The Classic, Vol 36, No 1, October 2019 by The Classic

NEWS

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NEWS

Election Simulation Vandals

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SPORTS

Global Climate Strike

Some members of the school community vandalized signs for Election Simulation candidates, suggesting that people are having trouble distinguishing between the THHS candidates and their reallife counterparts in this year’s primary Election Simulation.

This fall students from around the world protested to raise awareness about inaction on climate change. Many THHS students joined the protests in Manhattan and shared their experiences.

This year’s teams were back at it before the school year began. We took a look at some of the school’s biggest sports to see how they shaped up compared to previous seasons.

TOWNSEND HARRIS HIGH SCHOOL AT QUEENS COLLEGE

• October 2019 •

A look back at Fall Sports

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No. 01 | Vol. 36

ADDITIONAL PHYS. ED. HOURS COME ROLLING IN

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NEWS

The DOE has determined Townsend students no longer meet the weekly physical education requirements, prompting changes to scheduling. |Photo by Katrina Dydzuhn

DOE reassessment calls for additional PE hours for students to graduate By Samantha Alzate and Isabelle Guillaume Editors-in-Chief

Following a review of Townsend Harris’ schedule in relation to NYS graduation requirements, the DOE has notified the THHS administration that a number of juniors and seniors will need additional hours in Physical Education classes to be on track to graduate. The administration is working with the PE department to make schedule changes in the coming weeks that will create “the least amount of disruption” to current programs while putting students back on track for graduation. “The DOE has been doing a regular review of physical education programming to ensure that courses are awarding the proper number of credits per course for students, and the reason for this is that over the years there have been challenges that students were not receiving the required time or frequency of Physical Education classes,” said Principal Brian Condon. “So when we were reviewed, we were informed that in order to offer the number of credits that we offer for physical education, we would need to add additional instruction per week.” Athletic director and Physical Education teacher Lauren Caiaccia elaborated, “Townsend Harris has always organized the Physical Education classes to meet existing requirements under whatever schedule we’re following. However, due to the switch from the all bands meet every day schedule to the [block schedule], it impacted the way in which the state inter-

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prets our Physical Education program.” In order to graduate, all high schoolers must earn four credits in PE. All Townsend Harris students take PE for seven semesters, with the remaining semester being allocated towards health. Although THHS students meet the state’s hourly requirements, most stu-

He added, “Although we disagree with the interpretation of this policy, and we are in conversation with the DOE about it, it’s important that we maintain the number of credits that you received for these courses so that at the end of your senior year you have the full four credits in Physical Education that you need. The decision is that

month. Mr. Condon said, “We’re going to have a conversation with [the children who will be impacted]. We’re going to put the change in writing and I’m happy to address any parent groups. We have a PTA meeting coming up in October, and I’m happy to address it there if there are any concerns. I think once the case is made and people understand what the challenge is and the approach we took to solve this problem, I think people will be comfortable with the results.” News of the DOE’s reassessment leaked to students during some classes last Friday, earlier than the administration had planned. “It’s unfortunate the way it came out,” said Mr. Condon. These leaks brought about several rumors that have the student body concerned. Most rumors center around how the administration will add the additional hours to student programs, but the exact details of these plans remain under discussion. Nonetheless, students are expressing concerns. “It’s unfortunate that kids have to spend additional time to add a few PE hours onto the necessities of graduation,” said junior Benja-

“The interpretation...is that ‘daily’ is literally daily: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. It’s a disagreement over the word ‘daily.’ It’s interpreted one way by one group of people and another way by another group of people. [The DOE] is requiring that we comply with their interpretation of the word ‘daily.’” dents’ PE classes do not meet five times a week, therefore not fulfilling the requirement that students have “daily” PE. “Our interpretation of the word ‘daily’ was, or is, that the number of days that classes meet each week. In our school, classes meet four times a week, so therefore, [PE] is a class like any other. If it meets four times a week, it’s meeting daily,” explained Mr. Condon. “It’s a disagreement over the word ‘daily.’ It’s interpreted one way by one group of people and another way by another group of people. [The DOE] is requiring that we comply with their interpretation of the word ‘daily.’”

students must have it daily, which means they must have Physical Education instruction on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. So, if your [PE] class dropped out on Monday, then we have to find somewhere in your Monday schedule to fit the class now.” For now, juniors and seniors are more likely to see changes to their schedules this year to ensure graduation requirements are met. Plans to ensure underclassmen schedules are in compliance for future graduation will come out at a later time. The administration will finalize their plans and changes later this

min An. “I hope that the school finds a good and reasonable way to compromise.” “Free periods are valuable opportunities to rest and catch up, or get ahead, on school work,” explained senior Daniel Shi. “Personally, I really value my free bands and would not want to be forced into a gym class during that time.” “If I don’t have a first band class, then I’ll go do some college essay stuff, and now [I may not]have that time, which is obviously really frustrating, especially [if you’re] doing early action,” added senior Angelina Jimenez. “I don’t have those 50 minutes where I can focus in a school setting, assuming my first band gets taken away.” “The policy and how it’s coming down is something we must do and we need to change. We are going to make the least amount of disruption to a student’s schedule as we possibly can,” said Veronica York, Assistant Principal of Guidance. Regardless of the challenges that these rumors pose, the administration pledges that it is working to find a solution that will satisfy both students and the DOE requirements. “I do believe our physical education program is among the best in the city,” said Mr. Condon. “I think it is a model program. However, we need to make sure that you guys are not short and [not have] fractional credits.”

NEWS

Election Sim candidates encounter protests inside and outside the classroom By Julianna Zitron News Editor

Following a surge of protests against candidates during this year’s Election Simulation, there has been much discussion regarding the line between the simulation and real life. On Tuesday morning, students were greeted by a vandalized super-sized poster of the Election Simulation version of Donald Trump, portrayed by senior Togay Atmaca. The poster, which originally read “Register Red” and “Vote Trump” was vandalized to say “#DumpTrump” and “Liar!” with a mustache and mole drawn onto the candidate/student’s face. Members of the THHS Trump campaign view the vandalism as an expression of students’ resentment towards the real life counterpart, not as a personal attack. Togay stated, “My guess is that someone or some group of students took the Election Simulation too seriously.” Nevertheless, he continued, “This vandalism came at my team’s expense. There are better ways to show you disagree with a person.” This scandal sparked the annual debate over the real point of election simulation: how far is too far? The Trump campaign took to Instagram, stating, “Although every candidate would like to win, the simulation is more about educating everyone about politics and gaining a greater understanding of

the candidates and other aspects of the political system.” Togay said, “The line is crossed once the student body confuses the student with the candidate… I’m not Donald Trump. I’m THHS Donald Trump, and then two bands later, I’m the kid in

a simulation we’re doing. It’s not the actual politicians.” History teacher and Election Simulation advisor Nicole Gleizer sees this as an opportunity for students to “learn from the experience and continue to strive to make everyone feel heard and pro-

permeate our positive school culture,” she continued. Senior Emily Tan, who portrays Jill Biden in the simulation, stated, “Supporters of certain candidates can show their support by voting on Election Day or with positive comments on their social media.”

Election Simulation has an issue with people who have issues with people. |Photo by Katrina Dydzuhn your calculus class trying to get through sen- mote practices that can help proFreshman Matthew Algenio ior year.” mote steps in a positive direction.” said, “It’s a simulation. I know Sophomore Amelia Wiszowaty “We should allow the simula- you might not have the same said, “Some of [the candidates] tion to be a model of what we viewpoints, but you don’t have the don’t even believe in what they would expect from our political right to vandalize their property.” are saying and people still target process and not allow negativThe Kamala Harris team isthem for that…. It’s different. It’s ity from the political process to sued a statement on Instagram in

response to this issue: “I cannot sit back and be complacent with the disrespect some students have towards their campaigns. We are better than this.” The Trump campaign was not the only campaign affected by acts of protest. Following a viral TikTok, the Biden campaign was faced with backlash from people on the app. TikTok, which listed some of Biden’s campaign goals accompanied by the song “It’s Up Freestyle,” was met with comments such as “my dog has a better chance to win” and “Trump 2020.” Emily explained, “We had to emphasize that we were students and that our online presence as Biden does not reflect our real-life values to the angry comments.” In addition, though the actual circumstances are unknown, posters of both the Biden and Sanders campaign have disappeared from the hallways this week. “The hard work that is displayed by the seniors stems from a true desire to experience politics on a microcosmic level within our school,” said Ms. Gleizer. “Disagreements and conversations are welcomed, and perhaps would be a more beneficial way to address any questions to the candidates or any concerns regarding campaigns.”

Scheduling issues flood the guidance department By Bindu Koyi and Victoria Oei News Editor and Managing Editor

Concerned students flocking to the guidance office at the start of the school year to change their schedules is an annual tradition. However, this year the school year began with numerous students having holes in their programs due to lacking necessary classes, many of which were STEM or language courses. This irregularity led to increased concerns by students and ultimately to the creation of new sections of classes to meet these needs. Junior Kanny Ho Fang said, “Many students [have been] left without classes that they may need and some are stuck with classes which are ultimately not in their best interests.” This dissatisfaction was a driving factor in the requests for program changes. The administration tried to overcome this issue by adding classes. For instance, Assistant Principal of Guidance Veronica York revealed, “In the first week of school, we were able to add an additional calculus class knowing that I had enough students October 2019

that were interested in it.” Other courses were later added to meet demand. One senior, who did not have a science class junior year, also felt a lack of options was a problem: “I needed another science because having only three years of science looks really bad for college apps; I

to accommodate the needs of freshmen and sophomores, extra sections of core classes had to be added, resulting in a lack of electives and options for upperclassmen. Junior Elaine Tsui said, “Many people went directly to their guidance counselor even though they

Principal Ellen Fee said, “In my seventeen years at Townsend Harris, I think that [this year] was among the top five in smoothest” concerning programming. However, she added, “Every year, there’s a lot of chaos in the last week of August and the first week of September…[and there are] at

Junior Kanny Ho Fang said, “Many students [have been] left without classes that they may need and some are stuck with classes which are ultimately not in their best interests.” was told that every class was filled up, but I felt that I should have [had] more priority over sophomores and juniors with a physics and AP psychology elective.” Ms. York said, “The maximum number of students you can put in a class is thirty four …[and] we have a really large incoming freshman class. We also have a large sophomore class.” In order

weren’t supposed to. Either way they got their schedules changed multiple times before I got it changed once.” Many students feel that the system for program changes is unfair to some students because students can use other means aside from the appropriate form to make requests. Despite the large amount of unsatisfied students, Assistant

least 300 students who want program changes.” Another issue to consider, according to Ms. York, is that “one student shouldn’t have five AP courses while another [student] has none.” All of these issues have to be taken into consideration, especially since program adjustments are done by hand after the initial program is produced by a

computer-based algorithm. In terms of priority, students have questioned if senior priority was taken into account in the creation of programs. Ms. Fee explained that senior schedules are created based on the Queens College classes that they are placed in. Once their QC classes have been established, the guidance office goes through each senior program by hand to make sure that there are no overlaps in class times. Seniors who did not receive specific classes they requested could have been affected by these accommodations as well as other factors. To students who are particularly dissatisfied with their program next year, Ms. York said, “Come have a conversation with me or their guidance counselor. Let’s find out what’s really going on, why are you really upset? What about this program and this group of courses in this particular order is making you upset or anxious? Then we’ll try and sit there and address and figure out what we can do.”

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The line between accuracy and Agression in THE election sim

As another year of the Election Simulation begins at Townsend Harris, seniors who have taken on the role of replicating candidates have started working with their respective campaigns to secure the nomination for presidency. Though these candidates may enjoy the commercials, radio interviews, and classroom visits that accompany the road to election, they must stay informed on the stance of the candidate they are representing; this involves not only the policies of the candidate, but also their personalities. Student candidates are expected to be as accurate to their candidate as possible; however, by repeating certain beliefs or statements, a student may be at risk of crossing a line. Some candidates in the race are notorious for their real-life comments and remarks, which raises the question of whether or not it is justified for a senior candidate to repeat these potentially offensive statements in order to be fully committed to their character. According to the Election Simulation’s original guidelines, student candidates are responsible for “keeping it real” when it comes to portraying politicians. For this reason, the severity of punishments for crossing lines are not clearly defined. As coordinator of the Election Simulation, Social Studies teacher Jaime Baranoff explained, “it depends on what they’re saying, how they’re saying it, sort of the intention behind it. If they’re saying it in a way that seems like they’re genuinely trying to portray the candidate, then it’s really hard to punish them.” Junior Anil Singh added, “It would be difficult from a practical point of view for faculty to regulate candidates’ statements because different people have different standards on what is offensive. For instance, many students might find a pro-life candidate offensive to women, but many candidates in real life do hold that posi-

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tion so it wouldn’t make sense to ban students from representing that position in the simulation.” Social Studies teacher and Election Simulation facilitator Charlene Levi, believes that the founders of the program “wanted to make sure that the discussion that was being had in the real world was being had here at Townsend,” and that if done properly, students “can handle the conversation that needs to be had in order to correct it.” Ms. Baranoff added that if students do repeat such offensive comments, “it’s really a good opportunity for discussion about the candidates and the elected officials in real life, and how they get elected, and how they get re-elected.” Anil defended the candor of these guidelines. “The purpose of the Election Simulation is for us to learn about real-life elections so we are prepared to make informed decisions once we become voters,” he said. “In real politics, candidates aren’t always polite or even decent people, and it’s important that our Election Simulation reflects that and not some idealized notion that all politicians are good people.” Senior Justin Chen, who portrays Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg, agrees with the Simulation guidelines but believes that certain lines should be drawn. “Censoring statements from candidates does not provide an accurate depiction of real-life events. If it happens in real life, then it should be allowed to be simulated at THHS… However, the comments should be limited in the scope where the possibly offensive comments should solely be directed at the candidate and not the person playing them. I can criticize Kamala Harris as much as I can, but if I start attacking the student playing her, then the line should

drawn there,” he explained. Some students believe that controversial comments should be rephrased or adjusted to fit a more school-appropriate setting. Senior Togay Atmaca, who plays President Donald Trump, said, “Our current president isn’t exactly the most subtle, so I think there are ways to simulate the crude things he says through allusion rather than blurting ‘s**thole countries’ and ‘grab her by the p***y’ for the sake of being ‘more like Trump.’ Although this is a simulation, playing the character shouldn’t be an excuse to say very crude things.” Whether students choose to be completely true to their candidate’s characters or dilute his or her words, their actions are scrutinized nonetheless. “We’re all under the spotlight now— it hasn’t even been a week and I can hardly walk down the hall-

w a y without being asked for a handshake and to do the Trump voice,” Togay said. “Biden, Weld, Harris— this is how the underclassmen will remember us, even after the Election Simulation is over, and everything we do, whether we’re in character or not, will be linked to our campaigns.” Students and faculty must also consider the changing political climate in America. Ms. Baranoff explained, “We’re in a time now where— an interesting time, I will say— that maybe we haven’t been in before, where some elected officials say things that are offensive… six or seven years ago we probably wouldn’t have been having this conversation, and here we are.” The simulation can provide an opportunity for students to gauge what is and is not acceptable in politics. Ms. Baranoff said, “I think that’s part of the beauty of the Election Simulation, is that there’s hard issues and difficult conversations, and all of that in the end is for a good educational purpose.”

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NEWS CONTINUED

Alumna teacher filling in for Ms. Brand this fall By Jin Hu, Sumya Nur, Kassidy De Nobrega, Isabella Sam, and Cecilia Taravella Staff Writers

This fall, alumna Nicole Gleizer is substituting for social studies teacher Siobhan Brand while she is on maternity leave. Ms. Brand began her maternity leave on September 13, and Ms. Gleizer, who has just begun her second year of teaching at Townsend Harris, has now taken charge of Ms. B r a n d ’s AP government and politics classes. L a s t year, Assistant Principal of Humanities, Rafal Olechowski, chose to hire Ms. Gleizer because “She’s an alumna who graduated five years ago, has experience as a student, and is able to help others who are in need. She has strengths in social studies.” Since Mr. Olechowski knew Ms. Gleizer, he thought it would be a “better decision to hire someone who was

familiar to us than to hire a stranger.” Ms. Brand said, “I am happy that a Townsend alumna will be taking over my classes. Ms. Gleizer’s experience with the election simulation and school environment will be extremely helpful while I am on leave.” Ms. Gleizer’s main goals this school year are to “create an environment in which students are really taking command in their own learning” and to “empower students to really [take an] interest in what they’re doing.” Ms. Gleizer intends to achieve her goals by using Mrs. Brand’s advice “to learn from the students what they are interested in. Start with their interests and then build from there.” Ms. Gleizer said that “going into somebody else’s classroom and taking it over is always a little

“It’s not really taking over...it’s work with [Ms. Brand] to ensure [we] do what is best for students.”

Nicole Gleizer graduated with the Class of 2015 and is now the leave replacement for Ms. Brand | Photo by Jason Bacalla

bit nerve-wracking because it’s a partnership and you want to ensure that everybody is being equally respected.” “It’s not really taking over and filling in [Ms. Brand’s] shoes, it’s working with her to ensure that [we] do what is best for the students,” she emphasized.

Senior Angelina Jimenez described this transition as “smooth” since Ms. Gleizer began the year by co-teaching with Ms. Brand so that she could step in as soon as she left. In the meantime, Ms. Brand is focusing on her new child. “My plans are to spend time with my

baby, Aidan, and enjoy every moment with her,” she said. “I am so grateful to have a happy and healthy baby. I am not sure how I will feel about returning to work just yet. I assume it will be hard to leave Aidan, but I will enjoy every moment I have with her until then.”

Harrisites protest in NYC climate strike By Ikeoluwa Adedokun and Yuri Choi Staff Writers

Last month, over 4 million people came to contribute to one of the largest environmental protests in history: the Climate Strike. Nearly 300,000 people from the NYC community participated, with about 100 Townsend Harris students joining the cause. The strike acted as a part of the Global Week for Future, a series of international protests to push for action against climate change. These strikes have been held in over 450 locations within 150 countries, wherein people of all ages were invited to contribute to the movement. “The climate is changing so rapidly that we don’t even notice it sometimes,” said junior Zoe Indarshan. “Sure, the world isn’t going to end tomorrow because of climate change, but there is a very real possibility of it ending in our lifetime if we do not make changes fast.” One individual who has taken a main role within the climate change community is Greta Thunberg, a young environmental activist. Thunberg inspired the School Strike for Climate, or Youth for Climate/Friday’s for Future, which many of the global strikes work hand in hand with to involve students by giving voice to their environmental demands. As a central spokesperson for this movement, she traveled to NYC to speak of the efforts in other countries. October 2019

Students participate in the Global Climate Strike this past September |Photo by Jason Bacalla

Junior Charlene Lee, president of the Save Planet Earth Club (SPE), said, “The movement was a call for today’s youth to show politicians what really matters to us.” “As important as our education is, there is no point to continue forward if we don’t have a future on this earth to look forward to, which I believe was one of the big

messages we were trying to get across,” she mentioned. A few demands the strike focused on were transitioning economic dependence on fossil fuels to renewable energy by 2030, as well as the restoration of 50% of the world’s lands and oceans. Charlene said, “I understand the demands we are making are very substantial… but big change calls

for big action, and we need to change our way of living today.” As for the students who participated in the strike, many felt it was a uniting and unforgettable experience. Freshman Nameer Khan said, “It felt incredible to be a part of such an extraordinary mass of people.” “There was definitely a sen-

se of urgency which the issue of climate change deserves in its own right, and I think many of us marching from the school and from the whole NYC community felt empowered,” junior Thomas Szymanski said. “I felt closer to the NYC community than ever before,” he stated.

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NEWS

Ms. Lopera returns after maternity leave

Seniors nix mixer for movie night

By Huzzayfah Awan, Farah Haq, Richard Lu, Michelle Sandy, Cesar Torales, and Emily Torres Staff Writer

By Huzayfaah Awaa, Jeremy Deacon, Farah Haq, Michelle Sandy, Sara Tekin, Cesar Torales, and Emily Torres Staff Writers

After a year-long maternity leave, world languages teacher Caroline Lopera has returned to Townsend Harris for the 20192020 school year. “I am happy to be back, because it’s a very good and special school,” Ms. Lopera said. “I am happy to see my colleagues again, who I worked with for a very long time, [as well as] new ones, and the kids.” As expected, Ms. Lopera’s absence last year resulted in various changes, many of which affected French 1, 2, and Spanish 2 classes. Those programmed with Ms. Lopera were instead taught by several long-term substitutes. Ms. Sierra was one of many teachers to take on this role and Ms. Lopera felt that “she did well, since she was a French teacher, and [felt] like people don’t realize that because she was a Spanish [teacher].” Assistant Principal of World Languages Georgia Brandeis said, “We missed her energy around the department, and we love the fact that we can now again offer more French and just be a complete department.” Sophomore Noushine Zaman said, “She’s very humorous, and at the same time incorporates it into class. She [also] makes learning activities fun by engaging everyone.” “She’s not boring and does keep her classes engaged which is obviously important,” junior Syed

This year, the annual Townsend Harris Senior Mixer will be replaced by an outdoor pajama movie night on November 7 due to concerns about low attendance rates at previous mixers. According to junior Georgia Malo, who has attended the senior mixer in previous years, “It wasn’t as fun as previous seniors made it out to be.” The Student Union came to the consensus that they would play the movie Coraline after a poll was taken by the student body. Due to a lack of interest within the student population, senior advisor Jaime Baranoff has worked with the SU to cancel the mixer in exchange for a new event. She said, “We’re planning on having a pajama/movie night in the courtyard. Students can buy admission and get served popcorn, pizza, and other snacks to be decided. We also plan to sell Townsend Harris flannel pajama pants, which can help with the

overall revenue of the event.” Some freshmen regret having missed out on the opportunity to attend the only school party available to their grade. Freshman Daniel Hilkevich said, “ I feel that the concept of such an event would one a great experience to meet new freshmen and make new friends.¨ Another freshman, Joshua Arany, said, “It seems like a very relevant event that I would have rather had over pajama night.” Regarding the fall mixer, senior Delila Hasic said, “I wouldn’t say that it’s the biggest event in the world. I think that people aren’t necessarily that interested in it. Students in our school don’t seem to be into these kinds of things.” Freshman Diego Pacheco said he would rather “go to a real theater.” Junior Victoria Ciszewska, on the other hand, thought the idea of a movie night was “innovative” and “refreshing.” “I never really knew about the senior mixer,” said sophomore Adrian Conanan, “but a pajama night sounds way more exciting.”

Mrs. Lopera back from maternity leave. | Cesar Torales

Ali added. “Also, I really liked the fact that she had regular quizzes that were easy, and helped boost scores.” Throughout her time here, Ms. Lopera has taught different subjects, including French and photojournalism, of various lev-

els. To her former students, who graduated in her absence, Ms. Lopera said: “Have fun in college, make sure to do what you like, work hard, come visit me, and I hope they do well.” Coraline senior movie tickets | Nikki Ng

Chalk art takes flight By Kelly Jiang and Marcella Soewignjo Staff Writers

Since blowing up on Pinterest, wing murals have gained a great deal of popularity. Especially popular in Los Angeles, wing murals never fail to catch the eyes of passersby. Seniors Nicole Monaco and Amanda Renzi have taken up a project to bring the same creative trend throughout Queens. Their Instagram account, @chalkfetish, has garnered 4,000 followers and counting. “Our account is where we interact with other artists as well as people that have ‘experienced’ our work by posing for a picture with it,” Nicole said. Amanda and Nicole’s first chalking project began on the last day of their junior year. “We started without doing wings; we did those 3D chalk drawings that look like holes in the floor,” Amanda

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said. “I have a list in my notes app where I write down different ideas for wings…. Some of our followers on Instagram will actually send us other pictures they see of wing art to give us inspiration,” Nicole explained. Amanda detailed the process, which can be very time consuming: “We choose our colors…we’ll measure our shoulders and put our arms out to measure the wingspan. Then we’ll sketch in a light color the shape of the wings. Usually it takes about 2-3 hours depending on how big and complicated they are… we love it.” Since starting their Instagram account, they have received a lot of positive feedback from those in the community. Many of their followers often pose with their art and share the pictures on social media. “It makes me feel fulfilled, biking

home after having spent 2 hours doing wings, to see so much feedback on social media and having people share their pictures with us,” Nicole added. From this project, Nicole wants others to feel inspired to find their own creative outlet. “One time, we met a guy and he was telling us how he used to draw chalk cartoons when he was younger…. He told us that we had inspired him to pick up that hobby again,” she said. “We kept in touch with him via Instagram and he stayed true to his word.” The two shared that they want to keep this project going for as long as possible. “It is a very unique experience, and I can see myself…keeping up chalking as a hobby through retirement,” Nicole said. Amanda Renzi is an editor-inchief of The Classic

People around the city are taking photos with the chalk art of THHS seniors | Courtesy of Chalk Fetish

EDITORIAL

The Classic FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Communication is a problem Productive communication among students and the administration within any school is vital to the unity and organization of its community. When an administration fails to communicate effectively, it fosters confusion among the student body, ultimately diminishing both efficiency and trust within the school’s environment. The administration’s current methods of communicating important changes within the school are not satisfying the student body, and calls for reform are increasing. Overall, the current system of communication is vague and inconsistent, with administrative news primarily coming from either teachers who decide to share policy changes with their students, or through The Classic’s inquiry and publications. The Classic has repeatedly undertaken the role of disseminating significant policy changes to the student body in place of the administration, from stories such as elevator procedure changes to dress code revisions. We want to make it clear that the administration has always been available and eager to share their news and insight directly with The Classic, trusting us to relay information to the school community. We appreciate that the administration is considerate of student journalists and views our publication as a reliable means of administering important messages. Few principals and assistant principals are as transparent with student publications. Nonetheless, we are not a newsletter and there have been times when we have been the primary or initial source of written means for the administration to establish contact with the student body on an issue. There will always be fluctuations in the number of students that our articles can reach and as a result, the wider school community is rarely on the same page. Specifically, gaps in communication seem to emerge whenever changes that directly affect student life go into effect, leaving students to uncover the specifics themselves. This fall saw the introduction of the annualized cumulative grading system. Instead of including averages for each semester, separated by a reset of grades in January, transcripts will now October 2019

display a single average comprised of grades from the entire school year, with no reset. This shift from the original 6 marking periods model to quarters was never discussed or formally announced by the administration, who instead relied on teachers to address it within their grading policies. However, this roll out was entirely disorganized, due to the imbalance of teachers that explained and presented these changes (some made no mention of it at all). When they did, teachers tended to convey the information regarding the new grading system in different ways, contributing to minor inconsistencies. As a result of the administration’s reserve surrounding the changes made to the grading system, many students are under the false impression that they still have the opportunity to start afresh this upcoming January. Those who are aware of the new system have voiced frustration over the removal of the semester reset, which not only provided them with the opportunity for academic improvement but also afforded a greater degree of flexibility. However, it is unclear how much the administration took these concerns into account as they discussed and finalized the new grading policies without obtaining input from the Student Union during any part of the process, undermining their initiative for “studentdriven progress.” Not only did the administration fail to address the new cumulative grading system, but students were not alerted of the changes made to the format and grading system of progress reports until their distribution. The new progress reports consist of a letter grading system with S+ translating to grades between 90-100, S to 80-89, N to 65-79, and U to grades lower than 69. Not only was this new system of grading not explained, but it also contained numerical mistakes that are yet to be cleared up. Students who have below a 69 expected to receive a U but the range for receiving an N is 65-79. This error has still not been publicly addressed by the administration, leaving the Townsend Harris student body, confused about their grades. More over, t he a d m i nist rat ion’s com mu nic at ive

shortcomings extend beyond that of the grading system. Although the start of every school year often features student programming issues, the problem was more serious this year, resulting in an influx of students who lacked essential classes, with many juniors having too many free periods. In an attempt to address the reason behind this uncommon occurrence, counselors held grade meetings after school to brief students on the issue. Howe ver, t h i s met hod proved ineffective because it is dependent on student attendance; directly addressing issues and being available for questioning is helpful but there should be a follow up with written clarification to ensure all around student awareness and understanding. Memos concerning scheduling, a crucial aspect of student life, are continuously scattered and infrequent. Most recently, the process of unveiling the new adjustments to physical education requirements imposed by the DOE was clearly f lawed, as the news of the changes being made reached the student body through various rumors spread by secondhand accounts from teachers. This careless handling of information, which was sure to invoke conversation, may even ref lect communicative issues between teachers and the administration. Above all, the underlying issue has to do with the inconsistenc y of administrative methods of communication. In order to relay information about changes in school policy thus far, the administration has relied on grade meetings, interviews with The Classic, and teacher dissemination of information in class. Evidently, there needs to be reform in the way the administration broadcasts key information to the student body. We trust that the administration has our best interests in mind, but through their repeatedly poor communication, they have weakened their appearance of partnership with the student body. We encourage the administration to better publicize their actions schoolwide, through official written communication explicitly announcing changes in a timely manner, and addressing student concerns in more detail.

EST. 1984

The Classic is an open forum for the expression of student views. The opinions expressed therein should not be taken to represent those of the administration or faculty, or of the student body as a whole.

EDITORIAL STAFF EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Samantha Alzate Isabelle Guillaume Amanda Renzi NEWS EDITORS Bindu Koyi Julianna Zitron

SPORTS EDITORS Abhinav Garg Ariana Vernon Kristen Zhou

FEATURES EDITORS Carly Hu Amrin Rahman

SPORTS PHOTO EDITOR Joshua Vieirra

OPINION EDITORS Amberly Khan Ariba Khan

SCIENCE & TECH EDITORS Ryla Pasaoa Nataniela Zavlun

A&E EDITORS Victoria Kuzma Usha Sookhai

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITORS Jason Bacalla Katrina Dydzuhn Min Hyeok Shin

MULTIMEDIA EDITORS Kayla Kim Ava Nabatkhoran CHIEF COPY EDITOR Daniela Zavlun

LAYOUT EDITORS Alexa Jude Tumulak Jacqueline Woo

MANAGING EDITORS Nikki Ng Victoria Oei Samantha Sestak ADVISOR Brian Sweeney Copy Team: Antonella Abreu, Esther Dai, Yamila Frej, Afifa Ibnat, Natalia Madera, Jasmine Palma, Zeyad Shariff, Julia Wojtkowski, and Rachel Zhang We welcome letters to the editor. Townsend Harris High School 149-11 Melbourne Avenue Flushing, NY 11367 thhsclassic@gmail.com

The Classic reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and concision.

Have an opinion on an article published in The Classic? Want to have your thoughts on a topic published? Write a “Letter to the Editor” and email it to thhsclassic@gmail.com.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Let’s talk Founders’ Day fashion By Victoria Kuzma, Usha Sookai, and Lauren Jun A&E Editors and Staff Writer

With Founders’ Day quickly approaching, it’s finally time to pick out that formal outfit that will live on in photos forever. The Classic is here to bring you the top trends and what to wear for Founders’ Day 2019. Though students are urged to wear professional, business casual attire, many step out of the box for the special event. With the prominence of social media and fashion influencers, trends rise as quickly as they fall. This year, many suspect the return of adventurous patterns including animal print, gingham and plaid, inspired by looks from Instagram influencers such as Emma Chamberlain and Ellie Thumann. Though Founders’ Day traditionally takes place in the beginning months of the school year, this year’s later November date means students may have to bundle up, expecting colder weather. As a result, freshman Yanaiya Jain stated, “Teddy bear jackets and furry [coats] will definitely be popular.” For those not looking forward to blister covered feet, swapping heels for chunky boots like Doc Martens is a comfortable option that adds an urban element to any outfit. As for accessories, large industrial state-

Nevertheless, swapping out simple collared shirts for patterned versions can easily dress up any casual look. An unspoken tradition of Founders’ Day has always been the many photography sessions outside of Colden Auditorium. The subsequent Instagram spam of photos from students in all grades and friend groups increases the desire to look good on social media. While some may view this as a distraction from the true meaning of Founders’ Day, senior Athena Stockdale said, “It’s one of the only days in the year where we can dress up and no one will bat an eye at it. I think it’s part of the tradition.” She compares the event to “Townsend’s version of homeNo matter what fashion trends appear in the audience, it’s probable senior boys will be in skirts on stage. | Jason Bacalla coming,” as the entire school ment belts can elevate even the most sim- may find it more difficult to vamp up their community comes together to ple of looks and have been a popular social outfits. participate. media favorite. Senior Shane Werther said, “You can Sophomore Nissabelle Rianom added, The desire to dress well extends not really only wear a suit, khakis, or a shirt, so “I don’t think that the fashion aspect takes only to the school’s female population, but there’s not many options to be creative as away from the meaning of the event bethe male students as well. with girls. I think for guys it’s more about cause it lets students add their own touches However, with limited options boys keeping with the formality.” to the school tradition.”

Are we all Jokers? By William Rhee Staff Writer

The cinematic library has added yet another movie with the arch villain the Joker. Has Hollywood run out of ideas and resolved to making the same movies over and over again? Joker answers this question with a slap-in-your-face “no.” A movie with the Joker is nothing original. But this Joker is a completely new reflection of society today. Joker takes place in a failing Gotham City during the 1970s. The main character, Arthur Fleck, is a struggling rent-aclown and aspiring stand-up comedian. He sees a city therapist and takes medication to control a condition which makes him laugh uncontrollably, which scares or angers the people around him. As society becomes more uncivil, Fleck slowly becomes insane. The music, composed by Hildur Gudnadottir, features a cello which makes a mournful, eerie sound that matches well with Arthur’s slow descent into insanity. He loses his therapist and is attacked by teenagers. After several drunk Wall Street thugs beat him up, Fleck shoots them and is transformed into Joker, going on a path of murder and destruction. The violence is graphic and brutal – point blank shootings and vivid stabbings accompanied with blood splattering. If you have a weak stomach or can’t stand blood, then watch Joker at your own risk. (It is rated R.) But the violence is not the most disturbing part of the film. It is the portrayal of the character Fleck, played by a phenomenal Joaquin Phoenix, as an abused character who begs our sympathy. The Jokers played by Jack Nicholson and

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Do you even VSCO? By Janna Habbibula and Jessica Sandoval Staff Writers

Heath Ledger in previous films were portrayed as a criminal mastermind carrying out intricate plots. But Fleck is an odd, quirky loner living with his mother and a victim of society’s abuse. He represents any one of us because many can relate to his struggles. But the final course of action he takes is ultimately wrong. He becomes as cruel as the people who tormented him. In fact, critics worry that this movie will provide people with an excuse to turn to violence, as political tensions have been steadily rising across America. Another disturbing aspect is how the film reflects the divide between the rich and poor in America today. In the movie, Thomas Wayne, one of the richest citizens of Gotham, is running for mayor and describes poor people as clowns. In response, the struggling people of Gotham elect the Joker. During protests, they put on clown masks to show their support. They are united by their anger, but it leads them on a mindless course of destruction on the streets of Gotham. It is a terrifying realization that the same could occur in America’s current political climate. Joker is obviously not a family-friendly movie; its dark elements are inappropriate for younger people. But Joaquin Phoenix’s outstanding performance, the movie’s realistic plot, and how much the film relates to America today could make it an Oscar contender. It has already won the top prize at the Venice International Film Festival. Despite the controversy behind this movie, the Joker may have the last laugh.

VSCO was originally a photo-editing app where people could improve the aesthetics of their photos with filters and effects. Now, it’s a term associated with scrunchies, metal straws and hydroflasks. Seemingly overnight, being a “VSCO girl” became the biggest trend of the summer season. How e ver, this trend also brought lots of public judgement and stereotyping, despite the app’s originally good intentions. In the beginning, users liked VSCO because it was less toxic than Instagram, and was simply a platform to share and edit their photography. “Personally I use VSCO,” said Freshman Angelina McCabe, “but I don’t consider myself a VSCO girl because [I use] the app itself ... mainly for editing.” Trends like these come about largely due to social media, influencers, and celebrities and often play a big role in tee-

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Skskscrunchie | Amanda Renzi

nagers’ self-esteem who feel the need to always “fit in” by taking part in trends. Many fads like these come about because teenagers feel the need to be like the majority, so they don’t stand out. Jaiden Del

Rosario, another freshman at Townsend Harris feels, “I think trends [like these] have a major impact on a teenager’s social life because they can influence how peers view you, which in return can … shape your social life.” Whether you are a VSCO girl or not, one thing can be made certain: VSCO will continue to be a part of our lives as long as we have scrunchies, hydroflasks, and good photography.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Halloween movies and teen perceptions By Victoria Kuzma and Usha Sookai A&E Editors

Once October rolls around, it’s all about the Halloweenthemed horror movies like Scream, Scary Movie, Truth or Dare, and It that often include teenage characters who reflect one of two narratives: teens who run into trouble at crazy Halloween themed parties, or teens who don’t want to trick or treat because they’re too old. Movies like these tell a narrowly specific story about teens and their behavior around Halloween time. While movies are staged and scripted versions of reality with added supernatural and thrilling elements, teenage characters often engage in risky behaviors and conform to more unrealistic standards of society. In portraying teenagers this way, films enforce the stereotype that teenagers should seek adventure and adrenaline during Halloween, and that they’re too old to indulge in trick-or-treating. Senior Neeharika Kotimreddy said, “There’s a stigma against doing something childish. [Especially in terms of costumes] teenagers are expected to dress up ‘sexy.’” Senior India Lott added, “The media [pushes the stand-

ard] that you have to dress or act a certain way to get attention.” There’s more to horror movies and media than just costumes, as they influence popular culture and perceptions on behavior. Senior Joie Ning added, “Movies definitely expose you to certain perceptions... the thing is not every teenager [acts the same way]. Different behaviors are more popular in different demographics and places.” Townsend Harris culture proves to be different from the narratives shown in popular movies. Sophomore Samuel Tsai said, “Our school is more [sheltered]. We aren’t as exposed as other kids.” Neeharika also said “[risky behaviors] aren’t a huge thing in our school… [because] we’re not surrounded by [that type of ] environment.” She emphasized the the NYC urban environment we live in influences how we behave. She said, “In New York City we have such a different high school system that we don’t have the same experience… [as students] anywhere else.” Some Townsend Harris stu-

The Spirit of Halloween | Dennis Frenkel

dents balance seeking adrenaline and having innocent fun. India was one of many students to visit a haunted house saying, “I got a good scare… and really enjoyed the adrenaline.” Joie represents the other side of the spectrum as she does “like dressing up” because “you don’t get the opportunity to do it all the time and it’s fun to do.” Ethnicity and background also have a large impact on how students view themselves, their peers and Halloween traditions. Senior Cathy Chen said, “People

who have never watched Halloween movies… weren’t exposed to that kind of [culture]... or experience. [I saw it] as a time to have fun with my family for thirty minutes and have some laughs.” The entertainment industry lacks inclusive, realistic teen stories. The need to thrill and create a grand adventure is apparent, and many agree that realistic and engaging horror films aren’t even those that include teens. Joie said, “The things that [teens are] portrayed as aren’t good rep-

resentation, which is why they don’t have as good reception.” Halloween culture is about many things for teens, from costume parties, candy, and an excuse to wear all black and watch horror films for a month. Sophomore Jenny Chen said, “Ultimately, do whatever you think is fun. You only celebrate Halloween once a year.”

Harry Styles “Lights Up” the music industry By Victoria Kuzma and Usha often said he doesn’t want to laSookai bel his sexuality.” A&E Editors

Lights Out | Alexa Jude Tumulak

October 2019

Former One Direction member turned solo artist Harry Styles turned heads with the recent release of his new music video for the song “Lights Up.” With provocative images and stylistic elements, the video has left the audience shocked and long-time fans wanting more. The video features a shirtless Styles wading between a sea of other shirtless men and women, overlapped with images of the singer riding on a motorcycle, floating in pink colored water, all while wearing flamboyant outfits. The decision to feature such sensual images, alongside the fact that it was released on “National Coming Out Day” led fans to believe that Styles himself as come out as bisexual. Vicki stated,”[Harry] has always been a big supporter of pride and people look up to him for that, though he

Others point to the lyrics, believing they reference Harry’s decision to never return to the days of ultra-mediated boyband

describes the song as “different from [those] on his previous album.” She stated, “This new era of his music will be about experiences he’s had since then and be more about himself.”

“[Harry is] just trying to let his fans know that he’s made a comeback from One Direction ...just wants to show a different side to himself.” control. While One Direction was a world-wide phenomenon, in 2016 the band announced an indefinite hiatus, with many speculating it was due to a lack of creative control amongst the band members. Sophomore Dorcas Adewale believes that Styles is referencing this particular event in his song and stated, “[Harry is] just trying to let his fans know that he’s made a comeback from One Direction and although it was hard, he’s bigger and better and just wants to show a different side to himself.” Senior Vicki Kanellopolous

Prior to the release of the song, billboards with the slogan “Do You Know Who You Are?” appeared in many cities around the world, yet few understood its reference to Styles’ upcoming song. Styles announced the song with little forewarning on social media, uploading an Instagram image just two hours before both the song and video’s simultaneous releases. Despite differences in interpretations, Harry Styles’ new release has sparked an interesting conversation and enthusiasm for his upcoming album, that is sure to be a hit.

The Classic

SPORTS

A look back: this year’s fall sports achievements By Ariana Vernon and Kristen Zhou Sports Editors

The beginning of the new school year also marked the beginning of the 2019 PSAL fall season. Now, athletes from all 12 of the teams are wrapping up their season with playoffs and championships. Bowling The girls’ bowling team has a current record of 9-1, losing only to Bayside High School with a score of 2-1. After four talented seniors graduated, the girls had to compensate by emphasizing practice. “The more we practice, the better our game is because it’s all muscle memory… We miss them [the seniors] a lot, and now it’s time to step up to the challenge,” said senior Dawn Lugo. The girls will finish up their regular season with a game against Jamaica High School and a final game against Bayside High School. With a record of 3 wins and 7 losses, the boys’ bowling team focused on unity this season. Senior and co-captain Dino Mulani said, “Unity and having a fun time are the sole goals in my opinion. Regardless of our record, I wanted this year to be stress free for people to get closer and get to know each other… We [the seniors] want to leave the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen on the team with a positive attitude in bowling so they will continue to recruit members.” Cross Country In order to prepare for this season, the boys’ cross country team prioritized practice over the summer. Senior captain Denion Prifti said, “The team prepares over the summer by running lots of easy mileage to build up our aerobic capacity. We do hill work and strides to prepare our legs for the faster-paced meets.” At practices, safety is a priority. “Our team avoided injuries through daily stretches after practice and learning proper technique from

our coaches regarding how we should run and take care of our body,” said junior Andrew Mak. In order to get the girls’ cross country team ready for the season, their coach, Timothy Connor, created structured workout plans. Junior Cynthia Hardy elaborated, “He gives us a combination of hard and easy days and modifies the workouts as necessary to do what’s best for us.” Their captains also tried to help the team by being an example for the underclassmen.“We’re role models for the freshmen and we have to show them that they need to have confidence in their abilities,”said senior Julia Xia. “They need to know they can count on their captains and that we’re in this for the long run.” Their hard work paid off; the girls junior varsity team finished first and the varsity team placed second at the Borough Championship meet at Van Cortlandt Park. Fencing Last season, boys’ fencing finished in 3rd place behind Francis Lewis with a record of 6-4. This year, the boys are leading their division with a record of 5-0. To train for this season, the boys are worked on conditioning and held scrimmages. “He [Coach Chris Hackney] guides us throughout our training and informs us about ways to improve ourselves, like posture and technique, and looks for outside opportunities to help us grow in our abilities,” said junior Amar Maksumic. Many fencers set personal goals for themselves which helps the team succeed. Senior captain Jonathan Tran said, “My goals are to place top three in the competitions throughout the year and third overall in playoffs. I also just want to have fun and help set up the team for next year.” Soccer This year, the boys’ soccer team placed 4th in their division, with a record of 2-7. The boys’ main

Go Hawks! | Photo by Min Hyeok Shin

focus was to improve their skills. “This season we worked hard in practice and played more scrimmages so we could learn to play as a team and communicate more with each other,” said senior Joe Guartan. Senior captain, Rohan Iyer said, “The biggest responsibility [for me] was motivating my team and being a strong leader.” To finish their regular season, the girls’ soccer team tied with John Bowne for 4th place, with a record of 8-3. This year, the A Division combined so the girls played more teams overall but only versed them once. Senior captain Victoria Fraczek said, “Our strategy was to play defensively and smart, we wanted to keep our defense and midfield strong and prepared for all games because you never know what can happen.” The girls entered the playoffs as the 18th seed and went on to defeat Millennium High School, seeded 15th, with a final score of 2-1. As they advance to the next round, the Hawks will face Francis Lewis, seeded 2nd. Tennis

For the first time in years, the girls’ tennis team finished undefeated. To gain an edge throughout the season, the team strategized which positions can take a win or a loss. Senior India Lott said, “Our main strategy was for our doubles teams to take wins and for one of our singles to pull through and win her match, especially our third singles, Fay Wong, who was the reason we tied with Francis Lewis for first place in our division last year.” Ranked third in the city, the Hawks played their first playoff match in the quarterfinals against High School of American Studies. After beating the team 4-1, the girls advanced to the semifinals for the first time in Townsend Harris history. The girls fought hard against Brooklyn Tech and ended their season with a score of 2-3. Volleyball The girls junior varsity and varsity volleyball teams began preparing for the season with rigorous conditioning practices over the summer. The junior varsity team currently has a record of

1-2. With three games left in the season, the girls look to improve their record. The varsity team is currently undefeated and has dominated over rivals Francis Lewis and Cardozo. For this season, the girls needed to gain an understanding of how the other teams play. Senior co-captain Samantha Liu said, “I, along with many girls on the team, have played with the [Francis Lewis] girls on club teams. Thus, we understand how they play out of the PSAL league and what weaknesses they have.” The Hawks placed first in the Metro and Maspeth tournament and beat 2018 PSAL city champions, Stuyvesant High School, adding to their list of achievements. The girls attribute their success to the fact some play volleyball yearround. “With their participation in the Bayside Volleyball Club and the Cali Volleyball Club, the girls dedicated their time to volleyball in the winter and spring season. For us, volleyball isn’t just a school sport, it’s a passion,” said Samantha.

The Turtles talk their latest season of swimming By Olivia Leon, Andrew Mak, Dylan Samuel and Netanya Tsang Staff Writers

The 2019 girls’ swim team is only a couple of strokes away from another promising season. As a Division A team, they achieved a record of eight wins and two losses last season. This year, captains Georgia Malo, Inga Kulma, and Emily Yan step up to the challenge of leading and motivating their team. Senior Inga Kulma has been on the team for the past three seasons. Inga said, “Going into this season we will have a harder time beating other high schools, and it only makes us want to work harder.” Inga believes this

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year will be challenging, with the loss of many seniors. Junior Kelsey Miu added, “It’s very difficult not knowing what to expect now that the seniors have graduated. It’s easy to take the easy way out, but the only way to get better at this sport is by practicing.” Both Kelsey and Inga believe that “a fun, happy, hardworking team” is the key to motivating their teammates throughout this season. Georgia said, “My personal goal is to do better than last season. I want to push myself and be a better swimmer than I was before.” With a similar mindset, junior Angela Zhu said, “My strategy for the season is to make sure everyone is in shape. This year we need the participation of every

swimmer on the team to help us reach our goal.” Captain Emily Yan aims to bring the team closer together. “The main thing I learned was to be more outgoing. I’m trying to go out of my way to talk to others and make the team feel more like a family,” Emily said. “As captain, it is my job to help recruit new people and come up with ideas to help improve the team (how to fundraise, designing apparel, recruiting freshmen, answering ques-

Senior Swim Captains | Photo by Katrina Dydzuhn

tions, etc).” The girls currently have a record of three wins and two losses and are ranked just behind rivals Francis Lewis. Having already

competed against each school in the A Division, the girls prepare for their next meet against Bayside High School this Friday, October 11th.