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HERALD North keeps playoffs in sight
State unveils tax credits
Court backs trans ban
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VOL. 36 NO. 5
JANUARY 30 - FEBRUARY 5, 2025
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Central district student liaisons begin new year Q: Why did you decide to take the position of student liaison? Asha: “I’m really humbled Last fall, the Valley Stream Central High School District to represent such a diverse stuBoard of Education introduced dent body and knowing so three new student liaisons for many different kids and age groups motivated the 2024–2025 me to reflect their school year: Julistudents’ perspecanne Joseph from tives in the adult Central High stage. Each school School, Asha Gajraj brings their own from South High character and ideas School, and Thomand traditions to as Vendome from the table. We are a North High School. three-school disThis handpicked trict, not a onebatch of academischool district, so cally accomplished having a represenand service-driven tative from each seniors is tasked ASHA GAJRAJ school to share how with updating the Student liaison, they feel about board on school Valley Stream their community events during South High and how we could monthly meetings work together to fix and airing student concerns from a student per- that is really a beautiful thing.” spective — all while juggling Q: What are the most presstheir private lives and demanding topics or issues for stuing course load. dents in your school? The trio outlined their plans Asha: “In terms of sharing for the year, their motivation what students think, every for leadership, and how they month liaisons come in with a i n t e n d t o re p re s e n t t h e i r monthly report. So far, we’ve respective schools. been focusing on cultural diver-
By JUAN LASSO
jlasso@liherald.com
Skye Margies/Herald
With projects advancing to prestigious competitions, the science research program focuses not just on awards, but on teaching life skills that benefit students in any career. Freshmen Kristianne Kissoon and Oren Tomlinson present the model for their project called GenGuard.
Valley Stream North hosts annual research symposium By JUAN LASSO jlasso@liherald.com
Valley Stream North High School senior Aleeza Dhillon stood behind a lecter n dressed in a crisp gray button-down and plaid skirt. Last Thursday, rows of folding chairs filled the north end of the library, where 80 equally impeccably dressed students sat in focused silence. “Let me start you guys off with a fun fact,” she said. “Well…not so fun, but a fact.” Her long black ponytail swayed in sync with her head turns as she spoke. “Over a million teachers in the United States from K-12 have reported some feelings of burnout.” To Dhillon’s left, an interactive screen lit up. The title of her presentation was spelled
out in bold lettering: “Investigating the Impact of the Big 5 Personality Traits on Teacher Bur nout and Job Satisfaction Among High School Educators.” Slide by slide, Dhillon, one of a dozen senior research students, walked her high school peers through her years-long scientific investigation on how personality can affect workplace mental health, a sample of the kind of research presented at North’s annual Science Research Symposium.
Students showcase original research For a few hours, the school library was not a library but a gathering place for science researchers to share their findings and spoiled for choice with the amount of topics one could sink their teeth into. Armed with COnTinued On paGe 10
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ach school brings their own character and ideas and traditions to the table.
Valley Stream South High School – Asha Gajraj
sity, academic success, and mental health. We don’t have COnTinued On paGe 9