IDbt <!tItillste mowitsen~ Jlarris Jlig~ ~c~ool
at ~ueens QIollege
75-40 Parsons Blvd., Flushing, New York :il366
Vol. 3, No. 1
November, 1986
TownsendHarris Trades Traditions
C o nsu l H o n o r ed For Efforts
School Hosts Japanese Students By Holly Hatcher To wnsend Harris High School greeted two high school students from Japan on October 9 for a two week ..isit to the United States with student rep resentative s Kevin Kim and Julie Trom berg . Kim was paired with T o rn o hi ro Someyan, 16, and Tromberg hosted Mimi Tsuboi, 17, both visitor s from Tokyo. The representatives were chosen based on acade mic a nd interview performances . P ri ncipal Malcolm Largmann opened the prese ntation with a quote for' Aeschylus, "What is pleasanter than the tie of host and gues?" Pauline DeMairo , PTA president, compared hosting to " embarking into adventure into the world of Japan." School President Michael McDermott expressed his feelings about the youth exchange and praised the two junior c1assme n. Someyan attends Toyko Gakngel University High School and Tsuboi attends an all girls ' Catholic high school, St. Dominic . They described how the Japanese educational system is different from New York 's. "In Japan, you sit and keep silent .. . can't ask questions dur, ing class, " expressed Tomoshiro ,
Someya . "The teacher doesn't look at you . .. back is to you .. while she writes on the board," explained Mimi Tsuboi. In Japan, there is less individual attention given to students than at Townsend Harris. The classes often exceed fifty students. Both visitors agree that the classrooms in Townsend Harris are more relaxed and that the American customs are different. The guest students , with their hosts, toured New York City, visited Washington, D.C. , the Queens College campus, and an Amish village during their two week stay. Tomohiro stated that he was .•impressed by the big building" otherwise known as the World Trade Center. Mimi Tsboi has a love for dance and especially enjoyed Broadway's " Sweet Charity ." Harr is participants hoped to gain an inne r kno-wle dge a nd better understanding to prepare themselves for their visit to Japan in the spring . The first year Japanese class con- c1uded the presentation singing a Japanese song, "Shojoji, " which mentions the significance of foreign exchange. The visitors' grins widened and their eyes sparkled as they listened to the familiar sounds of home .
E -' 'm" c
co
IIIIll
?t;{,f.:t:..,....:.r..<:o:•••••
J apanese students Mimi Tsuboi and Tomohiro Someyan.
Garcia Frees Feathered Friend By Heather Nash Mr. Ed Schweber 's D-band class anxiously awaited help before Mrs . Odile Garc ia walked in with net-inhand to save the day, and the warbler. The bird, which flew into the Em th Science class on October 10, was retrieved by Mrs. Garcia after it flew thro ughout the room and hid behind a group of boxes. Although bird catching might not be a common event at THHS, Mrs . Garcia has had a similar exper ience in the past. . 'I found him falling from a nest," she told of a bird she found near her home . " We had him for a month, but he had suicidal tendencies. He kept falling from 'high
places, and one day I actually had to revive him through mouth to mouth resusitation . But, he died a week , later. I guess I was trying to save something that wasn't meant to be saved ." After Mrs. Garcia retrieved the stunned warbler from the earth science room , she fed it water through a dropper, and brought it to a retired doctor who takes care of wild animals. The bird remained there for two days before it was released. " I could have taken care of him, but I didn't want him to die. I : couldn't stand that. It ju st hurts too much when that happens ."
By Holly Hatcher
The Stone lantern at the gravesite.
Dolls Exchanged 'At Japan Society By Heather Nash Townsend Harris High School received a ceramic doll from 73 Japanese children on August 7, in a ceremony at the Japan Society commemor ating the 60th anniversary of a similar doll exchange. ' The doll, a gift from the Young Ambassadors , was one of twenty given to various schools, libraries and museums . Organized by the Japan Society and the new York Sister City Program, the gift exchange ceremony was created to renew friendship between the children of both count ries. The tradition began in 1927 when 12,329 American dolls were sent to Japan by schoolchildren in an act of friendship. In return, 60 hand-made Japanese dolls were sent back as gifts. Although two of these dolls are in the
Newark Museum, the fate of the remaining 58 remains unknown . In addition to receiving the dolls, the American students also gave the Young Ambassadors gifts. Townsend Harris presented the Japanese children with sculpture created by the students. President of the Japan Society, David MacEachron, Ambassador Tushikayo Maeda , Consul-General, Hidetoshi Urawa and curator -of oriental art at the Newark Museum Val ra e Rey no lds attended the ceremony. "We hope that we may help promote ever lasting friendship between the children of both nations, " commented Ambassador MaIda on the exchange . A mime performance by Yass Hakoshima followed the doll presentation and refresh ments.
The first WesternConsul General to Japan, Townsend Harris, was honored on July 24 at Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, for his efforts to unite the East and West. Harr is was not only praised for his political accomplishments but for-his achievement in the academic field, for his part in the establishment of City College . The people of Japan presented special gifts to the American public as a symbol of peace and friendship. Dr. Bernard Harleston, President of City ..Coliege, defined the present relationship ' between the United States and Japan -as a " firm friendship and mutual respect that exists today between our two peoples." City College hosted the ceremonies which celebrated the refurbishment and the rededication of Townsend Harris' gravesite. The gifts for the gravesite included commerative stones, a stone lantern, a cherry tree and a dogwood saplirig, which was donated by Townsend Harris High SchooL Among the distinguished guests were Reverend Yodo Murakami, Resident Priest of Gvoksani, Temple in Shimoda , Japan, who initiated in Shimoda the first U.S. Consul ate, which is-now a historical monument. Dr. Richard Rush, Harris' graandnephew was present. Representatives from the Mayor 's office of New Yor k City and Shimada, Japan, the Japan Society. the Townsend Harris High School Alumn i Association and the Townsend Harris High School faculty part ici pated in memorializing the achievements of Tow nsend Harris .
Founders' Day Renews Spirit By Karen Greenberger & Heather Nash The third annual Townsend Harris Founders' Day took place at the Queens College T hea ter on November 7. The ceremony , which was open to all freshmen and new sophomores began at 9 a.m . in the Little Theater. Led by alumnus Gerald Halpern, the ceremony included speakers Queens High School Superintendent Samuel Kostman , Queens College Dean of Education Susa nna W. Pflaum, Henry Shereff, the Presiden t of the Townsend Harris Alumni Association, and City Councilmember Julia Harrison. Remarks were also made by Principal Malcolm G. Largmann , and Student Organization Pres ident
Michael McDermott. "Our School provide s us with an excellent learning environment and growing experience , " said McDerrmotto "In return we should be proud to fulfill our promise to our school and city with an equally worthy gift." Sophomore and freshman Student Organ ization President Alec Pollack admi nistered the Ephebic Oath, of which Dr. Largrnann said, " The oath does not speak of academic record ; instead it speaks of sacred principles . .. the Ephebic Oath challenges us to be loyal." In he r speech , C ity Councilme mber Julia Har rison urged the new students not to be selfish and to help those in need. "What I am asking you for is that you consider the
other person. Try to dedicate yourself to someone who is no t fortunate as yourse lf. " The Townsend Harris band, conducted by music. teacher Walter Davis, performed the National Anthem and " Flashdance .. . What a Feeling . " "Mo ntagues and Capulets" from Romeo and Juliet was played by solo pianist Yana Stotland , and the chorus , under the direction of Mrs . Joyce Provenzale, sang the Alma Mater written by Ervin Drake. Special volleyball and Academic Olympic enrich ment programs were created for the sophomores and junio rs who remained in the school durin g the ceremon y.