Nothing! Why worry about numbers when you have a large community of amazing people, sitting right in front of you? In my opinion, community is irreplaceable. Simply put, it’s a group of unified souls with the same interests and hobbies as one another. Even if that’s not the case, there is a sense of family present. Now that, my friend, no number can top. This concept doesn’t entirely apply to social media. Look outside! So many interesting souls, with unique stories. Remarkable. That realization has prompted a spike in my content. Not in numbers, but in passion and quality. I’m now producing content solely based on my desire to simply create. Although the numbers haven’t been as spectacular, the fun of creating greatly outweighs any possible number of viewers imaginable. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Science & Technology Back to Sections The Banana: Everything You Need to Know By Cody Sung Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Image provided by Time Magazine The banana. A yellow fruit with a lot more to it. It’s one of the many fruits that seem to be so simple but so healthy. This article will help you understand what’s in a banana, the pros and cons of bananas, and even why banana peels tend to be slippery. Bananas come in all sorts of varieties, from yellow, green to even red! They also come in a variety of sizes. However, one property remains the same: structure. Bananas are actually berries due to their structure, with an outer part, a fleshy middle, and an inner part containing the seeds. The fact that they are berries can also be attributed to the number of seeds (two or more), as well as their flower with one ovary. A medium-sized banana is 75% water, with 22.8 grams of carbs and 12.2 grams of sugar (important for later). As a banana ripens, lots of the starch it has is converted into sugar therefore leaving sugar as the main carb in the banana. Carbs in bananas enter your body slowly in contrast to other foods, which is good for one’s blood-sugar levels. Another advantage the banana has is its amount of resistant starch, in other words, starch that does not digest in your stomach. Instead, bacteria in your large intestine ferment the starch to form butyrate, which helps gut health. Bananas have some very good types of fiber in them. Bananas also have potassium, which helps heart health, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. There are even more beneficial properties in the banana. Bananas provide a lot of energy, enough for an intense hour-and-a-half workout. People with depression also felt much better after eating a banana, due to the presence of tryptophan. Tryptophan aids in producing serotonin, allowing for increased happiness levels. Furthermore, bananas are also a source of B6, a vitamin that regulates blood sugar levels. Not only that, bananas can also help you do better at school and on tests, and even help people quit smoking, and much more. Of course, no food is perfect. Bananas aren’t, either. Since bananas have a lot of starch and sugar, eating lots of them at a time can cause blood sugar levels to spike. Bananas are also naturally radioactive, but only slightly. You would have to consume a billion bananas at once to die of radiation. Overall, though, bananas are generally beneficial to your overall health. On the day of April filled with tricks, pranks, and jokes, the banana peel is widely used, primarily for tripping people. Now why does this work? Why are banana peels slippery? It’s quite simple, really. Polysaccharide molecules in the banana peel make the banana peel especially slippery compared to other peels of fruits. To recap, bananas are extremely good for your health, especially gut and heart health, and the peel can be used to trip someone. Bananas also are slightly radioactive, but not deadly. Bananas are a sugary fruit, but as with other fruits, they prove to be very healthy. (Link to the sources used: https://vschsdorg-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/sungc_vschsd_org/EYD5YdkM52NEoqISuO6K-u4BNhCOQwSiTIOMBSGb1myS_g?e=kxKhvC) BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Lights On for Education Back to Sections Kiss of an Angel By Gilana Etame April 22, 2021 Digital Art Volume 1 Issue 7

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections To Make No Decision is a Decision Annie Diep Volume 4 Issue 4 May 29, 2024 Image Provided by Elaine Ching There was once a puppy deserted on a barren island. The puppy was hungry and dehydrated after being stranded for so long. However, just when the puppy was beginning to lose hope, the puppy saw two crates in the near distance. One crate was filled to the brim with turkey legs and chicken wings, and the other, filled to the brim with fresh purified water. The puppy, both hungry and dehydrated, couldn’t decide between the two crates. The puppy thought if it went to the water crate, it would be able to satisfy its thirst; however, it would still be hungry, and if it went to the food crate, it would be able to satisfy its hunger; however, it would still be thirsty. There must be some way to obtain both of the crates at the same time. There must be! So, it pondered and pondered. The puppy thought and thought, until it couldn’t think anymore as it fell to the ground from starvation and thirst. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections What is bullying/cyberbullying? By Catherine Duong Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Image provided by Observatory of Educational Institution According to StopBullying.Gov Bullying/cyberbullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both the bully and victim may have serious, lasting problems. Bullying can be physical, i.e., hitting or kicking. It can also be verbal, i.e., taunting or threatening. Lastly, bullying can be social, like spreading personal or confidential information. Bullying can cause anxiety, and depression which leads to some victims of bullying avoiding school. Studies show that 1 in 5 kids are bullied, and 32% of students said they were victims of online harassment. Standing up to a bully can help you deal with their actions; however, you can also go to a trusted adult, and they can help you handle the situation. This short story is an example of one way to counteract bullying. When I was candle running1 at Daylight Prairie2, I saw a small group of sky players standing together at one of the corners of the map. I was curious and I flew to the small group, then lifted them up to see what they looked like. The small one has the appearance of a moth3, having a brown cape, default pants, and hair. The other two on the opposite side of the tiny moth seemed to be veteran players, wearing unique cosmetics4. I saw the veterans mocking the moth by copying the same emotes5 and then using a laugh emote to insult them. I could not hear what they said at once due to game mechanics which require a table for conversation. Once I realized what was happening, I created one so that we could speak, Once I could hear them, my suspicions were proven correct. I heard countless insults like: “You poor moth! Must be so broke that you don’t have any friends!” and “There is no way for you to get up to our level.” The moth was silent after their insult, but I knew the player behind the screen was upset. I had to act. This game was built to make friends, not tear each other down! “Hey, it’s not nice of you two to bully this player. They probably just started the game, and you are setting a bad example of how experienced players should act.” Once I typed and sent the message, I did the scolding emote and got my character to cross her arms to express how I felt. The two were quiet for a few seconds, looking at one another before texting back at my response. “Whatever. We were trying to help.” “Trying to help? You are insulting them!” After I finished my message, the two veterans abruptly left. Silently, the moth left soon after. Sadly, I never had the chance to give them advice, but hopefully stopping those bullies made the new players experience just a little bit better! Keywords: Candle Running – a process to collect wax from candles placed all around the realms Daylight Prairie – The second realm in Sky: CotL; known to be the most sociable realm between players Moth – A name given to inexperienced players on Sky: Children of the Light (CotL); wearing default cosmetics provided at the start of the game. Cosmetics – clothing and accessories that bought with candles and hearts from traveling spirits (TS) and spirits to customize your looks for your character Emotes – to express to another player with a click of a button a specific action/emotion BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Breaking Down the Oxford High School Shooting By Sahar Ali Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Fox 2 Detroit MICHIGAN- On November 30th, 2021, a 15-year-old student identified as Ethan Crumbley opened fire at Oxford High School, killing four students and leaving several others critically injured. Prosecutors started filing involuntary manslaughter charges against James and Jennifer, Ethan Crumbley’s parents, on December 3rd, 2021. The event that occurred on November 30th was a tragedy. Events That Occurred at the School At 12:51 p.m., authorities received one of the first of over a hundred 911 calls regarding the shooting. After viewing the security footage from November 30th, the authorities stated that the suspect, Ethan Crumbley, came out of a bathroom and opened fire at students present in the hallway. As the first gunshots were heard by the students at Oxford High School, they immediately rushed for cover and barricaded themselves behind classroom doors using chairs. Authorities stated that within the first five minutes, eleven people had been shot. With the handgun, Crumbley fired about thirty shots before he was detained by the police in the school’s hallway. For many hours, investigators looked over the school’s security cameras to track the suspect’s actions. From this security footage, Crumbley’s targets seemed random and the motive to open fire at the school has not yet been determined. The Victims Ethan Crumbley’s actions took the lives of four students: Hana St. Juliana (14), Madisyn Baldwin (17), Tate Myre (16), and Justin Shilling (17). Hana, Madisyn, and Tate all died in a sheriff’s car while being transported to a hospital; Justin died in a hospital the next day. Hana St. Juliana played on Oxford High School’s volleyball and basketball teams. Madisyn Baldwin was a “beautiful, smart, sweet loving girl,” as described by her grandmother. She was also considered a talented artist. Tate Myre was a linebacker and a tight end of Oxford High School’s football team. He had also received an All-Region award recently. Justin Shilling was on Oxford High School’s boys bowling team. Officials also state that six students (ranging from ages 14-17) were injured and a bullet grazed a 47-year-old teacher. The Suspect The suspect, Ethan Crumbley, a sophomore at Oxford, lives in Oxford Village, a suburb with fewer than 3,500 residents. On the morning of November 30th, the day of the shooting, Crumbley’s parents were called into the high school after one of his teachers discovered a note drawn by him which caused the teacher alarm. The note contained images of a gun with a person who had been shot and a laughing emoji. The note also said the words, “Blood everywhere” and “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me.” A meeting was also held a day before the shooting took place as a teacher saw Crumbley searching online for gun ammunition during class. Furthermore, investigators found two videos from Crumbley’s cellphone that were made the night before the shooting. In these videos, Ethan Crumbley talked about shooting and killing the students at his high school the next day. Authorities also state that a journal in Crumbley’s backpack was found where he wrote about his desire to “shoot up the school.” Ethan Crumbley’s lawyer has entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf. The authorities are still investigating this case and have stated that they believe Ethan Crumbley had planned the shooting alone. Charges Against the Suspect Ethan Crumbley was charged as an adult with one count of terrorism causing death. He was also charged with four counts of first-degree murder. If convicted, he will receive a life sentence. Prosecutors state that Crumbley’s plan was premeditated, and his parents were also charged. Why the Parents Were Charged The handgun that was used by Ethan Crumbley during the shooting (a 9-millimeter Sig Sauer) was bought by his father, James Crumbley, four days before the shooting. Jennifer, Ethan Crumbley’s mother, stated on social media that the weapon was her son’s “Christmas present.” The prosecutor, Karen D. McDonald, charged James and Jennifer Crumbley with involuntary manslaughter; Ms. McDonald believes that the parents could have prevented the shooting from occurring. When the school informed Mrs. Crumbley that her son had been searching for ammunition, she texted, “LOL, I’m not mad at you. You have to learn not to get caught” to Ethan. Ms. McDonald states that school officials told Crumbley’s parents that they were required to find counseling for their son, but his parents did not want their son to be taken out of school. The school also did not ask if he had the gun nor searched through his backpack that he had brought to the office. After Crumbley’s parents did not show up for their arraignment, they became the subject of a major fugitive hunt. After being found in Detroit, both parents were taken into custody and are being held in the same jail facility with their son in Oakland County, Michigan. Each of the three family members is being kept in isolation. Consequences the School is Facing Oxford High School’s response to Ethan Crumbley’s behavior is being studied closely - especially the decision of the guidance counselors who sent Crumbley back to class after a teacher discovered his alarming drawings. His personal belongings were not searched either. On December 9th, the parents of two sisters who survived the shooting filed a lawsuit in a federal court against the school and its officials, which included the superintendent, principal, dean, two guidance counselors, and two teachers. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Holiday Baking By Carolina Figueroa Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 Image provided by American Heritage Cooking It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The smells, tastes, and the merriment of holiday baking always adds to the joyous festivities of the season. Baking festive cookies, spiced fruitcakes, decorated bars, gingerbread loaves, meringue swirls and themed iced cupcakes are just some of the delicious flavors that make the holidays even sweeter! Baking with family and friends creates wonderful lifelong memories that will last throughout the years. While baking, you can also make the event extra special by playing holiday music, wearing festive aprons, drinking eggnog or hot chocolate, singing, and spending quality time with your family and friends. My favorite holiday baking standout is making Linzer cookies with my Grandma. Here is the recipe we use for these delicious buttery, confectioners’ sugar-dusted, jam-packed cookies that are a big hit every year. You won’t be disappointed, as you and your family should celebrate the holidays while having some annual traditional baking fun! Linzer Cookie Ingredients : 9 oz. sifted flour (250g) 4 ½ oz. sugar (125g) 6 ½ oz. butter (185g) – cut into small pieces 4 egg yolks 1 tsp vanilla extract Directions: Knead all ingredients quickly onto a wooden board to make a firm cookie dough. Put dough into a plastic bag and chill dough in refrigerator for 1 hour. Take out of refrigerator. Roll dough out with a rolling pin onto lightly floured wooden board. Use a large round cookie cutter to make 24 whole round cookies and also 24 large round cookies with a small thimble circle cut out in the center. Bake in the oven on center rack for 11-12 minutes at a temperature of 350 F (180 C). Cool on wire rack. Once completely cooled, spread seedless red raspberry jam (we use Smucker’s brand) onto the whole round cookies. Use confectioner’s sugar to dust round cookies with thimble circle cut out in the center. Place dusted round cookie on top of whole round cookie with the jam to finish. Store cookies in a tin box. Enjoy! We naturally find comfort in indulgent baked goods that allow us to relive and recreate fond memories with our family and friends in the form of certain flavors and ingredients. It’s these holiday baking aromas and tastes that always bring us back home again! Happy Baking! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Ms. Santomauro Interview By Rachel Ezeadichie Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by Wikimedia Ms. Santomauro was a leave replacement English teacher here at North for the first marking period, filling in for Ms. O’Donohue. On her last day, I had the amazing opportunity to interview her about her experience at North High School. How has your time at North been? “My time at North has been absolutely wonderful. I’ve had amazing students and classes. All of my colleagues helped me every step of the way.” If you had a chance, would you continue to work at North High School? “Absolutely, I loved my time here.” What was your favorite thing to teach? “Each of the classes does something different. For the 8A’s I loved The Outsiders . I loved discussing “Stay gold,” because it thinks it’s relevant to your (8A’s) lives. 11AP: I loved doing argument because we debated all the time, and everyone got to share their ideas on controversial or just funny topics. Seniors: I loved doing college essays with the seniors because I got to know them really well.” Why did you become a teacher? “I became a teacher because I think the best gift you can give someone is knowledge and because as a student, my teachers made school a very good experience, and I wanted to give that to the future generation.” What about North High School made you want to teach here? “I really love the community aspect of North. Every teacher and every student is involved in something within the school and the community, which I really love. When I went to high school, I was very involved with the community and the high school, so that was something that I really liked about North. The opportunities for the staff to get involved in activities with the students is something that really drew me in.” As of your departure from North High School, what is something you learned while teaching here? “ I learned to always follow my gut no matter what it is...that I was trained to do this, and I know what I’m doing and to follow my gut. To always have the hard conversations; even though they may be hard, they are important. I learned to always make sure to value my students as people rather than just students because they are people outside of the classroom, and we need to acknowledge that and understand that in order to give them a well-rounded education.” What is something that you’re going to miss about North High School? “I am definitely going to miss my students and my coworkers. Every day was great because of the people I was surrounded with. Teaching is nothing without the people around you, and that’s what makes it such a great job especially if you’re a people person, so I will miss all the people I have worked with.” What advice would you give other teachers who come to or work at North? “My advice would be to get as involved as possible. We have very long days, and we do a lot of work, but taking that extra time to build relationships within the school and the community and with the students is really important. Showing people that you care about the people you work with, the students you work with, and the place you work in really helps build relationships and gets you more involved to make you a better teacher and a better colleague.” What advice would you give to students at North High School? “My advice to students would be to always keep up with the reading because when you fall behind, it gets really hard. And to be honest and open with your teachers. If you are struggling with something, you should be honest. If you could not complete homework because you had work or you had a personal issue going on, honesty is the best policy. Your teachers are very understanding. We are also people, and we understand that we all have personal lives, so it's always best to be as honest as possible and as honest as you are comfortable with being, so that we can help you in any way that you need.” Ms. Santomauro’s final goodbye to her students : “I am so very lucky to have had all of you in our classes and as a first-year teacher, you were a true blessing. You made me feel very comfortable and very at home in the classroom and I will always cherish all of the memories and relationships we built together as a class. Remember to always do your work!” Ms. Santomauro was a beloved teacher and member of North High School. She made students feel safe and comfortable with learning in the new class environment. We are glad and thankful that we were able to experience her first year of teaching with her. We hope that she excels in her teaching career far past North. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Welcome Back: A Short Guide to the Beginning of the Year at North By Ala Paruch Volume 2 Issue 1 October 8, 2021 Original photography by Alicja Paruch Welcome back North Star Readers! I hope you all had a relaxing summer and a promising beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. With the world, including schools, starting up again, I hope I will help you all accommodate and enjoy it as much as possible! Similar to last year, feel free to send me all of your questions, school or non-school-related, and I will try to help you to the best of my abilities. To kick off a new year, I would like to introduce you to some of the electives and clubs that our school has to offer. Starting with departmental electives, I recommend Drawing and Painting from the Art Department. It can help you get to know yourself better and develop your art skills. Additionally, from the math department, AP Statistics is an excellent choice. Besides changing students’ perspectives on mathematics and the world around them, it teaches valuable skills for adult life. Women’s History , taught by Social Studies Department Chair Ms. Parisi herself, teaches students about the systemic biases towards women in history and the present, making them more self-aware. And lastly, if you have any previous experience in Band , Orchestra, or Chorus , consider joining them again here at VSN. They are great for bringing students closer to the music world and appreciating all types of music. After attending the Club Fair, I can recommend a few of VSN’s clubs as well. Firstly, Senior High Student Council , for grades 10-12, and Junior High Student Council , for grades 7-9, and individual grade councils serve essential roles in moving the school and your grades and leadership skills forward. You can help organize school events and get to know your schoolmates. The Alliance , the school’s club for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, is also worth joining for diversity, social activism, and fun. Currently, they are preparing for National Coming Out Day, so if you would like to help them, feel free to join! Last but not least, with no bias whatsoever, North Star! North Star , the club in charge of the magazine you are reading right now, brings the North community closer. You can submit an article to us and become a member anytime you would like! Of course, there are many more electives and many more clubs. If you want to find out more about them, contact your guidance counselors or ask your friends who made it to the Club Fair. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Have a great school year, everyone! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections North's Drama Club Rachel Ezeadichie Volume 6 Issue 3 Image Provided by Anya Hixon It was that time of year again! Back in January, Valley Stream North’s Drama Club was preparing to perform their annual spring musical. This year’s performance, Mean Girls , is a popular, preppy musical about life in the satirized high school, North Shore High. Cady Heron (Delaney Dusel), a transfer student from Kenya, learns to navigate her new school and social life with the help of outcasts, Janis and Damien (Rachel Ezeadichie and Justin Levine). When she meets the socialite, popular girl group, “The Plastics,” Cady and her friends plan to infiltrate the group, take down its leader, Regina George (Samantha Salnave), and date Cady’s new Calculus crush, Aaron Samuels (Daniel Mejivar). Spartans prepared to witness the social drama, personal turmoil, and complicated love triangles of North Shore High. This performance was directed by North’s beloved English Chair, Lori Belbol, along with music director Mario Mannarino. The Drama Club was so excited to perform on April 17 th and 18 th . This year’s Fall play, The Suffragette’s Murder , continued the club’s trend of period pieces, taking place in July 1857, although it is a comedy rather than a drama. The Suffragette’s Murder takes place in the Mayhew Boarding House on New York’s Lower East Side. Mr. and Mrs. Mayhew (Daniel Menjivar and Lia Frederique) prepare for a suffragist’s meeting under the guise of hosting a séance with the help of Mr. Jennings (Justin Levine), an eccentric, Black inventor, old-fashioned and grumpy Mr. Albright (Isabella Reichbach) and Mrs. Adams (Samantha Salnave) and Miss Adams (Shea Flannelly and Delaney Dusel), two quirky, southern belles who recently moved to New York due to Miss Adams unwed pregnancy. Their hard work is interrupted by a surprise visit from the Constable (Rachel Ezeadichie), who, along with news of the dead Lauralee Hart (Shea Flannelly and Delaney Dusel), is set on uncovering the secret suffragist plot at Mayhew Manor. Hilarious hijinks ensue when, while conducting a séance to trick the Constable, Lauralee Hart appears to come back from the dead! If you missed the chance to watch this amazing show in person, the matinee performance was recorded and posted on YouTube. Directed by Anya Hixson and Chris Toffolo, this play was an absolute riot to watch and perform. Read about the experience of our beloved Ms. Adams below: Interview w/ Shea Flannelly How do you feel about the current state of production (and drama)? “I feel like the current state of productions are going very smoothly, especially with the new leadership of Mr. Toffolo for Suffragette’s . Things are going exceedingly well considering the circumstances. Everyone is doing their part to make this a great production. We have such a great community of people.” What is your favorite thing about playing with Ms. Adams? “My favorite thing is the southern accent! And playing with someone who is a bit ditzy because I get to channel a different side of myself. I was nervous about doing a southern accent at first, but now it has become one of my favorite parts of playing her.” If you were to give one message out to the cast and crew, what would it be? “Stay silly. I think the way that the cast works is that we all know each other, and we would not have as much chemistry on stage without silliness or without rehearsal. That takes a little bit longer because Lia F. is making everybody laugh. Having fun is such an integral part of the experience. If we all felt indifferent about each other, the Drama Club would not be Drama Club.” BACK TO TOP