The Classic newspaper Volume 14 Issue no. 5

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vaSaSlC 'townsend Harris High School at Queens College

Surplus sends funds to schools; Principal's. Initiative established

by Maggie Yuan' After years of budget cuts in New York City public school education, money is finally flowing back towards the city's youth. A surplus in the city budget has enabled the Board of Education to distribute funds to schools throughout New York City, allowing them to render improvements as they see fit. This is known as the Principal's Initiative. Principal Malcolm Largmann, as well as the staff and the students in Consultative Council, have decided to use the allotment to set up science research and social science research programs for ninth graders, computer training workshops for teachers, a "shadow" program in wnich . staff members see first-hand what their colleagues' jobs are like, extended hours for after- school study, and a Service Learning project which is set up to educate freshmen on ways to get the most out of their com-

afternoon, from Monday through Thursday. The computer lab, room 514, is available on Tuesday mornings from 7:00 to 8:00A.M., and an extra hour after school on Monday and Thursday afternoons. "This allotment came unexpectedly and we wanted to use it to directly help the students. The advantage is that the students can now come in earlier to maybe finish some last minute homework or review some notes for a test," sa.id Valerie Billy, school librarian.

The Principal's Initiative also includes starting an after-

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for ninth graders. "The idea is

149-11 Melbourne Avenue. Flushing, NY 11367

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Miss Adelaide '(Jennifer Esses) and Nathan Detroit (Jason Freedman) are preparing for this week's performances of Guys and Dolls, pin-striped suit and all. For Preview, see page 11

Despite ongoing controversy Stuyve-sant's Spec-tator retu· rns ·

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to give the stud-ents a taste of the research process and get them interested in scien~e,'' srud Assistant Principal of Science Brendan Curran. Mr. Curran will stay after school for two

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by Hope Villella After a two-week hiatus, Stuyvesant High School's student newspaper resumed pro::

charter establishing who decides what will be published, the chain of command, and how the editorial board is chosen,

· had not been re-opened, saying that "school newspapers don't have that much freedom; they can be censored." "Legally,

hours a week to guide and teach research meth9ds to ninth grad:.

duction on Friday, April24. The Spectator, which was shut

explained the Spectator's coeditor-in-chief Micah Lasher,

because of the Hazelwood deC<ision, the principal is the pub-

who was first contacted via the Internet. The final draft of the charter will be completed in two weeks, he said.

While The Classic was in the process of preparing a feature on First Amendment rights, the controversy over the indefinite suspension of the newspaper had raised que~tions in ihe New York media about the extent freedom of expression is permitted in the student press.

The Supreme Court addressed this issue in 1988, _ruling in favor of school administrators''right to censor newspapers in the case of Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier.

This superseded the 1969 ruling of Tinker v. Des Moines which supported students' right to free expression unless causing great disorder, disrupting school activities, or violating any person's rights (see page 9) . .

Micah didn ',t speculate, however, about what would have happened if the Spectator

lisher of the newspaper; whether we like it or not, that's the bottom line,'' he said, adding that just like a publisher, the school is liable for what is published in its newspaper and it is ultimately up' to the administration to decide what can be printed.

He pointed out that "Newspapers are never going to be immune to abuse; you just have to hope that the systems don't get abused." If the newspaper staff works with the administration, Micah believes that the newspaper can be successful. "If everybody's reasonable, that's. what's necessary," he sai.d.

Although the Spe_ctator's editorial powers may now be more centralized, Micah anticipates that the newspaper will resume regular operation. He is hoping that the principal will •· allow the students to make their own publication decisions and will continue to "operate at · arms length."

munity service experiences.

"We wanted to find out what areas of study the students were interested in seeing enlarged, and if we could, use that money for that purpose. Among the things the staff and the students · in Consultative Council came up with were the science programs and extending the hours in the library and the computer lab," said Dr. Largmann.

Library hours have been extended an extra 30 minutes in the moniing, as well as in the

ers who are interested in ex- down by Principal Jinx Cozzi tending their study of science Perullo on April 9 due to interbeyond the classroom . . "A se- nal conflicts among the paper's nior might do a Westinghouse, editors, was resurrected after a a junior would be in Ihdepen- Memorandum of Understanddent Science Research and a ing was signed by the principal sophomore would b.e in Science and the editors.

Research. This is the 'last piece .

The Classic was unable to to make [science research] in- reach Ms. Cozzi PeruUo or the tegrated through the entire Spectator's advisor, English school career," said Mr. Curran. teacher Daniel Coleman for For students who are more in- comment. However, the New teres ted in social science re- York Times (4/17) reported that search, social studies teacher the newspaper was shut down Continued on page 11 as a result of in~ fighting among members of the editorial board as well as disagreements between the staff and Mr. ·Coleman. These arguments were exacerbated by controversial articles atta_cking specific As The Classic was going to press, we teachers and the faculty;s union-backed policy of hiring sadly learned of the death of freshman teachers according to seniority.

Akin Laundry. We express our deepest Among the provisions of the condolences to all of his family and Memorandum between the newspaper staff and the princi.friends. pal was an agreement that the Spectator would draw up a

In Memoriam

First Amendment Rights pages 8-9

Guys and Dolls Preview page 11

Broadway revives Sound of Music page 13

Sports:

Boys' Baseball takes off page 16

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AP classes enhance prepa·rati:on and reputation There was a time when one of Har- without anAP-scattered resume. And as ris' most striking qualities was the fact assured as we are by the Harris adminthat seniors could take Queens college istration that admissions officers from courses, in a sense getting ahead in "the near and far have heard the tales of game of life" by gaining college credit, Townsend Harris, high school of the talwhile our peers around tb.e country were _en ted and gifted, to what degree can we taking only high school classes. How- as college applicants place our faith in ever, though Harris' affiliation with what officers may have heard about our Queens College is still unique and the school? humanities seminar (a requirement for Harris currently offers AP courses in seniors) serves well in preparing us for .. Spanish, Calculus, and, new this year, the college experience, these European History. While these may be opportunites no longer give us that de- more diffiCult than the standard sired "edge." This is because Advanced _ Townsend Harris courses, students here · Placement (AP) classes have become are certainly capable of tackling the increasingly popular in ,high schools course-work labeled "AP." Why not give throughout the nation as a means of pro- students the opportunity to choose even viding superior course work. more AP courses as students in so many Colleges now ask applicants to list other schools can? theAP courses they have taken throughAP courses serve a more practical out high school, as well as their grades purpose, though, than simply to impress on the final AP exams. Though colleges admissions officers. High scores (usutake into account the numbeF of AP ally of 4 or 5, though it'depends on the courses offered by I! high school in college), allow students to opt out of evaluating students, applicants whose :large introductory.classes in college, and transcripts include long. lists of AJ> even receive university credit. The classes are perceived as having taken a · Queens College courses students take in more challenging curriculum than those their senior year offer the same ad van-

tage, but unfortunately seniors can only take one college course per term in addition to the humanities seminar. AP courses can be offered throughout high school (though they are usually offered beginning in sophomore year), thus giv- _ ing Harris students that desired "edge."

Students pay $74 to take th.eAP exam (fee waivers are available) which is graded from 1 to 5, 5 being the highest score. At many competitive colleges, a 4 or 5 on an AP exam translates into about 3 credits; 3 credits that would cost hundreds of dollars at a private university.

Students and staff here know that our classes already embody the ideals and purposes oftheAP exam: rigorous curriculum and challenging exams taken by bright and motivated students, but sometimes, that self-knowledge isn't enough.

Credit should be given where .credit is due, and if this credit comes in the form of the letters A and P preceding a course title, then Harris students should have more opportunities to have this abbreviation, to which such academic honor has become attached, interspersed

among classes listed on the blue program cards.

We're not suggesting that Townsend Harris" make all classes AP, or college le':et, and that the school become a "junior college" instead of a high school.

We're simply saying thatin a school where students work so hard, it might be nice for them to be able to take classes that they enjoy, knowing that these classes will also afford them.thebenefit of college credit. · No, AP classes aren't for everybody, and no student should be forced to take them, or told how many he or she should take. But in a school where students have such a great aptitude for learning; more AP classes should definitely be an option for those who feel they can handle them.

Practically, AP classes are a reasonable way of getting college credit, of saving money, and of helping students to be admitted to prestigious colleges but most importantly, it is a wondeiful way to boost the pride of a student who successfully passes one of these competitive tests.

'Congr~ss

shall make no law abridging -freedom of speech, or. freedom of religion'_... but what about freedom of student press? the professional press and the student with; in fact, the article.reported on the pered by censorship, students would press that can't be ignored when student pregnancies of several students in the have been blocked from crucial information that affects nearly all of us. Serveditors compile their newspaper. This .school.

High school students in general, and ing a much higher purpose than reafbig difference lies in the awareness that the school is a sort of family. Here, we Townsend Harris students in particular, firming school policies and providing must live with each other, see each other are mature enough to handle articles on entertainment, The Classic aims to edudaily, and for that reason, using a publi- any issue or situation which faces them. cate and inform its readers of the truth, cation to attack people is wrong. The If it is executed properly, we should be not a censored version of it.

The Classic's April Fools' issue is a adult world doesn't have this problem. able to present virtually any topic of imProfessional papers don't need to feel a - portance, so long as it is relevant to this - pardon the pun - classic example of Beadle deserves the sound judgement utilized in enjoysense of community, and in fact, have a school.

In the June 1997 issue of The Clas- ing our right to freedom of expression. worst teacher award duty to expose individual wrong-doing.

When it comes to complaints about a sic, a feature on teenage sexual activity It is in this issue that we poke fun at the Now, Mr. Beadle has never been one teacher's performance, we feel that there across the nation as compared with that policies of the school. However, the huof your favorite teachers, but still there are other ways those issues should be in Townsend Harris was published. Ad- mor and criticism is employed with taste seems ~o be something wrong with this handled. We have faith in our adminis- joining articles dealt with the club Stu- and tact.

Any newspaper that maintains repuheadline and with this article, wh~ch tration to take care of such problems dents Promoting AIDS Awareness launches ·into a vicious personal attack with efficiency andjustice. Policies, on (SPAA) and a former student who edu- table journalistic principles and has an on a teacher. According to the principles the other hand, are worthy of scrutiny cated his peers about the dangers of involved and qualified advisor should be of good journalism, inserting the and criticism. Singling out individwil~ sexually transmitted diseases. Had Dr. given the freedom to publish controverLargmann chosen to exercise his rights sial material. Upon the tenth-year anniauthor's or newspaper's opinions into l.n the student press is inappropriate.

We exercise the utmost caution in our under Hazelwood, there is a chance that versary of Hazelwood, we are glad we news articles in a school newspaper; or · any newspaper for the matter, is wrong. writing, and because of this, we feel we those articles neve( would have been are given that freedom - the freedom we That explains why, as editors, much as can publish articles that may be deemed published. If The Classic had been ham- feel all responsible journalists deserve. we'd sometimes like to publish articles controversial in other schools. This year that target certain school faculty mem- marks the tenth anniversary of the famous Supreme Court decision of bers, we never have, and never will.

Natalka Palczynski Townsend Harris High School" at Queens College Editor-in-Chief We never will because we have an Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier 149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, N.Y. 11367 obligation as reporters to publish the which upheld the right of public school Kate Rube Hope Villella Beth Citron Readers are invited to submit letiers to the Feature Editor Sports Editor News Editor news in the most unbiased way possible. officials at Hazelwood East High School editor. Letters should be placed in Ms . Cowen's mailbox in the general office. The Classic re, When we write news articles, we may in St. Louis, Missouri, to censor stories Jeannemarie Hendershot Erika Zwetkow serves the right to edit all letters. Letters must · Editor at large Photography Editor unconciously slant toward a certain concerning teen pregnancy and divorce include name and official class . Names will be Romina Perrone Alan Fu Julia Kohen withheld upon request. party's favor, but we have an advisor and its effects on children from a schoolBusiness Manager Man~ging Editor Circulation Editor who works closely with us to ensure that sponsored student newspaper (see pages News Staff: Bosede Adenekan, Afton Baff, Dominika Bednarska, Andrew Goldberg, Karen Halperin, Helen Haritos, Christina we avoid editorializing at all costs, ex- 8-9). These articles, according to their Lesica, Stefan Muehlbaue r, Mark Von Ohlen, Maggie Yuan principal , were not appropriate for a cept, of course, in editorials.

Feature Staff: Rudy Ash , Paul Bruno. Noreen Bukhari, Surabhi Jain, Lorraine Kapovich, Danielle Lord , Adam Mingione, Chris Munde, Aliza Nadi, Rachel Nobel , Lauren-Paley, Ram sey Peele, CaroLPruss, Catherine Sa~tos, Steven Seidenfeld Opinions of staff do belong in edito- young audience because they dealt with Sports Staff: Brian Griffimg, Tabitha Hsi, Jarvis Lagman, Mark Von Ohlen, Sara Yun rials, but even editorials in school news- touchy subjects. However, teen pregPhoto&raphy Staff: Lau~a Bassilino, Frank Cherena, Jason freedman, Arielle Freeman, Sara Gross, Alice Iofescu, Athena papers shouldn't contain personal at- nancy is an _issue that tnany students Ledakis, Nancy Luo, Sofia Pahagiotaki.s, K'!l'en Parado, Joseph Pasoa, Lisa Schapira, Eric Trager, Marco Trauzzi, Audley Wilson, Henry Wong, Dawn Wing, Young Yoon tacks. There is a big difference between reading the paper were already dealing Leafing through an issue of the school newspaper, your eyes jump casually from headline to headline, scanning each one in a none-too-careful fashion. The school dance was a success, the girls' tennis team swept the semis like you hoped they would, but the next headline really captures your attention:

Artists:

Vivian Chang, Lucy Hong, Rachel Sperling

Advisor - lisa Cowen

Principal - Dr. Malcolm Largmann

The Classic May 1998

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Letters to the Editor

Fool's issue provokes strong responses .

To the Editor: I believe the April Fool's edition of The Classic could have been done better. It lacked in both humor and quality. ... This 'humorous' edition of The Classic had everything but humor. The only funny article in the whole thing was "Big Backpacks Counter Effects of El Nino," by Rachel Nobel, which made me laugh, something the other articles didn't do. In fact, I found two of them offensive. As a man, I found the article

by Joy M. Mendoza about lowering standards to bring in attractive guys extremely offensive ... .I took great offense, since the authornot only says that all THHS guys are unattractiv.e but that guys in general are dumb as well. Although the article is meant to be humorous (which it is not), hidden beneath the surface seems to be a bias against men.

Perhaps it hasn't occurred to Mendoza that the problem just may be the girls and their ridiculously high standards.

Offensive articles disguised as jokes do not belong in The Classic. I found the ad for Shakespeare's Brothers extremely offensive for the same reasons. The ad stereotypes guys as being egotistical, perverted, and stupid. If someone had done something like that, but ridiculed Shakespeare's Sisters instead, it probably wouldn't have been welcomed with open arms and instead would have either been edited or not printed at all. I don't see how The Classic can support the discrimination of men.

The Classic also lacked quality in this issue. Instead of making the whole paper devoted to humorous articles, a large part of it should have been devoted to actual news, like the recent guest dance.

Devoting a whole issue to April Fool's delayed the printing of news that is real.

Next time, the editors of The Classic should do a better job in choosing what

should and shouldn't be published.

Anthony Ciolli, 902

of psychotic females.

Salma Ragoonath, 906

Editors' response: Since the beginning of Harris history, the uneven male to female ratio has been repeatedly satirized. It is acceptable (and quite funny) to do this because very few, if any, Harrisites actually believe that girls are more intelligent than boys.

Because Anthony Ciolli is a freshman, he may not be aware of the good-natured tradition of this gender-based bantering which is prevalent not only in April Fool's publications, but also in school productions and daily life. Additionally, "Tallman proposes policy to recruit attractive males" did not poke fun at the intelligence of any current Harrisites; it merely states that under. the 'proposed plan,' admissions criteria would be lowered for incoming males. To answer Anthony Ciolli's concern, an article ridiculing females would have been just as easily published in The Classic.

To the Editor: In the most recent issue of The Classic, there was an effort made to make it a funny issue of April Fool's Day. However, the effort was in vain. Aside from being generally not funny, it was fairly childish in some cases, and showed a great disrespect to the faculty in others.

The article entitled "We're moving again- This Time 17 feet!" was perhaps the worst "joke" ever printed on paper.

The article, which stated that Townsend Harris would move seventeen teet in order to prevent people from hearing music played in between bands, stressed a very tired jest of many months past.

The classical and opera music played in between bands caused an uproar in November, and ey now it has been accepted, making the article a weak attempt to be furiny with an old joke. The in between band music was also·targeted in an ad, in which a CD was being sold with the music of the Polka People, Awful Opera Stars, and hits of 1700s.

Now that's overkill.

The newspaper showed little to no respect for faculty members. For example, Dr. Largmann's name became )'Dr. Tallman" and Mr. Rattien became "Hairy Rat." These attempts to be funny were also weak, and in general were a burrch of chea:p shots. ·· . In 'a sectioii entitled ''Lt!ngtfiily;'' news briefs were posted. One brief stated that the bathrooms would be closed until September and that in order to prevent people from needing the bathroom, students wouldn't be able to eat or drink. Perhaps the greatest disrespect was shown to Dr. Tallman, the unfunny alias for Dr. Largmann, who was quoted as saying, "If you don't eat, you

To the Editor: The April 1st issue of The Classic was hilarious. The articles expressed some problems of the school in a different light....

Even though the stories seem ridiculous, there is a lot of truth in them and that is what makes it so funny. In what other school can you hear wonderful tqnes from the 1700's; Pcifka :People, and Awful Opera stars every day bt:tween bands? Where [else are] the bathrooms never open? [Where else do pet] cockroaches reside in the school? ...

The Shakespeare's Brother's Masculinist Club was a clever joke, but Shakespeare''s Sisters is a serious club which discusses serious issues. I am a "sister," ·so I hope that people get the joke and do not think the club is a bunch

won't excrete." There is a level of decency which must be shown in a school environment, regardless of whether joking is being welcomed or not. Involving the principal in such a tasteless quote truly showed no respect for authority.

The Classic, which I have been informed is an award-winning newspaper, definitely didn't appear to be awardwinning in the last issue. It was not funny, rude, disrespectful, and in some cases inappropiate. It becomes clear how poor any ·comedian is when he or she cannot get a laugh out of inside jokes, and therefore, perhaps · The Classic should abandon their desire to beceme comedians.

Eric Trager, 908 Editors' Response: Addressing the fact that Eric thought the issue "showed a great disrespect to the faculty," all of the spoofs on the faculty were perennial jokes, which actually reflect affection for these educators whom we know to be good sports. Dr. Largmann has been referred toby many similar fictional names in The' 'Classic and in "Sing" productions since the opening of Townsend Harris. The only name that could have been perceived as offensive, Hairy Rat, was used with the con~entofMr. Ratti en. In fact, both Dr. Largmann and Mr. Ratti en wrote letters to us and our advisor praising the issue. · ·"fhe 'afticltf'''We"rb movil'l'g ' agciin This· tirtie 17 reef!" did nbt' ·o nly' jbRe about the music that is played between bands but also the long history of problems Townsend Harris has had with moving and being welcomed by the surrounding community, as well as the new community service policy. Both of .these issues are still relevant in Harris, so the article was not "a very tired jest of months past," as Eric Trager wrote.

Briefly Junior Michael Bonilla was a winner in the NYS Attumey General AntiSmo!Gng Clllendar cantest. His i~ustration was published iln the 1"8 CalJ;)ndar ~ntitled '"A Smub-P'r-ee Year."

The Phoenix, Townsend Hams Hi~h S0hool's literary magazine, was once again named GfYld M~daRst ·t;,y the Columbia S.ch01astic Pr~s Association f{)r concept, design. ag:d creativity.

Senior .ArieHe Freeman was awarded twq Gold Keys by the Alliance f~r Ytnn\g Artists and Writers. ·A rlelle''s photo portfolio and jewelry Wet!e chosen from amo.ng mote than 1,.000 sucbm,ssions.

The D~bate team W.@ll a tbird place tl'oph~r at 1M Br~klyn-Queens Catholic J:loJ7ensk League tou~ The Speech ~- placed ifth.

Sophomore Adam M:mgione has been pr;esented ·the Boy Scouts' highe'St honor, the .litag;le Rank, f!i)r his aetive partici'pation in cammunity affairs and exemplary behavier in his (fully life.

Senior Itaellel Sperling was one of two students who placed first .in the b0Epugh oi, Queens in the Sh-akespeare &ecita.tion C0ntest sponso~red by 1he English Speaking Union. She will compete at the city level next.

Michele Potofsky is-~ recJ.)ienl of a Ool:d Key for her essay, "The Simple Gift" presented by the Alltiance for Yotu-'g Mists & Writers.

Christina Giannikas, .Julie Heimratb, and Laura Rerzenhornt juniors., have re-ceived Certificates .of Meri'l for their entries in the 1'99'8 Barnard Cotlege Essay Contest.

Sophomore Bosede AdenekQ has been named a Kodak Young Leader under a national pl!ogram sponsored 9y the Eastman Ked'ak Company.

Senior Tara Paterson was the Orand prize .winner at the .Polyteebnic Uni. versity Science Fair. She wUl _go on to compete at the fnternatiomtl Science and Engineeri~g Fair {18:1'1} in May.

Megan D'wyer, Eleanor Hynes, Tara Pat'ITSon, and Jamie Tong, seniors, were finalists in the Ju.n ior Science and Humanities Symposium.

Seniors Aloander Arriaga, Kate Rube, and Michelle Wolman were fiJlaliSt<S in. the Otto Butgdtrl Reseattb Competition foJ' their science and social science projects. Honorable Mentionswet!e awarded :to s.e niors Eleanor Bynes, Robert M'Ohamedeen, and Hope Villella~ At the Biological and Bi:omedical Sciences Fair (Regional ISEF), senior Pratik Patet won the NABT and Anny awards. Senior Alexander Arri.aga_ won the Navy award.

Seniors Alexander Arriaga, Kate Rube-1 and Matthew Chang were recipients of th.e DioGENBius Awards. Tiley wi:l compete far cash awards in ~ June. .Jm Ree Chu, Eden Cruz, ·Michael lnwalil, ChdsJina Lesica, A>nnette OrzeChowski, Eva &aj, and Kevi" Woo were selected as finalists in the Sh0wtime and PEN.CIL 1~$ New York City Youth Video f?estiva1 .competition. They wii:l attend workshops and, with the help of industry professionals, make their winning stories into videos for c'Ompetition June.

At the New York City History Fair, Best Paper in the City went to Maria Doulis. First Piaee in Individual Media went to Linda Kbn, and Second Place w.as awarded te Nancy Luo. Linda Kim went on to win first place at the State .History Fair 0n May 2.

Seniors Nata:lka: Palczynski and Jamie Tong were each awarded a Chase Smart Scholarship which includes a full scholarship to New YorkUniversity and a paid internship with Cbase.

Correction: The Classic apologizes to sophomore Peak-Wei Choong for identifying her as a male lit the article ..B rlinguru oratorla celebrates diversity'' in the Februrary issue.

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ditors' Adventures: Theme restaurants, from drag queens to volcanoes Jekyll and Hyde

by Hope Villella Did you ever walk into a crowded room and feel as if it were closing in on you? At Jekyll and Hyde, this is not simply a feeling: the walls really are closing in on you. After a freaky head greets you and warns Jekyll and Hyde is not for "the faint of heart," a panel suddenly opens in the wall and guests are saved from their fears - well, at least for the time being.

After reaching the front desk, guests are directed either to the spooky mausoleum, the creepy laboratory, the eerie library or the ghastly Grand Salon. They are greeted in the atrium by such people as "eccentric explorers" and "mad scientists" who are trying to reanimate the dead. Be careful because your hat may suddenly disappear into the mouth of a hungry alligator or the skeleton you knock into may suddenly propose marriage.

The wait for seating is long, even once you've moved "unsafely inside" from the horrendous outside line. Once inside, however, there is plenty of screaming and growling to distract you from the growling of your own stomach.

If you're looking for ghosts and goblins to spook you or an enjoyably haunting afternoon, Jekyll and Hyde is definitely the place for you, but if you're looking for good food at a low cost, it's better to stick to what you know.

The Rainforest Cafe

by Beth Citron You know you aren't in an ordinary restaurant when the host greets you sitting atop an elephant, monkeys swing from the walls, and the rest of the restaurant is decorated as a colorful, lively rainforest. Such is the case at the Rainforest Cafe, conveniently located within a shopping mall, the Source in Westbury, New York, and just minutes away from Roosevelt Field mall.

At Rainforest, you might temporarily feel as if you've left Long Island and traveled to a tropical climate. A volcano that erupts periodically iil "ilie-back of the restaurant is the mmn attraction, but otherwise Rainforest has considerably fewer features than most of its theme counterparts. However, if you plan on making the journey to Rainforest, it will be a long trip because the wait during peak dinner hours tends to be at least an hour, more if your party is large. Additionally, once seated, the restaurant feels very crowded, with tables cluttered together, and slow service during dinner time.

Following the trend of most theme restaurants, the atmosphere does compensate for the lack of high quality food. Eat at the Rainforest Cafe only if you won't mind the slow service and long wait.

The lVIoTown Cafe

by Erika Zwetkow If you're ready to jive to the sound of MoTown, this is the place to go. A huge vinyl record suspended from the ~eiling hovers over both floors of this time-warp, while sparkly vinyl booths and chrome-rimmed tables capture the essence of the soda-fountain scene of the MoTown era.

There's usually a wait for seating at MoTown, but the line

only reaches about five stores down, unlike the one over at Jekyll and Hyde which tails around the comer.

Live performances by convincing imitators of "The Supremes" and the "The Temptations" occur every half hour between 12:30 PM and midnight. They sing and dance just like the originals (glittery halter dresses and all) under a spotlight, on a small stage in the middle of the first floor. No matter where you sit in the Cafyju're sure to have a good view.

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by Natalka Palczynski Sports fans will be in heaven when they sit down for a meal at the All-Star Cafe. No other restaurant in Manhattan can boast of the gems that lie in the All-Star: enormous television screens which broadcast sports games throughout the day are mounted overhead and line the circumference of the circular dining room. In addition, booths facing the room's center can watch similar monitors which are mounted on a structure resembling a stadium sc.oreboard. The structure is suspended from the ceiling and is an imaginative way of accommodating the extra screens. Also suspended from the dining room's ceiling is a race car, just one of the various sports memorabilia scattered throughout the restaurant.

We came in on an evening when the NHL and NBA playoffs were on, as well as a Yankee game, and diners were reluctant to leave. The wait was the length of the games: two hours. So, if you want to watch a game at the All-Star, be sure to get there before the crowds roll in.

Take a trip to the bathroom before you leave. Both men and women's rooms have stalls that look like lockers (except painted in bright colors, not the usual grey) and a friendly attendant who Is alwjs read,with soa.aoer towels.

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by Kate Rube _Tired of eating Chinese food the way ·~6st of us do, with those white takeout containers and a can of Coke balanced on your lap, taking in the latest episode of The Simpsons or Seinfeld after a long day? The sesame chicken or moo shoo pork might not be much better than you would find in your local joint, but Lucky Cheng's has what no plastic-boothed Chinese restaurant can offer: ambiance, ambiance, and, oh .yes, ambiance, though to be honest, it's not for the culturally, nor sexually, shy. Where else could you have your beef and broccoli or Asian Caesar salad served by scantily-clad drag queens who shamelessly flaunt their convincingly female-looking bodies?

As they say, only in New York. Lucky Cheng's, located in the East Village, has made a name for itself by hiring as its staff predominantly Asian men who dress and carry on as females, though some only for the benefit of employment. These "queens" make the trip to lower First Avenue (not the best area in the world) worth it. Be sure to check ahead for showtimes (make reservations, too!) to catch these flamboyant and hysterically funny waitresses performing song and dance numbers. Even better than most Seinfelds, I have to say, and I'm a big Seinfeld fan.

The Fashion Cafe

What to expect from the food: All the restaurants we've described, EXCEPT for Lucky Cheng's, offer slight variations of the same menu.

Choose from: chicken platters burgers pizzas pastas salads sandwiches Prices: Appetizers: $4 to $8 Entrees: $1 0 to $20 Desserts: around $6 Drinks: $2 for soft drinks; $7 for mixed & fruit beverages

Jekyll and Hyde 91 7th Ave. South between Barrow & Grove Streets (212) 255 - 5388 or 6th Ave. between 57th & 58th Streets (212) 541 - 9517 Best dish: cajun fries

The Rainforest Cafe The Source Old Country Road, Westbury (516) 227-6000 Best dish: key lime pie

The Fashion Cafe 51 Rockefeller Plaza between 5th & 6th Ave. (212) 765-3131 Best dish: Claudia's apple pancakes.

All-Star Cafe Corner of West 45th St.

& Br~adway (212) 840 - 8326 Best dish: T-bone steak

The lVIoTown Cafe 104 West 57th St. between 6th & 7th Ave. (212) 581 - 8030 Best dish: chicken & waffles

Lucky Cheng's 1st Ave. between 1st

by Jeannemarie Hendershot & 2nd Streets While most theme restaurants have been dubbed purely tourist traps, this one is said to be frequented by owners Naomi Camp(212) 473- 0516· bell, Christy Turlington, Claudia Schiffer, and Elle McPherson.

Best dish: Peking Duck And while we were not so fortunate to have any supermodel sightings during our visit (at least not in person - their photographs are plastered all over the cafe), we did spot MTV video jockey Ananda waiting for a table. A group of budding young models from India, Brazil, New Orleans, and Long Island paraded up and down the runway situated in the center of the restaurant sporting pajama-like couture from designer Natasha Vhorgai's spring line.

It's likely you'll be able to preview some designer's new line; the cafe hosts three fashion shows each day: 12:30, 2:00, and 7:00PM. Walls are adorned with glass cases holding such costumes as the shoes worn by Madonna in the movie Evita, a famous leopard print wrap dress by seventies designer Diane von Furs ten burg, and mannequins wearing Victoria's Secret lingerie. Shelves throughout the restaurant hold oversized bottles of designer perfumes from Nina Ricci's Deci Dela to the classic Chane! No.5.

As all theme restaurants cater to the souvenir shopper, this one does not fail to pre vide overpriced logo tiny tees and even leather vests. The selection here is greater than at your normal t-shirt & button shop because, after all, this is the Fashion Cafe.

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..., The Classic Mav 1998

by Beth Citron and Surabhi Jain A splash of color has been added to the extracurricular activites at Townsend Harris with the formation of the art club, which meets Wednesdays after school in the graphic arts studio (Room 511).

Lois Polansky, Project Arts Coordinator and club advisor, hopes that "through the art club students will be exposed to the contemporary arty scene." Other objectives of the club are development of students' work through portfolio critique, museum and gallery visits, slide lectures, and skill building.

Over 30 students showed up for the club's first meeting on March 11, at which Ms. Polansky stressed the importance of committing to the art club to reap its benefits. "You are here to enhance your knowledge; you have to learn the language of art," she said.

Sophomore Steven Pavlov, who created the "rainbow footprints" that once led to Room 511, was elected Art Club Coordinator. As Coordinator, he organizes projects and meetings, forms member committees, and "acts as the conduit between the club advisor and the

club members," said tivities. They sold painters' Ms. Polansky. Acpalettes decorated with colorcording to Steven, ful jelly beans, and with a bag "Students in this of candy and a flower atschool should espetached. They were priced at cially be involved in one dollar apiece, went on sale art, since it is a hubeginning March 30, and were manities school. We distributed on April 9. The 0 are only exposed to ] club ultimately earned $127 art class for [one ~ from the project. "It was a term] during fresh~ huge success," said Ms . man year, so the art ~ Polansky, " ... but we haven't club is an opportudecided what to do with the 0 nity for the students -a money." to enhance their arAlso, the club recently estistic skills." tablished a web page, called The art club is Art Seen. According to Ms. currently involved in Polansky, the site is supposed doing the publicity to display "some of the art for the school play that's been seen in the Guys and Dolls.

Townsend Harris scene," as In room 511, sophomore Venessa Tan and Art Club advisor Lois Polansky glue Club members are jellybeans on cardboard artist palettes for the club's fundraiser. well as biographies of the stucreating advertising dent artists. Art Seen can be materials for the play such as flyers and manufacture buttons to publicize the found at http://www.thhs.qc.edu/. the playbill, and Steven has already production.

Aside from school activities, the art made the logo for the play. With Students in the club also plan to cre- club plans to become involved in comnewfound access to a button making ma- ate an .art display in the school lobby. munity activities, such as creating pubchine, the club has also been able to "It could function as a little mobile art lic murals or sculptures. Another service gallery in our school," said Ms. project will be giving art lessons at a Polansky. The artwork, featured on ex- senior citizen center. Other agendas inhibit panels donated by the PTA, would clude visits to the Queens College Art be changed monthly so that students Galleries and Art Department, as well could view the creations of their peers. as lectures by outside guests and by Ms. For Easter, the art club held a Polansky herself, in which she will show fundraiser to support their upcoming ac- slides and discuss her own artwork.

by Annette Orzechowski open arms from the start. Initially, the The familiar and usually calm front advertisers had a tough time getting maof the Humanities office (room 403) has terials and met with general skepticism. taken on a new identity after dismissal The club is currently supplied with 100 since its recent transformation into the sheets of posterboard, but at some points daily convening spot for a large crowd had to transform sheets of typing paper of shouting students. No, these are not into posters or rely on the members to IS disgruntled scholars protesting fund the necessary materials, for which collaterals, nor are they a mob prepar- they were later reimbursed. But things ~ ing to lynch the person standing amid seem to be looking up for the advertisthis throng: English teacher Michael ers. Mr. Carbone is requesting more 1"' Carbone, who frantically passes out funding for next year. l "'. ''[The Advertising Club] gives people strips of white paper. This is merely the ! newest addition to the Harris commu- who are interested in drawing or adver.: nications network, the Advertising Club. tising a field to practice in. The posters ~ "One of my pleasures of the day is [we] turn out are much better than the :;; .:i before," said Lisa seeing the advertiser.s," said Mr. ones :;; Carbone, who hands out assignments to Tschernkowitsch. Manager Laura il the grabbing hands of 70 members, .a Liotta, junior, believes "the ~ number that increases on a weekly ba- signs ... attract people." Such upcoming j sis. The assignments, which Mr. · events as the school production of Guys I t Carbone has dubbed "accounts," come and Dolls and the Students Promoting Pe-rsonal atte-ntion from the plethora of clubs, organiza- Aids Awareness talent show are among Small classes (8--12 students) l · mean plenty of personal • tions, and events throughout the school. the ones topping the advertisers' lists. attention. Would you rather work lz Be-tte-r colle-ge-s Filling these orders are artists, "letterWith such a high demand for ads, the one-on-one? No one tutors more ,' Morethan9outof lOPrinceton ers," and graphic artists, along with man- club has made a conscientious effort to students for the SAT than we do. "' Review students get into one • agers, who put up posters and garner re- remain environmentally aware. Most of ~ of their top<hoice colleges.

Be-tte-r rt>seoarch .ol "' quests. the poster board is recycled by using the We. spend millions of dollars Guarante-e-d re-sults J! · each year researching tests and For anyone interested in joining, the front and back; ads announcing such ani 1: If you don't improve your revising our techniques and . ~ scores at least 100 points, we'll requirement, according to Mr. Carbone, nually repeating events as bake sales and materials. For example, our new work with you until you do. j we~based computer adaptive is simple: "You must be reliable enough open-mike.nights are reused. testing tool uses your computer ~ to see me on a daily basis."

"There is so much potential for bet-. to help raise your scores. iCall or-Visit us at The club is Mr. Carbone's brainchild. ter exposure for the kids," said Mr. ..

Be-tte-r score-s The idea struck hi in in the first week of Carbone. "The creativity level has been 1•800•2 REVIEW Princeton Review SAT course www.review.com i the spring semester. "I was walking in outstanding." The organization of the students improve an average of ·· 140 points. 25% of our students the hallway and I thought the ads were club, which is "not punctilious but rather improve 190 points or more ..Ask THE just terrible," he said. "I knew [many] rapid and simple," adds to the fast pace, anyone elsefor independent great artists and students who would which is the pride of the club.

PRINCETON verification of their improvements.

"This is really my best experience at probably be interested in the idea." He REVIEW spoke to English teacher Maria Vita, and Townsend Harris so far," said Mr. together they placed "bland" ads around Carbone. "Either other schools will the school announcing the club. The catch on to our idea or we will continue idea, though, was not embraced with to be unique."

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New club decorates halls with creative advertisements

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The Classic May 1998

Tokyo teens explore ·New York

by Alan Fu

and works toward cultural and rated with Japanese posters and Japanese teacher Hiroko economic understanding be- banners. Festivities comMuchnicki and six Harrisites tween the U.S. and Japan. menced with a sing-along of hosted four students and one The exchange students spent "It's A Small World" in Japateacher from Ikigawa High most of their visit at Harris, ob- nese. Concert band members School near Tokyo, then perJapan, from March formed · "Sakura 2 to March 13 .

Their visit was Cherry Blossponsored by Passsom."

Fiport to Japan, an nally, the exeducational and change stucultural exchange dents joined program between the Harris stuhigh schools in dents in an inNew York City and terview sesJapan. · sion.

Greeting Ms. Muchnicki 0 hosted English ~ the guests of teacher N orihiro ~ honor, Ms .

8 Walsh said, Okomoto; junior Candace Chiu "We feel a hosted 17-year-old very special Daisuke Kichiya; connection to your country," junior Moab Son hosted 17 -year-old citing Harris' Mitsuyo Kamiya; "sistersophomore Ralph school" relaM h t d _ Exchange students Daisuke Kichiya, Masasashi Ohtake, and Mitsuyo 16 tionship with arques os e . Kamiya arrive at Kennedy Airport on March 2. year-old Masasht · Shimoda Kita Ohtake; and junior Diana Raab serving . classes and attending Senior High School in hosted 16-year-oldAki Watabe. special activities such as the · Shimoda, Japan, as well as the The four hosts of the ex- dance/basketball game on recent December visit from change students volunteered to March 13 and the Festival of · Japanese ambassador Seiichiro do so and were selected and ap- Nations on March 19. (See re- Otsuka. Ms. Walsh also preproved by Ms. Muchnicki and lated articles on page 5.) Their sented each exchange student Joan Walsh, Assistant Principal recreational activities included with a Harris gym shirt and a of Second Languages. Since visits to the United Nations, the copy of The Classic . Mr. six exchange students were Broadway rendition of Beauty Okomoto presented ·his own originally supposed to come to and the Beast at the Beacon gift to Dr. Largmann - an auNew York, two extra Harrisites, Theater, the Metropolitan Mu- thentic Japanese engraving of a sophomore Andrew Goldberg seum of Art, and a cultural pre- lily, which coincidentally was and junior Racquet Look, were sentation at the Professional the same flower that Dr. also allowed to join the pro- High School of Performing Largmann gave to his high gram, though they did not host Arts. school prom date, as he noted. a visitor.' The six participants Upon their arrival at Harris Ms . . Walsh and Ms. and Ms. Muchnicki will visit on March 2, the exchange stu- Muchnicki, as well as Japanese Japan this summer for free, paid dents received an official wel- language students, bade farefor by the Japan Society, a non- come from faculty and Japa- well to the exchange students profit organization that spon- nese language students in the li- with a sushi/pizza party in room sored the exchange program brary, which had been deco- 438 on March 13.

Education program to send three to Chins

by Annette Orzechowski Climbing the Great W~U as participants in an intema· tional study pr0g;ram sponsored by The American Forum for Global Edu~ation witl be ene of the experiences on the "to do lists" of junior David Won,g and sophomorM Pa1d.

Bruno and Rebecca Munoz dudn,g their trip to China.

They are scheduled to spend June 30 to July 28 studying the Chinese language at Peking University while experiencing a foreign culture.

Twenty-two students from participating schools inclu<J.. i-ng Jkao:.klyn Tech. P'0fe;gt HiHs, and Midwoed High S~ho&l, am.ong others, are in· volv.ed in this tw~week, eom· pr:ehensive study course. ••rm realJy excited about teaming about a unique culture and meeting new peepte. rm a l1ttle nervous that I won't adjust right away, but I'm looking forward. to the chaUeng~," said Rebecca.

Sightseeing will include a train ride into Xi-an to walt among the anCient ruins of anemperor's palace and a visit to Tiananmen Square, the looa~ tion of the failed. 1989 student

re¥olt.

Pre~departure dasses are mandatory to prepare the stu.dents for the n!l'ore mark-ed differences, such as the language.

The til1St session on April 4 featured three lectures concerning the history of China, the Chinese view of the world, and an open discussion where the students could question two Chinese teachers cur-

rently residing in the United States. ·•one of tbe questions [that came up] was about the (Chinese policy] of one chi;ld. per couple," said Paul. "The teacher answered that in China it is moral and ethical to think mor,e of how the children W·il1 [benefit] tlle group than yourself." Suhseq,uent workshops will be held on May 16, May 30l June 13, and June 20.

The process of qualifying for this experience included writing a sample journal entry sim:11lating the aetual journal that the students wilt keep · during their stay in China and a paragraph a:bout why they wanted to go and how the .trip would benetit them.

Twenty-five Harris stu· dents were then interviewed by a taeuJty cGmmittee including Principal Malcolm Largmann. AssistQnt Principa1 of Humanities Lynne Greenfield, science teacher Odille Garcia, CoUege Advisor Marilyn Blier. and guidan,c e conn:s:elo·r Jam'Cs Murray. Ten finalists were chosen and interviewed by ~presentatives of the American Forum for Global Bducati:on Program. ultimately producing the three participants.

Ms. Greenfield, Mr. Murray, and social studies teacher Nancy Lieb visited China last summer as part of a teachers • program sponsored by the American Forum. Ms. Greenfield wiU return to China this summer as an assistant with another teachets' group.

Festival of Nations, unites cultures in 'Circle of Life' "Zorba the Greek", "Kostari", D'Souza, who coordiand the "Sousta" from Crete.

An array of dances, poems, nated a French skit, A humorous rendition of a skits, songs, and fashion shows called "Le Petit Prince," Medieval Latin drinking song, joined students of diverse back- and a French pantoa Chinese ribbon dance, Japagrounds, as family and friends mime act. nese and Indian fashion shows, "As preparation for attended the annual Festival of ..c .;j a Spanish poem, a 17th..century . the event came closer, Nations on March 19. ~ Italian folk dance, and a Korean Presented by Assistant Prin- we really got nervous, ~ fan dance were among the other cipal Joan Walsh and Assistant but we were really ~acts that entertained an auditoCoordinators and Spanish happy with the turnout," ~ rium packed with family and teachers Ilene Marcus and said . junior Emily 8friends. The show culminated ·suzanne Iordanou, the event Bloch, a performer in § with the performers joining showcased cultures from all both the Hebrew dances -E.. hands and creating a circle around the globe. "I liked the Noladti L'Shalom and around the auditorium to the acconcept of many diverse ethnic Od Lo Ahauti Dai and companiment of the song "The backgrounds coming together the Hebrew song Erev Circle of Life," from the Disney and celebrating being different ·She/ Shoshanin. Acfilm The Lion King. but united," said freshman cording to teachers and "I am anticipating next Emmy Favilla. students, much time year's performance; I am sure "What I loved about [the was poured into designthat it will be just as spectacuFestival of Nations] is that you ing costumes and coor- Sophomore Elizabeth Yoon and Junior Beky Yi perform a Korean fan dance. lar," .said freshman Elissa Dua. [were] able to see the kids in a dinating dances.

Lorraine Kapovich contrib· "I was impressed with the the students for choosing such steps," said Ms. Iordanou, ad.completely different light," said French teacher Mariet quality of the dances and with . difficult [moves] with intricate visor to the Greek dances uted this article.

by Annette Orzechowski

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7

Remember the Lorax:

Seuss figure symbolizes Earth Day, care for environment

by Lauren Paley · Every year around this time, biology teacher Odile Garcia honors Earth Day by introducing her classes to one of Dr. Seuss' most famous storybook characters: the Lorax. The Lorax, named after the main character in this children's classic, tells the tale of a "Once-ler:' whose "Thneed" factory cuts down all the "truffula" trees. In the process, all the animals, represented by the Lorax, are forced to abandon the forest due to "gluppity-glupp" sewage in ponds and · the "smogulous smoke" polluting the air. Even though these made-up words allude to the imaginary world of Seuss, the descriptions are close to reality.

Around the globe smog hovers over city skies; polychlorinated biphenyls - (PCBs) contaminate lakes and ponds; trees are cut down, leaving barren forests; oil spills kill sea life; the hole in the ozone layer gets bigger and dumps are running out of room for the garbage society produces. This is why Ms. Garcia has shared The Lorax with classes over the years. The Lorax may disappear in the book, but in the real world he's alive and well, serving as the spirit of Earth Day, when environmental awareness is at its peak. . Environmental organizations everywhere celebrate Earth Day, usually on April22. The jubilation exhibited on this one day of the year is meant to gain attention, but most Earth Day coordina-

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tors agree that it's not just about fun and developing around them. The original fundraising. They want this interest in concept was to organize teach-ins, much the Earth to carry. on into the rest of the like the ones anti-Vietnam War protestyear. "One day doesn't do anything for ers used at the time to-educate the pubthe Earth. It just makes everyone's con- lie about the war. Nelson's teach-ins foscience feel better for 24 hours," said cused on environmental issues that he sophomore Petra Vallila-Buchman who felt the government wasn't adequately hopes thai the annual observance will addressing. "The objective was to get a make the issue of the Earth's weinationwide demfare an everyday concern. To of celebrate the first pational Earth Day on April 22, 1970, Fifth Avenue was blocked off ~: ~~ for an ecol.___ ogy fair, there ~~if' was an "Earth Concert" in Central Park, arid an "Earth - environment so large that it would shake Ri,sing" ceremony in Times Square. This the political establishment out of its leth- year, over a hundred events took place argy, and finally force this issue pennain the five boroughs. Activities ranged nently ohto the national political from a walk raising money for the main- agenda," says Senator Nelson in his ar-tenance of Staten Island's Gateway Na- ticle "How the, First Earth Day Came tionai Park to a tour of the Visy Paper About." In 1995, Senator Nelson reMill,_and gardening at Wave Hill in the ceived the Medal of Freedom from Bronx. Recently, New York has made a President Bill Clinton for his work eslong-term commitment to the environ- tablishing Earth Day as well as the time ment by instituting new amendments to he spent aiding organizations such as the its citywide recycling program.

• Wilderness Society. · Earth Day enthusiasm began in 1970.

Another Earth Day observance is also The accepted "founder" is retired sena- in existence, less known than Nelson's tor Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin, date. It was started by John McConnell, who spent years making the public more a businessman who felt the environment aware of the environmental problems was a global issue worth fighting for.

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Are you l•king for a Safety Net or an Academic.ChaDenge?

Too muc~ work!" "Organic chemistry •s too hard!" "Hey, take this course-everyon~ gets an A." "I can't believe we have to write a ten-page paper in one week!'"

What's with all the worry-warting?

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This holiday started March 20, 1970.

McConnell, though not generally recognized as the major forefather of Earth Day, asserts that his Earth Day was the first. He claims it began in San Francisco, when the mayor proclaimed the 1970 Vernal Equinox to be Earth Day. The United Nations soon learned about the day and now rings the Peace Bell annually on March 20 to recognize both the beginning of spring and what is identified as the "international" Earth Day. Twenty eight years later, Students for the Preservation of the Earth (S.P.E.) continued the Harris tradition, marking Earth Day with a read-a.loud featuring the Seuss story in the Coordinator of Student Activities' (COSA's) office on April 30. Another activity included what the club called its "Earth Day Messages," or factoids about the Earth which were posted throughout the school on re-used paper. It was dubbed the "Yocabulary Month without the test." Senior Ashika Jain, president of S.P.E., said, "Earth Day is supposed to make people aware of how needy the Earth is." She hopes the club events conveyed this message.

At the end of The Lorax, the Onceler has lost his factory and there is nothing left in the forest he inhabited. One day -he meets a boy and gives him a Truffula seed, saying, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

the intellectual flexibility to appreciate Borges, Chaucer, and Alice Walker? Can you discuss your painting, poetry, or photographs openly arid honestly and respond to criticism? If your experiment fails, are you interested in finding out why?

We know that getting good grades is important to most people.

Your transcript has to have hjgh marks on it or you won't

You have to be willing to.take risks if you're going to stretch inteLlectually. You can't be afraid to make mistakes. You can do that.at HWS becau~ we believe in support as much as we believe in challenge.

We are a small institution where faculty members give out their home phone numbers to students.

Your advisor will notice if you start to fall behind. Your economics professor will encour-

paper that you can write in your sleep or the one you know nothing about because it will help you do better on the exam ...or do you come up with your own paper to office hours or for topic (which then turns into a sum" get into the best law coffee if you need some mer'research project)? Your profes- school, medical extra help, and your math prosor, a leading expert in her subject, school, or graduate school, fessor will share with you her own rightl Not entirely. Increasingly, t's okay to.be a little bit. anxious says something you disagree graduate and professional schools secrets for preparing for an exam. about doing well, but when it . with-do you hold your tongue or People share notes and work togethare also looking for evidence of cQmes to education, if it start a discussion? an adventurous and inquisitive er fre_quently-striving for themdoesn't take serious effort, it . You probably can argue for selves, for the most part, instead of mind, unafraid of what it doesn't isn't worth doing. At Hobart and your own position, but can you competing with each other. already know.

William Smith, we take learning also argue against it? Do you have seriously. When students come to our campus, they cim expect to become part of a special commuWhat Do YP\1 Thin~¥ 'flit or..t-oei.mtf: • «;~nity qf St:~ctiM"$ nity in which ideas are the currenThi~ is the fifth )li.<l ·.~~ri~ Qfes~ys Hobart <!nd W!lliam ?mltl;l tollege.s Wha~ ~la,y «;9-'P!ti cy ofdaiiy interactions, a place 'f.r.om Hob~r:t and Willialp S.nl!tll aJ!il 1\ig.hly ~eqive; !ibf:ral ~, lpa Colle&~ ~~s~JI!Jo where people read, conduct Col.leg~s a_ddr~sinJ)'CJ:iiiCi:\1 fQpits institutiqn~ oi 1, 700 studiln~ i fl o'q.Milf<~ cnavghlin, research, explore great mysteries, in cplleile life to.dily. Tf!.eswessiws Ge~~~~' N~w )'or~, J!li_ s i; a Prqi~t Facilitator create art, and think about imporare <lPPeilrir)g !P tlie~pe~S.Qf roilny. cq_inml!nity.Qf passiqnale learn~Hoh~rt and;Willii!!Ji Smith C_ olleges tant questions. . of tn~ il,;~tipn's \!i!P public and in«~ er~f curious, inq\Ji§itiye pll()ple Geneva, Nliw Yorts 144s6aJ97 You may think you're up for pen dept Sl:hools. who care about iqeas T9 r!:X:eiYI') !100: 2:4.5--Ql OQ '· an .intellectual challenge, but-are oyr yiewbookand application, of !'l-m<!il: qlaughliriUJhws.edu W~!lt PP YQu f1ave l!J ~ayl to learn more about the Colleges'' www.hw~-i!!lu · you really ready to take the plunge? .This i~ where we stand~ but wht al'l!l their tradition of innovative Are you the kind of person who's ~Poll! yqu? Wha{'s.your perspeceduc;}!ion, please cf,lll, e7rnail, going to take that geoscience tive? We're inl!~re~tecl jn hearing · or write: · course that seems so interesting or (rof]1 y®... IJ yoy mis~ any of th~ e~says in th!{serie~, let us ~now the history course that you know · ·. . .. .. ·. ' ~per. and We'll ~end you a copy. you.' II ace? Do you choose the

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HOBART AND \VILLIAM SMITH COLLEGES ~

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The Classic

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May 1998

First Amendment Rights= free Class examines censored art; · But can you wr .

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creates controversial images

by Betli Citron -:o A picture is worth a thousand wor~s, right?

But, will it still be welcomed when it criticizes a convention of society or the government, when it mocks a particular religion, or when it portrays erotic images? With no reference tb the visual arts in the Bill of Rights, society has constantly debated whether there are restrictions on artists' freedom of expression - and whether there should be. Recently, Myron Moskowitz, Social Studies teacher, and Lois Polansky, Project ARTS Coordinator, delved into these First Amendment issues with Mr. Moskowitz's American History classes by challenging students to question whether certain visual images should be censored.

To determine their views on censorship in art, the students first looked at various images that - had previously been censored, or could be in the future. While examining these works, they con_sidered several questions, including whether an artist should be able to create anything he/she wants to make, whether there should be any differences between an artist's rights and those of a speaker or writer, and who should determine what is offensive art. This project, and controversial art in general, "force[s] people to consider how they feel on various issues," Ms. -Polansky said.

Students were generally accepting of most of the art images they viewed. However, one work _ which they found particularly offensive (yet they did not deem that it should be censor-ed) was a photo reproduction of a controve~sial sculpture of the Virgin Mary with a hollow steel drain pipe plunged through her stomach by Robert Gober.

"Students felt that religious icons were not 'fail game' to satirize, reconfigure, distorF, or use out .of their traditional context," Ms. Polansky commented. Afterwards, the students produced their own controversial art by creating "a montage using photos and pictures from magazines and newspapers that criticized the government or the system - that challenged the establishment in some way." Chosen topics ranged from from anorexia to teenage life (see artwork). In "Today's Teenagers" junior Rory Kim was "trying to get a point across by portraying what teenagers are facing today," he said. Junior Yvette Hao, artist of "Anerexia at Carnival," said that the project was · "really interesting" and that "what I really got out of it was that an artist's perception can only really be understood by the artist."

"All we wanted to do was make them think about the power of iq~ages, whether they should be censored and how much freedom an artist should have." Ms. Polansky said. Mr. Moskowitz explained that this project was "another venue for expression and that it allowed students to express another side of themselves."

While freedom of the press (see pg. 9) and freedom of speech are more clearly defined rights, the question of whether art should _!:>ere-

stricted has been continually raised because of the . provocative images that a work _o f art can impart. According to Ms. Polansky, the "brain grasps [images] faster" from a visual work than from a written or oral form, which cause-s many people to confront issues that they wouldn't otherwise question. Throughout history, artists "have used their art to criticize the government when they couldn't do so by words," said Ms. Polansky.

She added, "artists think [that t\1-e] role of art in society is to raise questions."

The National Endow. ment for the--Arts (NEA) was established in 1965 · to "build and maintain an arts infrastructure and to . secure the place of an artist in society - a society that before the agency was founded in 1965 was reluctant even to acknowledge that artists were real Americans" (Brenson, 1). From the organization's inception until 1989, the NEA provided individual artists with grants to foster the role of artists in society. A · major revamping of the NEA occurred iri 1989 because of a series of controversial photos that were produced with NEA finances, which defied "conventional religious beliefs and sexual behavior" (Brenson, 1).

Since then, artists have ·not received grants to finance their work. In. stead, "the endowment now awards grants in only four general categories: heritage and preservation, creation and presentation, education and access, planning -and stabilization", (-Brenson, 28). These changes have affected the art world greatly because now, many institutions will not present any art which might cause controversy. Additionally, NEA funding was cut from $162 million in 1965 in 1995 to $99 million in 1996, and now some opponents of the NEA believe that it should disappear entirely.

Although problems exist with the NEA, Mr. Moskowitz believes that "freedom is always dangerous, but that ttie alternative is worse." He thought that his class project was a valuable one for students because "it is good to talk a~mut what art is, and if we should have any control over it as taxpayers," but, he asked, "if you control art, is it still art?" · Ms. Polansky concluded, "Beauty, acceptability, and appropriateness in art is very much in the eyes of the beholder."

Source:

"Anorexia Carnival"

by Michal Bonilla

Brenson, Michael. "Washington's Stake -- in the Arts." The New York Times. 12 Apri11998; Section 2, pages 1, 28

Students in Myron Moskowitz's American history classes worked with Project Arts Coordinator Lois Polansky to produce "controversial art"- montages that criticized the government or the system.

"Yikes" by Karen Glue

t~·

9

om of expression at, draw that, wear that?

Hazelwood sets standards for school censorship · by Natalka Palczynski You maybe racist or anti-Semitic, a pacifist, feminist, or Neo-Nazi, a male-chauvenist, Communist, or politically incorrect politiCian, but no matter what your views may be, the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights protects your right to express them. Often considered the most valuable of all constitutional rights, the freedom of expression was meant to be boundless except in circumstances which would "create a clear and present danger that will bring about the substantive_ evils that Congress has a right to prevent" (for example, screaming "fire" in a crowded building. Other limitations on First ' Amendment rights, such as privacy, libel and copyright laws, have been establsihed through landmark court cases.) However, should certain materials that may be be seen as immoral; obscene, sacreligious, etc. be allowed to be published, or should they be censored? Should there be more limitations on the free speech of minors than are placed on adults?

High school students have often had to deal with restrictions placed on their First Amendment rights. The first conclusive decision about students' freedom of expression was made in 1969 in the Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District. In Tinker; students were suspended from school for protesting the Vietnam War by wearing black arm bands.

The court decided that school officials could only limit students' freedom of expression if the expression "mate-

rially di~rupts class~ork or involves substantial disord~r or invasion of the rights of others."

Tinker set the standard for censorship in student publications until 10 years ago, in January of 1988, when the Supreme Court made a decision about censorship in the Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier case. Student reporters at Hazelwood East High School in Missouri felt their First Amendment rights had been violated when in May of 1983, ·their principal deleted two pages from the school newspaper.

The two pages contained six articles, two of which the principal felt were inappropriate. One featured the first person accounts of three pregnant Hazelwood students who were given pseudonyms. The other was about divorce's impact on children and contained a student's complaints about her father. The principal, Ronald E. Reynolds, said he censored the articles because the issues raised were too "sensitive" for a high school student audience, because he was concerned that the pregnant teens could be identified from the context of the article, and because the divorce article was not objective in that it did not give the father's side of the story.

The court concluded that school officials may censor school-sponsored publications if they prove the censorship is "reasonably related to legitimate [educational] concerns."

Furthermore, the court drew a distinction between a schoolsponsored publication and a publication .the administration has designated.in writing as a public forum for student expression. The court found the Hazelwood paper to operate as part of the school's curriculum and not as a public forum.

The paper was produced as part of Journalism II, a class conducted during normal school hours. The school board allocated money from the school's budget for the newspaper as Well as the teacher's salary. The Hazelwood decision, howContinued on page 10

Mandated uniforms, dress codes. raise First Amendment issues teachers, and parents vote to do so. Children may be exempt

by James Drakakis While students in J.Crew sweaters and as well if their parents submi t ~ written request and meet with ..

Gap jeans at many schools may seem like a designated school official. The provision which allows they are all wearing the same thing, this schools and individual parents to opt out of the uniform policy is a far cry from identical knee- might protect the Board of Education from legal challenges . length skirts or dress based on students' First Amendment rights to free exprespants and white but- sion.

Despite the apparent benefits of public school uniforms, ton-down shirts that take conformity to and even President Clinton's giving them a boost in his 1996 another level. Many State of the Union address, it seems "very unlikely that schools around the Townsend Harris will adopt a uniform any time in the future, country are institut- although it is really not a bad idea," Dean Wanda Nix said. ing dress codes, Because Harris does not have a dress coae, school dress is whereby they would regulated by one statement In the student handbook, which regulate what stu- reads: "It is the student's responsibility to insure the mode of dents must wear on a dress is clearly neither dangerous, nor inappropriate." Ms. daily basis. While Nix calls this "the best possible way to regulate public school Townsend Harris is not dress becaus_e the prohibitions serve a purpose and yet are among the schools consider- not all that restrictive." The question arises whether such re":. ing a dress code, there are re- strictions violate the constitutional right offreedom of exstrictions here on what is consid- pression? "That is exactly why dress restrictions are inapproered appropriate dress for stu~ priate - because they take away from our First Amendment right of freedom of expression," said sophomore Jack Bouba . dents.

Although high schools and . "It's up to the school to set the stan<,lard of what's approprimiddle schools are not immedi- ate," said Ms. Nix. Stud'e nts shout "First Amendment'' ately affected, the New iMk til§ BGMU 61 Educahon unanimously passed a policy on March Over the past 10 years; students across America have been · 18 which mandates that most elementary students in the city, from pre-kindergarten to the 8th grade, wear uniforms. Board members argue that uniforms are a good way of reducing suing schools because of their so-called constitutional right peer pressure and encouraging learning. The policy will be implemented in fall, 1999, al- to wear distinctive clothing; clothing, which in th~ stude.nts' though schools could begin next September, and will affect 550,000 public school students. view, conveys some constitutionally protected expression. It Boys will be expected to wear a shirt, and pants, and girls, a skirt or jumper and blouse, has been this right, to engage in non-disruptive free speech, to Board of Education spokesman J.D. LaRock. _ which has been invoked in support· of demands to wear earEntire schools can choose to not participate in the policy if a committee of administrators, Continued on page, 10

"Pro of A Go

..

,.

_ 10 Uniforms mandated in NYC elementary schools '-1'

The Classic May 1998

Continued from page 9 rings, sagging pants, and T-shirts with lewd messages. It is up to the courts to decide at what point a student's expression becomes disruptive and therefore unconstitutional.

In the court system, however, no clear trend has emerged from these lawsuits.

For example, in 1987, a federal court in Oklahoma recognized a student's right to advertise alcoholic beverages on her clothing, but a federal judge in Virginia upheld a school's prohibition against a "Drugs Suck" T-shirt. Adding to this legal confusion, a federal court and a Massachusetts state court handed down different decisions in another case involving a dress code. In the state . court's view, the school's dress code, prohibiting clothes with lewd and vulgar messages, was constitutionally permissable. This decision .was nullified by the federal court.

With all the confusion in the courts, Ms. Nix maintains that there is no such confusion about the dress code at Townsend Harris. "If it causes a distraction to others, or is in any way dangerous, it is not allowed," she said. This idea is similar to the guideline that was established by the courts. It is called the Tinker test, after the Tinker vs. Des Moines School District in which students challenged their school which suspended them for wearing black arm bands in order to protest the war in Vietman, and they won the case. The ve~dict stated that school officials may

only prohibit student "speech" that appropriate clothes." causes, or reasonably could be expected Dress Code Safety.

The Harris dress code is also in place to cause, material and substantial dis" ruptioQ.of the school's operation, or in: for safety reasons. For example, provocative clothing is banned because of vades the rights of others.

Harris Dress Code the fact that students wearing such clothAmong thos·e articles of clothing ing could be harassed or accosted on banned at Townsend Harris are short their way to and from school. "It's a skirts which expose "too much," T-shirts pretty controlled environment in the advertising alcohol or drugs or display- building here," Ms. Nix said, "but we ing profanity, halter tops, midriffs, and want to keep things safe for the kids outanything else deemed to be inappropri- side of school as well; we wantto avoid ate. "Such clothing is very disruptive to them being harassed." The safety issue the learning environment, and it is my . is also the reason for tne ban on huge job to preserve a neutral environment pl:;ttform shoes and sandals. Ms. Nix, conducive to learning and the educa- sees them as a "safety hazard, particularly as people walk up the steps." Such measures have been applauded by some students, such as sophomore Stephanie Demas, who said, "The dress code isn't to make us miserable; it's mostly to keep us safe and that is the most important thing." The ban on hats in the building is not just .to maintain respectful standards. Guns, knives, and other weapons can easily be hidden underneath, and can therefore be carried in and around the building. Hats,_then, "are not allowed tiona! process," Ms. Nix- said.

However, the handbook statement, to ensure the safety of the student from which all of these rules have been body," according to Ms. Nix. Those who violate the dress code extracted, has come under fire from some Harrisites, such as junior Timo- rules for the first time are given a warnthy Eng. "The statement is so unclear. ing and must change either into their How can students read it and know what gym clothes, or they are given somemight be a distraction to others?" he · thing to wear. A repeat offender is given said. Many other students agree, saying a referral, and his or her parents are that the failure to provide adequate no- called in "to discuss the matter," as Ms. tice of what is not permissable invites Nix puts it.

Dress· Codes prevent gang activity uneven application. In response to these Currently many schools enforce criticisms, Ms. Nix said, "Clothes must be appropriate, not distracting- the kids dress code policies that prohibit students usually know when they are wearing in- from wearing · certain items to school - which may identify gang affiliation. The Long Beach Unified School District in California adopted a uniform dres~. code policy in order to more effectively reduce gang activity in schools. M~my Continued from page 9 · sic, he said that he would use his right schools in other states are also banning ever, also applies to a newspaper pro- to censor if the paper published, or in- clothing with college and pro-sports duced as an extra-curriCular activity tended to publish, something that delved logos because of locjll gang problems. unless the principal agrees to make it a into personal issues or was libelous.

An Ohio school even instituted a rule public forum.

"I can't imagine that [censorship] against males wearing earrings in order Harris' newspaper, The Classic, does would ever be an issue [here]" he said. to stop gang activity. All these restricnot have a charter that designates it as a Dr. Largmann says that he did and does tions were debated in court and each forum for student opinion, although it "trust the judgement" of The Classic time, the piaintiffs have lost on the operates as if it had one. If The Classic staff and its advisor, lisa Cowen. He grounds that the school's goal of conwas to develop one, Principal Malcolm would exercise his right to prior review trolling youth gangs justified any inLargmann said he would probably sign (the right to view the newspaper before fri,ngement on free expression. it. However, he would want it to include it goes to the publisher) if the newspaHowever, no athletic team insignia some sort of statement that ensured the per had a new advisor that he felt he or male earrings have been banned in newspaper would always be executed needed to "watch over" or if he felt the Townsend Harris because gangs "are not with tact and superior judgement. newspaper staff was not trustworthy to currently a problem," Ms. Nix said. She The court also gave examples of the produce a balanced paper. added, though, that if gangs ever did betypes of things that might be censorable: Sources: come a problem, she would not hesitate anything "ungrammatical, poorly writ- · Bartlett, Larry D. "Student Publications to do whatever she felt necessary to c.onten, inadequately researched, biased or · and Distribution fssues: Rights prejudiced, vulgar or profane, or unsuitand Responsibilitie_s." A Legal able for immature audiences" and any Mem~ra~dum. Natwnal FRENCH TUTOR . " :r .

• Assoctatwn of Secondary matenal Schoo1p nnctpa . . 1s, y trgmta. · · · · . . that would associate the Native French speaker with Teacher Credentials school With anything other than neutralMay 199 2: *PRIVATE or SEMI-PRIVATE LESSONS ity on matters of political controversy." Taylor, Stuart. "Court, 5-3, - High school Dr. Largmann feels that when a Widens Power of Schools to school has only one newspaper, there is Act as Censors." The New York ~ Regent exam preparation "no alternative voice" and therefore the Times 14; Jan. 1988 ..

- French for travel staff has a responsibility to be objective "October 13: the student press's - Conversations tum; Hazelwood case is heard and give equal opportunity to both sides Call V~ekie FREMONT of an issue. Although Dr. Largmann has by the Supreme Cou~." Student . .

Press Law Center Report (718) 441 7756 or (718) 268 5447 never yet censored an Issue of The ClasWinter 87 _88 : 3_4.

'If it causes a distraction to others, or is in any way dangerous, it is not allowed.'

Tinker, Hazelwood define students' rights

=

trol the situation. In many cases, this would be more difficult than it sounds, since the school district would have to actually prove that a gang problem exists. If such proof cannot be given, justification for a gang clothing restriction policy is weak.

Dress Codes vs. Uniforms While certain public schools are imposing these dress codes, others across the country, just like New York City, have taken it to the next level, and are having students wear uniforms. Some experts feel that uniforms more effectively promote "team spirit" and eliminate problems of economic differences, Futhermore, uniforms are seen as a much more positive and creative way to reduce discipline problems and increase s_chool safety. There is early evidence of success in Long Beach, CaHfornia, the first district in the country to require elementary and middle school students to wear uniforms. Schools there have reported a dramatic improvement in discipline after the policy was adopted last year. Physical fights between students dropped by 51% from the previous year, and the district reported 32 fewer suspensions.

Junior George Averkiou sees uniforms as being inappropriate in any public institution, even elementary school.

"Public schools are public - that means they should not be able too regulate what we wear," he said. Other Harrisites regard uniforms in a positive light. "Uniforms should be worn in all s.chools, private or public, from elementary right through high school," sophomore Jon Joseph said.

Sources: Archibald, Randal C. "New York Pupils to Need Uniforms in Grade School." New York Times 19 March 1998: Al, B7 D_epartment of Education: Safe and Drug Free Schools. "School Uniforms: Why They Work." 29 Feb. 1996. www.educationweek.som Fossey, Richard. "Litigating School Dress Codes." 19 March 1997. www.educationweek.com Knap, Emily. "School Dress Codes." 17 December 1997. www.educationweek.com NY! News. "Crew Pushing for School Dress Codes." 30 August 1997. www.educationweek.com Steinberg, Jaques. "Equality? Tyranny?

Plaid? Navy? Schools Debate Plans for Uniforms." New York Times 11 Feb. 1998: AI, Bl4

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The Classic May 1998

11

A cultural experience:

Davis visits Native American reservation in New Mexico a

by Bosede Adenekan one-story buildings which were scat- a mesa, or plateau, which provided . but they gave so much ... and they were Dorcas Davis, junior, journeyed into tered on the reservation and the gov- good view of the ruins of Anasazi, a so happy and content with what they a world very much unknown to her: that ernment-funded boarding schools were Pueblo Indian tribe which had mysteri- had," said Dorcas. She taught the chilof theN avaho. As the winner of ously disap- dren hand clapping games, which they The Global Awareness Essay peared from the had never played before. Dorcas felt that Contest she spent a week, from region. She also spending time with them was beneficial.

March 28 to April 4, on a reser- . saw the living "The kids lived below the poverty line. vation just outside Gallup, New quarters of the All the Native Americans depended on Mexico. natives, called the government and still many had no Dorcas was chosen to be in·~ hogans. The electricity or running water. When it terviewed at Martin Luther King ~ hogan is the was snowing, the kids were happy just ""~ mother's do- walking with me, because I was there, High School by officers from a peace corp after successfully main. It is eight- and they didn't even have a jacket on.

0 writing an essay about the effects ~ sided with nine It made some of us cry to realize how of culture on society. Then, ~ logs supporting materialistic we were," Dorcas said.

Dorcas and 11 other students ~ each side to repPart of Dorcas's mission was to edufrom all areas of New York were ~ resent the nine cate the children about New York City, selected to travel to New ""' months of gesta- a place they associated with drugs and Mexico, where they were to tion. The top is learn about other cultures as well round to symas share their own. bolize the Once she stepped on the res- . mother's woinb. made some of us cry ervation, Dorcas began to mar- -Junior Dorcas Davis marvels at the vast plains of New Mexico.

"People often vel at its beauty. "It's gorgeous ask me if they to realize how materialthere. It's like·a dream; everything is so equipped with obsolete computers and live in a teepee," Dorcas said, laughing. istic we were.' beautiful... People thought my pictures old televisions. The residents, however, Dorcas also was able to participate in a were postcards," Dorcas said. "It's were aware of New York pop culture. traditional powwow, during which the amazing and it's right here in America!" "The Native Americans were. exposed Native Americans wore costumes, rats. "They don't have any role models she said. to modern music ranging from Marilyn danced, and beat drums.

Life on the reservation was quite dif- Manson to Notorious BIG," said Dorcas.

Dorcas stayed in a boarding school, to look up to. Some of them said they ferent from life in New York City. The Dorcas went hiking up to the top of where she was surrounded by young skip school because it's cool," she said. children. "They are just like kids here: Dorcas tried to inform the children about very active. I thought they'd have names the effects of cutting school and about like Michael Running Horse, but they actual life in New York City. have regular names like Mark," Dorcas Dorcas· returned to New York with said. The children told her traditional not only knowledge about the Navaho Native "American stories, one of which Indian culture but also with "a third eye, included the tale of the skin walkers who the eye from New Mexico." Dorcas exby ltamsey ~e•le and .Alan h ARTS grant. "Musicals at\'e extremely plained, "This trip allowed me to step dress in animal skin to do evil.

PoRowing mon1ihs liYf constant re- ·e xpensive:' Ms•.Bleelmtan noted. The out of myself and view myself so I could The Native American children played hearsing and years of waiting, tibe au- lack ofschoel plays in recent yeal\S can "They evaluate my situation and how I was livan important role in Dorcas' trip. diterium curtains wiD ina11y open to be attdbtted to look' of ftlftd:ing, as ~11 are the sweetest kids.

They had so little ing." the first 't0wnsend Hatris plaf since as teohtlical preblems in the auditol!ium 199S. The prod:uett{,}n i'S Guys atlt/ whick tmv.e been remed:ied this year. :Featured ·in the show ar.e many Dolls., the Broadway musical comed:y Frank Loesser songs. These include: which has a d:istant Mnk t0 ~lis­ Continued from page 1 clearer difference between volunteering tory: the eriginai s.c 0re was wtitten by "Guys and Dds'• (the the:me song).

Scarnati will also be involved in the pro- and Service Learning. While volunteeralumnus Frank Loesser. Und:er the 6- "Luck Be a Lady," "A: Buslaet .a nd a gram to familiarize ninth graders with ing is helpful for the community, Serrect4oon of English teacher Harriette Peck,.. "Sit f>ewn, You're ltock.t'n.' h research methods dealing with social vice Learning allows students to leave Blechman, assisted: by fel!low Engtisb B·0-3t," "I'v.e Never Been in Love Bea mark in the environment they are vol~ science. teacher Judy Biener, the play will de- fore," and ••If I Were a Bell.'' The muTechnology coordinator Richard Tiffen unteering in." A group of teachers will but on May 3 and witl be perfarmed sical ace<lmpaniment will be per• is running computer training workshops be working with the students twice a again on the .fof10wing evening. fol11iled b-y the band,- Piano sdlos :will for staff members. He is teaching week to develop ideas that will improve Set in New York City~ Guys and accompany the choJ:Us..

Microsoft Office '97, as well as how to the environment they work in. For exDo#ls teUs the tale of the unMkely r-oAlthough th:ecastof Guys and DO'bls make web-pages. Ten teachers are par- ample, a student may be volunteering mance between $arah Brown, a pure,. is trying to stick to the original Broadticipating in the five session workshop. in a library and his or her task may be to at-heart ur4>an missionary pla-yed: by wary musical, wbWh. first op-ened No"The turnout wasn't very successful," put away books. The Service Learning jun,ior Leslle Rosa, and Stcy vember 24, 1~50, there will be ad:apsaid Mr. Tiffen, "but it is understand- project will help the student go beyond Masterson> a slick, bigl'Hrelling Broad:- tati:ens to Harris needs.. "We're stayable since many teachers are busy." The his or her task and become involved in way gambler played by junior Bdan in:g pretty fa-ithful to it,'' said Brian. main goal of the workshop is to inte- such ways as setting up reading groups "There are no.t really arty changes," Gruber. '' grate what the teachers are learning for younger students.

Aside from t'be efforts of ttirector s-aid Ms. B:tec:hm:an, ''but every.one The "shadow" program allows memabout computers in their classrooms.

Blechman, many .0 ther f-aculty adapts a show in little ways to meet "The problem is not so much bringing bers of the staff to see what other staff members are contributing to the show. their own needs." In this case, tbe need classes into computer rooms, but incor- members' jobsin the school are like. For Assistant Principal of liuman1ties is males. Many roles wi!ll be played porating group work with computers," example, if a teacher is interested in Lynne Greenfield the prooucer; mu- by "dolls'.. instead of "guys." For ex~ learning how to program schedules, that said Mr. Tiffen. sic teacher Peter Lustig is the music ampl:e, the male role of Arvide The main objectives of the Service person would make an appointment with d:irector; Project AR.TS CGOl'dinator: Abernathy, pl~ye(ifhy sophomoreAJiiee Learning Program are to engage stu- Programming Chairperson Arthur Lois· Polansky hanflles pu:blicity; art Alm, ~:!as ~cQme ..Arviqa'' in this Hardents i.n responsible arid challenging Boulanger to get a better understanding teachers Anthony Morales Eliza- ris rend:ition. Ms. Blechman called this actions for the common good, and to of what his job is like. . beth Crawford are responsibl-e for a. case of "non..,traditional casting.''

It is not certain whether the same provide structured opportunities for The last dress r-eheamal wtq_be held s;ceneryi and Jeff Spurgeon, who them to reflect critically on their service level of funding will be avaihible next works with students in the broadcast- in the auditoriwn with an au<ience on experiences. "Our job is to guide them year. "We have to keep this in mind," ing studio, is supervfs,ing the teohni- May 7 after school. 1iokets are $5 for while they find ways for themselves to said Dr. Largmann. "While we can get tbe rehearsal and $3 0n Friday and 8atca1 squad. improve the community," said Coordi- all these wonderful programs started, The Guys and Dolts prod:uc,tion is urd:ay nights. There is reserved seatnator of Student Activities Odile Garcia. there's no guarantee that we can carry made possible :by this year's· Project in;g; buy tickets early for the best seats.

She added, "We wanted to make a this on in the coming year."

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'It

Guys and Dolls

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Funds tQ provide new programs

12

The Classic May 1998

Guest dance proves popular,

by Rachel Nobel A crowd amassed outside the Melbourne Avenue entrance on Friday March 13, as anxious students waited for the beginning of Townsend Harris' first dance in the new building to which students were allowed to bring a guest.

Because of high demand, tickets had sold out two days before the dance, and so several students attempted to scalp tickets. Students were offered as much as $20 for their tiCkets.

However, before students could enter, they passed through metal detectors and presented photo ID's to prove their high school status. Police officers also appeared to control the 400 students who attended the dance. "There were absolutely no problems," reported Coordinator of School Activities Odile Garcia. Estimates of how many guests were present ranged from 90 to 140.

Many students were frustrated by the numerous guards and off-limit areas.

"The security is stupid," groused freshman Emily Rubenstein, waiting on line at the metal detector. She added, "This is Townsend Harris."

But all the security didn't stop Harrisites from having a good time. The gym floor quickly filled with energetic students dancing to a variety of music ranging from 70's hits like The Knack's "My Sharona" and Def Squad's "Rapper's Delight" to '90s hits like Celine Dian's "My Heart Will Go On" from the blockbuster film Titanic. English teacher Michael Carbone came down from the stands to dance with freshmen Bettina Blanchard and Anna Lee. Physical education teacher Robin Figelman was later seen waltzing with Coordinator of Student Activities Odile Garcia to Savage Garden's "Truly Madly Deeply." Standby dances like the Electric Slide and a conga line" which stretched all the way around the gym and up into the stands - rourided out the

Jazz clinics culminate in citywide· music festival

by Carolina Pruss What better way to teach a young jazz band the ups and downs of career in music than holding a jazz clinic? This concept led Dedi Firestone, the education director of The Queens College Colden Center, to initiate a program which brings professional musicians to high schools and now culminates in an annual Spring High Schools Jazz Festival sponsored by the Colden Center. For the Townsend Harris jazz ensemble members who participated in the festival in Lefrak Hall on April 2, the performance afforded an opportunity to apply what they had learned from this year's jazz clinics.

"The festival was nice because it let you determine how well you play compared to [the other schools] and vice versa," said trumpet player Adrian Brailsford, one of the three freshmen members of the jazz band. The Forest Hills High School, Martin Van Buren and John Bowne High School jazz bands, as well as the Flushing High School jazz chorus also performed at this non-competitive concert featuring the best jazz groups from Queens.

Two professional musicians, "Sir" Roland Hanna, a jazz pianist, and Mike Mossman, a trumpet player, also performed. When comparing the successes of both the festival and the clinics, Adrian said, "The clinics taught you more because there is more focus on you." Freshman Emily Ubiristein agreed. "We can work on little pieces [of the music] that give· us trouble ... and play better as a whole," she said.

"The idea [of the jazz clinic] is to bring in real musicians to our ensemble and teach [the students] things that I can't," said music teacher Peter Lustig.

A jazz clinic can be described as a sectional rehearsal for each part of the band; about three or four students are

a

p~ovokes

ticket scalping

evening. Jason Johnson, who came as a guest with freshman Jon Landesman said, "I thought [the dance] was goodgood soda, good music, good everything."

Prior to the dance was the freshman/ senior vs. junior/sophomore basketball game, held in the gym. The junior/ sophomore team won the game with a final score of 46-37, and it drew such a large number of students that many (including Harris' Japanese visitors; see related article page 6) had to sit on the steps of the bleachers before enough seats were found to accommodate them.

In the stands, Student Union president Vicki Realmuto tried to start several cheers on the freshman/senior side, and gym teacher Robin Figelman was successful in orchestrating a small but spirited wave. Students cheered wildly when players sporting their basketballrelated nicknames, such as "Mighty Mouse" for senior Eric Baez, ran onto

the court.

Though the first basket was scored by the sophomore/junior team, the freshman/seniors - wearing authentic New York Knicks uniforms supplied by senior Alex "The Biggest Knick Fan in the Whole World" Arriaga - reciprocated soon after with a basket of their own, and the game remained close until the end. "We're losing!" freshman Ravina Vibert shouted in astonishment at the conclusion of the third quarter, noting that the score was 28-27. Assistant Principal Harry Rattien and gym teacher Lawrence Ceraulo refereed the game, which led to several controversial calls. Disagreeing with one of Mr. Ceraulo's calls, one senior shouted, "What are you, blind?"

The pep band, led by music teacher Peter Lustig, spirited things up during lags on the court by playing music such as "We Will Rock You" and "The Hokey Pokey."

Wordsmiths tested, rewarded with candy bars

letters, Ms. Greenfield requested all facby Andrew Goldberg If a deposition a day keeps Kenneth ulty members to choose their words assigned to each·musician. Students are Starr at play, then does it follow that two solely from certain designated sections excused from classes to participate. new words a day will get you an A? This of the dictionary. Whereas Ms. Each school holds approximately six proved to be true for the 53 winners of Greenfield's choice of sartorial was taithis year's Vocabulary Month Challenge, lored toward representing the "s" secclinics a year.

The most recent jazz clinic occurred · who not only scored 100% on the exam tion, Mr. Rossman's word choice, suMarch 3 and was the fourth and largest but also received candy bars for it. In pernumerary, served as just that, an dinic so far this year. In Mr. Lustig's just two words, Vocabulary Month, a extra word starting with "s."

Quizzed on the quotidian words and opinion, it was one of the more success- Townsend Harris event held annually definitions submitted by members of the during March to maintain the good voful clinics too, having a double period. faculty and discussed daily in English cabulary skills of students, is about "Everyone learned something," he said. classes, the 53 students who scored per"SATisfactory self-expression" and The featured musicians were Grazi fectly on the multiple .choice test were avoiding malapropisms.

DiGorgio, Nick Russo, Dave Ambrosio, recognized with commendation on signs sine qua Back for its seventh year, the and Greg German. The primary focus posted throughout the building.

For the non of the spring semester, which reof this clinic was on rehearsals for many acrimonious students who failed turned amid groans from exacerbated rhythm, sax, and brass. "[The musito achieve perfect scores, even more disstudents and concomitant griris from cians] taught me how to have a feel for turbing than the sight of friends relishbeaming English teachers, culminated the jazz music and I learned the different [playing] techniques," said in a school-wide April Fool's Day quiz. ing their rewards was the disheartening saxaphonist Terrell Lovell, junior. Organized annually by Assistant Prin- realization that in the wonderful world DiGorgio led the saxophone group, cipal of Humanities Lynne Greenfield of vocabulary, "there's always next Russo led the guitar group, Ambrosio in an effort to expand student vocabu- year."

With malfeasance mounting in led the bass group, and German led the laries, and assisted by word wizards Washington in a war over words, and Michael Carbone, English teacher, and percussion group. delusory, pusillanimous politicians student teacher Valerie DeMarco, the The first musician who was featured persistently pleading "no comment," compilation of 30 words left rancorous at a Townsend Harris jazz clinic was Jimmy Heath, a famous saxophone viragos vowing revenge, and others people may point to those waiting with baited breath for the nebulous Starr to player who came here when the program overwhelmed and obfuscated. emerge from his black hole and consider Verbal veterans, linguistic laureates, was started at this school five years ago. whether this way of words is the way and prose pros perused dictionaries at Another famous musician involved in a things ought be. Indeed, most Harrisites length to assemble this year's list of 30 jazz clinic was Diego Urcola, winner of are indifferent, grateful simply that Vowords, continuing what now appears to . the Louie Armstrong trumpet award, cabulary Month never lasts as long as be a tradition.

In an effort to represent who had played solos at the Grammys. the investigation. equally words beginning with different "Most are young musicians who haven't really lucked in yet," said Mr. Lustig.

The next clinic, which is to occur sometime in May, will be a general summary and tune-up for the school's Spring Student: "Ms. Franklin, I' ttl so lost.''

Concert on May 21st. It will feature Ms. Franklin: ''Then get fou-nd!''

Gabriel Jodarkofsky as the pianis!, Greg German for the percussion group, and "Phil (Porzio] came running up and said, 'The Danish are here!' I told Lex Samu as a trumpet player. him I hope the coffee arrived too."

Students enjoy the jazz clinics, but -Jehn Bn>Wfl, mathematics teacher, when the Danish many said Mr. Lustig is a more successexchange students visited last month ful teacher than the visiting musicians.

"The musicians are more blunt than Mr. "Snoring doesn't count as olass participation.''

Lustig will ever be," said senior Young -Mr. Brown, to a stu-dent dozing off in class Taing.

Over·hea.rd in class

The Classic May 1998

Madonna sheds 'Ray of Light' Broadway revival resounds on electronica medium with 'The Sound of Music'

by Alan Fu The diverse lyrical content of Ray of Madonna released Ray of Light on March 3- her long-awaited and first album in nearly four years. But expect the '_'Material Gi~l" or the Erottca domrffa

Light ranges from karma to freedom to lo eflecting Madolma's spiritual he album makes many ~ , ~ to'lhe>~ns, ang~ls, and iFthJShe..ouotti:~~ets m "Sky from

by Karen Halperin How do you solve a problem like trying to revive a musical after the movie version of it ~s perfect? This feat coqld have been a~ult

13

ground. Also, the mansion of the Von Trapp family was enormous with a front and a back that seemed to fit any scene inside and outside of the house.

Upon entering the theater, one remarked, "Look how short the

~\~outhfulness

of the audience was unto the key role The play the Von the 1965 Brigitta, the seven, however, seemed more sarcastic and had more lines. Kurt's name was given its German pronunciation and her convent to become the governess of sounded like "Kort," which was unsetthe seven Von Trapp children. Durin~ tling for those used to the movie clasthis time, she falls in love with their faf~ . The story line remained the same, ther, Captain Von~~ ~art

countless coiK~b!. successfully music that Madon~~~tiSfc.$tt1Ck popular for creating. "\..~F~chen."

However, aside from 路"~C .,~ effects, what makes Ray of .btgtU:[tand--fW(iet) apart in Madonna's maturity of the 39-year-old voice. Having classically trained her vocals for the soundtrack of Evita, Madonna now exhibits much more control to create good musk; may all -artists foland soulfulness in her voice. low in Madonna's footsteps.

Morrison invents complex Paradise

by Julia Perratore newcomer to the town, learning about it Toni Morrison composes a colorful from those who live there. mosaic of stories in Paradise, her latest There is no main character in the novel, inviting readers to .take in each story. Instead, it revolves around numer1ndividual tile of the entire work, which with distinct histories and is a literary masterpiece.

Jfiersortlities. The characters' unpredictIn Paradise, the mysterious and tllbu!!hts and actions are what make cult intermin!!le..with"theifiundane way that pletely such

mansion outside of Ruby, wnt~.>n.serveo as a convent for many years; The convent, no longer a religious establishment, houses a small group of intriguing women with unclear pasts. Almost any aspect of Paradise can tie into the goings on in this house, and its secret is revealed gradually, throughout the course of the story, as if the reader is a

Tho~bd"were enchanted by some of Morrison's other works, such as Song of Solomon, which is on the English 6 reading list, will -definitely enjoy Paradise.

to ensu~t Captain Von Trapp is not drafted by the Nazi army. Sub-plots in the play include the conflict between Leis!, the eldest child, and her boyfriend, .

Rolf, who joins the Nazi regime.

Here are a few of my favorite things: The opening curtain featured a snow the film, the globe with feathers that floated inside, current production ";;[ The Sound of drifting like snow. Inside the globe was Music will be a rewarding experience. a picturesque view of the town, which It has most certainly, kept more th<l,n .a dmw the~ audienc6, -into .the masical as few, of~out fav,<;>rite,things, while renew路 soon as the curtain was raised. The open- ing elements from the original Broading scene had a backdrop of the Aus- way production. trian mountains and columns and arcs Tickets may be purchased at the box representing a convent in the fore- office or through Ticketmaster.

Grapes sour in Seinfeld's shadow

by Steven Seidenfeld Timing is everything in comedy. The same holds true for Hollywood. The timing of Sour Grapes, a thoroughly

14

The Classic May 1998

N.Y.C. fishing reels in catch of a good time

by Stefan Muehlbauer New York City and its surrounding areas serving as prime fishing locations may be a new concept for Yorkers, but the region mented for its bounty Henry Hudson saiJ~u,mo Harbor in 1609. striped bass, ,,,,...~~ early colonial useful and plentiful. Even ditional tip for the mates on fishing is to bring extra fish, because a common sight at the docks of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, is the trade of one's catch for another's.

Fishing often evokes stereotypical images of boredom and waiting. However, for most types of fishing this proves quite untrue, as many forms of shore and boat fishing are extremely active sports which require a lot of en.ergy, swift senses, and, as always, a little luck. With the right combinl!tion, a funfilled time and some delicious meals are sure to follow.

The many types of fishing are extremely varied, with the level of skill required for each differing greatly, as well. Fly fishing,

even an experienced fisherman to master, and would not be a good option for the average beginner. The types of fishing discussed in this article will be of and more successful varieties. the coast, saltwater fishing be the recommended tastier, harderas bluefish, striped the::e~est,

most convenient, choice for the novice fisherman would be that of "party boat" fishing. For a flat rate of $20-40, these boats supply all bait. The mates on these boats help in teach i n beg i fishing techniques to ....._ ners, and aid in the . netting and capture of the fish. As an extra gratuity, they will usually fillet the fish at the end of the trip as well.

These boats may be taken out of Sheepshead.Bay,

Freeport, Point Lookout, and further points east. The most up-to-date information on their schedules and the types of fishing each location offers can be found in the Friday edition ofthe Daily News or any edition of Fisherman magazine.

Target fish vary with the season.

Flounder are available in March, with the greatest variety of fish arriving in late May. Depending on the fish, bait such as sauid. clams, or worms may be can rely on artificial andappear1 setups

L-ucauy, the area near Fort Totten and along Littleneck Bay is extremely popular, as are Jamaica Bay and the beaches · along the Rockaways. Regardless of how much luck you have, you'll be headed for a

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Should You ndecided?

Some people decide their college major before they even finish junior high. They think this is farsighted, goal-oriented and focus.ed. We think

it's just plain crazy.

he world is changing so rapidly that new cross-disciplinary areas of study are evolving almost weekly. If you're going to succeed in a multicultural, technologically advanced society, you're going to have to be adaptive, flexible, and open-minded.

People who have their majors chosen years before they even set foot in a college classroom may be locking themselves into a rigid way of approaching the world and its opportunities-and that may hold them back.

Once you start exploring different academic disciplines, you might discover .that you really Jove economics or poetry or biochemistry, even though you were going . to be a history major. You might · find yourself happy to spend hours on end with a paintbrush in your hand, or studying DNA patterns in electrophoresis gels, or reading and analyzing political texts.

You might even major in something that doesn't exist yet.

You might combine majors or design your own major. Instead of following the old trails, you could, if you were ambitious and

T

passionate, blaze your own.

To outsiders, it's surprising how often Hobart and William Smith students design their own majors. Education, we believe, should never be one-s.ize-fits-all.

Each student's major can be selfdesigned to meet his or her interests and abilities-while ensuring depth and breadth in the discipline.

HWS students can create their own course of study,even when they choose a traditional major such as: Anthropology, Art, Biology, Chemistry, Classics, Comparative literature, Computer

Boys' baseball breaks into Harris sports scene Continued from p.16 as long as Dr. Largmann is willing to fun'd it." "We have no promise from the PSAL for funding," Diunte adds.

He also says that they are currently exploring alternate sources for funding (i.e. the alumni association).

Hopes for the team are high. "We will be very competitive this season," says Diunte, who was the main force in starting a boys' baseball team in Townsend Harris. "We have many very good athletes, as shown by most of the team members' participation in other THHS sports." The head coach of the team, Chris Hackney, who was "recruited" by Diunte to be head coach last year, when the team was originally being formed, agrees with Diunte. "Our organization, is in fact better, since we learn faster than other teams," he said. "We are all psyched up to play, and look forward to it," said senior Frank Giglia, another main cog in the e·fforts for a baseball team at Townsend Harris.

Diunte summed up all of the hype, and doubts, in one statement: "Arecent poll ofTHHS teachers predicted us to be 2-10 ... we will definitely shatter that prediction."

Science, Economics, English, French, G~science, Greek, History, Latin, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, and Spanish.

An economics major, for example, can design a major around the history of economics, microeconomic theory, or economic development and public policy.

Students can

latin American Studies, American Studies, Architectural Studies, Asian Studies, Biochemistry, Chinese, Dance, .

European Studies, Environmental Studies, Japanese, Judaic Studies, latin American Studies, Men's

Studies, Russian Area Studies, Russian, Theatre Arts, Urban Studies, and Women's Studies... and the list goes on and on. They may even choose to design a new major-Cognition and Computers, Aesthetics and the Arts, Environmental Economics.

Choosing a college and a major is indeed an act of imagination, a process of considering who you might beeven if you think

already know who you are. It is about defining yourself, that's true, and that does mean, at least for the time .being, closing the doors to certain options. But don't be quick to slam too many doors shut-college is also about surprising yourself with your own unique possibilitie!i,.

HOBART AND WILLIAM SMITH COLLEGES What llO'Youltt~J Tbi$ i.s the sixth,in a se£ies of essays from Robart anii'Willlliin•Stnith Cpll~~ a_~res~iqg critiCjiltopiCs in .college life toda)(. Thc;se ~~~ are i\ppearing in the papers 9i maqy ohne riation~s top public i!rid io®pendent sch~x>ls, ·

WIJ4l Po You · tQv~TQ ~yl · This is where we stapd, bt,~! wbat apqy! ygu?Wh,}!!s yeurperspective? W~;'riF in!erest~ inhearing frorn you . If you tniss ally of lhe essays .in this ~ries, let us ~oow and we'll sepd you~ copy.

batt an4 ~111Jam ~ C~ll~ts are highhi selective; li.al ,~~ , institutions Qf J,7oo sll.(derits ih G_eqeY'\;. New Yptk. OUr Mlldents ·are eqcO\lrag~ lo cl)UQse and S!lli.lh Colleges 9tsiifl.major~ !haJ fe(l.eq !heir Gflnev~, g.b!W Ybrk l44S:6.3397 jlcadl!!"ic ~ipos an~ ,ai!PW thero , ~()(): ~45;:QlOO io ~l!lplor~ tfleif del'!pest lnteri,!s:tsr e?l)ai!t "olau&tJiinflfiws.edu w_ww;hws.tiiq TQ receivl! wr yiewbqok:and appHc'lliQn, or to leam more llb9uJ thti Colleges and their lfaqitioo O.finnovative edlici!tiq01 .please Ci!ll, e-milil, .or write: ·

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~ 15

Ultimately, frisbee club forms Parise expected to ~ead

by Kate Rube Take the basic rules for soccer; add a pinch of the premises in football and basketball; mix well on a rectangular grass field. Toss a frisbee into the lot, and, voila - Ultimate, a relatively new, relatively young, and relatively simple game that heightens a frisbee toss between friends into a 14-person game with rules and regulations.

The ·club, started by sophomores Elizabeth Mo and Shawn Kodes, and advised by science/health teacher Craig Weiss, began meeting three weeks ago, - but have yet to actually play a game outside. "We're still trying to organize the team together at this point," said Weiss.

The club, which was approved by Principal Malcolm Largmann in March, will receive no funding from the school, and therefore must be self-sufficient by requiring a membership fee of five to ten dollars of those interested. · Weiss, who played ultimate in high school and college, gained most of his _experience in the frisbee game in Florida, when he worked with juvenile delinquents and, as a break from their regular physical fitness regimen, would play with them. "The great thing about ultimate," said Weiss, "is that the game doesn't really require any specific skills, besides knowing how to run and toss a frisbee."

Ultimate originated as a sport in 1968, in Maplewood, New Jersey, when a group of Columbia High School students played on the asphalt parking lot of their school. The first intercollegiate

ultimate game took place in November of 1972 between Princeton and Rutgers Universities.

Ultimate combines elements of soc- by Justin Fox pect a lot from my power hitters this cer, football, and basketball in a nonHow green the grass is and how year," said Ceraulo of Strippoli and contact game where each player is both sweet the spring air smells this year for Hayes. quarterback and receiver. With teams the Girls' Varsity Softball team, a team Ceraulo is also expecting his -startof seven, games are played on fields of which has continued to dominate league ing infield, including junior Julia Heim · 70 x 40 yards; scores are counted each play_as it has for the past several years, at second base and junior Mary DeCicco time the offense of a team completes a with a 6-0 division record this season, at shortstop, to be one of his "keys to pass in the defense's endzone. Players 9-2-2 overall. The season, according to victory" this season. must pass off the frisbee as soon as it is coach Larry Ceraulo, has hinged, and New additions to the team this year received; running with the disk is pro- will continue to hinge, upon the play of include freshman pitcher/outfielder hibited. No physical contact between · one single player.

Arielle Frost, junior outfielder Lillian players is allowed, and violation of this "As long as Di~a stays healthy, we'll Bloch, and sophomore third baseman! do well," said Ceraulo, referring to the pitcher Vanessa Matsis, the last two berule results in a foul call.

Traditionally, ultimate games are team's talented pitcher, junior Dina ing junior varsity additions. self-refereed by the players rather than Parise. As one of the top girls pitchers Strippoli and Hayes cari only agree outside officials, which is part of the in the city, Parise has pitched two per- with their coach's projections. "We have sport's stress on sportsmanship and filir fect games already this season, and a really good team this year. It's young, play. Ultimate team members are ex- maintains an ERA of less than one run but I think we have a chance to do well pected to regulate their own games, per game. ·and really go far this season," Strippoli Last season, Parise led the Hawks to says. Hayes feels the same, affirming, making foul and other calls for both sides in an unbiased manner. However, a 23-4 record overall, with a 13-1 record "I think we'll go all the way this year." the ascent of the game into a varsity and a first-place finish in the Queens A Competition for the Hawks within sport in some schools, rather than a rec~ division, a goal that Ceraulo expects to their division is limited, with the excepreational one, has called for the use of once again accomplish this year. "I'll tion of Forest Hills, which they will face officials, as in any other official sport. be disappointed if we don't win our di~ on Monday in what Ceraulo expects to Currently, the Harris team is a club vision, as I will be disappointed ifwe be a_ "tough game." The girls have activity, and will only play don't make the quarterfinals too," said -looked outside of their division to prerecreationally, although members hope Ceraulo. pare for the playoffs and more difficult Ceraulo, however, is not only rely- play with non-league games against to one day compete against other ultimate high school teams, including those ing on Parise to improve the Hawks from some of the best teams in the city, inof the specialized New York City high a quarterfinal team last season to a pos- cluding Mary Louis and Van Buren. schools. For now, the team meets after sible champion this season. Two fourThe team was,especially pleased with school on Thursdays in room 642, and year veterans· on the team, senior first their 3-1 victory over Van Buren, one of welcomes all interested students, regard- baseman Nicole Strippoli and senior last year's city finalists, in a game they less of athletic abilities~ Practices ·at catcher -ciina Hayes, are also to hope was a foreshadowing of the playKissena Park are expected to start soon. Ceraulo's victory run this season. "I ex- offs yet to come.

varsity softball to victory

Girls set tracks for hopeful top three Queens finish individual 2:40 times and reach a time Timmons and Heather Carter. On the Davis and Tamar Anolic, and Realmuto.

by Tabitha Hsi other end of the distance spectrum are This trio was extremely successful durSquinting their eyes and shading their of2:35.

In the 400m hurdles, junior Heather runners· Marks and Steinberg, who ing the indoor season, and they hope that faces from the blazing sun, runners braved the SO-degree heat that perme- lbert hopes to improve her time and be~ sometimes run the 1500m or 3000m their triumphs will continue into the ated the St. John's track-andspring. Their hard work has field arena on March 31. The been paying off, as Davis and unusually high temperatures reRealmuto have thrown cityquired members of the Girls' qualifying distances -of 70-plus Outdoor Track team· to drink feet at practices. large amounts ofliquids during - Freshman Wai Wong and the Bishop Forde Relays, yet junior Tabitha Hsi are off to a they hardly impeded the girls strong start in the high jump. from performing their best.

They are working with each "I hope we can come in the other to improve their long top three in Queens this year," jumping skills. said coach Joseph Horn. The gf Hsi will also compete in the girls on the team share his sen~ Pentathlon on May 19. This timents, though it is still early competition in.,~ five-event ·in the season for predictions. ';, eludes the lOOm hurdles, long Captain Vicki Realmuto, senior, ~ Jump, high jump, shot-put, and has been encouraging everyone ..8.,; 800m race . to "fulfill their potential," and When asked how she feels she feels that "many of the new about being captain of the members have a lot of possibiliteam, Realmuto said she "now ties and bright futures." enjoys competing eve!! more This year, the team .is strong and hopes to give that experinot only in running events, but ence and attitude back to the in field events as well. The outrest of the tearri." What makes door running events range in this team strong as a whole, bedistance from 200m sprints to sides its large size, is that a 3000m races. In-the middle dishigh percentage of the memKicking off their Spring season, members of the Girls' Outdoor track team (from left to right) Lisa Lau, Jia Yin Huang, Nirel Matsis, Clare Marks and Tabitha Hsi practice on the Queens College track. tances; one of the strongest re" bers of this outdoor season lays is the sophomore 4 x 800 have also run for the past two team, consisting of Clare Marks, Bosede come competitive in an event in which races. cross-country and indoor seasons. "This In the field events, the shot-put and dedication helps bring unity and strength Adenekan, Angelique DaCosta, and she is a fairly newcomer. Running th~ Alexa Ste!nberg. All hope to break their shorter distances are freshmen Theresa discus competitors are juniors Dorcas to our team," said Realmuto.

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16

The Classic May 1998

Grands lam! ·Boys explode into league with first-ever Harris baseball team

by Justin Fox

gave up rio runs or hits in three innings play PSAL teams, but their wins or of work thus solidifying the Harris losses will not count in PSAL standboys' advantage. ings or affect the league standings.

The Hawks would move to their 2- All new PSAL teams must undergo 0 record three days later on March 26, · this initial "club" season to be following a 19-6 win over Campus consdered for admission into the Magnet. Stampfel went 2-3, and senior league: If approved, the team will Mike Farina went 3-3, to make up for .. be admitted into the Queens "B" division next season.

As for key players, Diunte , feels that Stampfel at third base, along with senior catche.r Mike Farina, senior shortstop John Paul Manzolillo, junior first baseman/pitcher Greg Lew, junior pitcher/ shortstop Ante Mustac, and others will allow for the team to "surprise everyone this year."

Stampfel agreed that "the Senior Peter Stampfel goes to bat in one of Harris boys' first baseball games ever. strength of the team is the inwas but a dream in the minds of the the six first-inning runs given up by field ." school's male population. It was junior pitcher Greg Lew. Lew would These players were first recruited largely established due to the two- ·later rebound for a perfect three-in- two years ago as part of the original years of effort on the part of·senior ning stretch, giving up no runs until petition to initiate the baseball team being pulled in the fifth.

Nick Diunte. at Harris. Other players were reThe Springfield game, the first of The,games, besides showcasing the cruited through "games we played to- . a 13-game PSAL schedule, had the talent of Harris' players, proved that the gether," said Diunte, refering to last Hawks off to an early 14-0 lead in the boys were deserving of a team and a year's baseball intramurals, which first inning, due to "mishandled pop- spot in the PSAL league. The efforts began when the original plan for an ups, walks and stolen bases," said se- of players like Diunte and Stampfel, official baseball team fell through, nior Peter. Stainpfel. Springfield's and senior Frank Giglia "finally paid and through informal practices that were held in the fall ofthis year. weak play, along with the superb off," said Stampfel. pitching of junior Ante Mustac, gave The team will officially be a PSAL Diunte says that the team will last continued ori page 14 Harris the edge in the game. Mustac "club" team, meaning that the boys will With a 20-0 win over Springfield : Gardens, the Townsend Harris Boys' Baseball team's debut on March 23 was a spectacular one, placing to rest many doubts that a boy' baseball team at Townsend Harris was anything but a good idea. The team, until this year

Flawless record propels girls towards

so~c~r playoff~

by Kate Rube ·Hanson, especially 1mprovmg game performance, with defensive skills. scores of 7-0 blowouts not uncommon.

An unblemished record "The teams we' II To play up to par, the girls have squared has headed the Girls' Varsity face in the playoffs off against more formidable opponents Soccer team (8-0) to the will not make any in non-league play, including a tournaplayoffs for the past four mistakes," he said, ment on April 25 in Brooklyn, where years straight, their run each "We can't make the team placed fifth overall with a 3-2 time ending in a disappoint~ record, losing only to Tottenville and in~ semifinal loss. Losing to r:::_~ c.J•• any either."

Staten Island Tech, teams said to' be the .

• ] The addition of Bronx Science in a sudden of the city. ,. top two ~ defensive right death double overtime last Tottenville, ranked as the number one ~tA!'~ ~ Rosemary Ferraro, year was especially disheartteam, has consistently outshone every ;, freshman, has been ening for a team that felt the ~ an asset to the Har- other team .in past years. However, the season was theirs to claim, ris defense, how- top five teams in the city this year, after having been seeded ever, as she brings among which Harris will most likely be second in the city. with her four years placed, are closer in competition level But the girls hope this of soccer experi- than ever before, setting the stage for a season to somewhat alter the ence playing for a ·tension-filled and closely-matched playscene that they have seen New Hyde Park off season. . themselves re-enact year afTo make the difference, the team travel team. ter year in their playoff runs; Midfielder Tara Paterson prepares for a crossing pass to the center for a score. "will have to be a lot more aggressive," Stephanie Donosa, more precisely, they would said senior Lara Rios. "We will have to the only other rookie on the team, has like to rewrite the ending, to include at semis; I want to make it to the finals." thrive on the Xena chant and ideals," she least a finals match, if not necessarily a ' To break this barrier which has been alternating goalie play with senior added, referring to the girls' signature · finals victory. Coach Keith Hanson eJ.- blocked the tejllll 's advance in the past, Kristin Candan. cry of intimidation before games, taken The lack of competition in their own pressed the sentiments of the whole the team will have to pull off individual from the hit television show. team when he said-, ''I'm sick of the skills with perfection, according to--- league,-though, has been a detriment to

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