Back to Articles News Back to Sections Farewell, Mrs. Byrne! By Jeselys Vazquez Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Original photography by VSN Mrs. Byrne has worked at North High School since 1988, an astounding 34 years. That is a pretty long time, but now it is her time to retire and fulfill her life with everything she has planned to do and accomplish. Throughout her time at North, she has made so many memories, not being able to pick a favorite! For her time she has been here and made friends whom she considers family. Her most memorable moments are students who have become teachers, businesspeople, and nurses. It has been a blessing to her to have had students’ parents as her students. In her time, she has advised SADD and changed so many lives for the better. The daily interactions with her students and getting to know them as people have always been unique to her in understanding their type of person. She said her time here at North has been such a blast and roller coaster; however, what she is most looking forward to in retirement is spending time with her granddaughter, looking into becoming a life coach, doing some relaxation, and reading more. The age group she enjoys working with is 10-12 because that’s when teens start becoming young adults, mature and grow within their knowledge. Fun fact, her favorite subjects are Social Studies and English. She believes they both tell a story and spring so many different discussions about ideas/beliefs you may have about it. Funny memories she has are of Ms. Bobe and herself being the moms of Mr. Achatz and him playing tricks on them as a little kid would. Next year in April, she plans to visit two parts of Italy: Tuscany and Sicily. She would not change her career choice for anything; she loves what she does and enjoys having a part in students’ futures and leaving an impact on them. I have chatted with Ms. Bobe, Ms. Mansfield, Ms. Bombardier, Ms. Lopez, and one of her SADD club members, Everton Prospere. They have all kindly shared their thoughts, moments they have shared with her, and the impacts she has left on them. People have said they will miss her most because of her positivity: how she has a big heart, kindness, selflessness, dedication to her work, and how she helps her students. She is just beyond words incredible and has an outshining personality. Everything she does always leads to success in helping her students who struggle to achieve their goals and succeed. Teachers and students have made unforgettable memories with her, filled with love and laughter. They have noted her energy, positivity, enthusiasm, love, and care towards her students, effort, and power to push through any circumstances. Many people, including myself, have been impacted tremendously by her in so many beautiful ways. We will miss you so much, Mrs. Byrne! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Perspective Back to Sections Cianna Nadal - Perspective By Cianna Nadal December 16, 2020 Digital Art Volume 1 Issue 3

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Dalip Singh Saund | Asian American Pacific Islanders Heritage Month By Shinedip Kundlas Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by Heritageseries.us Born in Amritsar, Punjab, Dalip Singh Saund became the first Sikh member of Congress and the first Asian American member of Congress. His commitment to his southern California district and its farmers was unwavering. He was also a county judge. His backstory of being born in India, a naturalized US citizen, and a successful businessman propelled him to the global stage. Saund became one of the most engaging politicians during the height of the Cold War while serving in the House of Representatives. Saund’s belief that American democracy holds promise was not shaken despite the many discriminations he faced when living in the United States. On September 20, 1899, Dalip Singh was born and raised in the village Chhajjal Waddi in Punjab, India. His father worked as a construction contractor for the British-Indian government. The Saund family had lived through the period of British colonialism, where Saund’s parents didn’t attend school. Despite this, education was a keystone of Saund’s life. Though he came from an uneducated family, the Saund family was known for their conscientious and successful work with a background of Sikh reformism and activism. Through the active Sikh reformism and activism in his family, Saund learned the basis of activism. During his college years at the University of Punjab, Saund supported the independence movement in India. He graduated with a BS degree in 1919 and went on to further his education in America. Saund intended to learn the fruit-canning business in America for a few years. On September 27, 1920, after traveling from Bombay to England and then to England, he arrived at Ellis Island, New York. While in the US, he earned his MA and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics in 1924. Due to his race, Saund could not find a teaching job and started farming in California. To circumvent a California law that prevented Asians from owning land, he got a friend to sign the deed on his behalf. In 1930, Saund was commissioned by the Khalsa Diwan Society to write “My Mother India”, a book supporting the Independence movement in India. His books highlighted the political and cultural problems in India. Saund closely studied the issues of the 1924 and 1928 presidential elections during his stay in California. After witnessing the struggles of the American people during the Great Depression while he was a farmer, he became a supporter of the New Deal. During the 1930s, Saund actively advocated for Indians to become citizen Americans, which Congress approved in 1946. A couple of years later, Saund became an American citizen and ran for a judgeship the following year. He was elected even amid constant racism-a reporter once asked him whether “turbans would be provided to all those who entered his court”. In 1956, Dalip Singh Saund ran for his local district’s open congressional seat as a Democrat and won the election against Jacqueline Cochran (R-). Saund served three terms in Congress. His support marked his service for civil rights legislation, small farmers, and efforts to improve relations between Mexico, the US, and India. Dalip Singh Saund has continued to inspire generations of Asian and Sikh Americans with his contributions and dedication to the American people. Dalip Singh Saund died on April 22, 1973. “Everyone though I had no chance… But I had faith in the American sense of justice and fair play .”- Dalip Singh Saund Sources 1.) https://history.house.gov/People/Detail/21228 2.) https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2008/12/19/breaking-barriers-congressman-dalip-singh-saund/ 3.) https://www.smc.edu/administration/governance/academicsenate/committees/documents/sabbaticals/HariFellowshipProposal.pdf BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Stress Relief By Samantha Alteri Volume 1 Issue 1 November 1, 2020 Image provided by MotivationGrid Stress is a normal emotion that humans feel throughout their lives. Examples of current stressors in our lives include the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming presidential election. The list below includes 4 stress management techniques that may help alleviate stress or anxiety in your life! Listen to music: Listening to music relaxes and calms the body. Classical music, for example, lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones. Exercise: Even a simple exercise, such as yoga, reduces stress levels and improves sleep quality. Exercising also releases endorphins, natural hormones in your body that improve your mood. Spend time with friends or family: Spending time with those who love and care for you may reduce your stress levels. Spending time with friends and family releases oxytocin, a natural stress-relieving hormone in our bodies. Laugh! Watch a funny movie or TV show! Laughing releases tension in our bodies because it relaxes our muscles. Laughter may also improve your mood, as you may feel happier and less stressed after laughing. “Push” your shoulders down: Most of the time, we don’t realize our shoulders are trying to meet our ears. Lower them, then smile (even if you don’t feel like smiling). This will trick your body into feeling happier and more relaxed. In short, stress presents itself throughout our lives, but there are simple techniques, including those listed above, to alleviate the anxiety you feel daily. So, the next time you’re having an unfavorable day, make sure to kick back, relax, and think positive! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections North Honor Society Inductees Sworn In By Garrick Neuner and Craig Papajohn-Shaw Volume 1 Issue 5 February 12, 2021 Original photos by Eva Grace Martinez (top left), Garrick Neuner (top right and bottom right), and Lori Belbol (all others) This year sophomores, juniors, and seniors were inducted into subject area honor societies through a virtual induction ceremony on Wednesday, February 10th. The proceedings mark nearly a year since the closure of the school district due to COVID-19, bringing one of the largest events to the school since 2020. The event kicked off with an introduction by Assistant Principal Mrs. Jennifer Buonaspina and the National Anthem performed by singer Garrick Neuner. Inductees then proceeded to read their oaths from the comfort and safety of their homes, allowing for the massive event to take place, just a week after the National Honor Society Induction was also held virtually. Held on February 3rd, the NHS induction was led by advisors Ms. Lori Belbol and Ms. Patricia Hirsch, as well as the elected officers, including President Pratiksha Kaur. About 50 of North’s juniors and seniors were sworn into the prestigious organization. Applicants were required to maintain an average of 90 or above throughout their high school career while balancing time-intensive extracurriculars. Selected individuals comprised of students who exemplified the qualities of service, character, and leadership both inside and outside the classroom. Congratulations to all those selected for membership in North’s honor societies! Click to view the Honor Society Program designed by Alena Moreira Pictured: Inductee Eva Grace Martinez (top left) National Honor Society Officer Pratiksha Kaur (bottom left) Principal Rachel Green and National Honor Society Officers (top middle) Gallery of virtual inductees (middle) Vocalist Garrick Neuner performing the Star Spangled Banner (middle bottom) Quizmaster and Rho Kappa Officer Peter Mura (top right) Distanced officers awaiting their turn to present in the cafetorium (bottom right) BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Pop Art Back to Sections Jeysi Henriquez-Ventura - Pop Art By Jeysi Henriquez-Ventura January 14, 2022 Acrylic Volume 2 Issue 3

Back to Artwork Who Am I Back to Sections Gilana Etame - Who Am I? By Gilana Etame November 19, 2021 Volume 2 Issue 2

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Dolores By Nora Chery Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by iMedia The house was silent, warm, and, most importantly, freshly clean. Martha sighed, rose from her knees, and plopped the red-stained cloth into the equally red water of the bucket. Rippling from the sudden impact, red water sloshed into the dark wood floor. The woman glared at the red puddle but was interrupted by the booming ticks of the grandfather clock. She was late for work, once again. The bucket and puddle were neglected in exchange for her heels and inexpensive coat, which she promptly grabbed. When her hands reached for her purse, she paused and shifted her gaze to the top of the staircase. "I'll get you something better to eat as soon as I get back!" she called sweetly, and she was off. She walked from the edge of the street to the Southern rural town. This was a typical morning for Martha Furguson. Martha was a polite and modest lady around her late thirties and, like most of the women around her age in town, loved to chitchat, hated pests, and loved nothing more than the lovely clothes from the boutique. With two eyes and two small hands, using them to grimace at the price of the beautiful dress she wanted, she looked like most the women in their late 30s. As stated before, she was a polite and modest lady, and everything about her was polite and humble. Most people in town would have agreed if it wasn't for her living in a haunted house. Most children would describe her home as horrifying, and older townsfolk would admit it gave off eerie vibes. If you were a new, freshly moved-in citizen and saw the house, you would've been confused by the rumors. It was a lovely little white house, the kind you would want your old, retired self to live in. It had the basics of a house; electricity, clean running water, and a solid green roof. There was one factor that gave the house its reputation; the child that lived in it, Dolores Furguson. To many, she was a mysterious entity, a tiny malevolent phantom. However, her only crime was hermitage. Some say screams resonate from inside the house, particularly Dolores's room. Rumors had flown as they always do, but Martha always giggled at them when confronted about it. "Why those are just tall tales told by little children" she'd claim with a defensive smile. "Dolores is just a sickly child, that's all, nothing spooky about it." Being the mother of a child with an unfavorable social status resulted in her having little to no friends. Still, she reassured herself multiple times that it was okay. She had her Dolores to look after. But the memory of what happened to her daughter still stuck to her like a permanent splinter; it still hurt from time to time. She was in her early thirties and sleeping next to her husband. She remembered strange high-pitched noises coming from downstairs in the kitchen. Her husband sleepily descended to investigate, yet all Martha could hear was his frightened mumbling. Then came the screaming. First, her husband, then someone (or something) else. Frozen in bed, all she could think about was her daughter, who was hopefully sleeping in the other room. Forcing herself from her bed, she snatched a letter opener off her desk; she would do her best to protect her daughter. As she stepped into the kitchen, all she saw was her daughter. There, Dolores stood in the center of an empty kitchen, crying with a bloodstained mouth. The police came to question Marget and her daughter, and an officer was kind enough to help her hang missing posters for her husband. Yet, some part of Marget knew it was too late; her life had been changed forever. Dolores was a sweet, bubbly child, but after that tragic night, it faded immediately. Dolores stopped eating and playing; some days, it seemed like Dolores had never even moved an inch. Martha always suspected Dolores was more active when she wasn't home, working a late shift. The day Martha came home to see Dolores covered in red, she knew her worst fears were confirmed. Nothing would change, and this was never getting better. She stared at her daughter, momentarily horrified due to her monstrous appearance, elongated teeth, and nails, pupils transformed to slits. This creature was her daughter, but a form of her daughter that would never see the light of day. Martha's daughter was barely a human, just a tiny animal in her daughter's skin. She did her best to remind herself that, despite all, Dolores was still her daughter, even if she smelled like blood and death. Martha kept her head up. She went to work and took care of the flowers, the kinds that Dolores used to love, though Dolores now didn't seem to know what flowers were. When Martha earned enough money to go clothes shopping at the boutique, she treated herself to a few beautiful dresses and shoes. She attempted to bring Dolores home a dress, but her daughter ran at the sight of the dress as if one touch could kill her. Margret struggled to dodge the pain of her daughter's continued rejections. As she passed a happy couple and their children, a twinge of pain filled her chest; why couldn't her family have just been normal? On the worst days, she sat with her back pressed to her daughter's bedroom door, dreaming about the tranquil domestic life she lost that fateful night. BACK TO TOP

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