Classic newspaper Volume 19 Issue no. 7

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Vol. 19, No.7 Summer 2003

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Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367

Veteran fa9ulty members depart from community Although this year is coming to an end with far fewer departures than last year, those retiring this year are among those faculty members who were pioneers in· the early years of the school.

Myron Moskowitz and Harriette Blechman were founding teachers at Townsend. Joseph Horn has dedicated himself to Harris for 18 years, and Margaret Landry for 16 years.

Myron Moskowitz

by Jamie Gullen among the students, but they share an One of the last remaining founding honesty and sweetness that makes our faculty members, Myron student body most Moskowitz, is retiring afmemorable," said Mr. ter a 35-year career. Mr. Moskowitz.

Harriette Blechman Moskowitz has taught a Regarding his colplethora of subjects, from leagues, Mr. Moscowitz have ... spent many a summer writing the

by Daniel Bloch the Humanities Seminar, J:l hopes to maintain the When asked what she was most look- curriculum and shaping [the) philosowhich is his favorite, to ~ friendships he has made. ing forward to about retiring, Harriette - phy [of the school]," she said. "I feel a all grade levels of history, 13 'The faculty here is imreal identification with the Blechman, who has to electives in current :E pressive in knowledge school' as it exists now, and taught English at £ and ability, but above all I'm sure that I will always be events and New York Townsend Harris since City history. ~ in caring. It is hard for a part of it, just as it is a part its second inception in ..c: Before he came to c... students to really appreof me."

1984, answered, Harris, Mr. Moskowitz ciate how much work the Ms . Blechman called her "Reading." teachers in this school decision to retire "a compli- taught at Bushwick and '' Myron Moskowitz "Strangely, English Tilden High Schools in do!" he said. cated one." "The marking of teachers never get to Brooklyn.

At Tilden, he met founding In the future, Mr. Moskowitz hopes papers really takes an incredread," she explained. prinicipal ofTownsend Harris, Malcolm to mentor teachers at the college level ible amount of time if you do "They're always Largmann, who brought Mr. Moskowitz to reinforce his philosophy that "we can it right, and the older you get, marking papers or he assembled the foundwith him when change the world one person at a time." the longer it takes," she said. reading The Scarlet ing group of teachers for the school.

He has told principal Thomas She also cited her frus- · · Letter for the third in conMr. Moskowitz still remains Cunningham to call on him if he ever tration with "the whole political time." tact with the first graduating class, as needs to, and he has plans to work on "Also, I would like to have more time picture" as another reason for her deciwell as with many other students who the election simulation run out of the sion to retire. "Frankly, I do not like the to travel," she added.

As one of the few remaining original mayor and the chancellor's wholesale have graduated since. "As at any school, Participatory Democracy classes for there is a range of interests and abilities next year's seniors. faculty members of the new Townsend revamping of the [school) system.

Those of us who have been teaching Harris, Ms. Blechman 's connection to Margaret Landry Continued on p. 3 the school has been a close one. "I

by Marlo Dublin eventually acquired a Master's degree "I am definitely going to miss the in Latin and Greek. " In graduate school Jo~eph Horn kids, [because) they make teaching pos- I became a teaching fellow and taught a

by Daniel Bloch 1968, Mr. Horn now feels that "it is time sible, the commute and the camarade- class about Cicero," she said.

"If I hadn't come to Townsend Har- to move on." He and his wife will soon rie, but I've threatened to come back for From graduate school, Ms. Landry ris, I probably would've quit teaching," be relocating to Florida where Mr. Horn lunch!" said Latin and Greek teacher taught Latin for four years in a private said Joseph Horn, who is retiring after said he will continue coaching track and Margaret Landry. After 16 years of high school for girls in Richmond Virfield teams and doing con- bringing her love for classic languages 18 years of teaching ginia and then took a break from teachsulting work with computers. into the hearts of math, coaching track ing by working for s i nee he arrived at many Harrisites, and field and serving ..c: Houghton Mifflin's trade Townsend, Mr. Horn has Ms. Landry will be as Technology Coor.S sales department. Shortly been coaching the Girls' retiring this June dinator at Townsend. ~ after this experience, she Track and Field teams, a job because of her "ad"It was a joy to be _ -~ acquired a.n other ~ that he calls his "passion." in the classroom and vanced age." £ Master's degree m Spei "My greatest joy is in to be with our She hopes that _. - cia! Education at the watching an athlete succeed," she will be able to students ... who reBank Street College of he said. "I get as much joy in "spend time with ceived any new innoEducation and taught in watching someone improve [her) three grandvation without probseveral private schools. as I do in watching the star sons, sisters who live in New England, lems. They seemed to "I encourage all students to consider of the team. You just have to take other language courses at Queens enjoy doing things that were different," being [teachers]," Ms . Landry said. "It he added. "This allowed me to grow as see it. It's a very special thing."

College or Kingsborough Community is more fun than you think!"

In addition to coaching and teach- College and garden." a teacher and to learn from my students After being asked what she will rebasically how to become a good teacher. ing math, Mr. Horn has been the Ms. Landry started her teaching ca- member about her years spent in And this school made it easy for us to school's Technology Coordinator, ajob reer during her senior year in Waltham Townsend, Ms. Landry said that she will which, according to Mr. Horn, encom- High School in Massachusetts after bebecome good teachers ." miss "international week and the FestiHaving taught at various high passes many roles, including Network ing asked by her Latin teacher to create val of Nations," as Well as her time spent schools around New York City since Administrator. lesson plans and teach her classmates. "being an Arista advisor for eight years" From Waltham, she attended Boston and "an advisor for Save the Children."

College where she majored in Latin and

Editors' Good-byes pp. 2-3

College Choices pp.4-5

Interracial Dating p.6

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Junk Food p.7

The Classic

2 'So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good-bye' 1

Summer 2003

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To my dear friends in the Townsend Harris Community: This is more a valentine than a farewell letter. Its genesis was 19 years ago in a small office of the Board of Education (it will always be the Board of Ed. to me) located in an old school in downtown Brooklyn. There, Dr. Largmann invited me to join a new and exciting team which would bring an honors program in the Humanities to the Borough of Queens.

Our little building on Parsons Boulevard did not have enough chairs. There ~ were no books for several weeks, but the spirit of adventure more than made up for the lack of a comfortable physical environment. Commitment and exuberance by faculty, students, and the greater school community won the day as we fought for, and won, our very own building on the Queens College campus.

Mayor Dinkins spoke of the rich mosaic which is New York City and we proudly bore witness to this through our multicultural student body. The students of our school from '84 through '03 exemplify the very best our city has to offer, and that has always been the very best our nation has to offer! The rigors of the school program have caused some

to complain and others to exault, but the crucible of learning has already produced new generations of leaders for this city. True to the Ephebic oath, our graduates have begun to make a difference in the sciences, media, and helping professions. Most proudly for me, many have chosen to become teachers.

As I prepare to leave and pursue my dream of inspiring teachers on the college level, I know that my experiences at Townsend Harris High School have helped shape my belief that "We can change the world, one person at a time."

I leave secure in the knowledge that the torch is being passed to colleagues dedicated to continuing the tradition of excellence established by the alumni of the original Townsend Harris High School. I shall miss my friends and the sharing which teachers do as they wrestle with the challenges of inspiring and cultivating young minds. But I know that we must all graduate. I share the joy of the class of '03 as together we rededicate ourselves to the high ideals and moral commitment which make our -unique Humanities program the jewel in the crown of the New York City School system.

Myron Moskowitz Teacher of Social Studies

From The Classic Editors: Angela Hom, Managing Editor Our student ID cards are probably the best indicators of how much we have grown up over the past four seemingly endless years here, both physically and mentally. While validation stickers serve only as markers of time, the true record of our memories starts with our photos.

When I look at mine, both a shudder and a smile come to me. Who can forget freshman year? Between collaterals, homework, new friends and trying to make time for eating and sleeping, I still managed to stress out about gym and running.

I would be lying if I wrote that this all got better over the next few years.

But I would also be lying if I wrote that it got worse. The work all seemed the same after awhile, and I managed to learn how to stay up until 3 AM by sophomore year. It's not the coffee; naps are the answer. What really made the difference in my Townsend Harris experience were the teachers I had and the people I met and got to know. Textbooks were the same every day I opened them, but the daily conversations and short exchanges I had in the classroom and

lunchroom were never similar or boring. Therefore, I would like to thank all my teachers and all my friends for making life interesting while I got the best education possible.

In my ID photo, I am smiling somewhat, but my eyes hesitate to follow.

They are wary, wide, a little frightened perhaps. I put it next to one of my prom photos and the difference is obvious. My head is tilted a bit to the side, my lips curved and mouth opened in mid-laugh, my eyes crinkled at the corners by the sheer force of happiness.

So here's to Florida, the balance beam, hours spent at the library (my second home!), three hours of sleep, white hairs, the back corner in Spanish (what's that about the class average?), abortions, European handball, long conversations about everything, short conversations in panic, 900 program errors, saris, The Classic, the Phoenix, "dos de Hom," archaeology, human evolution, snowboarding, piercings, and everything else that made my four years at Townsend Harris memorable.

Congratulations, Class of 2003.

Daniel Bloch Jamie Gullen Co-Editors-in-Chief Jessica Wang Feature Editor

Diane Tiao Entertainment Editor

Hilary Homier Jennifer Sheth Photography Editors

Angela Hom

Jennifer Gong Sarah Schnee

Managing Editor

Marlo Dublin

co. News Editors

Food Editor

Karen Hendershot Editor·at•Large

Josh Fox

Rachel Schiffman EmmaXiao Art Editors

.Sports Editor

Steven Lee Online Editor

Amanda Chen

lisa Cowen

Business Editor

Ad;isor

Principal - Mr. Thomas Cunningham

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Marlo Dublin, Food Editor While riding along Main Street on many a Q44 and Q20B during the past three years, I would often wonder what I was going to recall most vividly about high school. On some days, I thought that I would remember the frustration I felt while spending long hours working.

On others, I felt sure that I would think of high school and instantly be reminded of class trips, parties, lunch bands spent in the library and intense basketball games. However, in the past week or two, I've realized that such memories seem trivial when I think about the appreciation I've developed for time.

As a child, I was never able to sit still; I would constantly be waiting for the next movie to play, next round of Old Maid and next novel to explore. I was hungry for life, and always would be waiting for my next course. It seemed natural to me when I first started high

school, therefore, to be inundated with homework, projects and other assignments. Until senior year, I never realized just how programmed I had become. Free periods would scare me; I would constantly be looking for things to do, for unfinished business. Eventually, I learned to cherish empty hours and pay attention to things that I was blinded to in past years: quality conversation, the beauty of Queens College's campus, sunny days and myself.

I will forever be thankful for the quality education I received as a Harrisite, the wonderful friendships I've nurtured and memorable times spent working on the newspaper, but I will always remember how I learned to savor the hours, minutes and seconds of my life instead of watching them fly out ofmy grasp.

Jamie Gullen, Co-Editor-in-Chief There are many differen~ reasons for choosing to attend any given high school. It could be your dream school, it could be the best school to which you got accepted, or it could even be the school your parents forced you to attend against your will. But the motivation behind choosing a school matters little once you're there. It's your school and you have four years to shape your high school experience to make it something worth remembering, rather than just letting it be a stumbling block between junior high school and college.

Looking back on the past four years of my life, I know that I would never have gained so much out of high school had I gone anywhere else, and I am grateful to all the teachers and friends

who helped make my high school career a happy and productive one. It seems like just a week ago that I stepped inside Townsend Harris for the first time as a student, and now as the time is coming to take my last steps out of Townsend as a student, I can't help feeling a mixture of joy and sadness - joy because I am celebrating four wonderful years spent in the company of amazing friends, and sadness because I know that once I leave, high school is over forever. I take solace in knowing that friendships can live on after high school, and I will take everything I've learned and all my memories with me to college and beyond.

Daniel Bloch, Co-Editor-in-Chief If life is a jazz band, then my senior year is the trumpet player snapping his fingers to keep the beat. It amazes me how a year filled with such milestones as choosing a college, senior prom, graduation and having a free band could go by so memorably, and yet so quickly.

And, like any quality piece of jazz, senior year has been unpredictable, sometimes mysterious and altogether "new."

I think that the year (and all of high school, for that matter) is still too fresh in my mind for me to give any kind of "words of wisdom" to future seniors.

But I would like to share something that I read this year in a book called Norwegian Wood by the Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami. Simply put, it's the chronicle of a college freshman named

News Staff: Sam1ra Annabi, Jessica Bader, Jessica Berger, Chloe Chao, Alyssa Chase.

Mimi Chung, Nataliya Binshteyn, Lina Lee, Linda Luu, Francesca Pizarro, Tanaz Talebpour Feature Staff: Christopher Amanna, Jennifer Bhuiyan, Margo Kakoullis, Sangsoo Kim, Francesca Pizarro, Ann Margaret Santa-lnes, Alexis Serra, Nisha Singh, Stephanie Vance, Maria Wojakowska, Tina Wu Sports Staff: Stephen Berger, Lauren Korzeniewski, Elyse Lee, Michelle Montgoris Artists: Matthew B~rbery, Amy Blauner, Stacey Lee, Doris Ortega, Vivian Shibata, Andrea Shliselberg, Samira Zaman. Stephanie Zapata Comic Strip Coordinator: Jonathan Pe~ez Online Staff: Diane Lee, Umair Shaikh, Waqas Shaikh Techspert: Zak A no lie Photography Staff: Penny Chak, Laura D' Amato, Diana Deng, Vera Hendrix, Bryan Kirschen, Marion Mercado, Deepti Nair, Cristin Strining, Julia Stutz. Leticia Wainer, Annabel Zaharieff Layout Staff: Pamela Chan, Matthew Kaufman, Katie Kogan

Toru and how he grows up. At one point, Toru proclaims, "Only the dead stay seventeen forever." At first, I was struck by the morbidity of this idea. But after turning it over in my head, !realized it was a chunk of pure truth.

Life happens only once, so bask in the glow of it and reflect in the dark of it. Make high school - and life for that matter - what you want it to be. Write for the paper because you want to and take classes for the joy of it. Lie alone under a tree on the Quad next door at Queens College, or wander around Manhattan with your best friends .

Live now in such a way that when you think back to 17, you'll hear some great jazz music.

Townsend Harris High School at Queens College 149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, N.Y. 11367 The Classic is an open forum for the expression of student views. The opinions expressed therein should not be taken to represent those of the administration or faculty or student body as a whole.

Readers are invited to submit letters to the editor.

Letters should be placed in Ms . Cowen's mailbox in the general office. Tire Clas.vic reserves the right to edit all letters. Letters must include name and official class. Names will be withheld upon request.

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The Classic

3

Summer2003

PTA president Dafne Manhart bids farewell

Blechman retires

by Jessica Berger After six years as a devoted member, Vice-President, and President of the Parent- Teacher Association, Dafne Manhart will "graduate" from Townsend Harris this June without receiving a diploma or attending a single class. During her years in the Townsend Harris community, she has witnessed the freshman orientations of two sons , the comings and goings of countless teachers, the retirement of founding principal Malcolm Largmann and his replacement with Thomas Cunningham, the untimely passing of Assistant Principal Malcolm Rossman, and the response of the school to the tragedy of September II. After six years of incredible highs and saddening lows, Dafne Manhart still admits that she "become[s] happy every time [she] w·alk[s] into the school."

Ms. Manhart's work on Townsend Harris' PTA was just part of her 17 years of PTA experience, beginning at her older son's nursery school. She became involved at Townsend Harris by offering to help clean up at a freshman breakfast. Ms. Manhart has "worn many kinds

for a while have seen all this before, and think it will be disastrous," she said. "The worst part of it is that the teachers, those who really.know what needs to be done to provide excellent education to the 1.2 million students in NYC, are not consulted at all."

Despite these strong opinions, Ms. Blechman has "very mixed feelings" about retirement . "I panic every time I think of next September," she said. "I will most miss the students. I do adore the Humanities Seminar and my English classes; introducing students to new ideas and ways of considering the universe is a great kick.'"

Be!! ides playing an integral role in the Humanities department, Ms. Blechman has acted as Senior Attendance Coordinator for the past 16 years, and has also directed various school plays, such as this year's production of Bye Bye Birdie.

A teacher for 33 years, Ms. Blechman taught at Andrew Jackson High School for 14 of those years before coming to Townsend Harris: Ms. Blechman said she "looks forwatd to whatever is coming next. ~ am looking into several possib!ilities, including teaching a computer course at Queens College, working with the education departfrient, and working with student tdachers."

"Tqe idea of taking six months off to read is real! y appealing as well,'' she 3:,dded.

of 'hats,' " ranging from Phone-a-than coordinator and participant on the School Safety Committee to Vice President and Co-President. She says, "It is one of the most wonderful things to be a parent and I encourage parents to get involved with their children's school."

Ms. Manhart truly believes in the value of a Townsend Harris education, raving about her experiences here. She especially enjoys helping others appreciate the school as much as she does.

"I've been able to talk to parents who are planning to send their children to THHS and by the end of our conversation, they feel like they are really a part of the school," she said.

"When my older son graduated, I told Dr. Largmann, 'I gave you a child and you gave me back a whole person.'

Townsend Harris is a great place to learn, but it is also a great place to grow."

Those who know her praised her devotion and noted the pleasure she derives from her work. Her PTA Co-President of two years, Joseph Dubowski, said, "Over the years, Dafne has worked very hard for the school and loved

From The Classic Editors, continued Jessica Wang, Feature Editor People always say that high school is one experience that will forever change a person's life. Up to a few weeks ago, I didn't believe this . Looking back at photographs and looking at myself now, I could not see how four years altered me. I soon realized, however, that the change that had actually occurred was a further fleshing out of my character. I walked into this building freshman year as a roughly sketched figure and now I am leaving as a betterdefined individual, still incomplete, but with a greater sense of self-awareness and confidence.

My Jove for creative writing, espe- cially poetry, had began earlier than my high school career. Without this school, without the friends and teachers I've met because of it, without the inspiring class

Creative Self that I was lucky enough to take this year, my written work would . be different. I do not know what it would be like, but I have learned to appreciate my work as it is thanks to encouragement from my peers and mentors. A person cannot write well without reading extensively, and so Townsend Harris, with its many reading assignments, has helped me in this way as well.

As a writer, I should not be sad about leaving Townsend Harris, because new experiences can be inspiring. I do not consider myself just a writer, however, but also a student who has grown attached to people here and little things that make Townsend Harris distinctive.

In this role, I cannot help but feel sad that my time here has ended.

Sarah Schnee, Co-News Editor I spent a large part of high school wanting to be elsewhere. Granted, I had a deep appreciation for the school and all of its amazing qualities . I was aware that to receive such a quality education from a New York City public school was a gift. I participated in a myriad of extracurricular activities, ironically devot. ing a significant portion of my life to a place which inspired so many mixed emotions in me. But my heart was elsewhere.

I felt somewhat suffocated. I disagreed with many of the ways in which the school was, and still is, run. But I had not yet found a voice which would proactively raise my concerns and provoke change, nor did I believe that change was even possible in this school.

I yearned for the social and intellectual opportunities of college. I now know that the brevity of life makes a crime out of wishing away any portion of it.

Somewhere along the line, I came to the realization that I was looking for

a particular type of happiness: perhaps it was the happiness of teenagers that I saw in the movies, or maybe it was the happiness that adults expected from me.

Either way, it was a happiness that was not my own . The more · I eased out of the pressure of unrealistic expectations, the happier I felt. I thoroughly enjoyed my senior year. I was a much more balanced young adult this year. Reflecting on all of those times in which I felt limited by Townsend, I now ask myself: Can a place really limit me or was I limiting myself all along?

I challenge you, as a person still actively engaged in the Townsend community, to make the most of your high school experience, regardless of all obstacles: That way, when you are on the brink of graduation, you will not be thinking what I am thinking now: "If only I had discovered all this before ... " I wish the best of luck to the Class of 2003 and all of the friends and teachers who have inspired so much love in me.

THHS. She will be missed by all of us."

Principal Thomas Cunningham said, "I have been acquainted with Dafne for three years. She brings a genuine sense of warmth, humor, joie de vivre to all she does. She is tireless in her dedication to committment to parents, students, and staff of Townsend Harris. She will be sorely missed."

Ms. Manhart is grateful to the school community. "I would like to thank all the parents, because without their support we would not be able to have the strong PTA that we -have," she said. "I would also like to thank the students for being the best teens in the city, and the staff, since it is because of them that it is so hard•for me to say goodbye. They are the best! Last, but not least, I want to thank my two sons, Thomas and Douglas. Without them I would never have met any of the wonderful people at Townsend Harris. My only regret is that I do not have another child in the school, and so I have to say goodbye to Townsend Harris and all the amazing people that work and go to school there."

Jennifer Gong, Co-News Editor Well, after four years of being a part of The Classic, I can only think of all the many memories that I have shared with such interesting and strange people. Every moment that I've spent in 511 has been filled _with one of two things, either s t r e s s or incessant laughter. Think of all those times that I had to be dragged into the office to do actual work and then forced to write headlines! Let me tell you, those are the worst! But I had very tolerant fellow editors to put up with my whining.

Thanks guys!=) We had a few "crises" over the years as well. Just the basic stuff: pages turning completely red and not opening, having to rewrite entire articles or having to find people who actually attended school events for some good quotations, trying to find synonyms for basic words without a handy dandy thesaurus around, and of course, attempting to write a creative headline for those last minute articles. But when all of the problems are solved, everything seems worth it and that feeling of accomplish-

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ment just takes over. That is what The Classic has meant to me and that is what I will always remember.

Good' luck to future editors! I know that you are worthy of taking our posts, but always remember that the editors of 2003 cannot be replaced easily.

And finally, I must say, holler to all my little peoples (and to my big people too, I guess)! I've had such a great time eating and laughing and eating some more throughout the years. Thank you for always being there when I ne~ded you.

Best wishes to all!

Diane Tiao, Entertainment Editor I started out at this school knowing _ chubacca, from "IfYou're Not The One" nobody, but over the years, I met people to "Unwell," from Taboo to touch-footwho have changed my life in so many ball, from Target to little blue sheets and ways. Although there have been many tetris, from unsalted pretzels to hometimes when the workload and the cram- made guacamole, and especially from ming for multiple tests the night be- APES (Environmental) with the incesfore have made me sleep-deprived, sant poking to a certain tall, se·xy Greek, there are so many more times when I and not to mention pumping gas for the have laughed so hard I couldn't breathe first time and so much more I don't have any more. It is this year especially that time to write down, I treasure it all and I I h~lVe grown close to certain people. It only hope that I have as many more great wounds my soul that I waited this long memories in the future . to get to know them and now that I have, For those who have touched my life, we are all leaving this school, but I will I love you, and know that you will atforever be grateful for; the friendships, ways hold a place in my thoughts and in memories and happiness they have my heart. I came to this school knowing brought to my life. no one, and I am leaving this school with From karaoke to Apple bees and Brit- friends that I know I will have for a lifeish novels, from Vertical Horizon to time.

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The Classic Summer 2003

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Going here, there, anc the Cia!

EmmaXiao

INAME I ACEVEDO, LORENA AHMAD, BUSHRA AHMED, SANA 'ALl, SAMI HASHIM ALOM, SYEDA AMANNA, RICHARD ANICAMA, CATHERINE ANOLIC, ZAK ARSHAD, SAMIA AZAM, NYLA BABIO, PATRICIA BACKtEL, JOANNA BALAKATOUNIS, KONSTAN BALRAM, SHRIMATI BARBERY, MATIHEW BATAS, MICHALIS BEREZOWSKY, ANNASTASIA BLACKMAN, LAVERNE BLOCH, DANIEL BOJACA, MARIANA BONETA, .JOHN ,BORRESS, MICHAEL iBRIGIS, VICTORIA CANDAN, AMANADA CAPITINI, LEAH CARDONA, JESSICA CEMALOVIC, NAIL CHAN, JANICE CHANG, SUSAN \CHARLES, RHONDA CHENG, SUSAN CHIH, ANNIE CHIN, SHARON iCHIN, TASHIA ICHINCHA, CARLOS CHONG, JOHNSON CHRISTOFORIDIS, ANASTASIA CIORCIARI, JAMES CITRON, JASON 1CLEVELAND, JAMES !COCHRANE, MARISA !CONTRERAS, FIORELLA CORDERO, JACQUELINE CORREA, STEPHANIE !CROCE, DANIELLE !CRUZ, BERNADEnE •CUA, ROSEMARIE DAVIDOW, MEGAN DELUTY, JULIE DENIS, KAREN iDIMACULANGAN, JENNIFER IDIX, JENNA MARIE DIXIT, PREETI DMOWSKA, JOANNA DOMINGUEZ, TIFFANY DONNELLY, LAURIE DONOVAN,MEGHAN DRAPKIN, ALEXANDRA DUBLIN, MARLO ESPINOZA, JEFFREY FALCO, JESSICA FANG, LIN NA

by Jamie Gullen As the Class of 2003 goes off to college, they leave behind their legacy, and move forward with their memories and achievements.

This year's seniors were awarded ·over two million dollars in schol arship money, which is more than any other previous class.

"More kids won more scholarships directly from the College Office than

FARNAN, ANGELINA FIERSTEIN, JODI FISCHER, DANIELLE FOX, JOSHUA ADELPHI UNIVERSITY FOO, WEN SHI (EMILY) CUNY BARUCH (HONORS) FREYRE, ARIANNA ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY (PHARMACY) GATIOC, ALVIN OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY GEORGALLAS, LAMBROS CUNY CITY COLLEGE (HONORS) GILL, RAVI CUNY HUNTER (HONORS) GOLANN, JACLYN BARNARD GOMES, MARISA SKIDMORE GONG, JENNIFER SUNY BUFFALO GONZALEZ, CARLOS SOPHIE DAVIS BIOMEDICAL PROGRAM GONZALEZ, CHRISTOPHER NEW YORK UNIVERSITY GULLEN, JAMIE QUINNIPIAC GUZMAN, EDWIN NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GYSELINGS, SARAH WESLEYAN HAFEEZ, AMANDA SUNY BINGHAMTON HANSOTY, ASHISH CUNY BARUCH HENDERSHOT, KAREN NEW YORK UNIVERSITY HESS, YANINE MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE HETHERINGTON, JESSICA NEW YORK UNIVERSITY HOM, ANGELA UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER HOMLER, HILARY ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY HSIAO, DIANA SUNY BINGHAMTON HSU,BARBRA NEW YORK UNIVERSITY (STERN) HUANG, EMMA BOSTON UNIVERSITY HUANG, MICHAEL YULUNG SUNY BINGHAMTON HUTINER, SOPHIA CUNY HUNTER INTAL, MARYA FORDHAM UNIVERSITY ST. MARY'S COLLEGE OF MARYLAND !JAIN, VARUN NEW YORK UNIVERSITY :JOSEPH , ERICKA ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY(PHARMACY) !JURGENS, VIRGINIA COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY KALASAPUDI, BHARATI ALFRED UNIVERSITY KAMLER, JONATHAN KAZANE, STEPHANIE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY KEENAN, LAUREN WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY CUNY CITY COLLEGE (HONORS) KESY, BLAZEJ SUNY GENESEO KHAIMOV, MIKHAIL KHAIMOVA, INESSA '· HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY SUNY STONY BROOK KHAN,AAYESHA BOSTON UNIVERSITY KHAZARY, TIANA SUNY STONY BROOK KIM, Jl YOUNG HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY KIRSCHEN, BRYAN KOENIG, SARA NEW YORK UNIVERSITY LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY/BKLYN (PHARMACY) KOMMATAS, DEMIE ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY iKOMPANCARIL, BERNIE KRACUN, ALEKSANDAR CUNY QUEENS KRISTIC, KATARINA BOSTON UNIVERSITY KRIVAC, JESSICA ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY KRlYWANIA, PAUL UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA NEW YORK UNIVERSITY KWAK, WOO EUN KYU , KHINE SANDI COLLEGE OF MT. ST. VINCENT BOSTON UNIVERSITY LAPSATIS, MARTHA NEW YORK UNIVERSITY LAZAR, LAUREN NEW YORK UNIVERSITY (STERN) LEE. DOROTHY LEE, NANCY BOSTON UNIVERSITY FORDHAM UNIVERSITY LEE, STACEY NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY LEE, STEVEN HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY LENNG, WILLIAM SUNY BINGHAMTON LIANG,MENG NEW YORK UNIVERSITY LIEBERMAN, TALYA MANHATIAN COLLEGE LIM, SONIA HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY LO RE ALEXANDRA NEW YORK UNIVERSITY LORENZ, AMANDA

COLLEGE ATTENDING

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ever before," said college couns< Marilyn Blier. These scholarships eluded ones from The History Chan.

Jerry Seinfeld, the United Federati01 Teachers, Carolina Rice, and Mo Brown , to name a few.

According to Ms. Blier, this wa "very very strong year," but she ad< that "it was a more competitive year terms of the applicant pool so that ; ceotance into tier one schools remain

ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY MUHLENBERG COLLEGE SUNY STONY BROOK CORNELL (ILR) CUNY BARUCH (HONORS) CUNY HUNTER SUNY BINGHAMTON CUNY BARUCH CUNY(BARUCH)HONORS BOSTON UNIVERSITY CORNELL (ILR) SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY (NEWHOUSE) MANHATIAN COLLEGE CORNELL (ENGINEERING) CORNELL (HUMAN ECOLOGY) CUNY HUNTER JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SUNY STONY BROOK GETTYSBURG COLLEGE NEW YORK UNIVERSITY NEW YORK UNIVERSITY CORNELL (ARTS AND SCIENCES) · SMITH COLLEGE SUNY BINGHAMTON SUNY BINGHAMTON SUNY ALBANY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY BOSTON UNIVERSITY OHIO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY NYACK COLLEGE SUNY STONY BROOK BROWN UNIVERSITY YALE UNIVERSITY BOSTON COLLEGE PACE UNIVERSITY HARVARD UNIVERSITY NeW YORK UNIVERSITY NEW YORK UNIVERSITY (STERN) BOSTON UNIVERSITY ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY SUNY STONY BROOK(Faii)/BINGHAMTON(Spring) SUNY BINGHAMTON SUNY BUFFALO MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY RENSSELAER DARTMOUTH COLLEGE SUNY BINGHAMTON UNITED STATES ARMY BOSTON UNIVERSITY SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY NEW YORK UNIVERSITY BARNARD SUNY BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (WHARTON) SUNY BINGHAMTON ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY SUNY STONY BROOK CORNELL (HUMAN ECOLOGY) DUKE UNIVERSITY BOSTON UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND CUNY HUNTER

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Summer 2003

everywhere:

,... of 2003 moves on a challenge." In spite of this, the class of 2003 will be sending 22 students to Ivy League schools.

Ms. Blier noted that colleges located . in large cities were popular. This is evident by the 30 Harris students -heading off to New York University and the 18 students who will be attending Boston University.

Thirty-eightstudents will matriculate into State University of New York LOUISA. NICHOLAS LUO, TIFFANY (TING) LYDAKIS, NICOLE MAHIR, FAHIMA MANGAT, KARANVIR MANHART, DOUGLAS MARCISZEK, ILWIRA MASTRONARDI, ASHLEY MERCADO, MARION MIASNIKOVA, OLGA MICCIO, JACLYN MILLER, JOSEPH MISCIAGNA. STEFANO MORDENTE, LAUREN MUEHLBAUER, EVAN MUELLER,KATELYN MURPHY, TIMOTHY NAJMI, SHERON NAMOCATCAT, JOZEANNE NEPOMUCENO,RACHEL NESTEROVSKAYA, VALENTINA NEWMAN, KRISTIN NG,GEOFFREY NGO, SIUFONG OKULA, ANNA OLA, GALEMARIE ORLANDO, MATTHEW OZERI, LEA PAGAN, DANIELLA PALTENEA, RALUCA PAPASIMAKIS, XENOPHON PARENTE, ANTHONY PARK, DIANE PARVEZ, SABOHENIA PATEL, AMY PATEL. KRUTI PENA, CARLA PEREZ; CYNTHIA PEREZ, JONATHAN PERSHAD, VA.LERIE PILLSBURY, ASHLEY PORRETTA, LAUREN PREPOSI, CYRELL PUCCIO, ELISA QUAN, JASON RAHYAB,SEYAR 1RAINONE, JENNIFER RAMDEO, SUNAYNA IRAMKELLAWAN, RESHMA iRATNER, RITA iRAYANNAVAR.ARPANA IREID, NICOLE RINCON, CRISTINA ROBINSON, MICHELLE ROJAS, MAURICIO !ROMERO, CARLOS !SACKETT, JAIME iSAHABIR, VARUNA !SALEEM, UMARA SARANTAKOS, CHRISTINA SCHIFFMAN, RACHEL ;SCHNEE, SARAH !SEID, KATHERINE SENE, JACLYN ISEO, BENJAM:..::I.:.:N_ _ _ _ _ __ 1

(SUNY) schools, while 15 will become part of the City University of New York (CUNY) Honors program. "There was a lot of interest in Honors programs this year. Not just CUNY honors, but others all across the country," said Ms. Blier.

Four students will attend Queens College, Harris's affiliated school.

As the seniors move on, Ms .. Blier says, "It was a pleasure working with the class."

Matthew Barbery

..

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI iSERRA. JANE TULANE UNIVERSITY SHAIKH, WAQAS .

CUNY BARUCH (HONORS) SHAMAN, NICHOLAS CUNY BARUCH 路 SHAW, SIMON CUNY CITY COLLEGE ,SHETH, ISHITA CORNELL (ENGINEERING) SHETH, JENNIFER CUNY HUNTER SHKADRON, POLINA NEW YORK UNIVERSITY (STEINHARDT) SHLISELBERG, ANDREA SUNY BINGHAMTON iSHUM, MANDY FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY iSIN, CHONG CHOL SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY (NEWHOUSE) SKUMPIJA. JANET NEW YORK UNIVERSITY (STERN) SOLOMON, ALISON CUNY JOHN JAY SOMAl. CHRISTINA BOSTON UNIVERSITY SONG, JANET COLUMBIA SPIELBERG, NATALIE OBERLIN STANLEY, ELANA UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS -AMHERST STEFANOVIC, PREDRAG ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY STEINHOFF, SARAH SUNY MARITIME COLLEGE STEINHOFF, SETH UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN STRAUSS, ANDREA BOSTON UNIVERSITY STRINING, CRISTIN FORDHAM UNIVERSITY STUART, MATTHEW UNIVERSITY OF N. CAROLINA -CHAPEL HILL SUKHRAJ, ROGER CUNY BARUCH (HONORS) ,SURI, TARUN CUNY JOHN JAY .(PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS) !TAN, MARYANN HOWARD UNIVERSITY TIAO, DIANE !SUNY ALBANY TONG, YUET (VIVIAN) !wASHINGTON UNIVERSITY iTOREM, STEVEN AMERICAN UNIVERSITY tTORTORA, MELISSA NEW YORK UNIVERSITY TROCHEVA,SVETLOZARA POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY TUBENS,MELISSA UNIVERSITY OF THE SCIENCES- PHILADELPHIA TULIC, DYLAN NEW YORK UNIVERSITY URBANO, FRANCINE ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY iVARADARAJAN, VIJAYA UNIVERSITY OF THE SCIENCES - PHILADELPHIA VITTORINO, ROSELLE SOPHIE DAVIS BIOMEDICAL PROGRAM VOUVOUDAKIS, DESPINA INEWYORK UNIVERSITY WALl, OMER \ CUNY BARUCH WALLENSTEIN, KEVIN SUNY STONY BROOK WANG, JESSICA NEW YORK UNIVERSITY WASSIF, MICHAEL SUNY ALBANY WAUTERS, NICOLE VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY WIEBER, ANDREW NEW YORK UNIVERSITY 'WIENER, ADAM CUNY HUNTER 'woNG, JEFFREY SUNY BINGHAMTON WONG, JOANA CUNY HUNTER (HONORS) IWU, CHIA LING JIONA COLLEGE XIAO, YAO NEW YORK UNIVERSITY YAU, ANGEL UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA YEE, KATRINA ICORNELL (AG AND.UFE SCIENCES) YEH, JESSICA :SUNY STONY BROOK (HONORS) YUAN, VICTORIA !WESLEYAN YUKHVID, DMITRIY 'CUNY HUNTER YUNG. SALLINA .

FASHION iNSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (HONORS' ZACHODIN, MAYA I POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY ZAJKOWSKA,BEATA 1ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY ZAMAN, SAMIRA I CORNELL (ILR) ZAPATA, STEPHANIE ICUNY QUEENS COLLEGE ZELENAK, ELISABETH BARNARD FORDHAM UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (WHARTON) DUKE UNIVERSITY I UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN BOSTON UNIVERSITY _@,!NY BINGHAMTON

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路.

ADELPHI UNIVERSITY BOSTON UNIVERSITY BOSTON UNIVERSITY SUNY BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN NEW YORK UNIVERSITY CUNY BARUCH VASSAR COLLEGE CUNY BARUCH CUNY BARUCH(HONORS) ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY SUNY NEW PALTZ FORDHAM UNIVERSITY BOSTON COLLEGE CUNY QUEENS SUNY BINGHAMTON CUNY BARUCH BROWN UNIVERSITY BROWN UNIVERSITY WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY AMERICAN UNIVERSITY (HONORS) DREW UNIVERSITY CUNY BROOKLYN ST. JOHN'S(PHARMACY) GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY CORNELL(HUMAN ECOLOGY) NEW YORK UNIVERSITY (STERN) SUNY BINGHAMTON HOFSTRA SUNY STONY BROOK FORDHAM UNIVERSITY CUNY QUEENS CUNY BARUCH .

BARNARD ' CUNY HUNTER (HONORS) FORDHAM UNIVERSITY GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY CUNY CITY COLLEGE (HONORS) EMERSON COLLEGE ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY (PHARMACY) SUNY STONY BROOK , CUNY CITY COLLEGE SUNY BINGHAMTON NEW YORK UNIVERSITY (STERN) !SUNY BINGHAMTON BOSTON UNIVERSITY NEW YORK UNIVERSITY ITHACA COLLEGE CUNY BARUCH (HONORS) UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (NURSING) COLBY COLLEGE BOSTON UNIVERSITY SUNY BINGHAMTON NEW YORK UNIVERSITY CUNY QUEENS COLLEGE CUNY QUEENS(HONORS) CUNY HUNTER CUNY CITY COLLEGE (HONORS)

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Interracial dating still spurs controversy

by Mimi Chung · The word is out. Madame Gossip is quickly reaching the ears of all those in the high school student population. A new couple has emerged; to put it in simple words, she is black; he is white.

They walk hand in hand, nonchalantly, yet attentively through the hallway, amidst the mix of quizzical glances and beaming smiles thrown at them .

Interracial relationships are becoming more popular nowadays and are accepted by many in society, yet they still receive the disapproval of some-. In Townsend Harris , there have been · interracial couples roaming its hallways, and ac.cording to an anonymous Classic poll of 160 students taken last January, 64% do not have a problem with the idea of interracial dating, whereas 9% of the students feel uncomfortable with it, and 27% are undecided on the subject.

school tend to have friendships within their racial background, and that there were few interracial relationships. AIthough she "encourages it [interracial dating and relationships] because it broadens our perspectives [on life]," she would prefer to date someone of her racial background because she "places a strong belief in the preservation of my culture, my language, customs, etc."

When asked if she would ev€r consider interracial dating, a female junior answered, "No, my culture andreligion is very important to me and significant in the relationships I have with ot!Jers . I will probably never

The majority of the students who took the survey in the school also feel that interracial dating is more accepted in society these days. Ms. Chung agreed that "people in general are more open to it," adding, "More and more couples are going out. Look at J-Lo [Jennifer Lopez] and Ben Affleck." But a female senior disagrees. "There is so much opposition in society nowadays," she said.

Media Portrayals

In the media, particularly in the movies and on TV. Recent movies such as The Score with Robert De Niro and Angela Bassett, and Monster's Ball with Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton depict relationships between a white male and a black female _ a M. · . c 0 m bin a_ V tion that had once History been widely Racial matters have a history of caus10 0 k e d down upon ing conflict ranging from civil rights problems to affirmative action . As for before and interracial dating and relationships, the during the uneasy atmosphere surrounding them has Civil Rights movement, always been present in US history.

Ever since the 13 colonies were esand one that still gets tablished in the United States, interracial relationships have caused a problem. some negati ve reacThe first anti-miscegenation law- meantions. Acing against mixed races- was created in 1661 in Maryland to prohibit marriage cording to The Classic between blacks and whites, and to control property rights and social privileges. poll, Save the Last Later, 29 more states passed similar laws against interracial relationships that re- interracially date, NOT because I am Dance and 0 - a modern remake of mained on the books until the Civil prejudiced, but because my personal- Shakespeare's Othello- both movies with Rights movement of the 1950s and 60s. ity and values tend to collaborate with teenage appeal, were the most weliOf the 30 states, 14 had repealed their those of my race." known films that portrayed an interracial laws in the 1950s or 1960s, and the reFears of Racism relationship. A recent article in theBosmaining 16 states had their laws overEnglish teacher Raquel Chung feels ton Globe points out that "television has turned in 1967 by the Supreme Court that that "a lot of the disapprovals of inter- served a multicultural stew of interracial had deemed them unconstitutional in that racial dating, especially if it leads to dating on ER, Will & Grace,Ally McBeal, they went against the Due Process and marriage, have to do with racism - and The West Wing."

Of the 94% of polled students who Equal Protection Clauses of the 14th worries over whether the children will Amendment. The most recent repeal of have a problem in society - and gen- have seen one or more media portrayals of interracial dating, 53% feel these poran anti-miscegenation law was in Ala- era! prejudice." bama on November 7, 1999. The state Based on personal experiences with trayals accurately reflect the views had not adhered to the 1967 ruling, and her own children who are biracial, Ms. American society has of them. had kept the law in tact for 32 years af- Chung concluded that because of the A male freshman said, "They are acter the decision was made. _ feeling that "people see a need to de- curate because many don't approve of Cultural Considerations fine a particular race even though it is interracia l couples." A male junior Most of the reasons some teenagers not necessary," many hesitate when the agreed, saying, "Yes, the portrayals acare edgy about interracial dating relate possibility of having "mixed" children curately reflect the views American soto cultural upbringing and family restric- arises for fear of their being labeled ciety has on them because they show the tions. One sophomore with a Korean and stereotyped. She cited Tiger obstacles interracial couples have to face background views interracial dating as Woods as an example of society's ten- due to American society's negative out"odd." She said, "It's probably because dency to classify by race. "He's iden- look on interracial dating."

I'm too traditional... like so tied in with tified as African American, even On the other hand, a female freshman Korean culture .... And if my parents and though his mother is Asian," she said. said, "They're not accurate because inI can't communicate in our own language Woods has said he would prefer to be terracial couples are portrayed as somewith him [the person she dates], then identified simply as an American. thing that a lot of people are opposed to that's kinda bad." She explained that Prevalence and Acceptance and it is supposed to be really hard to when she was younger, it was implied An article written in 2002 for The - have [at) interracial relationship] ... but it by her grandparents that she was to date Stanford Daily states that "interracial is really not, and most people are indifwithin her race and culture. dating is more commonplace these ferent to interracial relationships." A Offering another reason interracial days" and that interracial unions have male freshman said, "The media portrays dating would not be accepted, a male more than doubled since 1980. "Most it as something simple and normal, when junior responded, "My parents would of us did not grow up in an environ- many people in society still have probbeat me" and a female senior similarly ment that supports stereotypes or ra- !ems with interracial dating ." replied, "My parents would never accept cial discriminations, unlike the enviMs. Chung said, "When I was growit- in the end, the relationship will not ronment that people many years ago ing up (in the mid-70s), it [interracial lead to anything." Sophomore Pamela were exposed to," said sophomore Ve- relationships in media] was present."

Chan said that she feels students in the nus Cheung.

But, she continued, "nowadays, there are

more celebrity icons that are mixed, so the media portrays an accepting attitude towards interracial relationships."

As the views differ on the accuracy of the interracial dating portrayals, there is also disagreement over whether interracial dating and relationships should be portrayed at all on television and in movies or theater. Some feel that the relationships should be shown because it helps those who are unaccustomed to interracial dating become used to it, thus fostering a tolerance for interracial dating in society. "The media should promote interracial relationships and discourage discrimination," said a female sophomore. "Definitely no, because if people want to interracially date, they don't need the media telling them to," said a male junior. A female junior said, "It shouldn't be made an issue. It should be casual. If it is over-portrayed, then the issue becomes controversial , which it shouldn't be." Concerns over the inaccuracy of the depictions, and the passibility of an over-portrayal of negative attitudes toward interracial relationships discouraging them were expressed as well.

Although ccintroversy over the issue in society is reflected in the Townsend Harris community, overall, Townsend Harris exhibits a wide acceptance of interracial dating and relationships. Of those polled, 34% said that they knew five or more interracial couples, and only .06% of the students did not know any interracial couples.

The overwhelming response for each person who answered "yes" to the question on whether he or she would ever consider interracial dating was that race does not hold a candle to the appeals of the other person's personality, looks, and most important of all, the couple's love for each other. A female junior said, "It's fine because as long as two people want to be together, they should ... no matter how society views them ." Sophomore Christina believes race should not be a problem, since the U.S. is a melting pot of different ethnicities, anyway. "Besides," she added, "if an interracial couple marries, their babies are cute!"

And to many in the school, love is all that matters. As a female senior said, "It's a magical thing."

Sources: Galan, Anna. "Stanford Panel on Interracial Dating Sees Challenges." The Stanfilfd Daily 22 Feb. 2002. Online. Lexis-Nexis. 18 Dec. 2002 Grapes, Bryan J. ed. Interracial Relationships.

San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press,2000 Hartill, Lane. "A Brief History of Interracial Marriage" The Christian Science Monitor, July 25,2001 Jones, Vanessa E. "Mixing & Matching Interracial Romances, Once Hollywood Taboo, Are Creating Sparks On The Big Screen." The Boston Globe 12 Nov. 2002, third ed.: El Online. Lexis-Nexis. 18 Dec. 2002

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Mass cons·umption of junk food sparks controversy

by Josephine Shao and Marlo Dublin flavors and colors added to make them New York City Public Schools last Every day, enticing billboards and seem natural, but they contain mostly spring by Department of Education commercials persuade passersby to sugar and water.

Chancellor Joel Klein prohibited the sample juicy, mouth-watering hamburgJunk food not only causes weight sale of junk foods such as "sweetened ers, new varieties of potato chips, candy problems, but is also found to be linked soda water, hard candy, jellies and and sugar-laden beverages. These adver- to asthma. Researchers have compared gums, candy coated popcorn .... and tisements, because they instigate the more than 100 children afflicted with other food and beverages that contain mass consumption of unhealthy food asthma with 200 kids who didn't have less than 5% of the Reference Daily items, have helped cause Americans to asthma. They found that those children Intake of certain vitamins and minerbecome overweight. Many people pay who consumed the least amounts of als per serving." This memo was cirminimal attention to the amount and vegetables and milk, vitamin E, and culated to all city schools because of a type of food they eat nowadays. They certain minerals were at a significantly law suit filed against the Board of Edurather eat whatever tastes good, comes greater risk of developing asthma-type cation. in big portions and is cheap - in other symptoms.

"We [Harrisites] get enough exerwords, junk food.

On the otherhand, nutritionist Jadine \ cise; they should make an exception for "Junk food is something that has no Kairns says that a little junk food is our school," said senior Jessica Krivac. nutritional value and makes you feel okay. "I think all snacks can be offered. "Most of the students who walk to guilty about yourself after you school have no energy and eat it," saio sophomore Irene the only thing that wakes Zoupaniotis. "I prefer healthy them up is the sugar in food because when I'm eating candy bars and soda, so junk food, I am satisfied, but once they get rid of them, the after-feeling is horrible. I they get rid of our energy feel as if I had all these gross supply." toxins inside my body and exSenator Charles cess fat; it just grosses me Schumer has also made an out." effort in the past year to "Junk food is called junk limit the amount of junk food for a good reason," exfood that youngsters consume. Last March, he initiplained health teacher and ated a "Vendi-Milk" camBoys' Track coach George paign which helped to place Rio. "It contains too many Stacey Lee milk vending machines in calories and hardly any nutrients. It is also high in fat and the hallways of over I 00 low in fiber. Everyone should avoid eat- I even advocate chips and candy once schools spanning 23 counties in New ing the bad stuff because too much junk in a while," she said in her article en- York. Schumer believed th·at ·"by food makes .... [people] overweight, and titled "Healthy Diets During the Teen simulataneously opening up a new marbeing overweight makes them un- Years." "I really believe in variety, mod- ket for dairy farmers and providing healthy. Usually overweight children be- eration and a relaxed attitude towards schools with a nutritious alternative to soda machines, [the milk machines] come overweight adults and the eating eating and what it entails."

Lately, schools have been contem- could be just what the doctor ordered cycle continues."

Any foods that are fried, heavily plating whether or not they should con- to clear dietary disarray in schools and salted or excessively sweet can be con- tinue to sell junk food. Many students help fix the crisis facing New York's sidered junk food, as well as beverages have been insisting that these fatty foods dairy farms."

"I don't think that the school should that contain high concentrations of continue to be sold. "What would I do sugar. These items are generally high in without my daily intake of junk food?" sell junk food to the students because calories because their high concentra- asked an anonymous junior. "I would it is teaching that junk food is okay tions of fat and sugar store surpluses of have no energy to do the work required when it really isn't," Mr. Rio said.

Out of a group of250 Harrisites who calories and contain very small amounts in our school, so if they want the students in the school to function, they responded to a recent poll, only 4% of vitamins and protein.

Some foods, such as ice cream and should continue to sell us junk food. If supported the school in not selling junk chocolate milk, seem to be healthy but they don't, people would just buy it food. One junior, however, wrote that "it is hypocritical for schools to teach really aren't. It is true that they are com- from outside of the school."

As reported in the April 2002 edi- students about the importance of prised mainly of milk, which is full of protein, but they are loaded with sugar tion of The Classic in the article "Board healthy eating while profiting from the and fat. Imitation fruit drinks are also of Ed. lawsuit leads to cafeteria with- sale of unhealthy foods to the same studeceiving because they have artificial out candy," a memorandum sent to all dents."

Poll results revealed that students favor such junk foods as French fries and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Sophomore Kris Imperati said, "We love KFC! Nothing can beat it! I know that it contains gallons of fat but it still tastes so good, and that's all that matters." Contrary to popular belief, KFC is healthier than most fast food places. Their potato wedges only contain 5 grams of fat and 240 calories; that's almost half the calories of McDonald's French fries . A medium order of McDonald's French fries contain about 22 grams of fat and 450 calories.

Even though junk food is popular, people have started to cut back on it since they realize too much is hazardous to their health. Of those polled, 30% said that they enjoy eating healthy food as opposed to junk food. Sophomore Dorothy Kuznia claims, "I love junk food way too much, but little by little I have been giving it up. since I know it is bad for me. I want to stay healthy and the only way I can do that is if I maintain a healthy diet of vegetables and fruits. Nowadays I find myself munching on an apple or a carrot stick instead of a Twix bar."

Sources: Gordon, Alma Daugherty. "Don 't Pig Out On Junk Food: The Mk's Guide to Survival in the U.S." New York: Evangelical Missions Info, 1995.

Rinzler, Carol Ann. Nutrition for Dum mies. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1999.

Gins, Susan. "Junk Food At Work: How Innocent it Seems and Yet, How Bad It Is." OnliPe. 3 Oct. 2002. <http:// www.nourish.net/topic6.htm>. " Healthy Diets During the Teen Years."

The Parent Report. Online. 8 Feb. 2001. <http://www. theparentreport. com/ resources/ages/preteenlkids_culture/ 90.html>.

"Junk Food." The Parent Report.

Online. 8 Feb. 2001.<http:// www.theparentreport.com/resources/ ages/preteen/kids_culture/90.html>.

Junk Food News. "Hershey's Times Square Store Operis Its Doors for a Sweet Holiday Shopping Experience."

Online. 23 Jan. 2002.<http:// www.junkfood news.cornl>.

"Schumer to NYC Schools: Got Milk?"

Online. 31 Oct. 2002. <http:// www.senate.gov/-schumer/ SchumerWebsite/pressroornl press_releases/PRO 1286.hml>.

Musical sounds from Spring Concert soothe crowd

by Diane Tiao Friends, faculty and parents gathered in the auditorium for a night of soothing melodies during the annual Spring Concert on Thursday May 29 from 7:00 to 9:00PM. Kicking off the evening was the Intermediate Band, led by band director Peter Lustig. Members performed six pieces, including "The Wind Beneath My Wings" by Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar as well as highlights from Harry Potter by John Williams.

Led by choral director Florence McKinley, the chorus performed a total of seven songs, including "Seasons of Love" from the Broadway musical Rent,

with solos by seniors Siufong Ngo and Chong Sin, and with words and music

by Jonathan Larson. "I was pleased [with the performance] because the material was quite challenging but they came through," said Ms. McKinley.

Solo performances by Latin teacher Richard Russo and junior Amy Ortega were also highlights of the evening.

Accompanied by Mr. Russo singing "The Londonerry Air" ("Danny Boy") was Ms. McKinley on piano. Amy sang "On My Own" from Les Miserables and was accompanied by junior Jessica Polish on piano.

Led by director Paula Zarmon, .the

strings ensemble played six pieces, including "America, the Beautiful" by S.A. Ward and "Celtic Roots" by Soon Hee Newbold, with a violin solo by Foster Wang. Soloist Ksenia Yachmetz, sophomore, accompanied the performance of "0 Mio Babbino Caro" by Giacomo Puccini .

The final group to perform was the Concert Band. "This year's Concert Band was one of the best bands I've ever had. I could tell from their morning rehearsal that they were going to . be really hot and they really brought the house down," said Mr. Lustig. The Concert Band played four selections,

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including "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Freddie Mercury with trumpet solo by senior Carlos Gonzalez and alto saxophone solo by senior Nicole Reid.

"I think the band sounded the best it has ever sounded in my four years here," said senior Seth Steinhoff.

"For me, this year's spring concert was bittersweet. About 60% of musical members are seniors, and after four years, I think they achieved perfection," said Assistant Principal of Foreign Language's and Arts Lisa Mars. "As usual, the concert was a big success. It was one of my best concerts in the I 0 years I have been here," said Mr. Lustig.

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The Classic Summer 2003

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Girls endplayoffs st1ll kicking

by Elyse Lee The Girls' Varsity Soccer team ended their season with a loss in the second round of the playoffs to Stuyvesant High School 3- I. The Hawks took an early I -0 lead, and dominated for the first 40 minutes , but Stuyvesant tied the score and then made two more goals in the last five minutes to win the game.

The girls finished with 14 wins, five losses and one tie overall, and 12 wins, three losses and one tie in the PSAL. The Hawks were second in the Queens "A" Division, behind undefeated rival Benjamin Cardozo High School, which got them a bye into the second round ~ of the playoffs . Harris' only losses this season were against Cardozo twice and Francis Lewis, which were losses that junior Kathryn Dubowski said "ne ver should have happened." The only tie was against William C. Bryant, in their second encounter. When the Hawks faced Bryant, on the road, the Hawks shined and dominated with a 5-0 shutout.

Another highlight of the season was defeating Beacon High School, which was number six in New York City, one goal to none. Coach Christopher Hackney stated that the Hawks' defense

served as good offense. This was apparent in their I 0 shut out games; in eight of these , the Hawks scored five or more goals.

Kathryn Dubowski played a large role in this offense, leading the Queens "A" Division in goals scored with 23 goals, for which she received two awards by the PSAL, one for leading point scorer, and one for leading goal scorer. Dubowski is the second athlete to receive this award, the first being senior Jaclyn Miccio, who was honored by the PSAL in her sophomore year.

Miccio had a total of 13 assists and 17 goals for the season, and was Most Valuable Player this year for the Girls' Soccer team . Senior Stacy Christoforidis added solid, dependable play with 19 assists and 10 goals for the season. Senior goalkeeper Lauren Porretta had 81 saves and allowed only II goals in the entire season .

Next year Harris will be losing six seniors, which will change the team's entire style of play. This will depend heavily on juniors Kathryn Dubowski, E rika Russi and sophomore Maria Paschalidis for leadership. Coach Chris Hackney commented that" people step up when they are faced with challenge and play beyond expectations."

Girls' Handball fin.ishes season in tight quarterfinal playoff loss

by Michelle Montgoris A strong regular season, with great playoff and championship expectations, was prematurely halted for the Girls' Varsity Handball t;:am in a Quarterfina l playoff loss against the Boys & Girls High School, 3-2, on May 27.

The team was leading the match two games to none, thanks to the efforts of senior co-captain Bernadette Cruz in the first singles match and sophomore Christine Chai in the second sing les match. The team unraveled, though, when they lost in the third singles and first doubles. The Hawk squad fell 2112 in that crucial bout. The loss was their only one of the ye~r.

Despite the loss, the girls dominated

the Queens I division, finishing with a 12-0 record and taking first place for the second straight year. They won their first playoff match by forfeit against the High School of Humanities on May 20.

Christine Chai was named Most Valuable Player at the Athletic Awards Dinner on June 4.

The goal for this year was to bring home the title of City Champions. The disappointing finish, though, may make this team even hungrier for next season. Freshman Lily Gao said that while the seniors will be missed tremendou~ly, the rest of the team will shine.

"Half our team was made of seniors, and although they will be gone, the rest of the team will step up to the plate," she confidently said.

Close defeat by New Utrecht ends playoff hopes for Girls' Softball

by Lauren Kornziewski An overthrow to first base on a routine play by sophomore shortstop Katherine Incantalupo to junior first baseman Elizabeth Maranon allowed the winning run to cross the plate in the eighth inning of the Girls' Varsity Softball team's second round playoff game against New Utrecht High School on May 20.

The final score of the game was 10. It featured a pitchers' duel between sophomore pitcher Alyssa Wick and Utrecht's Dana Ocharsky which went · into extra innings. Neither pitcher allowed any earned runs in eight innings, with Wick striking out six batters, and Ocharsky striking out five.

This squad tried to salvage a losing season by advancing in the playoffs

with an inspiring first round victory against Hunter College High School on May 27 by a wide 15-2 margin.

The team finished their regular season on May 19 with a crushing 13-12 loss to John Adams. In this game, the Hawks hit impressively against pitcher Carmela Napolitano. In 41 at bats, there were 17 hits, with 13 runs. Catcher Patricia Pabon hit especially well, going 3-5 with a double and 3 RBI's . The junior had a .450 batting average and a .500 on base percentage over the course of the s·eason.

"We started the season well and hoped our wins would carry through to the rest of the season," said Wick. "They didn't, but as a team we still played well.

We had tough competition."

Girls tennis players place third in Queens, conclude season

by Lauren Korzeniewski Jacqueline Chancer, sophomore, and The Girls' Varsity Tennis team con- Alyssa Ng, junior, all won their sets 10cluded their winning season on May 13 0, as did the doubles pair of Bruno and with a loss to Hunter College High senior Jodi Fierstein. The doubles team School in the second round of the play- of Tskirkas and freshman Allison offs. Their 8-3 record landed the Hawks, Kornblatt also won their match with a led by coach Asi Phillips, third place in I 0-2 victory. the Queens I DiviAs for their regular sion. season campaign, the The usually Hawks finished in third sparkling Sophia, place, behind Fran"is Huttner, senior, Lewis and Cardozo. The lost her singles set Hawks lost both their fito opponent ~ nal matches to Cardozo, .c Stephanie Kwok ~ on May 6 and 7. On May I 0-0. Harris' only "a" 7, the Hawks were dewin in the match l!;>, feated in all four matches. ..0 was by doubles In this game, senior Rita 0 tandem Chantal 0 Ratner played her first if match of the season. AIBruno and ChrisJu. n ior Alyssa Ng smashes an oncoming tina Tskirkas, though it was a loss, tennis ball. both sophomores, Ratner played "Yell who beat Rachel Whitaker and Haruko against opponent Afiya Lahens, and finCastro I 0-3. ished with a score of 5-l. On May 6, the In a more impressive showing, the Hawks lost 3-1, with the only victory Hawks beat Louis Brandeis on May 12 snagged by doubles pair Bruno and in their first playoff match, five matches Fierstein, who played two sets and won to none . Huttner, a~d singles players both , the first 5-3 and the second 5-2.

First time in history: Girls race to first in Queens Champs

by Elyse Lee For the first time in Townsend Harris history, the Girls' Outdoor Track team took first place in the Queens Championships. The Hawks took an early lead in the competition before the meet even began. In the Steeplechase, junior Rosalind Adams placed first and also finished third at the Nationals for Race Walking . Coach Joseph Horn was ecstatic about Adams' third place finish.

"It's an amazing accomplishment for someone who just started walking competitively," said Mr. Horn .

Junior Selena Singleton , the Girls' Outdoor Track team's Rookie of the Year, placed first in the Pentathlon, and junior Kalima Smalls placed third in the Pentathalon. Smalls also placed third in the Queens Borough Discus, followed by sophomore Shaunte Baboumian. Senior captain Jessica Krivac placed fifth , followed by sophomore Venus Cheung in sixth place. These events put Townsend Harris with 37 points entering the Championships; however, Jamaica was behind by only I 0 points.

Coach Joseph Horn was ecstatic about Adams' third place finish. "It's anamazing accomplishment for someone who just started walking competitively," said Mr. Horn.

Excitement and tension mingled with the rain and wind, any runner's nightmare, on the day of Queens Champs as the Hawks pulled out remarkable wins over rivals Jamaica and Far Rockaway.

Adams; Cheung and Krivac placed second, third, and sixth, respectively, in the 3000-meter run. Adams continued to show her versatility with a first place finish in the 1500- meter race walk, which she is competing in for th\! first time, sophomore Elizabeth Feder placed third,

and Sarah Fadika placed fifth. Cheung placed fourth in the 1500 meter run. Junior Joanna Reynolds placed third in the 800 meter run.

Senior Alexandra Lo Re attempted hurdles for the first time this season, and stunned everyone with a first place finish in the 400-meter hurdles . Singleton placed second. Singleton also placed first in the high jump with a height of 4 feet and I 0 inches.

T he Hawks depended greatly on their relay teams to secure the championship.

The 4x 100-meter relay team of DeChavez, LoRe , Reynolds and Cummings placed fourth overall, the 4x800 meter relay team of Cummings, Renyolds, Krivac and LoRe; placed second overall. The 4x400 meter relay team, Anji Zheng, Sarah Fadika, Jillain DeChavez, and Hazel Chi placed first in the last event of the meet, confirming Townsend Harris' first Queens Championship in history.

The outdoor track team will be losing seniors Krivac, LoRe, Sharon Chin, and Victoria Brigis, all of whom constituted an irreplaceable part of this team. Next year the juniors on the team will have to step up and create a leadership role different from any other season of outdoor track, especially with the retirement of coach Joe Horn.

A new coach, Tim Connor, has been selected and was introduced to the Girls' Track team on Monday, June 16. He is as excited as he is nervous to be working with such a group of successful and talented runners . Coach Horn believes that the girls will be able to sweep all Queens track seasons, cross-country, indoor, and outdoor, despite any changes that will take place.