Classic newspaper Volume 21 Issue no. 2 by The Classic

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Vol. 21, No.2 February 2005 -

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asstc 149-H Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, -NY 11367

Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

Special pullout section insid.e Harris celebrates 20(1h, 10C1h, 2f1h anniversaries

Seniors triu.m ph at SJNG! 20.0·5 bined cast of sophomores and freshmen, by Tanaz Talebpour ·display their talents. As the third and final night of per·Senior SING! took the stage with a formances came to a close on Saturday, dance to Destiny's Child's "Lose My January 29, seniors were pronounced this year's winners of SING! The SING! Breath," along with original lyrics sung · 2005 theme was "The Good, the Bad by seniors Dolores Adams and Sherleen Gandham . "We [seniors} worked really and the Ugly." SING! 2005 kicked off on Tfiursday, hard to get to where we are now," said January 27, followed by two more nights Sherleen. Their play ended with all 12'h of entertainment. Students, parents and grade cast-members dancing to Bill teachers filled the auditorium to see se- Medley's "Time of My Life,"during niors, juniors and "sophmen," a com- which they circled around the audito-

rium and later convened on stage to conclude their performance. · Mathematics instructor John Brown called Senior SING! "air exuberant and well-choreographed performance," and senior lnessaAbayev thought it "was the best Se nior SING! in years." Kris Impeniti, who had previous experience in the production of SING! and was also this year's scri-ptwriter for the seniors, stated, "It was stressful as usual, but more satisfying than ever."

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Seniors Dolores Adams, Adrienne Lucas, Ness,a French and Amy Grassel sing an original rendition of Bill Medley's "Time of My Life" at Thursday night's SING! 2005 . -

Letters to the editor

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Harris procrastinators

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"I like how SING! brings everyone in the senior class together," said Tricia Ramrup, who directed Senior SING! along with Ashley Mc.Farlene and Dolores Adams. Junior SING! members danced to Missy Elliot's "Get Your Freak On," while incorporating some Irish step dancing. In addition to the junior cast, scjence teacher Katherine Ludvik, Latin instructor Daniel Roschnotti, and art teacher Stu Yellin Rerformed in Junior SING! as welL They weren't however, the only teachers to make special appearances . Physical Education instructor Shari Basis was a soloist in Senior SING!, and in Sophmen SING[, history teacher John O'Malley played the role of Hades, while science and math instruct9r Philip Porzio performed with the sophmen in the final dance number. · "The best th ing was supporting the sophomore ciass," said sophomore Marcus Ng, who portrayed Vanilla Ice in Sophmen SING!. "I found SING ! to be an amazing experience where you not only get a break from work, but you get to see your friends and classmates express their tal. ents,': said Padmavati Sridhar, a senior. "It was fun becaus~ it was a student thing," said Jennifer Hickey, who played the FBI agent in Junior SING ! ''People work together and it's nice to see that." Sophomore Louis Mergler said he liked ·"the variety of dance" most, and . junior Elana Mugdan "thought Senior SING! had better dances and music. but Junior SING! had a better storyline and character development." "Everyone was so excited, and that . really pumped us up," said sophomore Carolyn Santiago, who was helping backstage.

Phantom of the Opera

Sports

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The Classic February 2005

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Defending the x-chromosome Clubs reach out to tsunami victims from gen.e tic ·inferiority attack · More than a month since the destructive earthquake and subsequent tsuLawrence Summers, president of Harvard University, brewed turmoil. in an academic conference on January 14 when he attributed the relati~ely few number of women who enter professions of advanced science and math to women's innate biological inability to perform as well as men in these fields. For the female students at Townsend Harris who wish to pursue careers in these subjects, his words are a direct challenge to their aspirations. . Biological inferiority was actually the second of the three points, presented in descending order of importance, Dr. Summer~ discussed as reasons for the gender gap. First, he suggested that the time commitment demanded by research in these fields conflicts with motherhood, discouraging women from these professions. He listed discrimination as his final point, but he belittled this argument with statistics that suggest that socia~-factors do not play as large a role as previously believed in women's academic achievement. Dr. Summers denigrates all females talented in math and science by cl')aracterizing them as mere biological oddities. . By minimizing the influence of discrimination, Dr. Summers stymies attempts to eradicate it. He ignores barriers such as the salary gap (women earn $.71 for every dollar men earn), sexual harassment, and the small number of women in top executive positions, all of which discourage women from reaching their full potential in the workplace. What motivation do women have to excel in their studies if they will never reap the same benefits as men? How can Dr. Summers measure women's potential as long as discrimination exists? As barriers are overturned, in ore and more women are entering and . excelling in math and science. Women account for 48 percent of BAs in math and 50 percent of all pi aces in medical school. Already th~ir achievements invalidate Dr. Summers' argument. Here at Townsend Harris, we can look to the accomplishments of students like Intel semi-finalists Maria Wajakowski and Padmavati Srithar, who are pioneering into male. dominated fields . Their achievements are testament to the greatness of female potential. . · ·

. nami devastated large parts of South and Southeast Asia, as.well as parts of Eastern Africa, the survivors are attempting to pick up the pieces and rebuild in the wake of the giant waves that swept away their livelihood, homes, and loved ones. For these victims, the destructive power of those waves continues to be a reality they will be forced to face for many more m-onths, years, and perhaps decades. The death toll, already estimated in the-hundred thousands after the initial disaster, is expected to rise as the homeless millions are left vulnerable to unsanitary conditions, waterborne diseases, -a.nd lack of c;lean 'water. A lthough the international relief effort is gaining momentum, millions remain homeless and without aid . .There is still much to be done and billions of dollars needed to do it. The billions of dollars that have already been pledged to aid the tsunami victims are not eriough. Within our school, the ability to recognize that this disaster affects alLof us as a world community .and the desire to help should be held up as a model for the community Service and global awareness .we are all capable of. . . . Free the Children held a bake sale on January 7 to benefit the tsunami · victims. Along with part of the proceeds they raised from the Variety Show, they were able to send $1500 to Kids Can Free the Children, ofwhich FTC is a branch. "Of this $1500, $1000 went to a rebuilding villages and the other $500 went to a medical reliefcampaign in which the donations were matched tenfold," said.Free the Children president and senior Nessa French. . Archon also raised money at the Winter Carnival on February 1. They , ran five booths at the event. The money niised from each booth will gq ·to an organization such as March of Dimes, Make A Wish, and' Habitat for Hu-· manity. . Amnesty ~nternational, Shakespeare's Sisters and Students Against Destructive Decisions are combining their efforts with Amnesty for a fundraising ·event, though the date has not yet been fin~llized. It is wonderful to see this response to the crisis and we applaud the local · communityeffort as well as the global one. We only hope that it does not ·waver in the long run. The people whose lives were lost and those we can still save should not be forgotten, Our hearts and thoughts go out to every. one who ha~ been affected by this tragedy.

Sources: . Angier, Natalie and Chang, Kenneth. "Gray Matter and Sexes: A Gray Area Scientifi cally." T(1e New York Times Online. 24January 2005. Online. 8 February 2005. · <www. nytimes .com/2005/0 1/24/science/24\.vomen.html>. Bombardieri, Marcella. "Summers' Remarks on Women Draw Fire." Boston Globe. 17 January 2005 . Online. 29 January 2005 <www.boston.com/news/educationl . higherarticles/2005/0 1/17/summers_remarks_on_women_draws_fire>. Pollitt, Katha. "Summers ofOur Disconent. "The Nation. 21 February 2005 .

FQr more iRfDrmatiou oa the relief effurt aad wllere t'O doaate o:Ditae, visit: www.oodcross.org/dopate:fdonate.httnl www.umcef.org/

Corr,ections ·. The Classic would like to apologize tothe following peop!ewhosenames

weremisspelled in the November 2004 issue: Matthew Agli_aloro; Michael ;.Bada:~a; Sherleen Gandham; Harrison .Magee; and Localiilstructional Su~ . perintendeilt Gerard Beirne; whose title was also incorrectly referred to as "Superintendent." .The Queens College Aaron Copland School of Music is the correCt spelling ofthe music school, ·not "Copeland" as it was printed.

www.savetbechildren.org/_ '· -www.give2asia.org/ www.d1rectrelief.org/index.htmi www.actionagainsthuiJlger.org/ www.wfp.org www.irc.otg

News Staff: Samira Annabi, Andrea Gavora;,Megan Law, Robert McCullogh, Lance Tomas, Jocelyn Wright

Francesca Pizarro Editor-in-Chief Christopher A manna . Managing Editor

Michelle Montgoris Sports Editor

Alyssa Chase Mimi Chung CQ.~News

Editors

Eugene To Art Editor

Tanaz Talebpour Feature Editor

Ann Margaret Santa-lnes Business Editor

Feature Staff: Faith Aronowitz, Michelle Boutis, Cindy Chen, Gloria Chen, Tiffany Cheng, Annie Choi, Marissa Green, Elena Gullotta,Shruti Karnawat, Sangsoo Kim, ·Veronica Kim, Maureen McCluskey. Donna Mordente, Stephanie Pak, Mary-Grace Papatheodorou, Jennifer Park, Darcy Rendon, Alexis Serra, Priti Shah, Marlene Sim, Nisha Singh. Anita Sonawane, Samia Ullah. Christine Whang, Janet Whang, Maria Wojakowski, Devon Wright, Madeleine Wright · Sports Staff: Rookminie Behari, Gabriele Guelly, Lauren Korzeniewski. Maureen McCluskey, Michelle Montgoris, Alex Rush, Lance Tomas, Wendy Van Artists: Mitchell Bader, Darren Deoraj, Rowena Eng, Bo'rmie Ng

Laura D' Amato

lisa Cowen

Diana Bell

Photography Editor

Advisor

Food and Entertainment Editor

Principal • Mr. Thomas Cunningham

Photography Staff: Diana Deng, Warren Cheng, Hannah Kang, SunMei Liu, Matthew Molina, Tabassum Rahman, Jonathan Stein. Alexandra Stergiou, Anne Tan, Patricia Tolete, Fan Zhang · Business Staff: Janet Hwang, Nora O'Brien, Sorah Park, Kim Quon

Townsend Harris.High School at Queens College . 149-U 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 mart box in Room 315 ore-mailed to thhsclassic@yahoo.com. The. Classic reserves the right to edit all letters. Letters must include name and official class. Names will be withheld upon request.

The Classic

February 2005

Letters to.the Editor: Mi~er

articles spark debate

Athletes -go unrecognized To the Editor: I would like to congratulate the Volleyball, Track, Bowling, and Fencing teams for a job well done this season. Obviously, they've worked very hard this past fall in competition. However, I believe another athletic team of Townsend Harris should have been mentioned on the Sports page of the November issue~ the Girls' Swim team. ()verall, the swim team has had an amazing record. As of this fall, we have been the Queensborough champions for 15 years in a row. We are almost at the city playoffs; we ranked second place in the city this year. In addition, all of the -. Turtles competed in the PSAL swimming competition, and many of us walked away with certificates, ribbon·s~ and med~ls. Despite all of our accomplishments, the Townsend Harris Turtles have not received recognition or publicity equal to that of any other team in our school. Up until this year,,. we have not had any type of bulletin board celebrating our accomplishments. Few people are even aware that we have a .swim team! Many Turtles are on The Classic's staff . In 'fact, your own Photography Editor is a member of the swim team! Not having an article in the school newspaper is not only unfair, it is ridiculous. · The Girls' Swim team deserves much better than this. Please give us the credit we've been asking for and publish an artiCle about us on the next sports p~ge!

To the Editor: I don't ag"ree with the article "Dancing Away Dignity" in the November issue of The Classic. It made Townsend Harris students much worse than ... they really are because of the way in which they had danced at the Seriior Mixer. The article stated, "The person wouldn't expect to see such bawdy behavior at . a school-sponsored dance event with the name 'Townsend Harris' attached to it." .. Townsend Harris students are just like any other students at other schools, except for the fact thai Townsend Harris students are more intellectually advanced in some instances. There is no reason why Townsend Harris students can't act/ dance like [the] students at other high schools. By adding this line into the article, it makes Townsend Harris students seem as if they [acted] inappropriately and with so little respect, when in reality they didn't. "Could the majority of dancers really enjoy themselves as their peers disgusted them by tossing their dignity into a raging sea of hormones?" was asked in the article ~s well. How can the way one dances determine .whether or not [he or she] is throwing away [his or her] dignity? A person dances for the fun of it, not expecting anything serious to come out of it. Just because one dances "provocatively" doesn't mean [one wants] to throw a;way dignity, . or wants to offend someone personally; it just means that one wants to dance like that because thafs how he or she likes to dance. This article makes it seem like Townsend.Harris stuReaders are invited tO' ·• dents had committed a major sin while dancing in a "prosu·bmit letterS lo the vocative" manner. It made Townsend Harris s.tudents look editor. ·Letters.should be bad when they weren't doing anything wrong in the first placed in the Letters to the place. Editor mailbox in Room Jessica Yang, 908

505 or e:-mailed to thhsclassic@yahoo.;c'Qm. The Cliissic reserves the right to edit all fetters. Letters must i'nclude name and official class. . Names wiH be withheld

To the Editor: I'd like.to say that I whole-heartedly agree with everything said about the Mixer iri the article entitle9 ''Dancing Away Dignity." I was f!Jresent at the said event, and was thoroughly disgusted at the manner in which some of the students conducted themselves. It was quite alarming, in" · appropriate behavior, especially for a school event. However, there is another issue I feel the need to bring up regarding the Mixer, or any other school dance. I was thoroughly disappointed and angered at the Jack of variety in music. I cannot be the only one who dislikes rap and other hip-hop~ based styles of music, so I question why this was all that was played. I was alarmed that people got so upset by the dancing, yet let these songs with quite explicit and insulting lyrics play. I. was just as disgusted, if not more [so], by the lyrics to the hip hop songs as I was to see people "dirty dancing."

Sarah Pepe, 906

A Townsend Harris Turtle The Classic offers its sincerest apologies for not recognizing the Turtles' achievements in our November 2004 issue. We would like to congratulate you on your success at Queens Championships. We have included mention of this achievement in this issue.

To the Editor: I'm writing to you about your article on the Boys' Track team. I think they deserved the congratulations you gave them, but you could at least put the names of the ~ix freshmen who placed in the top 20.You have the names of the captains and the juniors who did show a worthy effort, so why not show us freshmen some Jove? None of the [names of the sophomores] were mentioned, either. Name withheld on request

Please understand that we have limited space on our sports · page, and we are unable to list the names of ~very player on each team,

Students misquoted . To the Editor: I am aware that your paper is highly praised and well-written, but I feel that all of your quotations might not be true. I, myself, was even "quoted" on page II in the article, "Provocative Dancing at Mixer Peeves Party Participants." I remember what I said when a girl came up to me from The Classic asking for a quotation. I told her that the Mixer was just any old, average dance. There was nothi.ng great · or outstanding about it. That is what I told her, not that [the dance] "was a good welcoming to Townsend Harris and a good way to start the year." I also feel as if I am not the only person wrongly quoted. I h~ppen to know a few of the people quoted in the paper, and I've never heard them speak or say anything like what was written. They even toldme their own opinions about the things on which they were quoted. I don't know if this has happened before but hopefully it will stop. It ist;~'t right to change a quotation completely just to say what you feel is necessary or sounds better. As of now, I am not at all a fan of The Classic because ofth'is. I'm sorry this had to be brought up, but I feel that it cannot go unnoticed. That is not good writin g. Noah Bonner, 901

To the Editor: I am writing in reference to the editorial, "Dancing Away Dignity," in the November· 2004 issue of The Classic. It is understood that there was some dancing done at the Mixer that not everyone agreed with ~nd raised many an eyebrow. But I do have to say that people are overreacting to the whole Mixer issue. It may be going overboard to say that the Mixer was a ':disturbing event" or a "risque spectacle."Sure, some people got a little bit carried away·in the excitement of a break from school, but there. were still quite a few people who had fun. Personally, I had no problem with the dancing that went on at the Mixer. I grew up seeing that kind of dancing both at social parties and at school dances. So to me, that kind of dancing was not unusual or shocking. The Classic would like to apologize to you and to qll those who feel they have The only problem I have is the vocabulary used to describe the students' behavior by the newspaper. I mean, we do go to a literary school, but can't we be hu- been misquoted. We assume full responsibility for these error's. To address the mane too? Were such words as "repugnance," "disgust," and "bawdy'' really nec- problem, the editors have discussed verifyin,g quotations for accuracy with staff essary? It was upsetting to see in the editorial that Townsend Harris' name "shouldn't . members and have instituted a strict policy for doing so. If anyone feels that he or she has been misrepresented by The Classic, please send us a letter and we will be attached to such an event." · I do acceptthe fact that.not everyone is going to see eye-to-eye on this, but is it make any corrections in the following issue. crucial to put people down for dancing in a way that they're used to dancing? After reading that editorial, even I would be doubtful about attending another Harris dance. Lori-Ann Tenn, 128

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February 2005

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Seniors master slope~

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-a Cynthia Dunbar and Mona Lisa Head tell ·how their early iives led to contractin·g HIV.

AIDS Awareness Day teaches preve·ntion by Diana Bell their individual experiences Two HIV positive women with HIV/AIDS, and stressed shared a powerful message and ' the importance of safe sex . ..a silent audience listened on They also spoke of the mission Wednesday, January 26. Mona of Love Heals, which is "to Lisa Head and Cynthia Dunbar educate America~s young joined forces with peer educa- · people about HIV and AIDS, . tors for AIDS Awareness Day, enabling them to make inwhich is devoted to shar ing formed chQices that can save knowledge and the techn iques lives." Love Heals -w~s founded in necessary to prevent the acquir1992 to honor the memory and ing of the HIV virus, the p re ~ crusade of Alison Gertz, who cursor of the AIDS syndrome. Love Heals, an organization con tracted the virus when .she hacked by the Alison Gertz was 16. F uriher emphasizing the Foundation, sp o nsored the mission of Love Hea ls, peer event by sending guest speakeducators took over classes to ers Ms . Dunbar and Ms. Head fel10w stud·e nts how to teach to Townsend Harris. prevent the transmission of T he two women sh ared

HIV. To prepare fo~AIDS Awareness Day, the peer educators underwent two days ' of intensive training, which empha-sized both their knowledge of the subject and their teaching · tec~niques.

'According to health teacher Keith Hanson, who organized AIDS Awareness Day, the students also worked on .Friday mornings, for· several months . beforehand, to make sure they were ready to educate their peers. Junior Francesca Rossi said, "It's good that they confronted this issue,' with so many people unaware of it."

by Alyssa Chase . _ Seniors departed for their much-anticipated weekend at Villa Roma Resort in the Catskills on Friday, January 21 . , For most, the' trip, organized by Senior Advisor Franco Scardino and senior Rachel Smith, represented a memorable bonding experience as they approach their final term in high schooL The students stayed an extra night after a blizzard / · barricaded roads back to New,York City. Students received passes for skiing and snowboarding to be used at ~e nearby slopes. When the heavy snow became overwhelming, they warmed .up .with cups of hot chocolate at the lodge overlooking the mountain. The resort also offered an array of indoor activities, such as bowling, swimming, and bocCi ball. Both students and · chaperones got to show off the new senior T-shirts atFriday 's dance. On Saturday evening, students wore costumesand masks to the Masquerade Ball. . . On the way to Villa Roma, one 'o f the .b uses broke down, leaving-its occupants stranded for hours. The same students were also the last to return to school because of bus problems en the way back. · ·· There was a large outcry of complaints when seniors discovered several days after the trip that they would have to pay an additional $SO for the extra night stay. On Sunday . night there was no hot water, and the hotel served low~bud get meals for b(eakfast and dinner. According to an anonymous senior, "Upon returning to school, I was greeted by a little surprise in my mailbox . I did not think I would be charged for the extra night, and though they said if you had financial hardships you could speak to Mr. Scardino, they should not have withheld this information from us." According to Mr. Scardino; "[We were informed] on Sunday that we would be charged for an extra night's stay. The principal and PTA took this into consideration when making the deci ~ sion to stay rather than arrive at Queens at 10 or II pm.'' Nevertheless, there was generally positive feedback on the trip. Photography teacher Margherita Wischerth said, "I like cold weather; I like winter, and .I got to ·go skiing in fresh powder. I had fun ." Rita Mikhaylova commented, "Although the food could have used some help, it was great to room with your friends and see everyone together outside of school."

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Winter concert brings holiday cheer to crowd· mance was the highlight of the - by Diana Bell torium . concert. "They really embodThe audience left the aud iThe String Ensemble folied the spirit of the night," he to rium humming Fro sty the lowed, playing Harold Arle n's Sno wman on the night of De- Over ~h e Rainl?ow, with sen ior said . The Concert Band ended the cembe r 16. Band Director Pe- Kseni a Yachmetz providing the night with the Cartoon Syinter Lustig and String Ensemble vocals . They also played E lliot phony, an arrangemen t featurDirector Paula Zarmon guided Del Borgo's Deck the Halls. thei r mus ic ians th rough a comMr. Lustig 's te nth band ore . ing the popular musi c of the Flintstones, the Jetson s, the bination of both cl assical al}d ·. c hestra kept the spi rit ali ve, winter hits. · pl ayi ng Frosty the Sno wman , Simpsons and others. Lastinglrom 7 to I0 pm, the . The Inte rmed iate B~md be- arranged by Mike .Lewis, and concert drew a packed crowd . gan the night with Giocchino ending with Michael Junior Rebecca Lehrman, who Rossini's Wi lliam Tell. Over- Sweeney's Blues Machine . ture, arranged by Julie Griffin. They also practiced the art plays in Concert Band, was Especially popular, howyver, of improvisation, with each - pleased with what she saw. "it was their performance of Do member playing a solo piece. was a great turnout, one of the best I've seen. In terms of our You Hea r What I Hear?, whi{;h For Technical Director Andrew playing, everything flowed." reverberated through the audi- Hagerty. the tenth band perfor-

-a Elizabeth Feder, Robin l?etrizzo and Francesca Pizarro show off their winning masks at Saturday's masquerade ball. Eliza:beth won tw() prom tickets, Francesca won one, while Robin walked away with a free prom photo package.

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Seniors get soaked in Villa Roma's indoor pool. Other indoor activities included bowling, bocci ball , and arcade games.

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Art ShoVV·exhibits over 100 works by Annie Choi The art community showcas€d its talent in the semi-annual art show, which took place the week of December 13 in the main lobby. The after-school open-

ing reception featured live music andre- . freshments. The show displayed works by members of the Art Club and freshman art classes, resulting in more than I 00

February 2005

pieces exhibited. This number exceeded last year's contributions, according to Art Club President Amber Samalot. "It was a ·great turn out," she said. 0 According to :.a;:l Margherita Wischerth, Ui photography teacher, OJ E tU "What was nice about .5 this year's art show E 0 u was that the officers of . 4-. 0 the club curated the ;., display of wprks. The tU t ;:l numbe·r of entries 0 made it an enormous 0 0 task which was com..<:: c. pleted quite successLandscape vistas were just one of the many different fully." _ Stu Yellin, art types of paintings displayed at the. Winter Art Show. teacher and Arl Club advisor, was also pleased with the outcome. "I was very Students viewed the ex~_ibit during happy that we had a nice variety of lunch sessions and after school. "I didn't wotk," he said . know that there were so many great artThe media used for this year's art ists in the school," said freshman Martha show nin the gamut. The artists ex- Syryca. pressed their creativity through the use Mr. Yellin had one complaint. "I wish, ofpastels, acrylics, oils, and photogra- we had more room to display the phy. The photography in the show was works," he said. Other than that, he felt provided by Ms. Wischerth's indepen- the show was "a nice overview of what dent study students. · we do in class and in the Art Club." <J)

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Senior Hazel Chi admires the talent displayed at this year's exhibit. Students were able to view .artwork during lunch and after school.

East meets West at ('o_liday g~~~[o'!!~':m~:. in · club fund raiser thisdMce._wa~ Tight securityreigns

by Heavy Madehne W.nght security measures at the holi- displays of sexuality and day Guest Dance marked the Decem- ridiculous because of the stnct secunty. by Donna Morderiie · her I0, 2004 in-school event. AccordSophomore Matthew Medina ex-_ The Anime Club and Japanese Proing to Assistant Principal of Organiza- pressed his discomfort with the elevated gram welcomed Japane-se culture with tion · Howard · security prestheir film presentation of Shinobu Kwait, security ence. "It felt Yaguchi's Welter Boys. In an effort to wits tighter at this weird with promote the study of Asian culture dance than at the the teachers through literature and cinema, Japanese Mi .x~r,-, because and principal teacher, Mariko Sato and students 'Restrictions are necessary, But I potentially disb e i n g aligned with members of the Anirrie think they went to the extreme.' arpund," he Club, advised by social studies teach~r ruptive students said. from other high Chaflene Levi, to organize the schools were alJunior fundrai.sing event. lowed to attend. Jackie Dinas Ms. Sato emphasized the need for Party goer~ had to present a dance . also commented on the measures. "Re- more materials pertaining to Asian .studticket and'ri valid high school ID card. · . st,rictions arc necessary," she explained, ies in the Harris library, which, 'she said, They then !l<id to empty 't heir pockets ."~utI think they went to the extreme." currently lacks resources: completely and r.aise their hands in the ."A lot of people were just sitting Students, as well as Ms. Sato, noted air as security guards waved a metal de- there doing nothing because they were · the importance of gaining a coll€ction lector wand over their bodies. scared," added one fresh~nan who re- of written and visual materials in hopes Throughout the night, security quested to remainanonymous. Another • of encouraging more Harrisites to exguards and faculty members patrolled freshman, Bianca Edirisinghe, postl<~ plore the unique culture of Japan. the dance floor, weaving in and out of latcd tha.t "they we're just too shy, or [inijefore the screening, students were the crowd of dancers. The chaperones timidated by] the fact that there was · invited to experience Japanese cuisine also perched atop the bleachers to keep more statT on the dance tloor than kids." in the raftle and sale of authentic treats an eye out for any brewing trouble. Word of the tight security at the freshly prepared by Anime Club Vice The dance attracted around 200 stu- Guest Dance deterred some students President Jennifer Hickey. Hems indents, ·according to Coordinator of Stu- from attending. "I wanted to go to the cluded onigiri, or. rice balls wrapped dent Affairs Adam Stonehill dance to get my mirrd off things and delicate,ly in seaweed, with shoyu, soy The Classic conducted I 0 random in- have a good time," said junior Lindsay sauce, and strawberry-flavored Pocky. ierviews seeking reactions to the dance. VanWinckle, "But I didn't go because Foreign e2<-change student Rei Kudo Of the students questioned, not one said my friends weren't going and' we felt provided students with the opportunity ·he or she enjoyed the event. the restricti6ns would be too intense." to cgmmu11i~ate with the skills they have 'Thedance did not work for several , Despite these students' negative senacquired in their Ja:panese classes. The · reasons," explained junior Michael timents, Mr. Kwait had a different view Japanese Program and Anime Ch.!b eaCass-Antony. "Not only was the music of the event. "[The dance] turned out 'gerly accepted student donations. had-, but the security guards stood successfully," he said. "We provided a . Ani me Club member Erika Matos ataround watching us like hawks . We've . clean, safe environment for students to tended the event because she felt that gone from OJ'le extreme to the other- cut loose, dance, and have some fun." "ani me. has a deeper and more complex

plot than American cartoons." Although focus-ed primarily on Japanese animation, the club attracts a diverse group of ethnic backgrounds bonded by their common interest in both anime and Japan. Water Boys was translated frotn Japanese into English through the use of subtiJles and loosely depicted the true tale of five J~tpa~ese teenagers in their quest for respect and recognition as Tad<'mo High School's first male synchronized swimming team. Although fervent to showcase their talent after much practice and dedication, the boys encounter a variety · or comical obstacles, including a pool of dead fish, visits to a transvestite geisha ' club, and unusual instruction from their eccentric coach, a dolp_hin trainer, in pursuit of their goal to perform at the school festival. While enduring the ridicule .and ha. rassment of their peers, the synchro swim team learns to overci>me their inhibitions and essentially gains the necessary confidence to unveil their excep- .. tiona) talent. Harrisites responded enthusiastically to the film . Sophomore Amy Feng found the movie "outrageously hilariqus," and related scenes of"the boys playing DDR and forming, bands" to her own interests and activities.· Sophomore Marcus Ng was equally amused, recommending Water Boys to other students who may also "enjoy a certain level of bathroom comedy."

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The Classic February 2005

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FOrensics

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fi·lm·ed with-- CSJ:ca~st s·tar

by Diana Bell

It was the scene of DecemWith CBS news camera sta- ber 2's forensics presentation, tioned in all corners of the sponsored by Specialty Board classroom, Crime Scene Inves- Games, an entertainment com- · tigation star Eric Szmanda pany based in Canada. Junior raised a bloodied hammer and and senior forensics classes flung it towards the floor, splat- demonstrated their skills in a tering the bright yellow poncho · field involving science and of forensics teacher Philip crime, a,.nd got to meet Porzio. His students, who Szmanda. would be analyzing the blood · Specialty Board Games sent . spots' direction · to determine Szmanda to select schools to their origin, were delighted . market the gan:e board and

publicize CS/, on which he plays the lab technician. Vincent Virgintino, junior, said, ''The best part was·showing Eric our skills. In doing so, we got to see how much he' real'ly knew about forensic science." Szmanda was impressed by the students' knowledge. He later told CBS news reporter Katie McGee, "These kids know more than I do." The exhibition generated

publicity for the school, airing that evening on CBS during the 5:00 news. This is something Mr. Porzio was happy about. "I may have brought a few people to the school," he said, "but it is the combined efforts of the faculty, staff, and students which makes Harris the top school in New York City." Roth the class and the segment's publicity were a newexperience for Mr. Porzio, who

himsel[graduated i_n 1998 from Townsend Harris. He returned as a student teacher in the spring of2004. "When the time came around,': he said, "I was offered the position of teaching the class . rt was created as a means of exploring other··aspects of science, apart from what we learn in the normal curriculum." The forensic's cu rriculum is the first he has written.

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CSI star Eric Szmanda raises a bloody hammer, preparing to splatter the wall, as TV cameras roll.

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CBS News ·reporter Katie. McGee intcrviewssenior Windell Cadelina on his experiences in forensics class.

Performers sho'-wcase ta-len.t P-laying the bl.ues with QC musicians to aid Sierra Leone children by Marissa Green Peter Lustig's Jazz Ensemble .played the blues on Novem" · ber 24 as three Queens College students in the Jazz Studies Master program listened. Oscar Perez, Ray Levitt, and Paul · Beaudry offered suggestions for improvement and lessons on what the blues really are. . "We're not here to bash you," joked Beaudry as he proceeded to critique the ensemble's rendition of two jazz pieces, including the classic "On Broadway." Mr.Perez, Mr. Levitt and Mr.Beaudry started off by perfanning an original.piece, using techniques such as improvisation. Mr.Beaudry highlighted the necessity of really understanding the blues. "It's music for the community," he said. He added that students should leave their worries at the door, -as these factors affect the music's quality. The college students stressed the impo(lance of dynamics in music. They all agreed that this technique is what sets apart a high school band from a professional band. "In every little part there is a dynamic,'' said Perez. Mr. Perez gave some final tips to the class, such as always having "one ear on what you're playing, and one ear on what everyone elseis playing." In this way, the emphasis is placed on the band functioning as an entire group, not just one instrument. "If you can't hear someon~ else [playing], you're too loud," Mr. Perez stated. This is the second of three jazz clinics planned for this year. On February 15, a final clinic with a: focus on "Improvisation" will be offered. Mr. Lustig hopes to eventually expand to six jazz clinics a year. A Colden Center High School Jazz Festival will also be scheduled, but the date is currently undecided. Mr. Lustig explained that all schools involved in this program will be performing, including the schools' clinicians.

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Free the Children club presi- from the heavy-metal band dent Nessa French, who orga- Korn,'performed by senior Matt Rek and his band, Deuce; an nized this year's sho~ . dance entitled "The first goal of Free the Indian Children was to raise enough "Crishno," directed by senior money to build a school in Si- Angie Gomes; and ·a spoof on erra Leone," said Nessa, add- Saturday Night Live's "Cawfee ing that they succeeded in ac- Talk,'' in which faculty come- . cornpli,shing this goal last June. dians, Shari Basis, _Robin . The show was hos.ted by ,se- Figel man, Andrew Hagerty and niors Iaisha Smith and Kris senior Jennifer Fogel imitated Imperati, who incQrporated · Jewish women. Senior Yvonne Williams some improvised humor. "I was n~ally pleased with the turnout," - called the show "very efficient said Iaisha. in introducing the different "The perfor- forms of talent at Townsend mances were Harris." Free the Children club better than last advisor Stephen Mazza said, "Everything went well. Peopl~ year." The first, had a good time, and on top of directed by that, the club raised a Jot of music teacher -money for a good cause." He Peter Lustig, added that the club also donated 0 :;:; featured "The . a portion of the show ' s proE -< Tenth Band," ceeds to tsunami relief funds. 0 which played The final feature was fast"'....;::: · familiar beats paced cha-cha and rumba dance -J "' such as "Te- ·by senior Alena Korosteleva >, .Q quila," and and dancing partner Andrey 0 0 "On Broad~ Teslyck, a ·· freshman at ..c 0.. way.'' Some LaGuardia Community Colother acts i!'l - lege, .a performance that left eluded a musi- senior Alana Murphy "wishing Adria~na Mateo sings the national anthem at the second annual Variety Show. cal adaptation I could dance that well."

by Tanaz Talebpour

When Free the Children's Variety Show took the stage on Friday, November 19, some children in Sierra Leone could look forward to seeing improvements in their school. A portion of the money raised, which totaled close to $3000 at six dollars a ticket, would provide them with supplies and "anything else needed to ensure a better education for the young children in Sierra Leone," said

The Classic

February 2005 ,.,. ,.

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Determined alumni firmly re-establish school by Anita Sonawane lectern and raised one hand From the very beginning, the reopened Townsend Harris the It was Jess than 60 years ago to quiet us all down. Everyone when Fiorelo LaGJJardia closed faced many obstacles: . the hostility of ·l;'ther Queens stopped immediately." Townsend Harris High School. The Board of Estimate evenhigh schools, cramped conditions .in "the shoebox," · tually He believed that the funds approved the plan and could be put to a better use than angry Melbf?urne residents and moving delays. construction began. After many devoted to some, as he put it, postponements, the school of"short, . bright, adolescent shoebox," became severely was considered on the farmland held at Jamaica High School to ficially moved in on April 24, males." In 1980, a group of overcrowded. By 1988, over used by John Bowne High prove the exact same point. 1995. 750 students were being School. Bowne strongly pro- They cited the problems that ~ownsend Harris alumni made , Nettie Mayersohn, the Disit their mission to convince city squeezed into the small facili- tested. If the proposal had been the students and staff faced in trict 27 Assemblywoman still officials to reopen what they ties. Seniors were forced to at- carried out, "Townsend stu- the old building and talked remembers the Townsend Harconsidered to be a special tend all of their classes on the dents would have been forced ·about the school's mission and ris groundbreaking ceremony, Queens College campus. Li- to go through John Bowne hall- the "unique student body." school. even after all these years. :·oh, "They [these students] live yes, I ·r emember it," she said. "We decided we wanted to brarian Valerie BiJly remem- ways to reach the proposed _ be more than a bunch of old bers the cramped conditions. school site," said current Pro- the American dream in the full- "It was a lovely, lovely ceremony. I guess it guys clapping each other on the "Students weFe literally on top gramming Director· back and saying, 'Hey, you of each other in the hallways," Arthur Boulanger. "It was the sense of lived another year,"' recalled she said. "Sometimes, it would would have been very community the 'We didn't want some high school students school's message Ted Peck, '42, who played a take more than seven or eight inconvenient," the disturbing our peace... Looking· back on it, key role in the school's reopen- minutes fo,r a student to get original staff m.e mber gave that made the tho.11gh, I feel some of us did over_react. ceremony enjoying. After being rebuffed by of- from one side of a hallway to ' added.Townsend Harris is no ordinary school.' Soon proposal able." ficials in Brooklyn, the deter- another." The cafeteria doubled as the ideas shift~d to the Nearly 10 years mined alumnus won the support of "key borough politicians" in auditorium, complete with a two campus parking have passed since Queens. Townsend Harris soon stage and it was \here that Jots iocated on l49'h Street and ness envisioned by Thomas then and it has been 20 years · established its affiliation with SING! and other performances Melbourne Avenue. To get -Jefferson and Benjamin since the re-opening in 1984. Queens College's acceptance of Franklin who saw the public Only three of the original 13 Queens College. In 1983, de- took place. As. part of her entry in a the plan, the Board of Educa- education system as the very teachers remain in Townsend: spite strong opposition from other Queens principals, the Founder's Day competition, tion agreed to construct a park- foundation of democracy," tes- Ms. Billy, Mr. Boulanger, and Board of Education approved Melanie Rivera, '91, coined the ing garage to replace the' spaces tified recently retired soci~l Ms.- Nix. Secretary Jo Ami term hullaballortorium, which that ~ould be lost. Construe- studies teacher Myron _Gruber is also a founding mem- . · the opening of the school. tion was slated to Moskowitz. He went on to de- ber of the staff, and her daughDr. Malcolm start in 1989 and be. scribe the plight of students. ter Mara was in the first graduLargmann, the recompleted in 1991, "Ironically, because of their ating class. opened school's first Former Assistant Principal principal, embarked . 'Students were literally on top of each other but once again, ob- ability, thes·e students are shunted aside. The prevailing of Science Susan Appel spoke stacles surfaced. on the difficult task in the . hallways. Sometimes, it would take In 1989, the Har- attitude is that 'They will learn of the enduring qualities of the of creating a distinmore than seven or eight minutes for a sturis community and anyway.' The truth is that these school: "I have never believed guished learning indent to get from one side of a hallway to an- local residents students are a valuable re- that the environment has stitution from other.' showed up in force at source, whose abilities should changed. Townsend students scratch. Current a public hearing on be nurtured and cultivated to .are still respectful, purposeful dean Wanda Nix was the proposed new the fullest for the good of .all." and the best kids you will find one of the original 13 Craig Slutzkin '91, Co- -in New York City." teachers hired by Dr. meant, "the bewilderment of building for THHS. "There have -been so many One anonymous resident re- president and Treasurer of the Largmann. She recalls the zeal students when they realize that good times," Ms. with which he worked to get the the cafeteria and auditorium are members the anger Nix said, ''Large and with which his neighschool up and running. "Dr. the same place." small, but they have The "cafetorium" also bors reacted after Largmann had an excellent all meant a lot. Evdoubled as a classroom. "The learning that a·school 'There have been so many good times, large sales pitch," she said. ery day is a special Renting temporary quarters combined smells of food and was going to be built and small, but they have all meant a lot.... / day. I have never on Parsons Boulevard, the cleaning fluid would permeate on Melbourne Av- have·never gotten up and said I don 'twant to gotten up and said l school officially reopened in _ the room and the banging of enue. "We didn't go to school. ' _ don't want to go to 1984. Ma11y predicted that it utensils in the kitc);}en would . want some high school." would not last and neighbor- interrupt the. class," recaJis En: school students disThe first generahood principals continued their glish teacher lisa Cowen, who turbing our peace," tion of reopened THHS stu"anti-elitism" campaign. But by was once "stuck;'teachingjour- he said. "There would also be . Townsend Harris Alumni Assodents enjoyed a great sense of ciation, recalled one poignant much construction noise. Lookthe school's fifth year of opera- mllism there. "We were community. Mr. Slutzkin remoment at the rally: ing back on it, though, I feel · In 1988, as problems with tion, they k~ew Townsend Harscreaming and shouting, wavcalled this spirit of camaradesome of us did overreact. the building increased, Queens ris was here' to stay. As each year another grade . College was called upon to pro- Townsend Harris is no ordinary · ing posters, demanding that our rie: "Townsend Harris drilled in ' high school be built-The a consciousness of Humanities was added to the school, the old vide the land it had promiseq school." noise was immea~urable. Fi- in the students. The level of Staff. stud~nts, parents and for the construction of a new building, which students and nally, Dr. Largmann went up to closeness we shared was great."1 alumni spoke at the hearing THHS building. At first, a site teachers fondly nicknamed "the "-..(

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The Classic

Februa~ 2005

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Since Townsend Harris reopened in 1984, the school has been relocated to a ne of students have come and gone, and only four of the original faculty and staff L~rgmann retired as principal in 2001, ·when Thomas Cunningham took over. J events and media, both 1984 and this-past year have witnessed the re-electi1 Summer Olympic Games, their shares of scandals and deaths, and their own pop •

•

Lingo of the year ·"You're Fired!''

Top three highest grossing mo' .. Shrek 2 $ 436 million - Spiderman 2 $ 373 million - Passion of the Christ $ 370 million

Most watched television progn -Arrested Development (FOX) - Lost (ABC) - Everwood (WB) - TheAmazing Race (CBS) - The Daily Show with fon Stewart

Arthur Boulanger

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year in review

- Sqmmer Olympic Games were bel• -.George W. Bush is re-elected for .sE -Friends airs final episode after ten! • Steve Jobs has an estimated net ~ - There are approximately 300,000,~ - Martha Stewart serves five month! for lying to federal investigators al - War in Iraq continues from 2002 - Earthquake erupts off the Indonesi devastates parts of South and Sout

photos courtesy ol Crunsm1 and Cold '

'42 Alumnus· recounts--the. past by Megan Faith Law The Hall of Fame, the THETA Fund, (the ' alumni's first ~ major fundraiser),thc ~ 'Townsend Harris E Forever!-' cainpaign , ~ the alumni magazine ~ . THAM, and most rccently the Centennial 8 gala arc some of the .§.. many accomplish~ rilcnts of Townsend Harris Alumnus Ted Peck. "Perhaps my most important contribution to ~

Young Ted Peck ·

Townsend Harris came more ing of Baruch College and octhan 20 years ago when I joined cupied the 9' 11 through 12' 11 · with other Alumni Association t1oors . Students had access to board members to attend the I 0 the gyi'nnasium, lunchroom, Board of Education meetings at swimming pool, auditorium , which the decision was made to and elevators. · reopen Townsend Harris- on the Mr. Peck described the stu· Queens College campus," said dent body as being comprised Mr. Peck. mostly of 11-15-year-old boys. It seemed natural enough for Virtually everyone graduated at Mr. Peck to sign up to take the 16 or you-nger. He recalls, entrance exam for Harris be- ''Many were very smart; but cause his older brother had [only] a few were very sophisgri1duated from the class of · ticated . On any given day you 1939. At the time, Townsend were likely to see a short, Harris was an all-hoy,_ three- chubby young fellow in hornyear school. It used the build- rimmed glasses and knickers ~

late head of - Company ar Oppenheinu coming out of the lunchroom ways prcocc with the remains of. his egg gic. We h; salad sandwich hanging ti·om classmate 1 his upper lip (hut he probably Porcher a just heard about his I 00% score Norman Cot on a Regents exam). I think,· five then ." ~ too, "that many of them may touch with have suffered the effects of un- former peen requited teenage satyriasis." ally sees an• Although Mr. Peck's memo- regular basis ries of his teenage years arc a - every five·bit foggy, he clearly remembers Some I 0-15 certain classmates. He said, passed away "Sandy Bernstein, founder of "I have y< the brokerage Sanford . C. mate with ~ Bemsteill ,-was always loud and unwilling to active, while Leon Levy, the he said . " T l

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: The Classic February 2005

9·- ·.'·

Looki:ng.·b·ack: Alumni ..qo-presi~en-ts remlnis.ce O·V er co/late:rats,· COiJjes'fed halls by Laura Schubert and ·Jocelyn Wright

building," 20 classes ~main. Dr. Malcolm the sphere of world s of presidents, the 1lture catch phrases.

Hours of classical language lessons, mi les of running, a slew of'SOOword essays and dodging referrals from dean Wanda Nix are things that Valeri.e Billy Harrisites have in · ~ E common. Whether a · -< graduate from the 0 ~ class of 1988 or fuj ture graduate of ; of the year £ 2008, there are 8 things that never 0 ..<:: P.. . change. During a fall term Tanya Odom and Craig Slutzkin answer questions at the press conference press conference, held by the journalism clas.s: s of the year Alumni Association Co-presidents Tanya Odom not underestimate the power to guages. Currently the AssoArthur Boulanger (' 88) and Craig Slutzkin ('91) get involved," she stated. One ciation is working on a. camentertained students from the of her main goals is "to work · paign called Townsend Harjournalism class with anec- . to make change and continue to ris Forever! which is aimed ,J dotes about life in the old make a difference." She said toward raising $2 million to medy Central) building, their lives after high Townsend Harris prepared her su,pport the school and its acl school and hopes.·. for I00% for college, and because tivilies. So far; they have Townsend Harris in years to not many people at Harvard reached more than half of the t:Athens, Greece come. came from .a public school $2 million goal. They have ~dterm _One speeitic thingvame.to . background, .Tanya "felt ex- also hosted events to hel,p stumind for the two alumni- as tremely proud to be the prod- .dents with career choices and sons they described the old build- uct of a New York City public they offer mentoring for those th of$ 1.28 billion ing, which the- school occu- school." applying to copege. Their hosts on the internet Craig, who went to Queens . main purpose is to continue pied until 1995: it was small. a minimum - security prison "It was a really tight, slnall College for his undergraduate · the bond between the school 1t a 2001 stock sale building," said Tanya, ''It degree and then attended Co- members, their families, .and would take 20 minutes to get . lumbia University School of the teachers who attended from one floor to the next it, Busi.ness, i·s now an accountant Townsend Harris. "Being coast and subsequent tsunami was so packe.d ," adde<! Craig. for Metro Capital. H_e believes apart of the Alumni Associa1st Asia The close quarters however that his years in high school tion is a way to give back,'' added to the comforting, cozy taught him not just facts and said Tanya. atmosphere. dates, but in a larger sense, how Both Craig and Tanya When asked aboutsimi- to think. He stated, "Those found that the most valuable larities between their years at collaterals helped me with writ- things they took away from Harris and the current school, · ing, thinking and arguing. To Townsend were not acade,mic, they put collaterals at the top learn how to think is so valu- and that, in the long run, a 99 average didn't matter as much of the list. Craig stated, "Yup, able." Wanda Nix we got collaterals: probably ,Some of Craig's fondest as what other skills came with some of the same ones you're memories are those working oh that average. Tanya believes photos by Laura D' Amato getting now." Referrals were The Classic. The two articles he she got into Vassar because on the list too. There was a· remembered most were nis she had things other than lectivity of Townsend Harris Townsend Harris in January ~Jenheimer & ve.ry strict referral policy aod · first, on how students decided grades to contribute. Craig treator of the screened out those who were · 1942. The commencement cerreceiving a referral could be whether to take Latin or Greek, said that when he was inter'unds, was al- slow or unimaginative. And emony was held at the Great caused by no book cover, no and one he did in his senior year viewed for a scholarship to ed and lethar- those who graduated share~ a Hall on the uptown City Col- . dictionary, or going up the about the use of Cliffs Notes. Queens College, he spennh~ l very small wonderful experience that set . lege campus. The speaker was down staircase. According to "Whenever I saw my name-on interview talking abo-ut The H~d Bernard . them apart. I feel certain the . world famous traveler, writer Tanya, dodging a referral in · a. byline, [it] was one of my Classic and h is volunteer my friend graduates of the re-opened and news broadcaster Lowell the small old building was not proudest moments at Townsend work, not his average. ~'Book stood six foot school will have the same ex- · Thomas. Mr. Peck obtained a as easy as it is today in the Harris," said Craig. He still has smarts aren't everything," Peck is still in perience." BacheLor of Arts (BA) and . · added Craig . He explained larger building, "It was lils:e· · the articles in his bedroom. 1ut 30 of his One moment he remembers · Master of Arts (MA) fro!ll As Co-presidents of the that a variety of interests and being under a microscope. 1ome he actu- distinctly and will never forget Cornell University. His wife is You guys have more placys to Alumni Association, Craig and .activities makes you happie~: ~eaks to on a was when "we were all as- also a Cornell graduate . The Tanya described some of the and well -rounded, hide now,'' she said. 1ile others are sembled in the auditorium on couple has two sons : One i'S a Tanya urged students to Tanya, who attended many things it does to support ar contacts. December 8, 1941 to hear · journalist in the Bangkok office Vassar College and Harvard the school. The members have enjoy their lives and all that added, have President Franklin Delano of Associated Press; the other works as a raised money for the science Townsend brings . "This University, Roosevelt denounce the "date is a corporate investigator who Diversity Consultant on is- research center computer school is a gift,'' she declared. that will live in infamy' ahd ask oNce had the task of tracking 1meet a classsues such as racism and ho- equipment and they have do- "You've got to make sure you n I would be Congress to declare war on the down Saddam Hussein's hidmophobia in schools through- nated moriey to add Hebrew have fun and enjoy .eac h 11ain friends,'' Empire of Japan." den wealth. Next October Mr. . out Europe arid America. "Do classes to the list of offered !another's diversity." 'act is the seMr. · Peck graduated from Peck will be 80 years old.

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·"J:he Classic

February 2005

Oath connects old with new by Sangsoo Kim All current Harrisites take the Ephebic Oath, a pledge that states, "I shall not leave my city any less but rather greater and better than I found it." This tradition began in 1984 with the first class of the reopened Townsend Harris . . The oath itself, however, boasts a longer. history. Its origins can be traced back to the time of the ancient Greeks when those who were training to 6ec<ime soldiers recited it. Originally the oath was for allAthenian males who had turned 18. There was an Ephebic College where adoles-' cents underwent military training for two years in order to become citizens. After the first year, the cphebi dispt·a yed their military tactics before the citizens of Athens and each was awarded a spear and shield . After receiving their arms, · the ephebi took their oaths or allegiance, which began, "I shall never disgrace my sacred arms nor desert my · comrades, wherever I am stationed." The Athcni'an Ephebic Oath of Allegiance has been adopted · by many schools up to the collegiate level. There arc var~iations in the wording, hut the essence of the original Ephebic Oath is maintained. All preach the steadfastness to !deals and responsibilities, the fight for sacred things, reverence f6r the laws of the city, and above all, leaving the city "not. .. any less but rather greater and hetter." . The Harris oath is administered in part to express ·gratitude to the original alumni who helped in reviving the school, and a way of honoring alL previous alumni. The oath is also ,held t<i he an important part of a Humaniiies . education-, since it teaches morals and a way of life that goes heyond the -cur·. riculum. "The part of the oath -'I shall not leave my city any less hut rather greater and better than I found it' - has rai:;cd the har and consciousness level in terms of community service," said Valerie Billy, school librarian and memher of the. original faL:ulty of 1984. The idea, she explained, is that "hopefully ou; time on earth would he more fruitful."

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Arkin, '40, ,return·s to j.ournalism roots .

_·by Alyssa Chase and Devon Wright The next time you have a cold and purchase a package of tissues, think about one ·of the first men to come up with the idea of wrapping Kleenex in plastic. As a senior, of the clas.s of' 40 at the old Townsend Harris, Andrew Arkin experimented with newly intrqduced cellophane and created a prototype for pocket tissues. He contacted businesses · in hopes of patenting his idea but was informed that Kimberly Clark was already preparing for production. However, he insists, "My res{duals consisted of the first 500 packages off (he assembly line." Mr. Arkin's inventive and business-oriented mind allowed him to contribute to the rich Harris legacy. Mr. Arkin served as editor of The Stadium, the school newspaper, and work~d _ as a pageboy for CBS, which then specialized in radio broadcast. After gradu~lting from City College, Mr. Arkin incorpo'rate_? his love of writing into his army service by editing the Fort Benning newspaper. He later wrote for the Civil Service Leader and the New York Sun. Dissatisfied with the meager wages he earned as a writer, Mr. Arkin strayed . from jciurnalism and joined his father in the women's fashion business. He recalls, "We had what Women's We w e Daily in their report on Fathers and Sons on 7'" Avenue ·called 'a legendary relati(.>nship.' We only htid one ser'ious con- _ frontati'~m - when I accused him of being so proud of my accomplishments that he . neglected to criticize my mis-~ · takes." Nevertheless, Mr. Arkin left the fashion industry. "After many years pursu-

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ing fashion's ups and downs around the world, I burned out," he explained. He invested "modest sums'' in busic:: nesses and struck ~ <t: gold. ~ "So now I don't ~ -o c:: bave to work any<t: ...... more," said Mr. 0 >. Arkin. Reinvested "'t::<!) some of his earn::l 0 u ings in nonprofit 0 organizations. 0 ..c: 0.. "[My investment Former Editor-in-Chief, Jessica Berger, '04, and Mr. in] an oil business Arkin, '40, laugh over amusing similarity in class years. in West Virginia enab:led me to gr ve I 00-acre world-wide arbiter of ethics in the game Muskingham Island in the Ohio River. of Contact Bridge." to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Today Mr. Arkin publishes Incidentbe 'forever green,"' he said. ly, an online press. He-also remains loyal ___ Mr. Arkin also began the Arkin Foun- to the resurrected Townsend Harris, and dation in 2000, which gives partial regularly visits The Classic' staff and scholarships to Classic editors at gradu- journalism class. "At the old Townsend ation. Jessica Berger, the valedictorian Harris,a three-year school, we felt a cer- · for the class of2004, was one of there- tain pride in ourselves and our fellow cipients of this award last June. He says, students," he related. "When I rediscov~ "We were both editors of the Townsend ered Townsend Harris in 2000-, I sensed Harris newspaper in similar-looking the continuum of this pride in the stuyears- mine was '40,-hers '04." dents of the new incarnation as well as At 80, Mr. Arkin maintains several an .awareness and some curiosity in relationships -with fellow Townsend those who had come long before them." Harris classmates, though many have . He added that Townsend Harris has bepassed on. "Two of my best friends were come increasingly diverse . He said, brothers," he reminisces. "George "When I was asked to speak at the 2000 Kaplan, a biologist, became the world's . graduation, I looked out at the audience leading authority on tadpol~s and the and confirmed my conclusions . The sea chancellorofEdmonton University [in] of faces reflected the true make- up of Canada. His b'rother Edgar. .. edited the New York City - every color and both Bridge World Magazine . He was also the . genders rather than just 'pale males."' ~~

TOWNSEND HARRIS, THE MAN:

Namesake makes riJark on education by Faith Aronowitz

Townsend Harris High School grew out It all began with Townsend Harris, a of the "introductory year" of the Fre~ man qf great ambitions and des'ircs. He - Academy. Townsend Harris was born on Octowas the key figure in starting a :relationship between the United States nnd Ja- ber 4, 1804 in Sandy Hills, New York. · pan. Elected president of the New York He was an intelligent boy, always eager City Board of Education in 1846, and to learn. Despite that fact, at the end of continuing his position until I 848, Har- junior high school, his family could not ris worked for and believed ii)lhe L:On" afford to sen9 him to preparatory school, cept of free higher educatioil. ·· , let alone colle-ge. When he was 14 years old, 'he came At the time, the idea ofexiei1ding free education to higher levels was extremely to New York to join his brother and facontroversial. Townsend Harris made ther in importing·china and earthenware. Source: Swift, Fletcher Harper. The Aihenian .Ephe- · continued efforts to make this dream a It was here that he became a man of culhie Oath !~/'Allegiance in American reality and succeeded in establishing rhe ture, with an interest in popular educaSchools ;uul Colleges. Berkeley and Free Academy . in 184 7. It is now the. · tion. Los Angeles: University of Calilbrnia After Harris resigned from the Board · College of the City of New York,. part Press, 1947. of the City University of New York. of Education in 1848, he wen ton a voyage in the South Pacific , coming in contact with many new experiences, including one with cannibals . In 1854, he was United States consul at Ningpo , China. Following this, in 1855, he was apPluerla &.. Rest•ur.m pointed the first United States Consul "Tute~ Dirt~· General to Japan. Arriving 1856, he was Heros • Dinners • Salads Catering ror All <Xcaslons .the first United States diplomat tb do so Dine In Or Take Out since CommodoreMatthew Perry. · Open 7 Days Townsend Harris has several diplo6S-O I Kl.ssena 81Yct matic credits to his name. His firsi diplomatic <Kt was on June 1857, when the Convention of Shimoda was approved . It contained eight articles relating to · - currency, the right of residence for ·

Gino's of KiS$ena

Americans, and the-opening ·of the port . · of Nagasaki. In July 1858, the Tre'aty of Yedo was signed by Townsend Harris and the Japanese Ministers for Foreign Affairs. This treaty secured for Americans the right of trade, residence, and missionary operations in Japan .. Harris . is credited as the man who first opened Japan to foreign trade and intluence. Due to all his diplomatic success; Townsend Harris became the Minister Resident of the United States for Japan. In addition, he gained the confidence of the Japanese people and to this day, Townsend Harris is still respected as an honored diplomat in Japan . Sources: World Bo'ok Encyclopediq 2002. World Book, Inc., Chicago: 2002 "Townsend Harris." http://www.citycollege fund. org/cuny/Ti mel ine/ Articles/ Harris.html. Online. 9 February 2005 "Townsend Harris High School Web Site.'' http://thhs.qc.edu. Online. 9 February . 2005 . "Harris, Townsend." Columbia Enc.\'clopedia2005 . hrtp://www.encyclopedia.com/html/H/Harris- T I. asp. Online. 9 February 2005 . "Townsend Harris. " Virtual American Biog raphies. http://www. famousamericans. net/townsendharris Online. 9 February / 2005 .

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Wojakowski, Srid-har ·named lntel .semi-finalists Maria Wojakowski gives first-hand account of science research class's _experiences.....

prise and my greatest accom- with students' initiative can to pursue my interest in science · · plishment. · achieve great things". in a real-world laboratory, not The news came from Intel out of a textbook . Most kids · Understanding diseases just in time for the Harris sci- go into a field without really · ence program's January 21 ap- knowing what it will be like; Padmavati Sridhar was pearance on PBS's New York this gave us a sense of really excited upon hearing Voices . According to the jour- working in the field as scieng equally that she was chosen as an Intel nalist who spent the day film- tists,'" "'N semi-finalist. She worked in ing the labs and classrooms, it _ All of us c"an now agree with i:i: Ms. Eaton, . thqt "'"'u New YorkUniversity_'s u Department of Chern"[research] has to t;i . is try with her mentor, ~ Setbacks are commonplace in research. After be a real commik . >.. Professor Hin Hark ment" and we .D all, as Albert Einstein said, · 'If we knew what -0 Gan. "I worked in the have "come away 0 -E.· area of computational it was we were doing, it would not be callf!d with more than biology, a growing- re_search, would it?' just a completed Seniors Maria Woj akowski and Pl;ldmavati Sridhar enjoy their triumph branch of scien.ce that Intel project." as semi-finalists in the Intel competition . is an efficient and Jennifer Kamler by Maria Wojakow!!ki paid off. Susan Brustein, Assis- novel method of experimenta- changed the focus of the TV added, "I used to do in-class exOn a typical January after- tant Principal of Science and tion," she explained. program from the horror of sci- periments with guideline paPadmacontinued, "My ence education in New York pers and questions with blank noon during ninth band, these- head of the research program, nior science research studen ts broke the silence by announc- project dealt with a. type . of City to its excellence in schools spaces for answers. Now I decould be found practicipg their ing that two semi-finalists in the RNA whose functions are pres- like Townsend Harris. v<tlop the experiment entirely Powerpoint presentations, pre- prestigious Intel Science Talent ently unkno-wn to scientists. myself, and ask the questions paring for future contests such Search had been selected from These RNA molecules are Science research program of what I could have done bet~ as the NYC Science and Engi- Townsend Harris High School. thought to be the prime suspects ter or what's the next step to be neering Fair or the NY Metro They were Padmavati Sridhar in two neurogenetic diseases. Biology teacher Rosemarie taken . I've grown so m'uch as Prior to my study, only six of Eaton, who has taught sopho- a scientist and as a person ." Junior Science and Humanities and myself. these RNA molecules had been more science research for six Symposium . However, on Pamela Ch<\n also saw a Predicting turtle genders identified in the human chro- years, said that our "very change in herself. "One could Ja~uary 12 , computers and mosome associated with the · smart" class was "outstanding." say I have b€come more realissmart boards were abandoned Perhaps that is why so many tic rather than . optimistic and and the seniors crowded into The knowledge that I was two diseases. I used a noYel the s.ci.ence office to se € if one of the semi-finalists did not computational progra~ to 'i<;Jen- . students decided to go on to that my mind has become th'G months of intense work had quite sink in at first. My project tify II new candidate RNA junior research . Ms . Brustein, calculated one of a scientist, was the result of two years of · molecules. The presenee of 17 who is running the research always seeing problems to research on dian1ondback terra- of these_molecules within the program for her fifth year, re- solve," she said. Her project pins in Jamaica Bay Wildlife disease-related region may aid . members that in its the first taught her ·"theoretical effects Refuge with my mentor, Dr. in the search for a cure for the year, ni]le students went on to rarely translate into actual exdo Intel projects. This year's perimental effects." Setbacks Russell Burke of Hofstra Uni- two neurogenetic diseases."' senior class are ,commonplace in research. versity. Terrapins has 27, and as After all, as . Albert Einstein are turtles whose Ms . Eaton said, "If we knew what it was sex is determined, The knowledge that lwas one of the Semi-finalists points out, the we were doing, it W(~Uid not be not as a result of . by Tiffany Cheng did not quite sink in at first... I never expected my .number is "in ~ called research, would it?'' genetics, but Students Against Destruc~ project to go so far. The fact thatsomeone apprecicreasing every rather the temtive Decisions held their first Caffeineand sugar . year." perature at which ated the significance Qf my research ... was the best movie night on Friday, NovemThe stutheir eggs are insurprise and my greatest ac_complishment. ber 12, 2004. The club predents · who If conducting the project cubilted. I was sented the tilm 10 Things I Hate went on to do was diffic.ult, compiling the able to show that About You, based on William Intel projects months of work into a paper terrapins could Shakespeare's The Taming of in junior scienceresearch were m;td submitting it to contests use microhabitat variables, like the Shrew. eager to step into a true scienwas equally, if not more, of a the amount of bare ground at a Achievi.ig great 'things This event brought together or in my case, tific laboratory, challenge. W.e filled the comnest site, to predict the incuba·.- movie fanatics, Shakespeare According to Elizabeth roll up my sleeves and plunge puter lab during our free bands, tion temperature of the nest, . fans, and ~upportive club memand based on this, determine Schnee, President of the Parent- into some adventurous field and we remained there after bers. Teacher Association, parents work. Jennifer Kamler, who . school, offen until the building their offspring sex ratio. -Even though attendance aid I never expected my project : who listened to our presenta- worked with Dr. Lila Davachi · closed at I 0:30PM. Then the not fill the auditorium, senior to go so far. The fact that some- tions at a PTA meeting "were at the NYU Psychology DeparF work continued at home, folShaunte Baboumian, president one appreciated the signifi- awestruck by the _level of re: ment on her project, "The Role lowed by our homework. Din" of the club, thought "the turncance of my research in a world seareh presented." Pare·ntJohn of Personal. Meaning in Word nerbecame pizza in the biology out was great! There was excel·· of technology and biomedical Talay added, '- 'It shows that the Recollection" said, "I wanted to room, and I believe most of us lent feedback and I felt the stuContinued on p. 13 engineering was the best sur- school's direction combined do Intel becal:lse it allowed me dents enjoyed the movie· and the experience." Movie Night helped SADD demonstrate the impact of so- by Darcy Rendon ems by Lewis Caroll and She! cozy ambience most of all." magazine, The Phoenix. cial influence on teenage deci. After attending her first Silverstein were also recited. The readings included not Emphatic cheers erupted as .sions. Th.e focus of the club was English teacher Robert only the works of prominent According to s€nior Kim reading, freshman Silbia Han embedded in the film 10 Things Babstock welcomed the audi- poets but also lesser-known Manis, the event "was a lot of said it "allowed students to I Hate About You. The theme of ence to The Phoenix Poetry writers, including Townsend fun . l_didn'tread but my friends _express their love for poetry." -the film was the power of peer Reading on Wednesday: No- Harris's own amateur artists. did, and I had so n:mchJun lis- She added, "There was so much pressure in its abilHy to drive · vember I 0. Dedicated "To Au- Sophomore Krystal Hartley and teningto them." JuniorDamie,n creativity in the room ." teens to destructive decisions, tumn," the reading attracted a se.nior Kyle Gilbride were Marzocchi said it "was intriguAfter the presentations, stusuch as smoking, drinking, and large turnout and raised money among those who delivered ing and had a lot of talented dents and teachers stayed for drunk driving. for the school's annual literary original works. Children's po- . poets. I enjoyed the mellow and snacks and refreshments . . <!.)

SADD shows_ Shakespeare spinoff

Young poets pack library for Phoenix sponsored event

The Classic

February 2005 I

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To do or not to do (or to do the night before):

Procrastination -plague _affects most by Jennifer Park and Nisha Singh

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glish teacher Raquel Chung said that agemellt skills as she ma· One look around the classroom on while she does look at the dates on the tured. She found that the the day a collateral assignment is due students' assignment,"it does not influ- overall quality of the work can reveal symptoms of a common ail- . ence the way. [she] grades their work." is better when the assignment. Those students with heavily- She observed that, in general, students ment is started ahead of . bagged, raccoon eyes slumped listlessly with later dates on their assignments re- time. Pamela Chan, senior, in their desks are likely sufferers from ceived worse grades than those with says that she "rarely proearlier dates, and those who had an ear- .crastinates" and stresses the effects of procrastination. The Classic polled approximately 60 lier date on their papers were "stronger the importance of time management. students from each grade to assess ,the students" than those with .later dates. . Pulling an "ail-nighter" Philip Porzio, science and math ubiquity of the "disease." Conducted last month, the survey revealed that teacher, does not look at the date and is is a common practice for sophomores and juniors were more more concerned about whether or not many students who leave prone to frequent bo~ts of procrastina- the assignment is handed in promptly. their projects or collaterals tion than the freshmen and seniors , and H!< noticed, however, that the longer stu- to the day before the deadstudents procrastinated most in history dents waited to complete a task, the line. As a last ditch effort to greater effect it hau on the quality of and English. hand an assignment in on Common reasons for procrastination their work . Students are not the only o_nes to pro~ time, students have come . in all grades were ''I'm lazy" or "I'll work better under pressure." Students crastinate. Ms. ChUI'Ig admits she is up with a few ways to cope. also blamed heavy homework loads and guilty of procrastinating due to "distrac- "I barricade myself in my tions and the heavy workload" and she room and turn off all disthe lack of time to complete them. The majority of students felt that pro- · says that she leaves "whatever is hard- tractions," said one. Another suggests drinking crastination does not affect the quality est to grade for last." Photography teacher Margheri ta "lots of c-o ffee or tea," of their work and believe that they would have received the same grade . Wischerth is another self-proclaimed whi·le a third advises, procrastinat9r. "I try not to procrasti- "write a lot, be as general even if they did not procrastinate. Over 65% have at least once dated _nate, I honestly try," she sai'd. "It's not as possible, and then add an assignment earlier than the date at until you realize that you don't have lots of pictures:." ·. For one procrastinator, which the assignmen t was actually enough time left that you have to jump all hope seems to vanish ' started. (Seep. 13 for graphs) Many at- start yourself." Senior YeseniyaAranova admits that when trying to finish a coltributed this practice .to their fear that teachers would grade last-minute as- she procrastinated in her early years at ·- lateral on time: ".[I] go to signments more harshly. However, En- school, bui learned valuable ti•tne man- c~rner, curl up into the fetal position,

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"A writer loved my work and bou_g~~ alltbe _ r ights to it for his book." . . .

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"Sorry. Sparknotes.com is down again." .

"My homework was .abducted by aliens so that they could study how the human mind worked."

"All my pens ran out of ink."

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~i> "I began to do the chemistry work, but the reaction that I was writ ing was too exciting. It chemically com busted."

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"They told me to live each dav as if it was the last."

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Reasons ,For N~t - Handi'n:g ~ l~ n ' Homework

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"It's a religious thing, no homework on days that end in the last three letters of the alphabet."

"When I was sick, my mom gave me milk of amnesia and I forgot everything."

''I strongly agreed with the reading and concluded that I too know that I know nothing. Having acquired this ancient wisdom, is there '1 a reason to answer the accompanying questions?" artwork by Bonnie Ng and Mitchell Bader

Procrastiantion

The Classic February 2005

13·

Shoppers .eager to support charities ·

Continued from p. 12 with the coming of the holiday season. Have you ever put a date on an as· by Maria Wojakowski This holiday shopping season in the Of the I 000 surveyed, 88% found the signment that was earlier than the day · United States, customers strolling the idea of volunteering favorable. you actually started it? The 'character of the American aisles of popular stores such as Macy's . The "goal here is to institute a de- ' ' Freshmen people overaf.l' is responsible for 'and The Gap could choose to buy presire to be a lifetime giver and helper," the rise in charitable marketing.' sents not only for friends and family, but said Coordinator of Student Activities also for those in need. Some companies · ,Adam Stonehill. He added that volundonated part of their profits to various teering might no.t be for everyone, escharities- in a phenomenon of charitable The New York Times, merchants identi- pecially in a "student body so busy. Who marketing that gained popularity with fied the presidential election and War in has the time?'' customers willing to help the less fortu- Iraq as reasons for the increase in wantSome students prefer old-fashioned •Yes Senior Cindy Puente, who volunteering. nate. ing to do good in controversial times. Sophomores -organized $20 teddy the school's clothing drive be- . Customers who bought the Retail analysts said it was a reflection [JNo bears at The Gap before the holidays of the customers feeling guilty·given the fore the holidays, said organizations like provided coats for 70,000 North Ameri- social and economic conditions of the Queens Charities are "willing to participate. I think that it is much better than can boys and girls who could not afford country. them, and those $1 Lance Armstrong AP Government and Politics teacher getting a $5 gift. I have not participated "Live Strong" bracelets contributed to Franco Scardino disagreed. "I don't in charitable marketing . If I had the cancer research furids. think it's politically motivated, [but] chance, I wouldn'tdo it because I don't Charitable marketing has always ex- driven by a personal sense of self-vali- know where the supplies are going and isted during the holiday season, but dation," he said. "I can see people giv- who they are being given to." • . Juniors since 2000, customers' responsiveness . ing out of the sense of wanting to do On the other hand, one dollar got to charitable efforts has tripled. This past good for others and the 'spirit of the sophomore Marissa Green a Polaroid year, the willingness of customers to holiday."' picture with a half-dressed Abercrombie give to charity through purchase at bigSenior Boris Rivkin agreed that the & Fitch male model, but was it charity . name stores has accelerated. · "character of the American people over- or the hot guy? "Both," said Marissa. "I Se,nior Christina Tsirkas said, "I thif1k all" is responsible for the rise iri chari- knew what ,the charity was, ~ut it defi- · it's good if you can find a way to mar- table marketing. . nitely was the hot guy also." Marissa ket so that the revenue goes to charity."· The recent popularity of charitable believes that the "lighth~arted aspect" Seniors ·· Using the Make-A-Wish Foundation as marketing raises the question of whether . of this sort of charity was"~ good idea." an example, she added, "You're giving kind feelings have increased or whether Source: to those less fortunate who need the people are finding this new form of giv- Rozhon, Tracie. "Stores Are Hoping to Do money more than you do." ing simply more convenient. In Well by Urging Shoppers to Do Good." So why has this past year especially Semptember, American Eagle Outfitters The New York Times. 16 Dec. 2004. seen such a rise in shoppers willing to conducted a survey asking customers Online. <http://www.nytimes.com/2004/ 12/16/business/16charity.html> give to those in need? In interviews with whether their charitable feelings grew '

Science researchers on their way eases," she explained. It also contraContinued from p. 11 developed a temporary genuine depen- dicted a previous scientific study. Padma expects her results to be dence on caffeinated and sugary substances,.wHich Jennifer Park remembers published in the Bioinformaiics jour"gave us energy and comfort in . our nal this spring. Shaunte Baboumian, who used times of anxiousness and stress." For science teacher Katherine Electron Spin Resonance to 9ate the Ludvik, who is teaching senior research enamel of Neanderthal teeth in order for the first time, the greatest reward was to. trace the Hoino sapiens path from ''just seeing the satisfaction of comple- Africa into Europe and As ia, can reastion and the joy ofawards and achieve- sure the seniors thatJSEF is an experiments" as well as the "emotion of the ence well worth working for. Last students," whom she calls· ~·extremely · year, as a junior, she earned a trip to ISEF in Portland Oregon, an honor that hard working ." few seniors receive, and was one of and I nave had our first sucPadma cess, but the majority of science com: over I 000 people from 40 countries. · petitions are yet to co~e, offering op- "The love of science brought people portunities for all the research students together and pushed away [language] to present their work. "We have a very obstacles," Shaunte recalled. "We . long history of success in Intel, ISEF wanted to ~each each other." What Shaunte saw at an interna[International Science and Engineering Fair], and JSHS," said Ms. B~ustein . tional level, Ms. Brustein sees every "We've had winners four out of. five day in the classroom. She refers to our years years in Intel and every year in class as "very collaborative and supportive of our peers in a group of stuISEF." Ms. Brustein has a right to be opti- dentsin essence competing with each mistic, for many of the projects are other." Despite the long nights, numergroundbreak ing. "I actually [will] see ous cups of coffee, and endless revisome [names] in scientific journals very sions of papers and boards , fo r Ms . shortly. E very year we have students Brustein, the motivating fac tor is the who get publ ished ," she said. "sheer pl easure of s'ee ing students acAnika Anam, who worked ·at NYU complish their dreams ." research ing the impact of ino sine on I believe that the sc ience research axon growth in the lesioned spinal cord , class has infected us all with an insa. sections of rats, will see her work in tiable, incurable curiosity and a wholly print. "My research was important be- unconventional way of thinking . It is cause it rriay lead to the clinical devel- the one cond ition I doubt the future opment of drugs that would help allevi- doctors in senior research will one day ate the severity of neuro logical dis- be curing.

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Cold Stone creams competitipi1 by Marissa Green · Haagen Daaz, Edy's, and Ben and Jerry's had once beeri contenders for the most popular ice cream in the industry. Today, cones down, Cold Stone Creamery has clearly earned this title. Each dessert is a mouth-watering dream that ' makes this chain the new ice cream hot spot. The minute you step into a Cold Stone Creamery, you are greeted by the tang of desserts and flavors. M&Ms; peanut butter cups, brownies, and so many other types Of desserts line the counters, rendering the customer incapable of leaving empty-handed. Customers wait on a line, ~hich is usually very long during after-school peak hours. People stand outside in the cold, impatient to indulge in this new and growing phenomenon. _In addition to serving desserts, Cold Stone offers unusual entertainment. Whenever someone drops money irito the tip box on the counter, all the workers begin singing songs to thank the customer for his or her kindness. Although the workers may be apathetic when delivering their lyrics, they still contrib-

ute to the enjoyable amoience. Like It, Love it, and Gatta Have The staff makes the ice cream on · it. If you choose to a frozen granite counter, make your own erewhicp provides the - ation, your first topchain with its . ping is free, with a name.When it is · $.59 charge for your turn to place each additional an order, you can one. Although · select from the Cold Stone delectable "Cold tends to Stone Originals, charge far including: "At above normal the Cocoa Ba1ce cream nana Cabana," and shops, each "Cherry Cake serving is Double Take." You enough for two are also given the people. option of making Cold Stone has your own creation . 700 locations by adding topthroughout the pings to II inil:ue£$ ra country, includtial ice cream ing shops in artwork by Eugene To flavors. Cold Time!; Square, at Stone even caUnion Turnpike, ters to calorie-counters with its and Forest Hills.' Sinless Ice Cream Creations, which taste just as good as the regular ice cream but have half the calories. The ice cream comes in three sizes:

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Precinct t·3·faces weak assault

by Faith A-:-onowit~ Dramatic and heartfelt, Night .by Stephanie Pak . Fishburne), a serial killer who mainly Mother, starring Edie Fa:Jco and Most of the time a remake of a movie t;rgets police officers. Marcus Duvall Brenda Blethyn and directed by is not as good as the original. Assault plays an officer devoted to killing · Michael Ma.yet, deals with the dison Precinct 13, starring Ethan Hawke Bishop, who, with his men, stage an atturbing topic of suicide. and Laurence Fishburne, is a perfect ex- tack of the precinct. The fight begins · The play is about a complicated reample. Directed by Jean Fran~ois with Roenick and unlikely ally, Bishop lationship between a daughter (Jessie Richet, it is a remake of the old Assault against Duvall and his highly trained asCates, played by Falco) and her on Precinct 13, which was directed by sailants. The plot would have worked well if mother (Thelma Cates, played by John Carpenter in 1976. Blethyn). Ethan Hawke stars as Sergeant Jake it had been thought out more carefully, The play opens as Jessie, a middleRoenick, who is working in his precinct but with its fast pace, it was confusing. aged woman who lives with her ( 13) on New Year's Eve. Ever since an Ironic twists and turns prevented the mother, asks her mother where a speundercover mission eight months ago audience from obtaining a firm grasp of Cific gun Is. resulted in the death of his team, Ser- events. Frequent and Superfluous cursAs the play unwinds, Jessie, who. geant Roenick has dealt with psycho- ing took away from the story line and suffers from epilepsy and depression, . logical issues. While he is on duty, a bus made understanding the dialogue diffireveals to her mother that she is gofull of convicts stops at the precinct due cult. If you enjoy violence and action, ing to kill herself later that evening. to a heavy snowstorm, and one of the however, Assault does not disappoint. Hawke and Fishburne played their While Thelma-tries to convince convicts is Marion Bishop (Laurence Jessie not to kill herself, they talk as they never have before, revealing se-.. crets, grudges; and complicated feelings towards each other. Both Falco .and Blethyn .are senby Marissa Green and good looks do not portray the same sational; the delivery o[Jheir lint:s is Phantom of the Opera, Golden Globe gruesome Phantom found in Lon emotional and touching. Nominee fo[ Best Movie of the year, Chaney's 1925 s,ilent version ol The Although its sensitive nature prelights up the screen with perfect cast- Phantom of the Opera, his performance vents me from recommending this ing, outstanding costumes, and an un~ captures his character's mysterious presplay to everyone, I will say that those forgettable storyline that comes close to ence and hidden compassion. wh<? would like to see a show where · filling the shoes of the Broadway play Emmy Rossum, only 18 years old, true talent is involved will love Night in only two hours and 20 minutes. plays the part of Christine to a tee . Mother, Director Joel Schumacher and writer Throughout the film we hear her angelic The question is: Does Thelma sucAndrew Lloyd Webber present the clas- soprano .voice and see her consistent ceed in stopping Jessie from killing sic romantic story of Christine Daae, an innocence.- Andrew' Lloyd Webber's herself? You will just have to go see aspiring actress played by young Emmy music is absolutely fantastic. Without the play to find out. ·· Rossum, who believes the Phantom removing the brilliance of the original (Gerard Butler) of the Paris Opera play's score, Webber made sure to add House is an angel sent from her late fa- orig-inality to the soundtrack. He wrote ther. "Learn to be Lonely," sung by Minnie Gerard Butler fills his role with a Driver, as La Carlotta, an actress Chrisroaring voice and outstanding vocal tine substitutes for after La Carlotta abilities. Although his charming face storms off the opera house stage in a

roles very well. Fishbourne's eerily low voice and expressionless face really frightened the audience, and Hawke's snide comments illicited a few chuckles. Every once in a while, there were witty comments and rising emotional tension, but these sudden spurts just weren't enough to save the film. Over- · all, Assault could have been much bet- . ter; it ,had a promising plot and good actors. It is too bad Hawke and Fishburne wasted their time and -their talent in Assault on Precinct 13.

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Phantom successfull.y haunts silver screen

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rage. It is smooth and delightful, adding to the soori to be "classic film." , The costumes of all the performers are breathtaking. La·carlotta's flowing gowns stretch the span of the stage. The actor's clothes play into the romantic Paris setting where the story unfolds. ·The movie is not visully the same as the Broadway show. In the show, the · · crashing of a gigantic chandelier on the stage leaves the audience on the edge of their seats. However, Schumacher's Phantom displays the same romance and deep· emotion of the original book, Phantom of the Opera, by Gaston Lerou)\ .

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The Classic

Februa~ ~005

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Two.tri urn ph an~ teams_·20. bowl, .splash to victory 2·3 by Michelle Montgoris Luck was on the side of two of the Hawks' fall teams, as the. Girls' Varsity Bowling and Swimming tea~s both stormed into the playoffs as names to be reckoned with. The Girls' BowliogTeam completed their fifth straight undefeated season on November 9, capturing the Queens· Borough Champion's title . They advanced to the quarterfinals, where they were stopped by McKee/Staten Island Technical SchooL They sent seven girls to participate in the Queens Individual Championships, two of whom went on to compete for the City title . Co-captain Sandi Von Ohlen, junior, was an instrumental member of the team . In addition to having the second highest averge in Queens with a 149, she turned in an outstanding performance in the Queens Individual Champion" ships, registering a fifth place finish . The Girls' Swimming team'finished the seasoo by claiming their 13th consecutive Queens Champions title, and their exceptional performance in the postseason brought them to the finals. The Medley Relay team ofjunior Bridget Travers and sophomores Lillian Fosteris, Gabriele Guelly, and Maureen McCluskey, was the . fifth best relay team in .the city, second only to teams from Bronx High School of Science. IndividualLy, McCluskey was first in Queens in the I 00-yard backstroke and freestyle, Fosteris was first in Queens in the I 00-yard butterfly, a~ Travers and Guelly tied for first in Queens in the 500-yard freestyle . se\lior Andrea Amorillo W~lS also the number'one diver in Queens and seventh in the city.

New coach Matt~ew Fleck goes over' strategy ~ith the boys during a team huddle.

Boys hope to retlo.un·d rollowi·ng win less year by Lance Tomas

:· "New': seems tob<;the defining wcJrd of this year's Boys' Varsity Basketball team. Their season, which brought. a new coach, new players , and a complete turn around from last year 's playoff team, ended. with a 47-58 loss to John · Bowne on February I, and an overall , · record-of 0-14. Playing in the Queens A division, . which fe~1tures powerhouses such as Adamkiewicz foughtto ·make h.is new Cardozo (14-0) and Bayside (11-3), was part of the B-Division . "I remember him a challenge for the Hawks . Many of telling us at the. first rneeting, 'I did my their g~tines were lost by big deficits of part. Now you have to do yours'," jun30.or more. However, there were a few_ ior Sebestian Melo said. bright spots. In only their second game, They start~d in late August, attendthey lost to Jamaica High School by 56, · ing practices on the Queens College but their next encounter featured a close field for almost two weeks straight. This . 55-461oss in which senior David Hylton was essen-tial, since boys' soccer is a fall and junior Brandon Davis turned in a · sport. Reflecting on the practices, jun13-point and I0-point performance., reior Michael C<tss-Antony said, "He spectively. wanted us torun?Miles. We played? For "We played with thern the whole hours .. .It was good." game [tl)e second game]," first-year ·The team is junior and sophomore coach Matthew Fleck said. "It was a dominated, with the _exceptions of sign of improvement." Coritsidis, Tatti, and senior Barnaby _With only five returning pla~ers , Grzaslewicz. As captain, Tatti guides the from ' last year's roster, four seniors players on the field, taking over for (Gianfranco Cuoco, Hylton, Artur Rozentsvit, John Tatti), and one junior (Oscar Orozco), the Hawks were forced to find some new talent. The majority of the team, significantly the starting lineup, was lost to graduation. Keriny . Yu (I 0.9 points per game), Louis Elrose (19.3 ppg), and Paris Asprou (7.9 ppg, , 6.8 rebounds per game), are three key

Back·in league, boys· k~c k way into. playoff_ s-

by Dmna Bel.l ·· The Boys' Varsity Soccer team lost their second playoff game 2-1 to Sheep ~ shead Bay High School on_November 2. Junior Paul Pittas scored the sole goal , and juniors Peter Sterbenz an~ Andreas Kalpaxis each had an assist. \ . In their first playoff match, the team faced the Bronx's Alfred E. Smith High School on October 27. In contrastto the neon reds, yellows, and greens of the field, the final picture of the game would he sadder for Smith, as the Hawks glided 'away with a 3-2 win. _, . Sterbenz ended up scoring three goals, and Kalpaxis had two ·assists. Junior Max Rivlin-Nadler, goalkeeper, made a few nice saves, while sophomore Sikiru Adesina, freshman Michael Coritsidis, juniors Vincent Virgintino and Paul Pinas, and captain John Tatti, senior; con" tributed with endless hustling. The shrieking of the whistle that pierced the ·a ir at the game's end was on pitch with the loud whooping of the team . Making it to the playoffs was a big deal Juniors Andreas Kalpaxis, Peter for the new team . It had been inactive Sterbenz, and Max Rivliri-Nadler wait since 200 I, due to a lack of coaching for the ball .to .be passed. ava.ilability: Physical education teacher Rayinond Adamkiewicz knew he would Coach Adamkiewicz during game time . be the one to change all that when he "My responsibilities including. maktransferred in last spring. "'I have a great ing sure the team stays together as a passion for the sport, and there was· a whole, keeps their heads up, and has great interest [in starting the team]," he good chemistry," explained Tatti. said. The team worked hard, making it to Although originally slated to be a the playoffs with six wins, six losses, and · part of the developmental league , . two ties.

names whose presences are missed on the co11rt. . 'The team is rebuilding, " said Fleck. Pri01~ to the season, he said that the team would "need some of the older players to take on a leadership role ifwe want to contend ." . , While tlie team may not have been a contender, the older players certainly did take on a leadership role . Cuoco ( 10 points peF game) blossomed as one of the more instrumental player~ on the team with his ~tcti.o~s on and ofT the court. According 'to Fleck, he was the guy to take the others under his wing· and take on the role of mentor. · - "Gianfranco looks out for both re" turriing and new guys," he said. "He's consistent, a real leader." Fleck also will look towards the two . juniors for .'next year. Returning pia yet Orozco will bring three years ofVarsity . experience and new player Davis (5.6 ppg) will bring a new, raw talent. Sophomore Adniir Deljanin and freshman Floyd Abadia, both in their first season of Varsity basketball, also promise to become big contributors. "Even tho'ugh we have a bad record', I think that there is a lot of potential on this team," sa'id first-ye'a r sophomore Kostas Sanidas. "We now know who is good at what position ." "We start<;d off with a blank slate . I really didn't kmJW what to expect," said Fleck. "But they're good kids. They work hard."

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The Classic February 2005

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Boys' indoOr traCk . bOunces Wrorig<WaY .; leaveS Hawks' mBrk fOr Girls' Varsity Hawks by Wendy Yan · Coming up on the midway mark of the Boys' Indoor Track . season, the Hawks are makiQg other top schools hear footsteps. . In their most recent race, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Relays on January 17, they had several runners place in the top 20 in various events. Some of the more notable were freshIrian Wai Lon Wong's sixthplace finish in the 4 X 800c . Meter relay, and junior Nestor Serrano's 16' 11 place finish in the Distance Medley Relay. Last year the Hawks finished fifth in the Queens Championships . This year they arc hoping for a top three finish with the deepest roster ever, according to Coach George Rio and senior Matthew Duelka, the team's co-captain. -"We have very good freshmen,'; said Mr. Rio, who is in his seventh year as the Boys' Track Coach. "Wai Lon Wong, Chris Cheng, and Kinm Lorick arc all great assets to this tc<)m." Wong took third in the 600Mctcr run at the Jim Mckay Memorial Team Challenge on December 4, ~ix seconds over the winning time of I :38. In

the 1000-Meter Freshmen Run, by Gabriele Cheng placed eighth, _and Guelly and Lonck came out on top w1th a Michelle time of 3: I I. . Montgoris "Our long distance runners A 66-40 loss are really stepping up,'; Duelka to August Marsaid. 'This is also the first time tin on February we'_ve ever had three people av2 summed up eraging under a five-minute the Girls' Var- . mile." sity basketball bl) Duelka is one of those three · (::: team's season runners . The other two are . ~--. ::'~.:~ Q perfectly. Fin·l (<j(::: .io::::::O::-= . Serrano and fellow junior · ishing 3-11 in Jonathan Pantano. He is also Q"' the Qu'eensA di>. looking to make City Champi..D vision, which onships for the One-Mile run . 00 ~ --.~ -~~'--~·-.,. features power~-,;.·--.-....... ~$''- Ntttw·~s 1 :·-.J·~"-.·:.·~~·*"· 'rhe projected cut is four minhouses such as Junior Alex Rush and senior Carolina Tirado prepare for the oncoming opponent. utcsand 43 seconds. ''I'd have Francis Lewis to cut five seconds oiT ~ny cur( 14-0) and Aurent tin'ie," he said. gust Martin (12-2), the team of a relatively newgroup. Only each -other are." The runners will showcase was outrun and overmatched three seniors, co-captains Despite having only three their talents in the Queens Borsize-wise, and just could not Katherine Incantalupo (I 0 wins , there were ~ome highough Championships, which keep up with Martin's girls. points per game) and Carolina lights during the season. The will take place on February 20. In a similar situation Ti~ado (8.5 ppg), as well as first game against John Adams All teams in Queens are exagainst Francis Lewis on Joanna Munoz, remained; junshowed the girls' _persi~tence as pected to be a part of it, includJanuary 21, the Hawks played ior Michelle Montgoris and the Hawks overcame an ISing Francis Lewis, the Hawks' well, but were simply sophomore Jennifer Kalar also point deficit at halftime to win bigg.est riyal. The City Chamoutplayed. With only three stayed. Juniors Alex' Rush and 55-38. Moreover, the team's pionship relay events will compoints al halftime to Francis Ann Elyse Urquidi, in their two games against Bayside mence on February 26. Lewis's 48, the girls put in a first year on Varsity, were big Hi'gh School showed a worthy Expected to qualify for the valiant 'effort in the second contributors, Urquidi as a starteffort. Though both losses (43Championship relay is the four half, thanks (o the contribuing guard and Rush a~ the first 40 and 47-34}, they were two 800-Mcl'cr relay team, consist- . tions of juniors Lindsay Van off the bench. oftheir most intense games. ing of Pantano, Serrano, Winckle (six points) and "I expected to be competi"Our games with Bayside Duelka, and seni.or Prabhjyhot · Christina M<istrolemb~ (seven tive with all teams, such as were both our best and worst "Props" Saini. points). But as in many of Francis Lewis," said first-year games," said Raftien. Varsity coach Peter' Rattien . their games, they were ioo far Off the court, he added, the down to recover and claim the ':However, I don't think we team maintained excellent atti. victory. gelled together very well ·on the tudes. "They always look at the The team was comprised court as far as knowing where . bright si de, " he said.

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·J V Basketball ends with fifth~place tie by Rookminie Behari

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Girls' Track team runs circles around ItS 'prevrous.records

The Girls' Junior Vai·sity · . _ • basketball team ended their sea- 54-24 defeat of Queens High son with a 61-33 loss to Francis School was high_ Lewis on January 21. Their · lighted by Ircshman Dan1clle by Maureen McCluskey record was 5-7, putting them in Abarcmarco's 12 points and The Girls' Indoor Tr_ack a fifth place tic with BryanJ sophomore Maria Dimas' II High Scho'ol. points, six rebounds·. · team , only halfway into the seaStonchill said that the most son : has already made their Sophomore Sonia Gcra, who returned from last yea( · difficult problem he faced with mark in school history. At the Mil rose Trials on was the team leader ror points his new tciun was getting sur-· rebounds per game (II ppg. ficicnt playing time for all 18 January 12, 2005, the girls 4 X nine rpg). Firstycar sophom(irc girls on his roster. "!Mr: 400-Mcter relay, consisting of Dionisia Alivizatos was a big . Stonchill] didn 'tmake any cuts, senior Nene Kalnete and sophoprcscnr.;c also, <ivcraging 3.6 which is why our team is so mores Susan· Wasserman, points and 5.4 rebounds per big," said first-year sophomQre Koma Ogayc , and Devcitia gqn1c. Monique E~1st. Moore, set a new school record "Honestly, our coach is in- with a time of4 minutes and 9.5 Despite the outcome of their season, however, rirst year experienced, which causes 1i1i- · seconds. This shattered the coach Adam Stoi1chill spoke · nor setbacks," East q__dded. previous record of 4 minutes highly of his team. "Compared "And the majority of the play- · and 13 , 19 seconds. Also, to other teams, we arc pretty crs on our team arc first-year Kamete, who has been a big part of the success so far this strong," he said. 'Td like to sec players." Even though Stonehill does year, set a new school record in some improvements against teams that beat us . I'd like to not have many years under his the 55-Meter dash at the Trials beat times that are consistently belt as a coach, first-year with a time of7.3 seconds. Less than a week after the good . My expectations are for sophomore Meaghan Mapes pointed out, "He was good at Trials, at the Dr. Martin Luther people to get better." There were a few games · strategizing plays, and · knew · · King Jr. Relays on January 17, which showcased the gjrls' tal- how to execute them . He made · the girls turned in another·noteent. January 4's 37-9 win over sure the whole team knew what worthy performance. Moore placed 3"1 in the I mile run, and . Springfield Gardens featured was going on."

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: · senior tri-captain Liz Feder distance. At past meets, such as the . placed 5' 11 in the 1500 Meter Racewalk and 11 ' 11 in the 2 X Pilgrim G.a mes and a Night at · 1500-Meter Racewalk events. the Sprints, the I:Iawks have With the Queens Borough posted results that put them in championships (February 20) a position to contend tor the and PSAL Freshman/Sopho ~ best in Qu~ens. Moore posted more Champion~hips (March two top three finishes between 5) fast approaching , Connor the two events, one in the I 000and .the girls are hard at work Meter run and one in the 3000training to get into their best Meter ruh. Feder contributed a shape. The team practicesfour second place finish in the 1500Meter Race walk. times a week. Highlighted events ~o look Connor has a c~nefully thought-out and balanced train- forward to at the Championing schedule . It consists of two ships are the record-holding 4 hard practices, one moderate x 400-meter relay, 4 x 800practice, and one easy one. As Meter relay, and pole vaulting. of late, thanks to the stretch of Wassern1an presently holds the cold weather, the girls have · school pole vaulting record at been forced to get thei~: prac- 6 feet. Sheplaced first last year tices in anywhere they can~ in- in the event at ihe Queens cluding staircases, halls, and Championships. Says Connor, " I believe this the gym. The team takes the team can match the success of inconvenience in stride. Their the Girls' Cross Country team motivation is the Queens Championships looming in the and win Queens Champs!"