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NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
Vol. 9, No.4, June, 1993
Townsend Harris High School at Queens College
PAID
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Poonlt No. 163 Commack. N.Y.
75-40 Parsons Boulevard. Flushing, NY 11366
Class of '93 bids farewell, moves on by Diana Tuite Tossing their caps into the air, 206 seniors graduated on Thursday, June 24 at Colden Center on the Queens College campus. While this occassion marked the end of an era, it also signified a new beginning for the students as they confront their futures. Wilbur L. Pritchard, a member of the class of '39, gave the key-note address. Dr. Pritchard was an early innovator in the field of space communication, specifically broadcast satellites. He is currently president of W. L. Pritchard & Co., Inc., a consulting engineering firm. Other speakers included Queens Borough President Claire Shulman, Comptroller Elizabeth Holtzman , Queens College President Shirley Kenny, valedictorian Prabhpreet Singh and salutatorian Vinh Nguyen. Mortin Lisser, '38, received the Founders Award . A former president of the Alumni Association, Mr. Lisser played an active role in the re-establishment of the school. During the ceremony, which began at 7:30 PM, Principal Malcolm Largmann reminded the students of their future global responsibilities.In his speech, Dr. Largmann talked "about the importance of each of them being a peacemaker at a time when there is so much violence and disruption." Before embarking on their futures, students remembered the beginning of their college application process. Since junior year , College Advisor Paul Vicino has worked with the group. When asked to generalize about what the class initially looked for in colleges, Dr. Vicino responded, "Generally, kids wanted to go where they would have a good education and where they wouldn't be too far from
home." The dreams of many seniors became realities when they received acceptance notifications in early spring. In terms of acceptances, Dr. Vicino feels "it was a pretty satisfying year." As was the case in past years, The State University of New York (SUNY) accepted large numbers of Townsend Harris students. The most accessible Ivy League institution, Cornell University, accepted between 15-20 students. In comparison, two seniors were selected by Harvard University. According to Dr. Vicino, the class of '93 garnered approximately $6,173,221 worth of scholarships, a figure comparable to that of last year. While the total figure may seem large, not all schools offered adequate scholarships. As Dr. Vicino explained, many selective colleges give money based on supposed need rather than merit As a result, some seniors had to turn down more expensive institutions . "Colleges that offered more scholarship money attracted better students," observed Assistant College Advisor Howard Wagner. Now that the college application process is officially over, seniors can reflect on less stressful memories. At the graduation, salutatorian Vinh Nguyen focused on particular aspects of their collective high school experience. "I spoke about the crowded hallways at the end of the day, and about how it's a small school in size, but great in capacity. We all grew together," Vinh said. "Every class kind of has a personality. They're a very warm class. They're down to Earth. They all want to be successful, but in different areas," said Dr. Vicino.
Russo , recipient of fellowship, plans to write Latin textbook by Diana Tuite Come September, students will not scrutinize programs, searching , as usual, for the name of a certain Latin and Greek teacher. Richard Russo will not be teaching next semester at Townsend Harris, nor will he be moonlighting at "East Cupcake Regional High School," the fictitious institution he often refers to in class . He will instead fulfill a lifelong dream. One of 33 recipients of the National Endowment for the Humanities-Reader's Digest Teacher's-Scholar Award, Mr. Russo plans to write a book. This fellowship enables high school teachers to "have the same opportunities as college professors" to take one year off with a paid sabbatical. Mr. Russo and two other New York City teachers were selected. All winners attended an orientation in Washington, D.C. this month. However, in the midst of such excitement, Mr. Russo received bad news. He was saddened to discover thatBarbara Svenson, a fellow winner with whom he had intended to work, had died. With his proposed textbook, Mr. Russo will bring the dream of other historical classicists to fruition. In sorting through the papers of mystery writer and classics scholar Dorothy L. Sayers, Mr. Russo discovered a proposed Latin curricu- lum. Ms. Sayers suggested that pupils first master the basics of the Latin language and then study medieval writings, which are easier than the Classics now studied. In a letter to aclassmate,the author,C. S. Lewis, she mourned the absence of such a book . Upon reading this, Mr. Russo thought, 'These words are addressed to me." Having found his calling, he contacted the National Endowment for the Humanities with a proposal.
This "user-friendly" text will consist of read- was a very strong attraction," he said However, ing selections with vocabulary lists. A unit on as much as Mr. Russo admires the idea of a Latini discovery will feature passages on the voyages of Greek core curriculum, he considers the present St Brendan, an Irish e~lorer ~liev ed by some requirement inadequate. "If one were serious humanities to have sailed to the New World. Mr. Russo about Townsend Harris being termed this work "the best-seller.of the medieval school...then you certainly need at least six terms world" Excerpts from the travelogue of a Franciscan friar who visited Ghenghis Khan will also be included. One interested publisher has already contacted Mr. Russo about the textbook. The sabbatical will offer Mr. Russo a chance to do whathisbusyteachingschedule has never allowed. Mr. Russo began his teaching career in 1968 at Brooklyn Preparatory School, an allboys institution with very high standards. There, he taught classics until the school closed in 1972. Active in the school's Alumni ~ Association, Mr. Russo now urges other members to hope IE for a reopening. 109 After Brooklyn Prepera.! /o tory closed, Mr. Russo deDEDICATED LATIN INSTR UcrOR RICHARD RUSSO enjoys his cided on a change of locafinal days of teaching before his sabbatical.. tion. At the University of Connecticut and Trinity College, in Hartford, he taught Italian and Rus- of a classical language, " he explained. Mr. Russo describes his approach as "socratic," sian Comparative Literature for five years. instruction based in indirection. "Ultimately, the In 1986, fate intervened and guided him to only meaningful education is discovery. You Townsend Harris. ''The opportunity to teach a ideally get young people to discover themselves full Latin program, and to introduce classic Greek
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through material you give them," he said. A polyglot in the true sense of the word, Mr. Russo has studied German, French, Russian and Italian in additio n to Latin and Greek. Presently, he is learning to speak Arabic in preparation for a summer trip to Petra, Jordan. Still, he longs to continue broadening his global horizons by studying an Asian language. "I am very much in awe of Chinese students who are literate in their own language," he said. Mr. Russo "puts on another hat" when he exits the schoolbuilding. He is a priest ofthe MelkiteGreek Catholic Church. Viewing society from this perspective, Mr.Russo disapproves ofmulticulturalism. "There is a tendency, particularly in education in our city, to focus on what divides us and what separates us. Multi-culturalism tends to emphasize these differences," he said. Instead, Mr. Russo suggests people celebrate what they have in common and channel cultural differences through other agencies such as a church. When he is out of the classroom, Mr. Russo assumes the role of student. Currently, he trains with a vocal teacher who concentrates almost exclusively on opera. A bass baritone, Mr. Russo enjoys singing the role of Macbeth in Verdi's opera of the same title. Mr. Russo also strives to broaden his literary horizons. Recently he finished TheMarriage ole admusanr/,.Harmony, a translation of the Italian book by Roberto Callasso. Mr. Russo describes this work as a"retelling of the myths of Western Civilization.' Born in Jersey City, Mr. Russo is of Russian and Italian heritage . Family continues to be an important part ofhis life. Married to a woman of Italo-Greek descent, he has two sons, ages 21 and 17."Having a family makes you more ofa human being," he said.
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