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 Entertainment & Media Back to Sections First Song Recommendations of the Issue By Logan Balsan Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Image provided by MacNews Hello, Entertainment section! I’m Logan Balsan, with a new idea for a running article in this section: song recommendations. I am a member of both North’s Band and Orchestra, and I love playing and listening to several music genres, from classical music to the modern day. I am sure you can add a new song to your workout playlist or to your casual listening playlist from this list. I will be writing in each issue of the North Star until June, so each article will have five songs that I personally recommend. Song #1- I first started listening to this song when a friend recommended it to me. One of the most popular Beach Boys hits, whether you are actually on the beach, or longing for summer to come, this song can fill that void. With the catchy and groovy guitar riff played multiple times throughout the song, you can totally feel the beat and sing along to this song. This is also on the Varsity Boys Volleyball Warmup Playlist. Song #2- This is personally one of the songs I listen to while I drive to and from school. The drum set and the guitar riffs in the beginning set the tone for the rest of the song. First introduced to this song over the summer of 2020, I have grown to enjoy several of E.L.O’s songs, and “Don’t Bring Me Down” my favorite. I sing along whenever it comes on, and it’s even on my workout playlist. Song #3- I started listening to this song almost two weeks ago, and I mainly do so while working out as well as on my car playlist. This song motivates me and helps me raise my mindset whether it be prior to a volleyball game or the end of a workout set. This is also on the Varsity Boys Volleyball Warmup Playlist. Song #4- I first heard this song on Channel 25, aka Classic Rewind, on the radio as my family and I were travelling home from a trip to Pennsylvania in February. I listen to this song more when I’m winding down or ending a long day at school or work. The acoustic guitar is not as intense or heavy as the electric guitars in both “I Get Around” and “Don’t Bring Me Down,” and is therefore more soothing and comforting. Sometimes I listen to this on my way home from school or work when I want to relax and unwind. Song #5- Any fellow fans of country rock? This isn’t Johnny Cash, but it’s one of my favorites that I sing along to often in the car. The profound use (and battle of) of violins bring out the old country style in this song. If you like country rock and haven’t heard of this song, I highly recommend you check this out! Alright, folks. That’s a wrap for my first song recommendation article. See you next issue! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Ask Ala: Friends By Ala Paruch Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Image provided by Infared Q. Dear Ala, I am in seventh grade and I don't have many friends. I had a lot of friends in elementary school, but most of them went to Memorial. That on top of Covid-19 is making it difficult for me to talk to the ones that are in North. It is hard for me to socialize because we have to wear masks and socially distance. Do you have any advice to help me make new friends? Sincerely, “Too” Socially Distant A. Hello and thank you for the question! Making friends in this new environment is definitely something we have to get used to. Firstly, I would advise you to try to still talk to your friends that went to Memorial. You already have a connection, and it would be a shame to just let that go without trying. To make new friends at North, I would join some clubs that interest you, and don’t be afraid to reach out to the people who attend them. You can check out the Virtual Club Fair channel on the North High School Team and see what clubs you might like. Hope this helps! Q. Dear Ala, My friend and I are starting to fight a lot more often, and it usually ends with us not talking to each other for a while. I always try to avoid arguing, but sometimes we just start to disagree, and disagreeing turns into arguing, and arguing turns into not talking to each other for days on end. How do I avoid fights with my friend so that we don't engage in passive-aggressive bickering almost every day? From, Arguing Friend A. Hello and thank you for the question! It seems to me that you and your friend have to realize having different opinions is not bad thing. Everyone has different viewpoints on situations and topics, and disagreeing is inevitable. Additionally, when you realize that the “disagreeing” is turning into “arguing,” that might be a good point to take a moment for yourself and calm down. Taking time to sort things out is also not bad, it is actually crucial. Keeping up a relationship, any type, requires work and patience such as talking things out and taking time for yourself. If you are not in the right space, keeping up a friendship is off the list. Hope this helps and good luck! Q. Dear Ala, I'm angry at one of my friends, but I don't know how to let her know. I've tried giving her subtle hints, but she either doesn't notice or doesn't care. Since she can be sensitive sometimes, I'm afraid that if I tell her, she'll take it too much to heart. I just really don't want to ruin the friendship. Thanks for your help, Sensitive Friend A. Hello and thank you for the question! The best option would be to just confront her about it. Be straightforward with what is bothering you. If the matter is important to you, it will also be important to her. I’m glad you are trying to look out for her and consider the fact that she is sensitive. However, after this much effort, you can’t keep sacrificing your emotions for her. This will be a little bit of a wakeup call for her to pay closer attention to what you are trying to tell her in the future. Good luck! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections The Vice President's House By Cody Sung Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Image provided by Wikipedia Have you ever wondered where the vice president of the United States lives during his/her time in office? Personally, I always believed that the vice president lived with the president back in the White House. But that is not the case. Instead, the Vice President resides in Northwestern Washington D.C., at the address of Number One Observatory Circle. First, we need a little bit of context. The house in question was built in 1893 on the grounds of the United States Naval Observatory, a government organization which provides information on positioning, navigation, and timing for the United States Navy and Department of Defense. The organization also performs research operations, and much more. Originally, the house was built for the superintendent of the organization. However, in 1923, the chief of naval operations removed the superintendent due to his fondness for the house. He then moved in himself. Prior to 1974, vice presidents and their families lived in their own private homes, but since the cost of securing those homes steadily increased, Congress agreed to tidy up the house and make it the vice president’s residence in 1974. Interestingly enough, no vice president lived there for three years. Gerald Ford was president before he used the home, and Nelson Rockefeller (Ford’s Vice President) used it for entertainment purposes only. Walter Mondale, Jimmy Carter’s vice president, was the first to use the home in 1977. Since then, George H.W. Bush, Dan Quayle, Al Gore, Dick Cheney, and Joe Biden have all lived in the home. Currently, Mike and Karen Pence reside in the house. So, what is it like in this home? The rooms, besides what you would normally see in a home, include a reception hall, garden room, a master suite, a study, and a sitting room. There are also new additions to the home with each vice president. For example, George H.W. Bush installed a horseshoe pit on the house grounds when he was vice president. Dan Quayle also made additions, such as a swimming pool and an exercise room. Karen Pence has added beehives to the grounds. Overall, at least at first sight, the house is fancy, but not as fancy as the famed White House. Unfortunately, there are no tours offered of the house, as it’s hidden from the street. Although not as famed as the White house, the vice president’s quarters has its fair share of events. The vice president usually uses the house to host important figures, such as politicians and world leaders. For example, Joe Biden hosted Enda Kenny, Ireland’s former prime minister for St. Patrick’s Day. Number One Observatory Circle also gets decorated for Christmas, including a Christmas tree and general Christmas decorations. The Pence family have also decorated for Halloween and have greeted trick-or-treaters. There are also general events and parties, such as the Pence family hosting an annual pool party for veterans. Number One Observatory Circle is quite the house, constantly shaped by new residents moving in every 4-8 years. Just 2.5 miles from the White House, Jill Biden has said that the house provides a contrast from the nature of Washington life. Just like lots of other homes in America, decorations pop up there for Christmas, and events and parties are regularly held. So, the next time you ever wonder where the vice president resides, just think of the quiet home on the site of a government observatory. With that said, let’s welcome Kamala Harris and her husband, the second gentleman, Doug Emhoff to Number One Observatory Circle. Harris will be the first female Vice President, as well as the first African American and South Asian. As for her husband, Emhoff will be the first second gentleman in the history of the United States. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections Adelphi Press Day By Elaine Ching Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Image provided by North Student On February 17th, the staff of North High School’s School News and Literary Magazine, North Star and POLARIS, went to Adelphi University in Garden City to participate in Adelphi’s Press Day, an event in which school newspapers from all over Long Island and beyond gather to work with college professors, collaborate in workshops, and learn how to better their journalistic skills. North students got to dive into the topic of newspapers moving from print to online, the theme of this year’s Adelphi Press Day. Starting off the event, students were sat in the Ruth S. Harley University center. They listened to guest speaker, Chris Corry, a renowned and experienced journalist. Along with other speakers were the Editor In Chief and faculty advisor from Lynbrook High School’s award-winning newspaper, The Horizon . Speakers shared their experiences with the press to further inspire student journalists. After a Q&A with the panel of speakers, students were sent off to participate in two workshops of their choice. For their first workshop, North students participated in #AUPressDay Photo Challenge with Chris Corry , in which students got to learn some fundamentals of photography such as the rule of thirds. In addition, they were taught how to take the best photos, just by using cameras available to them, their cellphone cameras. Students went around campus taking photos and then later reviewed them with other students. For their second workshop, the North Star staff split into two groups. One group going to Finding Ideas: From the News Pages to the Book workshop with Paul Thaler, a professor at Adelphi, where they were discussed how to best use their journalistic skills in order to write for the newspaper and to further improve their writing skills. The other group went to the Share Your Online Successes/ Missteps , where they collaborated with other students in order to discuss their newspaper’s online presence. Due to North Star being an online-only publication , North Star staff took the opportunity to display their website for the other schools. After both workshops, students were provided with lunch by Adelphi and got to watch the Quill Awards, an Awards ceremony where Adelphi chooses school newspaper schools to be honored with wins in categories such as “Best Layout”, a prize North Star has taken home in the past. News Editor, Everton Prospere, shows the North Star website to other students along with Shinedip Kundlas, Editor in Chief, Kimberly Shrestha, Art Editor, and Christina Ossa, Feature Editor. (Names listed from right to left). Entertainment and Media Editor, Alain Deen, takes a photo of Elyas Layachi, Managing Editor, taking a photo of Everton Prospere, News Editor, during the # AUPressDay Photo Challenge workshop. Photo taken by Augustine Magapan, North Star staff. Manal Layachi, North Star staff, Elaine Ching, Social Media Manager, Navrosedip Kundlas, POLARIS Editor, and Kimberly Shrestha, Art Editor in the Ruth S. Harley University center. (Names listed from left to right) Photo taken by Shinedip Kundlas, Editor in Chief. North Star staff members, Nora Chery, Rachel Ezeadichie, and Manal Layachi in the Ruth S. Harley University center waiting for the event to start. (Names listed from left to right). BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Without Her Face 2 By Nora Chery Volume 2 Issue 1 October 8, 2021 Image provided by National Park Service (Note from the author: If you want to read the previous chapter, click here: https://www.vsnorthstar.com/articles/without-her-face ) Chapter Two: Secretly, beneath his easygoing nature and simple philosophies, he pat himself on the back. He prided himself on being the only kid his age with any common sense. Most teenagers in Snow Valley Square were below him. He thought of himself as a god. However, his dose of reality soon hit him like a bullet piercing between the eye and brain. Who would have thought that leaning, applying your 130-pound weight on a rotten, weak part of a wooden fence, would cause it to snap? Sending you, headfirst, down the tip of a hill. Barreling you towards a dark sea of trees, in the middle of the night. In the town of Snow Valley Square, in the forest below the hills, resided our false god. He was flat on his back, lying on damp, dark green leaves, and the murky shores of a muddy pond. His right leg was snapped and twisted like a twirled mop. With rose leaves as stickers on his face, and grass as hairpins, he bawled for help up the hill, hoping someone could hear him. No one did. Up there, the residents were religious. They had to sleep early, as they had church tomorrow. The boy mewled. His broken leg gave waves of pain, warning him not to move or else. Like a needle to an open wound, sobbed the boy from inside. The wave of nausea wasn’t a pleasant gift either. Oak and spruce trees were the only living things around to hear his shallow breathing. His tears joined the pond under him. He called out once more; the houses above responded by looming before him like a dead streetlamp a someone forgot to light. But just then, a hem of a cheap lemon-colored summer dress approached him from his right, followed by a pair of rawboned legs. When the boy looked up, he felt his eyes burn, swearing they’d cry out blood, as he saw the face of the hideous, gaunt creature. He could’ve sworn he saw his short life flash before him as the humanoid demon reached down towards him. Its pale, spindly fingers extended, and the claws came closer and... --- Two fingers, a pointer and thumb, adorned with blue polish, came down to pinch at Mr. Blue’s right cheek. The sudden action made him gurgle on his spit, but his eyes remained shut. Drool peeked out of the left corner of his mouth. The fingers, still clasping on, gave a couple good yanks on the skin. It was strong enough to trigger his eyes to snap open. His sleepy body bobbed alive; he inhaled as he straightened up on his seat. He drifted his eyes to the fingers, then up at Mrs. Blue, whom they belong to. They were the only ones on the bus. The other couple was still distracted with each other and missed the bus when the married pair had boarded. Mr. and Mrs. Blue sat on their green seats as the white lights shined. The sleeve of Mrs. Blue’s frock intertwined with Mr. Blue’s parka. She leaned on his shoulder, peering up at him, “Our stop is next. I would’ve used a much gentler approach to wake you—If you weren’t such a deep sleeper,” Mrs. Blue said. Mr. Blue hummed in response; his drowsy eyes stared at his right leg contained within his yellow cargo pants, solid and healthy. “Thanks,” he mumbled, smiling softly, still looking at his leg. “You had another dream, Mike?” asked Mrs. Blue. “Yeah, about a monster this time. It was gaunt and ugly,” jested Mr. Blue. “Again!? I’d protect you from those if I could.” “Thanks, Sophia. You’re a sweetheart when you don’t have venom.” BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections My Thanksgiving Family Traditions By Ismaela Andre Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Image provided by DOGO News Thanksgiving is a meaningful holiday for my family and me. We have many traditions. One is to eat dinner with each other. We all sit in the dining room and enjoy the delicious homemade food. Another family tradition is to give thanks. Before we eat the food, we sit down and go around the table to say what we're thankful for. I love sharing what I am grateful for every year, and most times, what I am thankful for does not change. Our last tradition is pie. Every year we get multiple pies like pecan, apple, shoefly -- a Pennsylvanian pie that is made with mostly molasses and sugar -- pumpkin, and many others. It is like a pie buffet! I love all our Thanksgiving family traditions; however, this year is going to be totally different. This year, my birthday is the same day as Thanksgiving! I am so excited and can't wait to celebrate it. My birthday is always near Thanksgiving, so I am extra excited for this year. One thing I look forward to the most this year is to continue our family traditions. I hope you and your families enjoy the holidays and create some traditions for yourself as well! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Eternal Love Nathaly Zavala Volume 6 Issue 3 June 8, 2026 Image Provided by Unsplash In the realm of love’s cruel game That love that actually makes us insane Is an impossible love, a cruel twist of fate This love that in this time, came late As they were dancing in the storm During the moon’s soft glow This love that was supposed to grow Actually just got destroyed instead of reformed A haunting presence, that does not hide But can’t shake the feeling deep inside That ghost that fights back In the shadows, there resides Here yearning for a love that cannot be Here we are trapped in this eternity that just gave us insanity I hold unto the echoes of your laugh A love that got complicated In the shadows of my mind I still hear your name My soul just told me that you’re still present in this day I remember this crazy night that just whispers by my side Telling me that our love is still alive So I carry this pain-love that does not load Missing you, loving you in this lonely road We all know loving you is a lost trend, a dead end But my heart refuses to let you go, knowing This is our eternal love BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Back to Sections Juliana Silva By Juliana Silva Volume 3 Issue 1

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Quarantine Feelings By Cody Sung Volume 1 Issue 3 December 16, 2020 Image provided by Getty Images In this quarantine I have so many emotions One for boredom One for tiredness One for sadness. I am like a cake mix All the ingredients Of emotions Are mixed into me And then baked In the oven Of social distancing. But yet still I see hope Up ahead Down the road Of quarantine. Our actions are right Our feelings are just And We have hope inside As we know We are defeating a beast. BACK TO TOP