Vol. 20, No. 1 October 2003
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aS SIC Townsend Harris High School at Queens College
149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367
Kick-Off Rally adds heat to fiery ·competition by Nataliya Binshteyn Presidential candidates, interest groups, and media representatives convenedonSeptember25amidstpatriotic streamers and spirited fanfare in a charged display of partisanship that foreshadowed the coming weeks of campaigning. The annual event formally ushered in the Presidential Primaries Election Simulation, which is intended to encourage political awareness among students. The simulation will run until Election Day in early November. A vibrant political forum, the kickoff rally featured the ten Democratic presidential candidates who are running against Republican nominee President George W. Bush, represented by Travis Lamprecht, in the election of 2004, as well as their individual teams of campaigners and supporters. Democratic candidates included John Edwards (John Kim), Senators Carol Moseley Braun (Janelle Charles), Joseph Lieberman
(Carlos Campos), John Kerry (Eduardo Zerwes) and Bob Graham (Emanuel Smith), Congressmen Dennis Kucinich (Matthew Pol vi no) and Richard Gephardt (Louis Elrose ), Reverend AI Sharpton (Payton Armstrong), Dr. Howard Dean (Corey Chu), and retired General Wesley Clark (Matthew Hallex), all of whom are vying for their party's nomina- - ___,.., tion. Interest L groups, such as the Sierra Club, the NAACP, and the Nationa! Right to Life Committee, added to the fervor by promoting their respec-
Senior Class Mixer entertains Harrisites despite mediocre attendance by Ann-Margaret Santa-Ines Unlike the average Friday afternoon dismissal during which students hurriedly escape the building to go home, under and upperclas~men alike rushed across the Queens College campus on October 3, eager to let their hair down and usher in the weekend with their classmates at the annual Senior Class Mixer. In keeping with tradition, the event, which lasted from 2:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., provided a venue where work-weary Harrisites could mingle, dance, and have fun. Despite the lengthy, intimidating line to enter the room at the Queens College Student Union Building through the metal detectors, students were enthusiastic to enter the music-filled zone. As with previous mixers at the S.U. building, the center of the dance floor was a sea of excited students of all grades, joining together to celebrate to the sounds of hip-hop, reggae, and salsa. Refreshments were available, ranging from supersized chocolate chip cookies to pretzels, potato chips, sodas, and
bottles of water for those not dancing. Hoping for a good time as well as financial success, the spirited seniors made dozens of cheerful announcements advertising the dance, which, according to Senior Council Vice-President Nina Mozes, made some profit, though not as much as was expected. High attendance was expected, but she approximated that only 140 seniors purchased tickets and/or attended the mixer, which was less than the target number. Fortunately, there were "no problems," said Nina, in reference to last year's counterfeit ticket controversy. Senior Elizabeth Maranon said, "I thought it [the mixer] was very well-organized, and I had a good time. I was a little disappointed that more people didn't come." Plans for next year's mixer are already on the minds of some underclassmen l,ike sophomore Aneta Slotnicka, who would prefer an evening dance. Aside from proposed changes, some, including freshman Sarah Viola, enjoyed the event just as it was.
Commentary: Advertising in Schools
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tive issues and voicing support for their candidates of choice. Media outlets, ineluding Meet the Press and I ABCNews,alsolentahand . to the momentous event. Concerns regarding the , nation's future marked a ,. consensus among all candi· dates, irrespective of party lines and affiliations. As President George W. Bush praised America's suecesses in Iraq and the nation's potential for domestic prosperity, Democratic candidates de1 nounced the current ' I administration's decision to ----_--- go to war and urged AmeriEUgene-To cans to support their views on such issues as healthcare reform, education, economic stability, foreign relations, and equality. "Everyone has the gift of equal chance," de-
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clared Democratic candidate John Edwards in his "American Dream" speech. An abundance of energy resonated with spectators and candidates, who cited enthusiasm as the most pronounced aspectofthekick-offrally.SeniorEsther Fingerhut, a member of the Howard Dean campaign, was "surprised by people's dedication" while Franco Scardino, Participatory Democracy teacher and Senior Advisor, described the candidates and their supporters as "prepared and enthusiastic." Despite such displays of spirit, certain candidates remained realistic about their odds in the coming weeks. Congressman Dennis Kucinich called his bid for the Deroocratic nomination "an uphill race against the more well-established candidates." Former General Wesley Clark echoed a similar sentiment, stating that "a disparity of manpower" disadvantaged his chances for victory at the polls.
In Memory of Lo,is Polansky Artis:t, Teacber aud FrieBd
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New Teachers
College Stats
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High School in the Media
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