The Classic newspaper Volume 4 Issue no. 4

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Senior Suman Gupta has reached finalist level in the National Merit Scholarship Competition, which is based on PSAT scores and confirmed by SAT scores. Suman also had to complet e an intricate applicati on, which included recommendations and essays, before qualifying. '

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Sean Gra lton , Hyun-Su Yi, Suman Gupta, and alternate Linda Cheung won the first round of the Lincoln/Douglas Debate against John Dewey H.S. on February 18. Suman is also one of the five varsity level finalists from the Brooklyn/Queens Forensic League to compete in a national debate in New Orleans on Memorial Day. Intermediate level debater Michele Carino also placed first in this league, and ·junior Krystal Robinson placed second.

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Social Studies teacher Joan Barash has come to Townsend Harris from Forest Hills High School, and is currently working toward her doctorate in sociology by studying the relationship between the work ing , Glass and intellectuals of the U.S.

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~ The Student Senate, leadership class, and math team will accompany g COSA Myron Moskowitz to a tap ing of a talk show pilot for tpens.The ., show will feature an open forum discussion on racial issues, and will -a"" ta ke place at St. Albans Hospit al.

Michelle Queri, Jeff Cohen, James Ma rina , Joe Guzzardo and Eric Wiggington ponder over Academic ••••• Olympics question. .

A breakfast to honor the Westinghouse Semi-finalists was held at the Waldorf Astoria on February 2. Teachers Susan Appel and Rhoda Weinstein accompa nied finalist Dana Levine to City Hall for break fast on February 22. Dana then left for Washington, D.C. on February 25 for the final judging.

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Olympic Think Tank Flattens Competition

Twenty-one of Mr. Bart Keller's histo ry students won third place in a New York State competition on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights

By David Herszenhorn sponsored by Congress. The final round of the contest was held at New In three decisive wins over top York University. opponen ts, the Townsend Harris ••••• Freshman Jackie Lowe won first place in the High School Division Academic Olympics team has once again jumped into first Storytelling Contest. place. The defending borough ••••• A leadership corps will begin March 1 for anyone that has already champ ions opened "their season on taken leadership class. COSA Myron Moskowitz is the advisor of this Friday, February 9 with a 75-54 pre-enrichment which may eventually be open to people who haven't yet victory over Bayside High School, ta ken leadership. the 186 City Champion.

••••• Coach Richard Russo was very Music teacher Walter Davis is conducting a band that will feature jazz optimistic. "I hope tha t we at and progressive rock and will practice during enrichment. Anyone least duplicate our performance of wishing to learn an instrumen t may also do so now during pre- last year which was to win the enrichment. The concert band, also conducted by Mr. Davis, currently borough, and perhaps even win has 76 members. the city championship . We have a ••••• The guidance office will announce information about Summer Pro- large number of repeaters from grams at colleges such as Cornell shortly. Anyone interested in these last year's team and a few very programs shou ld visit either the guidance office or the college office in strong newcomers. I am very confident going into this season ." the early Spring.

• • ••• The New York High School cluster of Amnesty International will sponsor "Jamnesty," a benefit concert at the Limelight, on March 5 at 3:00. . The event will feature ska and rock bands from the New York area . Admission is $10.00. ,

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Confusion

The Bayside coach, however, Diane Duffy tied for second place in an orato ry contest sponsored by the American Irish Historical Society in honor of Irish-American was not happy because schedule confusion caused, his team to arHeritage and Culture Week. rive 20 minutes late. After com••••• Monika Bialokur, Cindy Lahm , and David Mattis are semi-finalists in menting to Mr. Russo about the the highly competitive National German Examination. lack of refreshments, he said, " I ••••• think the whole situation stinks .

School Shakespeare recitation winner Alec Pollac, competed in the We had one hour's notice to get boroughwide contest at Bayside High School on March 2. here and had to leave half of our ••••• Thirty students accompanied English teacher Harriet Blechman to the " team home. We're being penalized CSC Repertory Theatre on February 29 for a Shakespeare Workshop . for other people's mistakes. I The program featured a presentation of Othello conducted by Tony Hill and Gordon Scammell of Britain's Royal Shakespeare Company.

Inf luences The Townsend Harris emphasis on the humanities is very influential in team strategy. Senior Michael McDermott explained, "The key to the whole season is to dominate in the Omnibus, History and English rounds and let them [the opponents] do what they , want in Math and Science."

This is the exact way in which the Ha rris team cut down Cardozo 89-44 on February 16 in its first away game of the season.

Team member Michelle Linexplained, " We passed all the Math /Science questions before the judges finished asking them so they couldn't answer them. They didn 't do that. well in Math and Science either. " The team then went on to thrash John Bowne 85-56 at home . One of the highlights of the match came during the team questions , when Bowne was asked , "What was the color of Melville's Moby Dick?" and they replied, "Pink ."

An Academic Olympics match consists of four different rounds,

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Inside The Classic:

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Vandalism

Jessica Mattera won first place in an essay contest given by the New York City Association of English Teachers. Townsend Har ris swept the contest; Kristin Fassler placed second, and Nuri Kodaman won third place. The winners, who wrote about "A Difficult Decision," will attent an award ceremony on March 8.

Queens College student teachers this term include Barbara Barnett and Heda Zweig in the Science Department, Mark Salzman in the .Physical Education Department, and Mau reen Kramer in the English Department. ,

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think the whole situation is absurd ."

IWinter " Carnival

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English, History, Math/Science, and Omnibus. The Omnibus roun d includes ' questions in subjects that do not fall into any of the other categories, such as Sports, Music and Entertainment.

The competition involves individual and team questions. Examples of questions are, "What is a philatelist?" and "Name four states which border on the Gulf of Mexico." A moderator and a judge officiate at each match. One asks the questions and gives the answers while the other is the official scorer.

First Place The Townsend Harris team with its perfect record of 3-0 is currently in first place. Freshman Nuri Kodaman is happy to be a part of t-he winning tradition. " It is an intellectually stimulating, exciting experience. And it's fun ."

Last year the Townsend Harris Academic O lympics team defeated Franklin K."Lane High School to win the Queens Borough Championship and then placed third in the city after Tottenville and Stuyvesant High Schools.

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I Reviews I Basketball

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February/March, 1988

TheCla'i.'lic

Elect to Vote!

Harris students have traditionally been a vocal group. Now seniors have the chance to make their voice their vote. Thus, as the election season nears, it is time to see that Townsend Harris voters can make a difference. More and more seniors will be eligible to vote by the time the presidential primaries take place in May. The Classic therefore urges these stude nts to take advantage of their right to choose a qualified cand idate, and register to vote.

Over the course of our Townsend Harris education, we have stud ied former leaders and their impact on history of the world.

We now have the op portunity to select the leaders who will help write the history of tomorrow. Now is the time to put our educations to proper use and choose such candidates. As young Americans and educated stude nts, we should put the power of the ballot to the test and choose the candidates who will shape our nation.

Many people choose not to vote since they believe that a single vote will not make a difference. Unfortunately.j f enoug h people abide by this philosophy the wrong candidates will be elected, and the ideals upon which this nation prides itself will fade away. It is therefore essential that we take adva ntage of our privilege to vote , and keep the ideals of democracy alive. Townsend Harris stude nts are well educated, and should now prove this to the rest of the nation by registering and choosing a candidate that can be trusted with the fate of America .

This is the first election in which we have the chance to vote for ou r own candidates instead of waiting to see who the rest of the nation chooses. Let 's stand up and be counted .

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What are your feelin2S on the decision to distribute free needles to drug addicts?

Vandals Mock Ephebic Oath / shall never 'bring disgrace to my cit)!.... I, both alone and with my many comrades, shall fight for the ideals and sacred things of the city.. . .I snail not leave my city any less but rather greater and better than / found it.

The Ephebic Oath. Embodying the classical Townsend Harris ideals, it is recited at every Founders' Day by every incoming student. While some might not take its words seriously, none can deny that it represents a high standard to aspire to-a stan. dard intrinsic to the Townsend Harris experience.

Townsend Harris High School is thought of by many to be a gem in the pub lic schoo l system. Its small size and intimate, friendly atmosphere have brought us all together as a family of trust and happi ness. Now, as we send our first graduating class out into the world, we realize that even our insular community has its problems . We find a sinister influence in our halls and classrooms presenting itself in the form of vandalism.

More and more incidents of .vandalism in the computer labs, the lavatories, and the halls are being reported. Many say that as a school grows, such minor problems are to be expected. Others recoil in horror, imposing measures such as the lavatory sign-out book, which most students regard with distaste and resentment.

The Classic feels that while the incidents of vandalism are minor and inconsequential, they are a reflection of increased apathy among the school population and suggest a level of responsibility out of character with the standards of the Townsend Harris student. Preventive measures should be taken to insure that the Ephebic Oath is not a formality of empty words, but a significant and pertinent pledge to the values which play such a great role in our classical education. Curriculum must inculcate students with a respect for their surroundings and the rights of others, and teach the value of maintaining a dignified environment. The disciplinary system for acts of vandalism can not work if students do not realize the degradation such defacement brings to themselves and their school.

Arista Overlooks Freshmen Efforts To the Edito r: I feel that the school has made a mistake in one of its decisions concerning Arista membership. I am a freshman and last year in junior high school I was inducted into Arista. I have discovered that one of. the policies of Townsend Harri s is not to allow 9th graders to join any honor society. I do not think that this is fair . Many freshmen are working hard this

year and deserve the chance to belong to Arista throughout their high school life. I realize the school feels that the 9th graders are just entering high school and don't need the added pressure of trying to get perfect grades.

However , Townsend Harris should allow the freshmen who have the 'appropriate grades to join the society.

Elizabeth Loewy

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"I don 't believe that needles going to get burned. Drugs are ilshould be distributed to drug legal! 1 think they should use the

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users. We should not waste the taxpayers money on the rejects of our society. We should use it for something that benefits everyone."

Ka Kin Lee, 904

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;: "I think that needles should be distributed . Drugs are illegal but AIDS is the immediate problem.

Drug users will use drugs anyway.

It's better for them to use clean needles rather than dirty needles."

Sonia Rivera, 106

money for the needles to open up more rehabil itation programs. .Beyond that, if people continue to use L V. drugs, it's their choice and they know the risks."

Florence Watson, 116

South African Poet Offers Inspiration 'To the Editor: realize how lucky we are that we I recently read a troubling piece can write to our editors. I can 't of writing dealing with Apartheid. imagine half the people in this It was a letter from a South school ever shutting up about .African poet, and it told how this anything, and there's nothing person was arrested for writing a wrong with that. poem that described angry feelings toward whites.

But, it's time all the I'm sure you've all heard about peacemakers and "rebels" of this Apartheid ' many times, but it has school stopped moaning about come to the point where we must collaterals and put their very . begin to understand and deal with descriptive pens to work at a more the problem. Maybe we don't .important issue: Apartheid. If you

Math Course Causes Cramming To the Editor: I would like to complain about the Sequential Math Course 3 program in Townsend Har ris. During this course, teachers often speed up lessons to meet : term requirements. This procedure leaves some students bewildered and confused .

I propose a three-term course in Seq. Math 3 much like the one at LaGuardia High School. In this program students who start the . course in September of one year take the Regents exam the following' year.

This proposal would ease the tension of the course and at the same time let students fully understand the work and do well on the Regents.

Freddy Ceraso

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were given the ability to stand up for what is right, and you are blessed with a knack for words, I suggest you take my advice and do something constructive with yourself.

Now is the time to fight for what you believe in-you have to realize that before it's too late for the victims of Apartheid.

Jackie Loeb

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75-40 Parsons Blvd. , Flushing NY 11366 Senior Editor-inoChief. : Heather Nash Editor-i noChief Renata Kobetts Managing Editor David Herszenhorn News Editor Eileen Gunn Feature Editors Camille Gear, Hayley Thomas Sports Editor Lena Jones Business Editor Nanette Kung Senior Editors ex officio: Dawn Cabage, Russell DeCastro, Michelle Gnyp, Karen Greenberger. Holly Hatcher, Brad Mayer, Cheryl Schustack Photographer: Scott Karp Artists: Keiki Cabanos, Check Moy, Anny Wohn Staff: Corey Ackerman , Jackie Berler, Jonathan Boltax, Jane Cirigliano, David Fischer, Marissa Gluck, Samantha Gobler, Lorraine Holland , Melody Keilbach, Julia Kou, Ericka Landsmann, Jodi Lasoff, Ruth Lerman, Mary McCarthy, John Newman, Nikila Pai , Rimma Perelmuter, Tracey Revellino,' Kristi Rodenbeck, Alicia Salmoni, Esther Soffer, Danielle Steinmann, Steve Sussman , Tally Wiener, Jessica Wohl.

Advisor Mrs. Sheryl Rubin Princi pal.

Dr. Malcolm Largmann

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A Growing Problem: Vandalism- Defaces Harris Halls ,

"I mean, if this is how I wanted to spend my time ... " Assistant Principal Bernice Horowitz's voice trails off as she ascends the gym stairs. "Now this is ridiculous," she smiles, pointing to a brown paper bag which whiffs of recent lunch. A trip to the end of the hall merits promising findings-an . armload of similar paper souvenirs. She stops at the bulletin board displaying math reports by the office. One has been defaced.

"This is the first time I've had this sort of thing here." The hallway roamer notes her path getting filthier each day.

Prevention "1 notice it; but it doesn't affect me personally; what can you do?" junior Harsha Patni reflects. "It's very hard to find out who's doing it and their reasons for vandalizing. I think, right now there's not much in the school. The administration has to be completely ' sure before they can blame anybody. At the present time they should be grateful that we don't have as much of a problem as other high schools do. Since there's so little, the administration should hold a meeting to discuss methods of prevention before it can spread."

"What bothers me about vandalism?" Dean Wanda Nix cocks an eyebrow. "There's too much of it." Considering that it is a reflection on citizenship, she discloses that people will write on desks and books in view of others who fail to report it. These people, it's felt, should know better.

Having taken the Ephebic Oath, she reminds, "they have sworn to leave their city 'greater and better'

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math teachers Joe Horn and John Brown agoree that damage in the computer rooms IS caused by students during labs whose hands are free to scribble rather than by those .taking computer related courses. Junior Harold Krebs confirms thatIast year, somebody ripped out some keys; someone else wrote on a monitor. The room was closed to student use for all of June as a result.

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Computer Damage

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According to Mr. Rattien, two people caught defacing computers were suspended and required to than they found it." She adds, like missing toilet levers, that art room. People leave dittos and ' pay for the damages. The problem "Vandalism, and graffiti certainly show how much pride they have in worksheets given in class, along is serious since, "we try to keep don't do that." themselves. He has not yet been with lunch and candy wrappers, the computers open in the morn-"It starts out small but it keeps tempted to survey the surface area on the floor or between cracks in ings and afternoons but the ones getting bigger and bigger unless gum accumulation of the school. the wood. who lose out are the students." you stop it now, " comments After coming from the Bronx Although Mr. Horn is alarmed by junior Zoraya Ruiz, "It's hard to where they used to burn down the gum and garbage in the printers Take Pride catch the persons who are doing bulletin boards, minute graffiti and the switching of keys, he it. You see it on desks and the "1 really haven't noticed the marks, written neatly in a corner feels, "the problem goes beyond bathrooms, but unless you keep vandalism," says junior Michele don't easily throw off Guidance just vandalism." track of who sits at the 'desks not Exposite, "but I think something Coordinator Sheila Orner; Feelings about the vandalism, much can be done. It's a good should be done before it gets. However, even she has detected theft, and filth creeping into the school and I don't think they worse. I really don't know what signs of increasing disrespect, school are growing. Assistant should let it happen." can be done, but I think it's a such as pictures missing from Photography Editor Alona shame that it's happening in our bulletin boards, "There is a larger Lapena, of the Crimson and school because our school is dif- student body now. The vandalism Gold, voices a mounting opinion, Missing Plaques ferent from others and we should is minimal compared to that of "When I first came to this school, other schools. Usually, visitors are tfie walls and desks were the take pride in ourselves."

While Assistant Principal Unhealthy. Unpleasant. Un- . very much impressed by the state cleanest I've ever seen since Malcolm Rossman reports that, comfortable? of cleanliness in the halls and note elementary school. After three "We really don't have that kind"I wouldn't call it vandalism as that all the boards seem intact and years, I have seen changes, but of a problem," he admits that, much as negligence of colorful. But I am beginning to drastic measures weren't needed "we had two plaques honoring cleanliness," explains art teacher notice an increase," she admits. to keep it from happening again." students disappear. from the Anthony Morales. "The ambience The students do much to inLost Faith library." It is perhaps a question of the school is threatened by the fluence and create their environof honor that concerns even minor filth one sees." He notices gum According to junior Lily Tam,' ment. Other schools have to worry thefts in the school. Though there left on the undersides of desks and "Before the vandalism I had faith about vandals breaking windows. is _no graffiti in the men's chairs as well as on the material in the school, but after the van- Does Townsend Harris now face lavatories, it's the "little things," stored on. the window side of the dalism I wasn't so sure about the having to keep them clean?

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Political Views Develop Student Awareness

By Hayley Thomas I'm not actively interested in it." cover up things .like with the "Teenagers-should be interested Sophomore Abby Miller shares North case. This is supposed to be in politics because we are the Richard's attitude. She says, "I a government of the people and future," declares Junior listen to the news, but I don't yet the people don't know what's Phonekeo Sarang. Her statements , think I'm really into it. I think happening. I think that the echo much of what teenagers to - that what is going on in the world government has more secrets and day are told by their elders. But is important and that it affects lies than it has truths." teenagers have mixed feelings me, but right now I have other, about the role of politics in their more important things to 'worry Abuse oj Power lives and in society . about." .

Recent headlines may explain why teenagers are interested or are Richard agrees. "There is so Interest In Government not interested in politics. much abuse of power in the Freshman Francesca Mom- , government. They hide everything plaisir believes that, "The govern- .and the people only know what's Social Science teacher, Myron mental structure is supposed to going on when the press does.

Moskowitz believes, "people need establish order, but [today), this There is probably corruption and to know more about their govern- order is ju st chaos with a presi- abuse of power going on in the ment, including kids." But some dent. The people who are running government as we speak." of those "kids" are not interested . the government are not doing a And yet sophomore Alina in knowing about the government. very good job in following Ratner believes that things in the Some feel .that the government through with the constitutional government are too good' as they doesn't allow them to know. ideas and other laws established are. "I believe there's too much Junior Harsha Patni admits, therein. Look at the Contra Hear- freedom allowed by the' govern"I'm not interested in politics. It ings. I think that somewhere down ment in terms of informing the bores me. I really don't care about the line, the wisdom of our country about matters."

So should teenagers who have ' what's happening in the world. forefathers evolved into iglost faith in the government lose When I have to know, I'll know ." norance."

Francesca's lack of confidence hope? Mr. Moskowitz says, "No. Other Townsend Harris students expressed a lack of in- . in the government is echoed by But teenagers don't ,think that the individual can make a difference. terests in politics in general. other teenagers.

Harsha feels that, "They [the It is easier to be cynical than to Senior Richard Jones confides," I don't keep up with politics. I did government], especially the ex- make the effort and get in touch look at the Contra Hearings, but ecutive branch, always try' to with a politician."

That may be so, but most teenagers do think that they can make a difference. The vote, they believe, makes the difference.

Richard points out,' "People say, 'What does my vote count?' but it does count. It gives.you a say, a part in society. It makes you feel good about yourself. I feel that if you don't vote or don't feel that your vote counts, you should go to another country where the vote is predetermined."

Francesca says this, "If I could vote, I would because I am part of this country. I was given this right and I believe I should act on it."

Choosing Parties So who would teenagers today vote for, if they could? Some believe that they share the political ideology of one ' or another political party; however, many do not.

Freshman Tracy Westarr says, "I am a Republican. I have no objection to what they [the Republican Party] are doing. That is not to say that I agree with everything they do all the time.

But right now, I agree with their ideas. " Phonekeo believes that she is a republican because she says, "I know I'll be rich. The republican party is oMy for the rich and we need to keep the money where it belongs."

For this reason and others Junior Carla Simmons considers herself "a Democrat and slightly conservative. I don't agree with the ' Republicans' priorities. I don't think . they consider individuals. This is reflected in their stand on abortion and other social issues. " Unlike Phonekeo and Carla" Francesca's politicalideas seem to be a mixture of both Democratic and Republican ideologies. She admits, "I'm sort of mixed because the Republicans seem to work for the country as a whole,' but not the individual. That idea is fine, so long as the individual is not overlooked."

Most teenagers today aren't actively interested in politics. But somewhere, in the back of their minds, they are thinking about it and ideas are forming ; Those ideas .will affect their lives and their society in the future.

Page 4

The Classic ..,

By Ruth Ladi es and gen nual To wnsend · .Mrs. Odile Garc The first floor ,,:,~ what was behind ting many schc 'M! volunteered th eii Laino helped wit :~ " The Winter Cal j it would be. It ws ! ple who came err ":'~i made me have fu · All night , a en ,,:,1 Booth. ' "Student. ~ cents. " I'veaIJ ~ sophomore Edwa ,~ seventh "bride ." ~ been a honeymo r Down stair s in · sold to hung ry v ~ swirls of cotto n c just delectable , a eagerly licking th candy turned 0\ customers . .

Early in the nig game was held ir and teachers in t Mr. Ratten helpe students .

After the game ceeds went to a II Sulfin House. P autographed picn an officia l Geor: from various org ..:££J . . Followmg the 1 parents and friem group . of Towns, version of "A H storm," praised s Doris Jean singin and Eugene Hare tion of "Always : "was very movin "The Whiter ( claimed enthusias Mrs. Butts, the I Winter Carnival . come together in ing breaks.

The Winter Cl have fun while fa jamin explained, "'had fun ." Sopht really worked har ing forward to th

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Photos by II: Mike Grant looks on as Edward Ocampo provides the beat for the winter talent show.

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1988

The Classic

id Danielle Steinmann re one and all to the second an-

nter carnival,coordinated by

evening of Feb. 24. with people eager to uncover . There were booths represenlations. About 40 students the carnival. Freshman Igne 19 Around the Bottle" game. t bigger success than I thought ing the booth because the peoarne and kept coming back. It ~e said . thered around the " Marr iage tiently to "get married" for 25 ~ married six times," said b as he waited on line with his I suggested, "There should have . " rI marnage . ~'''. ium , beverages and food were e were seen with large pink • ir hands. "The cotton candy is too ," exclaimed Laney Biffer, ~r off her fingers. The cotton ery popular, attracting many

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mal Winter Carnival volleyball Students battled their parents showdown. Mr. Ros sman and ldults to a 15-5 victory over the ". langer called the auction. ProY, the Young Adult In stitute's ! items up for bid were an ~ opera star Brian Bloom, and ~n . The items were collected ••

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for teac hers , lience clapped an d cheered as a !, chorus members sang their bf Winter." "They sang up a Ping Lee. Other acts included 'lakes the World Go 'Roun d," bti Ande rson with their rendiI ~r." Anny Wohn felt the show ike a little family show ." , the hottest th ing going," exerson , Mrs. Clementine Butt s.

I 1t of the PTA , feels that the ~e Townsend Harr is fam ily to 1" between the winter and sprnwed ' students an d parents to . ey for th e PTA; Ca roline Ben- ll'. nj oyed it and even my parents lney Butts added , "Everyone preparation paid off. I'm lookIm al. "

rP and Jennifer Legal

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Ex-Policeman Arrests Garden Audience

By Samantha Gobler On the night of February 3, 'there wasn't an empty seat at Madison Square Garden.

Everyone was awaiting the performer, whose reputation has only gotten better over the last decade.

This rock and roll sensation was "policeman" Gordon Sumner, otherwise known as "Sting."

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Responding to the crowd's request, Sting replied, "'You Give Love a Bad Name." I don't do that!" But, he did reward them with Police hit, "Bring On the Night," which brought the crowd to its feet. This was followed by Police song, "When the World Is Running Down (You Make the Best What's Still Around)," in which the audience gallantly sang along. Sting and his band then left the stage to take a 20-minute intermission.

Sting began to .play the tamWhen Sting and his band bourine and said to the audience, returned on stage, he was ready to "1234567. After 7, the bar perform "Dance Alone" from changes." This lively exchange·" ... Nothing Like The Sun." The opened for the upbeat song from piece was performed beautifully . " ...Nothing Like the Sun," and contained great percussion ar"Straight to the Heart." The au- rangements. "Be Still My Beating was followed by dience sang along on this ,great Heart" ballad. Sting went back to his "Fragile" and a Jimi Hendrix love Police days when he sang, "One song, "Little Wing."

World." He did the twist, and ad' ded his own keyboard arrangements to supplement the lyrics. Everyone in the arena was Don't Stand So Close clapping their hands along with "If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free," a hit single from , •'The Dream of the Blue Turtles."

"Fortress Around Your Heart" Sting played his guitar on "Con- made the crowd wild. This was sider Me, Gone," which is also immediately followed by "Don't from his last solo album.

Stand So Close To Me." The au-

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dience showed their approval by swaying and clapping their hands with the music. He played the keyboards for a while during the piece, until Sting and his band left the stage for the second time. . Upon their return, Sting happened to mention that most of his band resides in New York. The crowd roared in approval. The music continued and "Secret Marriage" was chanted.

'Message In A Bottle'

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Serpent Strangles Craven's Style

By Corey Ackerman The master of horror, Wes Craven, has finally come up with a film that isn't so scary. Well, everyone makes mistakes.

The Serpent and the Rainbow chronicles the adventures of a Harvard man (Bill Pullman) as he travels to Haiti trying to find the secret of what creates zombies out of corpses. Upon arrival, he joins forces with a beautiful doctor (Cathy Tyson), an authority on the subject. Together they encounter numerous supernatural forces including Dargent Peytraud (Zakes Mokae), who seems to have a personal vendetta against the two.

"Let's play something else. I forgot it." The final selection was "Message In A Bottle," an old Police hit. The audience was triumphant as they sang and clapped along. The band was also singing as the rhythm got faster and faster. "Sending ' Out an SOS" was sung throughout the Garden as the performance arrived at its climax.

A Sting concert is not a show or a performance, but a tremendous The Serpent and the Rainbow is party in which everyone present is not exactly sure of what it wants a participant. A Sting concert is to be. Fact-based, it could have an event to be remembered been a detailed story into the forever for its uniqueness and its world of zombies and voodoo. It originality. also could have been a

nightmarish assault on the senses.

Instead, it gets caught right in the middle. Not enough time is spent on the facts, yet not enough fear is evoked either. This leaves the audience stranded, lost between reality and fantasy.

Wei. Craven, director of the Nightmare on Elm Street series, has proven his ability to terrify people in the past. He should stick to that format. In Serpent, only once does the audience wince in disgust. Unfortunately, this scene is too offensive to discuss here.

The other "gore" sequences take place during hallucinations, and thus are ineffective. Even the film's climax falls short.

If there is a desire for horror, The Serpent and the Rainbow is not worth the two hours it takes to watch. For a real scare, and a better look at voodoo, rent Angel Heart on video-cassette.

Burn This: Malkovitch Sets Audience Ablaze

By Rimma Perelmuter "Burn This" ignites the explosive issues of the Eighties.

Set in a contemporary Manhattan loft, Lanford Wilson's newest play explores the multi-faceted lives of four young urbanites trying to deal with the trying times they are so hesitant to face.

As the play commences, an unfurnished room bearing a gorgeous Manhattan view is revealed. The audience is introduced to Anna, a beautiful young dancer and future choreographer, her gay roommate Larry, and her sometime lover Burton, a rich lackluster sci-fi movie writer, who are all mourn-

ing the accidental death of Anna's gay friend and dance partner Robbie. Anna has just returned from Robbie's funeral and is wrathfully bearing her soul about the naivete expressed by Robbie's family concerning his masterful dancing and homosexuality. Many jokes evolve from the blue collar ap'preach to this gay male. Wilson is satirizing the attitudes of the working man towards the artist and homosexual.

The stage is inflamed with passion as the fiery John Malkovich brashly emerges as Pale, Robbie's definitely not gay brother. He proceeds, frenzied and violent, to

unveil his mysterious and ruthless personality which bears the power to terrify Anna yet succumb her to his undeniable sexual forces. And so Anna is led to make her modern day decision of whether to go with safe and reliable Burton or unpredictable Pale, who is confused ' about his undeniable love for Anna. '

tional struggles existing within him.

As Anna, Joan Allen is perfectly crafted in delivering a confused, angry, and 'unaccepting character.

Her feminine appearance and maiden-like costumes provide for vistage of a perfectly suited heroine for the differing worlds of Pale and Burton. Lou Libertore as The savior of "Burn This" is Larry and Jonathan Hogan as.

Attempting to satisfy a wide the firework performance of Burton 1U"e also in perfect tune range of audiences, "Burn This" Malkovich. His zenith dramatiza- with their characters .to provide presents a mix of common and tion of Pale is enthralling, ex- comic relief on diversified topics. humorous conflicts which are asperating, and an inspiration to .

Its acting talents and many never ' . explored or resolved. the histrionics. His boundless inBecauseit touches on everything terpretation makes us laugh at the hilarious anecdotes save "Burn from contradictions on homosex- flaws of our society and creates a This," and turn it into an enteruality, to the problems of parking, yearning sympathy for the emo- taining piece. the theme of "Burn This" strays.

With the exception of Anna's cry; "I am sick of the age I live in; I don't like being ripped off and scared," we have no deepinsight 'of why these lovers are so scared to death of one another. And so, this is the result of Wilson's deviation formula.

Tunisian Mosaics Invade American Museum

By Alicia Salmoni when it will then move on to a na"Delenda est Carthago!" . or tional tour.

"Carthage must be destroyed!" Featured were finely detailed proclaimed Cato in 146 B.C. maps, diagrams and artifacts such Although it rose from the ashes to as pottery and terra-cotta bowls become a great city once again, and vases, jewelry, money and that special spirit of Ancient Car- paintings. thage was never quite recaptured.

Daily Lives Thus, it remained a forgotten The exhibit included posters place-forgotten, that is, until the American Museum of Natural telling the history of the civilizaHistory produced the joint exhibi- tions that once lived in the general tion, "Carthage: A Mosaic of An- area of Carthage-the Bergers, cient Tunisia," with the Institut the Phoenicians, and the Romans, National d'Archeologiet d'Art. as well as the Vandals and the This spectacularly designed ex- Byzantines. They discussed their hibit premiered at the Museum of daily and religious lives, including Natural History on December 2, important political and social 1987 and will close May I, 1988 events pertinent to their history .

'Ancient City Does Not Fail to Delight' The crowning point of the ex> hibit, however, was the magnificent mosaics. Mosaics are a form of art which consists of laying bits of stone in a mortar pavement in decorative patorder to .form tern. Most of the early mosaics were done in black and white geometric ' designs . Soon, however, designs with more mythological, human, plant, .animal and symbolic themes were

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introduced. These types were the favored subject for mosaics. ones most featured at the exhibit. .' An entire room was devoted to One of the best mosaics was the the splendiferous artwork. One one that depicted pygmies hunting could hardly get over the awe and a hippopotamus with a trident and . excitement inspired by them. It stones. This particular mosaic had was fascinating to see pow once covered a floor in Ancient carefully these mosaics were made; all sorts of shapes and Rome. . shades were created with little pieces of colored stone.

Symbolism Although, as one of the posters ' Another interesting example said, Carthage has fallen time and was a mosaic portraying fish jum- again, this pictorial history of the ping out of a basket from the 3rd ancient city does not fail to delight Century A.D. This was a good ex- and eiuich the viewer. "Carthage: ample of a symbolic mosaic since A Mosaic of Ancient Tunisia" is fish were supposed to be a protec- one of the best exhibits for a tive symbol for the Carthaginians. cultured person to go to in New For this reason, fish were a York City. Long Live Carthage!

The CIas.'iic

Young Scholars Explore Working World

By Jane Cirigliano _ Many Townsend Har r is students leave school each day and head for home, only dreaming about future careers. To othe r students, 3: 11 means the beginning of work, when their dreams become reality.

Working With Children

Being a businesswoman and owning her own store has always been the sweet reverie of Rimma Perelmuter. This high spirited junior is working toward her goals at her part-time job as a saleswoman at Kenica, a woman's boutique in Queens. Kenica selIs things from "coats to earrings," and is geared toward the middle class shopper. " I always look forward to working on weekends . because it takes my mind off the past week," she adds. Rimma has been working at Kenica for only a month, and already aspires to be a sales manager . Afte r she graduates from college, she hopes to open her own clothing store which would carry casual evening dresses for the middle class and affluent woman . She believes that her cur rent job will give her experience that will be basic to accomplishi ng her goal.

" I just love kids !" sophomore Terri Cohen cheerfully exclaims.

Terri spends her spare time working with young children at .the Bay Terrace YM-YWHA, instructing courses from bak ing to crafts.

Since October, she has been performing community service every Monday and Friday. I ntroduced to the job by Mr. Steven Mermelstein's Literature of the Sixties class, Terr i admits that she gets satisfaction from helping children Help ing and from being a role model and friend to youngsters. She hopes to Customers pursue an occupation in child psychology in which she can con"Music helps me get thruogh tinuehelping children . life, " Sophomore Gina Greer currently works in a Sam Goody, a music store on Queens Boulevard.

C/ take p leasure She works about 20 hours a week, in earning, and for six weeks, she has been stocking, labelling, and helping money.. . customers as well. Gina feels that her job is familiarizing her with "Some people paint pictures, I various kinds of music and music paint houses !" This unusual groups, while directing her into response comes from Junior Mat- the field of music, which she thew Bichoulas. Since age 11, would like to pursue as a career.

Matthew has been working side by She loves music and "everything , side with his fathe r and his part- related to it," and enjoys the livener, painting houses and interior ly atmosphere that exists in the decorating. He proudly declares store. Aside from any future that he earns from $30 to $40 a plans, Gina says smiling, "When day . However, he only works on I'm there, I have the best time!" weekends, when he can fit his part-time employment into his Balance tight schedule. Matthew learned this trade by watching his father at These courageous, careerwork, and is basically oriented young people have not "self-taught." He believes that he only balanced their school and will follow a profession in personal lives, but are paving the 'decorating after college, but right way for a future of success and now he says, "I take pleasure in -happiness. The experience that earning money and gaining ex- they are gaining now will surely .perience in an interesting field." prove invaluable to their careers.

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SamirNarula taking advan tage of the boy-girl ratio at Townsend Harris.

Guys and Gals Getting Along: A Change 0/ Heart at Harris

By Eileen Gunn Some guys laugh heartily at the question, others squirm. A few are th rown back .into deep thought, while there are those that simply walk away mumbling, "No comment." The question that stirred such reaction is, .'Has coming to Townsend Harris changed your attitude toward girls?"

"I used to be intimidated by them," confesses Ivan Borodin.

"Now, I'm more confident."

Ivan best summed up the popular opinion that constantly having to cope with Harris' 3:1 girl to boy ratio gives boys a crash course in dealing with girls.

Part of this ability to get along is due to the fact that, "You have no choice," as Eddie Ocampo put it. The abundance of females has consequently caused a dearth of guys at school. Many of them overcome their shyness out of a basic need for friendship .

Once strong bonds of fellowship are formed, more

serious relationships are sure to follow. Elliot Roman found that these are also easier to handle.

"They're moody," he brooded, "but you begin to understand the .moods and the different emotions after a while... I get along with my mother better!" he said, smiling.

Respect Jeff Smith pondered the question for a few days before arriving at an answer with which he felt comfortable. He explained that some of his best friends are girls at Harris. "I've grown to respect them. I've learned that they're independent and can take care of themselves. " Such a situation can go to the extent of changing a person's ethical as well as personal views.

"My opinions .h ave changed ... from sexist to supportive of ERA," Jeff begins this statement cautiously, but as he continued, he grew more confident with his words.

Corey Ackerman believes that his ideas haven 't changed . any more than they would have in any other school. He andAlec Pollack share the opinion that changes in attitude are due simply to maturi- ty.

There may be truth in what's - said about too much of a good thing . George Eliou brought to light the less positive effects of the situation.

"I'm sick of hearing about the ERA!" excliamed a grimacing George. He went on to say that he does understand the need for it, but having it constantly thrown at him causes antipathy.

Most guys took care in what they let escape their mouths. One of the more popular reasons for silence was fear for one 's life, "Wait! Don't quote that. The girls I hang out with will kill me!"

This brings to mind that other wise adage, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

The .Drama Builds': Awaiting the Inspector General a state inspector visited us in January is totally coincidental," The leads in the play, Ivan Borodin and Paul Jannicola, didn 't particularly like the play when they first read it, coincidence or not. But after acting it out and working on it, they've changed their minds .

"We're putting a lot of work inA Farce to the play and I have high expectations," admitted Jannicola . "It "The Inspector General" is a. . requires that bit of work, but the farce about a small town awaiting official inspection. It involves' end justifies the means." _ mistaken identity and slapstick The Fun Part humor. It also comes just after Townsend Harris was visited by a state inspector. Any connection?

"The fun part of the drama ' "I feel that the play's very rele- enrichment," confided Borodin. vant in today's age when we worry "is the way everything comes about everyone looking over our together in the end . We've had a shoulder[s] all the time," explain- lot of fun." He adds, "Come see ed Ms. Blechman . "The fact tha t the play, it's very good ."

By Hayley Thomas "I choose which plays we do," . declares drama advisor and director Harriette Blechman. So what play will Ms. Blechman direct her troops in this time? The suspense will soon be over. On April 15, expect "The Inspector General."

'" ~

i' Ivan Borodin, Sera Congi and Brian DeMaso hamming it up at "Inspector General" rehearsals .

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The Classic

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By Lena Jones The Girls' Varsity Basketball . team captured first place in the Queens A-division. Harris took the opposition by stor m, ending the regular season with a record of 13-1. Th ey suffered their first and only loss to Flushing.in game nine, When asked why the team has been so successful this season, man age r, Domini que G re en - replied, "That man right there," motioning to Coach Lawrence Ceraulo . Befor e the game and during pra ctice, the team has 'to run several laps around the gym.

Afterwar ds, th ey go throu gh. several drills specifically designed to improve certain aspects of their game. " Pr actices are hard and long," admits team leader in rebounds, Abi Jo nes, "but it is worth it.

We've improved a lot."

Throughout the season, this team has displayed itself as one which thrives on adversity.

"One thing good about this team is that they come through when they are under pressure," - comments Coach Ceraulo. "They • Surrounded by the opponent, Odessa Morgan tips off. come alive in the second half."

Teamwork is another thing going for this tightly-knit group .

"We are finally workingtogether

By Lena Jones "Terry's really cool. She works as a ,team," comments top scorer and Newsday Player of the Week, She's like Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. really hard to do well for the Keisha Robinson. "If I have a bad Hyde. She's such a nice person off team," commented teammate the court but on the court, she's Angelica Romo, "She never comday, someone else takes over."

After their outstanding ac- dangerous." That's how Girls' plains and always seems happy." complishment, they are looking to Basketball team member Doris The "happy" part of her perbigger and better things-namely Jean described her teammate sonality is what comes through Terry Gordon. Because of her when associating with Terry and the city championship.

"I think we are going to play benevolence, she is well liked by her wonderful sense of humor is really well," stated Robinson con- her teammates. Because of her the first thing most people notice.

"She can always take the tenfidently. "Winning the city cham- dangerous moves, this senior is pionship... would put Townsend one of the top players on the sion [of a game] away by making Harris in the limelight." Accor- Girls' Basketball team and has you laugh," stated teammate Abi ding to their fellow students, they ' been pursued by several colleges Jones.

"I didn't really play basketball for her athletic abilities. already are.

and a job, challenging. She was forced to give up her job because it was 'driving her crazy .' Still, she thinks going to a school like Townsend Harris is wort h it. "In another high school, my average would probably be much higher," Terry conceded , but she sees the benefits of a stro ng curriculum daily while atte nding her classes at Queens College.

"Mo st T own sen d H arris students do well in their Queens College courses. Another Townsend Harris studen t and I nearly dominated one of our classes.

People were amazed we were Townsend Harrisites."

She added that the school "makes me aware of the issues.

They [the teachers] make you think. " During the few blank spots in her appo intment book, Terry en0. joys going to the Museum of ~ Natural History, and listening to is all kinds of music (including ~ Beethoven), among other things. ~ "I love studying," she revealed, ~ a statement which she quickly 0.. followed with "just kidding."

Terry Gordon soars for a lay-up. " I love to ;hop; I like to go to malls," Terry adds, suddenly . . sounding like someone from the Valley. In reality, she prefers to until I came to Townsend shop in the Village, a place where Harris," admitted Terry. Despite she can find things no one else her seeming lack of experience, has. "I like to dress differently she is prized for her ability to play than everyone else," she comseveral positions on the court, and mented. has earned the job of Co-captain.

As far as her future, Terry has a "She's an excellent shooter and pretty definite idea of what she can drive to the basket," enthused want to be. "I want to get into Girls' Basketball Coach Lawrence corporate law," and go to Ceraulo. "She gets stronger as the Howard or Georgetown because game progresses." she wants to be near Washington, D.C. Whatever she decides to do, Like many athletes in this her trusty allies, Dr. Jeckle and school, Terry finds juggling Mr. Hyde, will always be right by academics, team responsibilities, her side.

Gordon Masters the Moves

Boys' Intramurals Build School Spirit

By Jonatban Boltax and Steve Sussman , Can Intramural Basketball be a substitute for: a BOYS' Varsity Basketball team? The Intramurals are becoming a Townsend Harris tradition. This year there are nine teams with six or seven players on each.

Most students agree that In- ' tramurals are a great idea. Steven Torres said, "The Intramurals are the most exciting and entertaining activity in our school." Michael McDermott added, "Intramurals

are great because it brings the Townsend Harris students closer together. Look at how the seniors come back for the games, even if they're not playing."

However, other students disagree. Edwin Bermudez stated, "I think that Townsend Harris should definitely have a boys Basketball team, despite the fact that we wouldn't win a game! It's the thrill of competition of the game which should count, not the victory."

Ms. Wanda Nix, organizer of

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this elite league, takes time out after school with Mr. Lawrence Ceraulo to referee many of the games. Michael commented that, "We all owe Ms. Nix a debt of gratitude for organizing the ann~al event of the year.': Oliver MacIntosh believes that, "Intramurals give us a" chance to get together and chat and also look at the talented athletes in our school. Also, it is a great way to spend time after school." An example of an amusing time at a game was when Matt Dominiani had a fast break, stopped in front of the basket, then threw up an airball. All the players and spectators burst into laughter. After the games, Matt said jokingly, "Someone must have moved the basket."

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Townsend Harris may not have a Varsity Basketball team as of ; yet, but it most c~~tainly has. the DR. MARC SAKOW , ~thletes, team .spmt, d.eterm1OaPTOMETRIST , tion and vrooting section. The 0 strong show of the players' talent ' , and the league's success en, , courages 'Townsend Harris to " , shoot for the organization of a OZI-.' KISSEN... BOULEV... RD . th ('71.) 5"-6619 , nUSHING. N. Y. 11367 " • b oys Basketball team 10 e near future. ~~~~~~~~~. :