Classic newspaper Volume 25 Issue no. 4

Vol. 25 No. 4 March 2009

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asstc · Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

14.9-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367

Rally will .promote new recycling effort

Festival of N.ations

by Rebecca Suzuki.

Students · · for the Preservation of the Earth (SPE), which recently kicked off a new recycling program to make classrooms environmentally friendly, will co-host a rally with the Trivia Knowledge ClubonApril8.

The rally's purpose is to raise awareness about the new recycling program and raise money for more recycling bins. In addition, paper apples will be sold to create an apple tree mural.

The rally will also include Environmental Jeopardy run by the . Trivia Knowledge Club. · "We're hoping to play an environmentally-themed trivia .game, with questions about our planet, recycling, ... etc.," said junior Daniel

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Daneen~ perfOrm a tradltionat Chinese nbhon danee at the Festi¥al of Nations on March 12.

Seepage 5 'Well~developed!,_ Ha:r~ris~ea: r=n-s

Quality Review's top rating

by Pearl Bhatnagar After a two-day assessment completed by Corinne Brown of Cambridge Education, the school has received a score of "well-developed," the highest possible rating, on the Quality .

Review. Ms. Brown, a reviewer hired by the Department of Education (DOE), visited the school on February 5 and 6 in order to help "ensure that [the school is] using information to help accelerate each child's learning on every day of the school year," according to the DOE website.

"The Quality Review looks at instruction and a~ks questions about why we do what we do," said Ellen Fee, Assistant Principal of Organization, Math and Physical Education. She compared the Qbality Review to the school Report Card, in which the school received an "A" earlier this year. "The report card is about our scores ... · such as Regents, graduation [rates], credit accumulation,

and surveys, while the Quality were observed, in addition to Review is about how effective inviting the members of the . our instruction is. [They are] Student Council. _Mr. Bonamo is pleased two perspectives that rotind out the total," she said. with the results of the The overall quality ·score evaluation. "I am very thankful of "well-developed" is based for the way everyone pulled on interviews Ms. Brown together. I think tlie reviewer conducted with students, got an accurate snapshot of our teachers, and parents as well school," he said. as on her visits to various When asked about her first classrooms.

In· addition, impressions, Ms. Brown was she used .last year's Quality quick to praise the students, Review, a self-evaluation calling them "intrinsically filled out by the principal, and motivated." Additionally, she the school's Progress Report felt that the teachers' "hearts to guide her assessment. · are in the right place," stating After being given a that they "care not only about schedule of all the school's · the students, but about their classes, Ms. Brown herself subjects as well." However, picked which ones she Ms.Brownwasmostimpressed wanted to visit. She followed · by the school's sense of spirit, a protocol that mandated she calling Harris "an incredibly visit a class in each of the core warm and open community subjects, as well as music and with an absolute thirst for art. For the student interviews, learning."

Mr. Bonamo and Ms. Brown Originally from the worked together to determine • United Kingdom, Ms. Brown which students would be started teaching 36 years ago. questioned. They invited only . However, she states that she is those students whose classes continued on page 3

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SPARK program threatened

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Preview of 42nd Street

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makes me really happy," said

Vice President of SPE. "I think it's wonderful," said social studies teacher M~ureen Lonergan, SPE's advisor, of the club's efforts.

She added, "The students are doing it all on their own."

Tolaunchtheirenvironment program, SPE plastered the walls of the central staircase as well as ·On the walls of almost _ every classroom with posters.

"SPEhasworkedmornings, lunch bands, and after school on them," said junior Jen Choe, who is the secretary of SPE. "I think because the posters are so large . and clustered, people notice them. I've heard good comments from people in the hallways," said junior Rachel Rostmgard, President of SPE. · Along with the posters, SPE ordered recycling ·bins for every classroom with the help of Assistant Principal of Mathematics, Organization, and Physical Education Ellen Fee, who has recently been named Harris's first recycling coordinator. She feels that prior to SPE's efforts, students were unable to recycle because

Rachel. "I think that if students get used .to this [recycling], it will continue." Jen agreed, and said that recycling will be "inevitable if everybody's doing it." · In the future, SPE hopes to enter The Golden Apple Awards "Super ·. Recyclers" competition. As a requirement, SPE must have the required number of bins for paper, cans/bottles, and garbage in every room and must compile a binder documenting their efforts and achievements.

Although they plan to enter this competition, Rachel says that "the contest alone is not our motivation for what we've be~n doing. It just gave us an additional push to really tackle recycling in Townsend."

"In truth, it's going to tough," said Daniel.

He continued, "Students just don't seem to care - but we have to make them care. And we hope - and I think - that we will prevail in pulling at people's heartstrings to get them to care abo~t their environment ... and that we .will prevail in getting people into action."

College trip for jun~ors . pg.7

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there were no options to do so . · "The school did not have enough money to buy awhole set of new recycling bins, and therefore it was not our culture to recycle," said Ms. Fee. This is when SPE pitched in and used the money they gained during events such as the Winter Carnival to buy the bins. , "The bins cost an outrageous $55 each," said Jen. Since the school needed a minimum of 60 bins; it was almost impossible to · buy · them Until SPE stepped in to ' help. For discarded paper, they bought cardboard bins, which Rachel hopes will get more attention. "Because they look so different, people will notice," she said.

"I have seen a lot of paper

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The Classic

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March 2009

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SPARK pro,gram under_ fire Call

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attend SPE rally

The members of Students for the :Preservat,i en of the Earth (SPE) have recently voi'cecl .t heir conceM ffor the environment by inifiatmg a recycling program ancl organi21ing a ratty to su,pport e&vironmental awru.;eness on April 8. (See page 1.) The Cl'(!lSsic applauds tttese efforts ancl hopes that all Harrisites will help to create a greener school.

Placing recycli:tig hiss in every classroom and holding a :Fall'y are just first steps toward the success ofS'PE's agenda. Now, the Harris community as a whole must resol¥e to make SPE's goals their own. We can actively .participate by throwing our trash in. the proper receptacles, fuming off li~hts to oonser-vtl elec:tricity, and helping to pi~k u,p litter. Such actions are effortless and may seem trivial, but when performed on a large scale, they can make a great fi:i,fferenee.

Let's all attend. the ral~y on ApriJ 8. We must not only 'be misdt\11 O'f our own effects on the environment,- hut it is also important that we pr'6mote enviroiTmental awareness and inspire others to join SPE"s cause.

The cl;ub has truiy made noble efforts t'O expancl Harris's role in protectmg the environment, and it is now up to alll Harri-sites to fl.tJMl these new responsibmties.

Severe l!>udg~t cuts co11tld potent!ially slash the budget of SP.AJU(, a ciitywi<ie pr~vention program far puali:c sckoo1s (see article l!>e:low). These cuts, tt> be d.ete:rminecd. at an U:pcoming vote ay ttte: state legislatur~ inAiioany, would mean fhat Mru.;c Duke's position as Harris's Substance A.Ouse P:reven,tion/ Intervention Specialist (SA.PtS), could be outsourcea to a comrrn.m.ity-based oq~aniza1iion (CBO). Just because Harrios is a hi~h-achieving New York City pu:alic school ao:es not mean that such a vital stud:ent service can 't>e removed or redueea.

As Hru.;ris's SAPIS, Mr. Duke meets wi,t h individuals about such issues as drug or akolaed abuse, sell-esteem, sexuaiity and stress, and plays an integral part in the schooi's provision of mental heaitk .servic.es to students.

Along with the S'PAltK program, which fosters strong relationships Rot only with Mr. Duke himselfbut among stuclents who additional? offer each 0ttter mutual stq1pott, Mr. Duke also works c:lose'ly witk mcu'lty and guidance to ensure eff~tive cris-is intervetMiion when necessary.

Simply replacing SPARK with a C:BO is unacceptable. Given the strong bonds de-veloped through Mr. Duke's work, an outside organization would pnove far less effective in case of an emergency. Mr. Duk;e noted that there is "a different qurulity of relationship with students and stafi" as a reSldt of the SPAltK :pro,gram that would not 0tkerwise exist.

Ftom an economic standpoint, removing or alt«ing the SPAltK pro:gram does not make sense. With its focus on crisis preven.tiori.. $PARK witl ultimate1y save studems from costly procedures later on in tiJe. "'In identifying and working with studeRts who are exhibiting •mgn risk' behavior, and providing hii m or her with appropriate intervention in the end could 1>e m0re cost effective," said Mr. Duke.

Although students here a:re hig-h-achieving, the removal of SPA!U( would be greatly detrimental to the mental health ofHarris:ites, who need to,add:ress the same coRcems as studlents thr.o•out the city.

Concurrently, what Mr. Duke does :!0r Harris eccurs in tdle 0¥er 5Q:@ SPARK pregrams aCFoss city pul>Uc schools. Therefore, The Clt~Ssic urges students to unite with 1heir teachers in the fiight to keep SP:AltK going strong, . not only for Harris, but for actl New Yo.rk City ptd:Jiie sckool stud:ents who need su,p]i)ort during these t0ugh times.

Corrections , We apologize for the following errors thatoccurred in the February 2009 edition of The Classic.

The feature on sophomore Turquoise Brown's dog, Ginger, was written by Tracey Wang. . "Qbama inspires 'change' at winter poetry reading" was written by Maddy French.

·SPARK faces· budget cuts; .possible removal

by Benjamin Snyder SPAltK, a prevention and intervention program for New York City's public high schools, is facing drastic budget cuts ofup to 50%. Marc Duke, Harris's designated Substance Abuse Prevention I Intervention · Specialist (SAPIS) in charge of the program, made a trip to Albany on March 17 to combat the cuts along with fellow members of the DC 37 Americ-an Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union.

The date for an upcoming vote by the state legislature to determine SPAltK's financial future has not yet been set.

SPAltK, which began in the early 1970s, has ·over 500 programs citywide. Topics, including drugs, alcohol,

tobacco, relationship problems, sexuality, eating disorders and suicide, are regularly discussed with students on a strictly voluntary basis.

The current bu?get for the SPAltK programs, according to Mr. Duke, totals approximately $19 million. However, if the revised budget passes, $2 million · will be cut completely from SPARK Furthermore, programs city-wide. one possible scenario would be the redirection of $8 million from schoolbased programs such as· SPAltK to community-based organizations (CBOs), which would then assume the role of the. SPAltK programs in city schools.

Mr. Duke, who began working .as a SAPIS in 1994, came to Harris fulltime approximately two and a half years ago. Mr. Duke works extensively with

Co-'Edi'ters.- m..Citief

Ari'el Brodsky

Benj:amin g,nyder

~arah Mahmood Editor-at-Large

Pearl Bhatnagru.;

Rebecca Seidel Et1itors..in-Training

Ashley Guzman

faculty and regularly attends training on an ru.;ray of topics. Along with the individual and group counseling Mr. Duke provides daily, he is also responsible for making classroom. presentations, speaking with parents and guardians, making referrals ·to the community, and working closely with the guidance office. · .

Mr. Duke was quick to speak of the strong relationships . the SPAltK program fosters in school communities. "I still have students that come back ... to check in,tell [me] what's happening ... we have that kind of relationship," he said. He continued, "We have ·established trust not only with students receiving services, but with schools at large." ''It's tough to hear [about SPAltK getting cut] and I really think it's going

News S'taff: Allison Bennett, Jasmine Daniel, Hayley Desmond. Shelby H-ooht, Cristin.e Khan, :Eunice Lau, Sydney Lowe, Nicholas Lupo, Freddy Millan Jr., Lory Martinez, R.upeshi Shah, Grace Shin. Rebecca SU2Uki, Tracey Wang

to affect a large number of students ... at Townsend Harris," said Student Union President Ryan Urquidi. · . . Students who have been actively · involved in the program expressed a strong desire to g<? to Albany with Mr. Duke to talk about their experiences. At first, Mr. Duke planned on taking two students with him, including Ryan.

"We really wanted to go [to Albany] because we are the most affe_c ted [by the SPARK program being cut]," said Ryan. However, they were not able to go for reasons unknown.

"This is -a - fight to save these services [provided by SPAitK], which hiwe proven to be successful and recognized as a. model program and save the positions of well-qualified, dedicated and devoted [SAPIS] staff [throughout the city]," said Mr. Duke.

'r'Ownsend B-arris Rigb School

at Queens Colleg~ 149-11 M:elbourne Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367

Feature ·staff: Jn.dira Abisk;a.toon, Heriseltla Begaj, Frank Corama, Emma Count, Abigail Ko:I\Her, Steven Lange, Dem~ The Classic is an open forum f,or the exetra Panagiotopoulos, Sharmin. Rash:ed, Katherine Valles pression of student views. The opinions ex-

13stller Whang

Ashley Knight Sports Editor

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•. pressed therein should not be taken to rep-

~port>S Staff: KiFst~n Guelly, Olt~Ver Lee, Damel Pecorar0; Et- r-esent fhose of the administration or faculty lin Perez, Grace Shin, Al!thur 'Parley . s.,uaen: .-. ..:~. ·t b. o. dcv ..~ a wb· 1 or ':! ...., . · o e.

Art Start:: Richie Bonilla, Ed:ward Farq;u;harson. Alice Hung, Readers are inv-ited to submit letters to the edtSafa Siddiqui, Katlherine Valles, Amy Wang, Esther Whang, Amy 'Juan · tor. Letters should be placea in Ms. Cowen's Liz Kussman HerlseMa .&gari mailbo" or e-mailed to th.hsolassic@gmait Photogra~hy Sta~: Aliza ~tman, Pearl Bhatrurgar, Re~ca com. The Clas~ic r~serves the right to eclit all' Art Editor Business Manager Cnu, ~gte ~1gen, Sltannln. Rashed, Alexan<ler Saaatmo-, letters. Letters must inchtde name anti o:Mcial , . , Anggletia S\Ujj,tpto , .. . , ..

PriDeipal- Kenne1lh Bonamo .AdVISor- l.sa Cowen class. Names wt'll be wtthheld u,po:n request.

Photography Editor

The Classic

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March 2009

42nd Street set to be a 'singular sensation' in

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by Allison Bennett You can "come and meet those dancing feet," as the musical 42nd Streets famous . song goes, on April 3 and 4, when the Harris Players will perform their rendition of the

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frequently-revived Broadway show about a man's efforts to direct a successful musical production at the height of the Great Depression.

English teacher Joe Canzoneri, the dire.ctor of the musical, said that

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he selected 42nd Street for this year's of musicals who also occasionally performance because he was well perfolllls in them. aware of the number of good dancers Freddy said that 42nd Street will be his available. · first public performance. He is looking "I was concerned tliat we would not forward to the play, and believes that have enough tap dan<:ers to put on this it is a great opportunity for performers production," he said, "[but] actually, and viewers to have fun. we have too many. Everybody who is Mr. Canzoneri said that his goal is tap dancing in the show has at least five "to make the show as prof~ssiona1 as years of experience, I believe." . possible. Because this is a high school In fact, the least experienced of the show, I think people accept that things tap dancers has had six years of tap don't always go perfectly as planned, ... lessons.but we still try our best so [audiences] Shannon Caparatta, j\mior, will don't say, 'It was good fora highschool · play Loraine Fleming, a dancer who show:"' helps out aspiring star Peggy Sawyer, Although he is excited about the who will be played by freshman Kyra show, Mr. Canzoneri admitted that "it Leeds. is a bit frenetic. We are doing the show "I was excited when I first learned three weeks earlier than we had hoped that I would be performing in 42nd because of [the limited availability of] Street because I was given a role that the orchestra." allowed me to sing, dance, and act," He added that 42nd Street presents she said, adding, "I am both excited many technical challenges in the form and nervous for the show, but I think of multiple set changes arid different it will be a success .... The entire cast backdrops, "but the dancers look great shows a lot of potential and ·everybody and the songs sound great. A musical is puts in a great deal of hard work." kind oflike going to a wedding: as long Sophomore Freddy Millan, Jr., will as the ·food and the music are good, ·take on the role of Bert Barry, a writer people are going to be happy."

Recent robberies raise safety awareness

by Esther Whang later targetted one of the friends, Recent robberies that victimized threatened the student while demanding two Harrisites have provoked an a valuable, and walked away upon increase in attention to school safety. receiving it. · The two incidents, which occurred on The school alerted students and Melbourne Avenue, emphasized the -parents about the in9idents through need to be "street smart," according to e-mails, letters, and annol!llcements.

School Safety Agent Alice Gatling.

Students received tips on staying safe, T}J.e first robbery took place on such as walking in groups, keeping March 12 at 7:45 a.m., before school valuables hidden from plain sight, and began. Social studies teacher Franco being aware of their surroundings.

Scardino, who witnessed the robbery According to Principal Kenneth while driving to school and intervened, Bonamo, additional safety measures said he saw three boys hitting another are now being taken to ensure the safety boy, who was from Harris. According of s.tudents, including police patrol to Mr. Scardino, the fighting didn't from the 107th Precinct during arrival appear serious at first, but when he and dismissal hours, and the presence realized that a robbery was taking of administrators during those hours place, he stopped his car, yelled "Stop," in order to "send the message that · students are being supervised." Tlie called 911, and aided the victim. · The second incident took place on school has also encouraged students Man::h 17 after sch,ool on Melbourne to make use of the Queens College and Main Street, near a bus stop.· A Portal, a. communication system that suspect approached a group of friends -· alerts students of any incidents that and began talking to them. The suspect might occur on campus through text

messaging and phone.

Mr. Bonamo added that the Police . Department has volunteered to conduct classes on safety for students, which would take place as an after-school program. Additionally, he said that he would support students interested in starting a club teac;hing self-defense. ' In fact, the Club of Women (C.O.W.), advised by English teacher Judy Biener, held several sessions earlier in the year that taught girls self-defense.

- Upon hearing about the inc1dents, Mr. Bonamo ·said he was "very upset andconcernedabouteveryone'ssafety."

He added, "We have the blessing of being in a safe school. When we're in a school like this, we need to make . sure ... everyone knows how to. ensure their personal safety."

Although he expressed concern, Mr. Bonamo noted that the school remains a safe place. "The school building is safe; the neighborhood is safe. We just have to be careful there are.no sporadic

incidents," he said.

Mr. Scardino, too, said he is concerned and surprised about the robberies, as he has never heard of such incidents in his nine years teaching at H'!fris. However, he also emphasized that the school remains a safe place.

"The area is very safe. I think the school is very safe. I think our students are among the kindest and most respectful group of teens," he said.

Mr. Bonamo noted that while students should be "cautious, aware, and smart," they should not be too worried. He added that the school's goal is to maintain safety through awareness.

"We have the responsibility to share information and raise awareness," he said. "My goal as principal is to be open about things. There are always incidents that nee.d confidentiality, but when the information will help, we need to share it ... Knowledge can be transferred into action."

Harris ear-ns highest rati_ng instruction inside the classroom," she continued from page I "familiar with the New York City said.

Ms. Brown wanted to thank "all the system" as she has worked with the Departnlent of Education for three staff and all the students for all fhe warm years. welcomes and the smiles.'' She added, She added that education in the "It's a delight to be here personally.

United Kingdom isn't very different Professionally, the administration . has from the education offered · here. been accommodating. I've enjoyed the "In Western countries .. .it's about informal conversations we've managed differentiation, making sure instruction to have as well."

Receiving . a score of "wellis focused on individual needs and moving each individual -forward as developed" means that our S'chool will well as stepping back and looking at not have to undergo another Quality · - the whole school picture to improve Review for three years. · "They trust that we'll continue to student outcomes," she said.

She does cite one difference do what )Ve were doing well. As we between British schools and New York -continueto work to better our reputation City public schools. "In very general to colleges and parents of eighth terms, [The U.S.] lags behind Britain graders, we know that people will look in the use,of technology. When I came at that rating and realize that we're to the land of Bill Gates, I expected to serious about improving instruction -be blown away. [In the U.K.], we use as much as we are concerned about technology an awful lot more, both for our students ge~ng good grades on administrative pllTposes and for direct Regents exams," said Ms. Fee.

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The C.lassic

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March 2009

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'Sc·iOiy' earns Spiri~t Aw-ard; places 27th at States

by Katherine Valles , The Science Olympiad Team earned the Spirit Award, a trophy given to the school with the most school spirit, and came in 27th place out of 49 participating schools at the New York State competition, held from March 20-21 at the US Military Academy of West Point The top five teams of each of the 11 regional competitions ·held throughout New York State competed for the top two places that would qualify them · for the national competitions.

Harris, Stuyvesant, Benjamin Cardozo, Collegiate, and the Dalton school represented the New York City region.

Harris students picked up medals in two events, Ecology and Experimental Design.

Amalia Stavropoulos and Alice Hung won sixth place for ecology, and Deborah Duke, Rachel Rosengard; and Alice Hung won fifth place for Experiment11l Design. . Additionally, Alice Hung an~ Olivia Steczko came in seventh place for Dynamic Planet and Caroline Egan and Rachel Rosengard came in ninth place for Disease Detectives.

"[Harris earned the Spirit Award mainly because] we · met another school whose bus broke down and we offered them a ride in our bus," said senior Rmneek Kaur. "It was a nice gesture and we made a lot of friends," she continued.

"It was so great to see our team come together in such a show of selflessness 'to win the spirit award. I was very proud of both the team members and decorations. Everyone gave their all this year and I'm so thankful for the great memories .

-t will. cherish forever," said senior Deborah Duke, technology secretary.

Fifteen students from the three Science.Olympiad teams were chosen for the regional competition and sorted into groups of two or three for each event. Also present at the regional competition were coaches Thomas· Sangiorgi, Phillip Porzio, and Assistant Principal of Science and Technology Susan Brustein.

According to head. . coach Katherine Cooper, the teain . covered all 25 events, some of which were not held at the regional competitions. ;Although students struj:ed

studying and building devices soon after the regionals, the week leading up to · the competition was the period of the most intense preparation.

"We were staying in school really late, like 6 or 7 o'clock," said junior Rachel Rosengard.

"When we got there, the students were ...ready," said Ms. , Cooper. "There was _a little confusion [with some .events], but they handled .it pretty well. Thankfully, we have 'helpers,'" she said, or members who volunteered to attend the state competition to assist the team.

Crystal Hawk soars into 361h place

by Sarah Mahmood made out ofplastic, was a "very The Steel Hawks, Harris's ambitious robot. Not only robotics team, came in 36th could it shoot, it could father out of 66 teams in the US ' the balls from the surface and FIRST Robotics Competition, . lift them up into a storage bin which spanned from March 6 that could hold up to 20 balls to March 8. which could then be shot out at "We did quite well, much a rapid rate," said Mr. Jones. better than last year," said The team worked seven days coach Philip Jones. He was a week, sometimes staying as especially proud that the late as lOp.m. "Everyon~puta students worked with a new lot of time mto it. We. stayed in programming language. school until 8 p.m. on average, The · competition started and came in during breaks. I on January 3, when standard really enjoyed being a part of ~ kits _of parts were distributed . the team because it allowed me amongst the schools and the to work with others in-putting "There were quite a lot of challenge was announced. In together such a big proJect," volunteers," said Rmneek. six weeks, teams built robots said junior Amy Yuan.

Among t~ose who aided "As many of them as team that competed in a game called Lunacy. the team was student teacher members. They were very "The object of the game Weldon MacDonald, who helpful, getting us whatever was to build· a robot that helped-program the robot, and we needed," she continued.

The volunteers also tested can pick up balls, and then James Carpino, a graduate team members' devices for the dispense them, either by student from Queens College.

Assistant Principal of building events and distributed . shooting or dumping, into the opponent's trailer," said junior Sdence and Technology Susan refreshments to students from Bobby Wanees. "There were Brustein was also greatly other participating schools. also shooters on each team involved with the team. "I "It's really stressful until who could physically shoot found the US FIRST to again you getto it [the competition]," the balls into the other team's be exhilarating. I'm very proud said Rachel, "but then you of the way the students applied realize that -you feel so good trailer."

Harris's robot, named ·information learned from last afterwards. Why would I ever Crystal Hawk because it was year," she said. not want to do this?"

Rahman, ·wanees present projects Qn television

by Daniel Pecoraro coached us on ~hat to say and · Juniors Aziz Rahman arid how to speak in fluent, simple Abanoub (Bobby) Wanees terms on TV," Aziz said: appeared on WNBC-TV's .

By 7:00 the next morning, Sunday Today in New York on · Aziz and Bobby were at . March 1. They discussed their . WNBC's "Content Center" at experiments for the preliminary 30 Rockefeller Plaza. round of the New York City .

"They positioned us to the Science and Engineering Fair right of the news desk and set (NYCSEF) at City College of up our boards beside us," said New York, in which they made Bobby. "They first did a teaser, the finals. According to Bobby, where they took a short shot of they were selected to appear us to show what was coming up "due to the relevance of [their] after the commercials. Then.:., project with the world today as the anchor talked to Jeannette well as its simplicity."

Kim ...:She talked a bit about Preparation for the segment, NYCSEF, .... asked each of us which aired at around 8:30 on questions about our projects, Sunday morning, began the giving slightly less time to Saturday before.

Aziz and me as the segment "We ... [went] to _ City. had run out."

College to train with one of Aziz said the two were a the directors at 7:30 in the bit nervous as they presented morning.

The [NYCSEF] their project. "I'm sure it was director, Jeannette Kim, noticeable on TV," he said.

Darwin .

D~y

by Heriselda Begaj Queens College hosted A Day for Darwin to "'honor the 150ih anniversary of The Origin ofSpecies and the 200th Birthday of '"the Man with a Dangerous Idea" on February 13. The Science Department was invited by John Dennehy, · a Queens College Biology professor who has mentored several Harris students for Science Research projects.

The classes invited included Science Research,

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Bobby, however, said · he was fairly calm. . "Being in front of the camera wasn't as nerv~-wnickingas I expected it to be. It sort of came naturally to me," he said.

According to their experiment abstract, Bobby and Aziz's experiment dealt with "determin[ing] whether conversion of dry algae into bio-fuel using solar energy focused by a Fresnel lens [a lens that "comprises small prisms arranged to redirect light into a unified beam"] was a viable possibility." They found that their specific ·species of dry algae could convert light from a Fresnel lens into biotUels, specifically charcoal and tar.

The goal of the experiment was to · "reduce the energy cost of producing biofuel by utilizing solar energy, reduce

the amount of greenhouse teacher Katherine] Cooper and gases in the atmosphere, while [Assistant Principal of Science eliminating an ecological and Technology Susan] threat that blooming ~lgae Brustein would also have to presents." be mentioned for putting up Aziz · and Bobby did not with niy idiotic-ness [sic] and complete their project · alone, spending numerous . hours having the help of the Science helping in any way possible Department. · and motivating us, of course."

"I can't possibly put According to Ms. Cooper, into words how helpful and "Mr. Jones provided the idea, influential the whole Science . the resources and the guidance Department has been," said they needed to complet~ their Bobby. "Any success I .have project." achieved, am achieving, or will After the finals on April 25 achieve will somehow work its at the American Muselim of way back to the THHS Science Natural History, the next step Department." for the winners will be the Aziz agreed. "The teachers Intel International Science and at THHS have influenced me Engineering Fair (ISEF), to be tremendously. I can't show held in Reno, Nevada in May. eno.ugh gratitude towards According to the NYCSEF [physics teacher Philip] website, "approximately 20 Jones for helping- with the students" will receive berths NYCSEF project. [Science to ISEF from the finals.

honors the 'man with a dangerous idea' .

Genetics, and Anatomy arid brought students from her shouldn't treat each other any Physiology. The event took classes, to attend, thought differently." place at LeFrak Concert Hall that the -presentations were . The day ended with a panel and consisted of a symposium "applicable and accessible to discussion, which provided the and panel discussion. _ the audience." audienc~ with an opportunity The day started with A Queens College · to ask questions. "My favorite an introduction by Queens . student majoring in English part of the day was being College Biology professor spoke- about evolutionary able to ask questions," said Peter Chabora. His remarks mechanisms.. Susan Brustein, junior Miranda-Myers. Senior were foll~wed by a series Assistant Principal of Science Aneury Hernandez mentioned of three presentations by and Technology, said, "[The that having the opportunity to professors who spoke about ·speech] connected the ask questions during the panel their research in evolutionary Humanities and the Sciences discussion helped him truly biology.

Science teacher and proved that people are understand what he had just Katherine Cooper, . · who the same and that people been exposed to. Ms. Cooper

----

.

said, "ILstudents came away with at least one question that made them think a little, great.

If it made them interested enough to do and do more research, perfect." Ms. Brustein agreed, stating that through the experience, "students developed an appreciation for the ... significance of Darwin's theory and gained an understanding of many kinds of research that prov~des evidence for the evolutionary process."

5

The Classic

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__j

March 2009

Festival of Nations celebrates cultural djversity

Members of the Korean performance show their pride with matching sweatshirts.

by E-m ma Court Flipping and spinning across the stage, the Chinese · Martial Arts group held the audience in awe. They landed back flip after back flip.

They cartwheeled endlessly.

They fought with wooden staffs. They tlu:ew punches and dodged them, and they executed flying kicks. The 'audience went wild.

The · performance was Seniors Annette Paciorek and Patrycja . hi' h fth Klimek display their Polish costumes. one ofth e h1g tg ts o e annual Festival of Nations event concluded with a sing(FON) that took place on along to Coldplay's hit song March 12 in the auditorium. "Viva Ia Vida."

The 22 acts gave studerits a Spanish teacher Beatriz taste of Harris diversity. The Ezquerra coordinated this performances ranged from year's FON, working with the the Hawaiian "Hula Mamas" Co-Presidents of Festival of to the Polish "Kiel Basa i Nations, seniors Sadik Uddin Pierogi," to the ·West Indian and Kieran Persaud. · Seniors "Brown Spice" routine. The . Tracey Li and Carmelle Alipi~ directed the festival. Dozens of students and some alumni contributed time and skills to make Festival of Nations a success . .

"My group re;:tlly worked hard and practiced nonstop;" said Christine Hong, a sophomore who participated in "We Got

Seoul,~'

the Korean

performance. "We really tried to put on a great performance for everyone and I thought we did really well!"

This sentiment was echoed . by junior Maria StaJ.l)atelatos, Dancers perform an Indian Bhangra dance at FON.

who said, "It took a lot of effort to put together a ·really great show."

Audience members were intrigued · by the numerous performances: "[FON was] · fun and an educational . experience. You get to leani about the dances of cultures around.the world," said junior Aqsa Ashai, who participated in the "Hebrew Songs and Presentation."

However, there were some concerns raised about this year's FON. FreshmanMaricel Fee, who worked as a stagehand duting the .performance, said that "looking out into the audience, I didn't see so many people. I think it's because it was a Thursday night."· JunioF Giovanni Barcenes feltthattheperformance"would have been better on Friday," and that an intermission would _have helped; Giovanni, Christine and

Maria are looking forward to participating again next year..

Maria said that the great thing about FON is that "you get to see the .roots of where people came from, and you get to see them grow and mesh with other cultures and styles."

Giovaii'iJ.i thought that this year's FON was much better than last year's, as did senior Lydia Nitchman. "This year's FON was the best I've ever seen · in the past four years.

All of the dances were really well choreographed and the costum~s were really colorful and creative," said Lydia.

"After taking part in the B'nai B'rith · contest that revolved around cultural diversity, I felt overwhelmed with the importance of individuality and at the same time united by · our differences on the night of the performance," said sophomore Elaiza Santos.

AU photos by Ashley Guzman

Multicultural We~k showcases ·international spirit during their lunch bands. Social

by Indira Abiskaroon and · she said. studies teacher John O'Malley .

Although Food Day, in Frank Corazza . Multicultural Week wa s which · Harrisites are able sang "Back Stabbers" by held from March 9-11 and to taste a variety of foods The O'Jays and said that he different cultures, "really enjoyed singing." culminated in the Festival of from was initially scheduled for Even Dionysus, portrayed by Nations on March 12. Initially junior Dino Demetriou., made 9, it was Monday, March scheduled during the week of March 2, it was rescheduled to postponed to Wednesday. On an appearance ·during lunch accommodate those attending Tuesday, Costume Day took bands ill honor of Dionysia ta · the rally against budget cuts place as scheduled. Many Megala, a celebration honoring held at City Hall on March 5. · Harrisites shared their cultures the god of wine. "[Karaoke Day] was "I think it's great that through customary garb, from our school has multicultural traditional Indian attire to fabulous andvery entertainirig," week. It's really cool," Korean "Be the Re-ds" shirts. said junior Jessica Costello.

Ol However; 1;he Costume contest On Wednesday, . the ~ said sophomore Demetra freshman class was the that was announced was Panagiotopoulos. ~ £ only group allowed to Sophomore Asha Amin cancelled.

Tuesday was also Karaoke partake in Food Day. Many, agreed . . "[Multicultural Week is] the most exhilarating Day, in which students and including sophomore Mitali experience of the school year," faculty sang traditional songs Modi, blamed this on "poor advertising." . Of course, this did not keep everyone from sharing the experience.

Sophomore Caroline Egan, for Juniors Audrey Agas and Cynthia Perez sport traditional example, "got some of [her] clothing on Costume Day. freshman friends to give -[her] some food."

Thursday was Flag Day, Mr. Stonehill said, '~There didn't see that many flags and students who participated were not many people wearing around," agreed sophomore . wore their country'sflag. Some . their flags, but I still think it J~remy · Michaels. However, Asha enjoyed Flag Day. "It decided to j11st wear the colors was a good turnout." of their country, while others "I was a little disappointed just brings out your country's wore their flags like capes. with Flag Day because I really pride," she said. .Mtl.LTICllLT7J..R.Iti-. Wi£'1C 2.009

a t

.6

The Classic March 2009

o.ay ~ of.· Silence

speaks for children living in poverlf

by Tracey Wang children around the world who To give a voice to over don't have a voice to advocate one billion children living for their own needs~ It was a in poverty around the world, huge event and millions around the Free ·the Children club the world participat~d." · participated in a day of silence The Vow stated that on March 6. The 24-hour Vow speaking, texting, E-mail, and of Silence was taken in an writing were not allowed so effort to raise money for clean there woufd be no means of water systems in Ecuador. communication. ·Also, those Junior Kibret Yebetit, Co- ·participating wore a tag or a President of Free the Children, shirt that read, "I am Silent," said, "The club at school is just . indicating that they'd taken a small part of the much larger the Vow. worldwide organization that For Free the Children's Cohelps impoverished . children President Maddy French, of developing nations. so· the junior, the Vow was about entire organization conducted more t}lan silence. "It's a time . the Vow and we thought that of.selfrevelation. It's aboutthe it was important for members importance of the freedom of to do in order to understand speech and how your words the values of · the entire benefit others." organization."

Although the original date She added, "It is meant to of the Day ()_f Silence was symbolizethestruggleofmany March 5, members ofthe club •

decided to have it on March 6 because the Quality Review was in progress.

This plan, however, was not successful because th~ Quality Review went on for two .days.

Members . of the club were then told to either start their 24 hours of silence at 8 AM or at 4 PM on March 6.

Yena Purmasir, junior, said, "We really couldn't monitor [the time people stayed silent], but if you can only do it for 8 hours, we're not going to kill you for it."

Student$ participating in the Vow had to break their silence if they were interviewed for the Quality Review. Charlene Levi, Free the . Children's advisor, said, "Your vow of silence dies when it comes to school work."· Aquib Yacoob, sophomore,

said, "This year, one of the hard to do, but it only made biggest problems was the people realize how difficult it QualitY Review. Like a few is for children in other nations other~, I •was interviewed. I .who don't just do it for 24 had to break my silence for . hours but constantly feel that about one hour. Otherwise, they can't speak or that no one everything was great. The will listen." teacher ·· cooperation was "It was extremely brd not fantastic." to talk. A lot of my friends The Quality Review was were trying to mess me up, not the only reason students but I would do it again;" Kerry broke their Vow. Kibret said, McEnerney, sophomore, said.

"A lot of people slipped up.

Yena said, "I hope that by the .

It was always by accident and end of the day, [participants] often someone would just say, learned something and ...

'Thank you,' or 'Hi,' without helped others learn something. thinking. It was innocent That's what really matters." and we all understood it was Freshman Nicole Chang hard. They just realized their said, "Normally people would mistake, took a minute to talk about what they're fighting regroup and kept going." for, but everyone does that. By She added, "It was hard not speaking about it, it makes for a lot of people to not the message even stronger and eommunicate through other people pay more attention to methods. Many found that it." >

Workshops raise awareness about ·genocide

by Frank Corazza and Emma Court A Bosnian man stares · out with widened eyes and creased br.ows, hands spread out and pleading in the air. There are soldiers in the background, and a gun · is pressed to his head. liis fate can only be imagined. A young girl from Darfur in a long yellow dress and red headscarf stands out from a sandy landscape, eyes · closed and face solemn.

These were just two of the many photographs presented

by The Telling History Project to Rafal Olechowski's sophomore English classes during a three-day workshop from January 21-23. · The program aimed to teach high school students about genocide and the ways in which civil society can stop it. Te lesson was preceded by a reading and discussion of Elie Wiesel's Night, ::.~-standard reading in the English 3 curriculum.

"I loved it from-looking at the photographs to talking to Jhe photographer. It was a very ~ifferent experience. It really put a face on what we were

,

._ · reading in the class," ·said Mr. · as I can." said Bria lives of genocide victims." really touching," Bria, however, felt Olechowski..

Luis said that he appreciated Johnson. • The representatives from the opportunity to return to Farzana Begum said the differently. "I feel like I'm one The Telling History Project . Harris for the workshop, pictures were "not so~ething person and there's not much were director Elena Haviv and because "we consider even · you would see every day. I can really do. We can make photographer Ron Haviv, as so much as one individual The pictures with the kids groups, but nothing's really well as Harris alumni Jennifer inspired to take action to be a were especially heartbreaking goirig to come of that," she (Jenn) Polish and Luis Vega, success." because they're like us but so said.

'07. Both Jenn and Luis joined Shaharia Uddin said, The students from Mr. many bad things are happening "Being in a safe school · the program because they Olechowski's - classes had in their lives." wanted to make a difference. mixed feelings about the visit, During the visit, Jenn and · environment, where an . we Jenn, who joined the although most of them agreed Luis had students participate care about is schoolwork and project in October 2008, said that the issue of genocide is · in various activities meant getting good grades, keeps our that although she has "all this important to be aware of. to show how they could act eyes and ears from news about Shanaaz Begun felt that to bring about change. One children our age and younger knowledge about horrors that are going on, ... sometimes it "the tragedy that is taking place of these activities allowed dying in the most severe cases feels like there is no outlet, in Darfur should be p,Ublicized students to act out the ways you could possibly think. This no way to help." She later in 'the media. People should in which civil society can • experience made me more recruited LlJ.is, who, as a pre- be aware of the horrific ·events voice their op,nions, such as aware of my surroundings."

The term genocide was med student,' hopes he can help taking place." blogging or protesting.

Jenn and Luis explained coined in .1944, and describes Victor Ban agreed. "Raising by "bringing medical aid to those types of war-torn areas." awareness of such vices in the further ways students can help violence aimed at destructing For Jenn, helping to stop world is important," he said. out. Roshni Ramdass said that an ethnic, racial, religious genocide is "a compulsion, "The best part of it, for me, · she ·~teamed a lot about the or national group. '!;he most o~session, call it what you was the visitor Ron Haviv," things we can do to help the current example of genocide will. I've not knqwn anyone said Elaiza Santos. "It was a situation in Darfur, like telling is the five~year-long conflict in personally who has been a good experience, seeing all of other people about it and Darfur, which has taken the _lfves of more than 300,000 victim of genocide, nor have his works and he seenied like donating money.;, I been victimized in any way. an important person."

Mark agreed. "The most people and caused the internal But we're all people, aren'twe?

Students had mixed helpful part was the ideas to displacement of 2. 7 million An_d so it is my responsibility reactions to Mr. Haviv's help, because even though we people. But genocide has - especially given that I've photographs, whic4 depicted can't make a big-scale impact taken place throughout history, always believed myself to scenes of genocide from all or effort, we can still do little most notably in. Armenia, things in our community that Rwanda, Bosnia, and during be the luckiest person in around the world. existence - to help out as much "Some of the pictures were will make a difference in the the Holocaust in ·Europe.

HIV/AIDS Day educators aim to 'change beh(Jvior'

by Abigail KofHer and who called it ''very touching students educating us was along with Mr. Hanson and Mr. great too, because you didn't Duke was Natashl;l Bankay, a Freddy Millan, Jr. and informative."

Peer educators visited Peer educators gave lessons feel awkward [as you would] JUlllOr. · freshmen, _· juniors, and to freshmen focused on AIDS doing so with a teacher. The A third year educator, seniors on. March 20 forHIVf. 101, safe sex, and Sexuality in humor and • laughs made it Natasha "floated" throughout AIDS • Day . organized by the Media. Junior and senior more fun and in my opinion it the day, and called the educators . physical education teacher classes discussed peer pressure was a great success," freshman "marvelous. They .were great Keith Hanson and SPARK and decision making. at improvising when necessary NiCole Kandinova said~ coordinator Marc Duke.

"I thought AIDS Day was Peer educator Alexei Furs, and were always on time and The studen! body attended a great idea. I learned a lot of · junior, took advantage of the prepared at their classes." an assembly featuring speakers things no one would have ever opportunity to teach. "As a Junior Alyssa Nagpal, a peer Stephanie Campos and Jilian told me," said freshman Ava first year educator, I had a educator, said, "Sitting down Sthill from the organization Ahmadbeigi. great time teaching my peers and sharing real-life stories with my peers helped to create Love . Heals during a double The educators promised about HIV/AIDS," he sai~l. _second band. Ms. Campos to keep things confidential .

To prepare for HIV/ a very comfortable learning provided genera! information so students felt comfortable AIDS Day, .students met on atmosphere, and it also led to about HIVIAIDS, while Ms. asking questions.

Some Wednesday afternoons and a spread of awareness about Sthill's personal narrative teachers 'even left the room Friday mornings to practice HIV/AIDS." Sophomores, who did not captured the attention of many or sat in the back to avoid lessons, sort out schedules and receive lessons because they audience members, including awkwardness. prepare necessary materials. junior Michelle Ciesielska, "The idea of actual Leading the peer educators have health classes, expressed

disappointment. Sophomore Kristin Eggers said, "I feel like I missed a great opportunity to learn about a life-threatening disease."

Repetition was another cause for complaint. Salwa Habib, a senior, said, "AIDS day · is very informative.

However to make it new and interesting, presenters should include up-to-date data and statistics."

"It is a fact that some lessons are repetitive, but the ultimate purpose is to change behavior. I want these lessons to haunt our students when they are confronted . with tough situation in college and beyond," said Mr. Hanson.

The Classic _

7

March 2009

Juniors to embark on first college tour trip

by Tracey Wang · In an upcoming trip organized by college counselor Antoinette Teague and social studies teacher Franco Scardino, juniors will have the opportunity ·to visit eight colleges on the-East Coast from April3 to April 5.

"This is the first time Townsend Harris has done it, so we're really reaching the big leagues here. This is a Pilot Program, a trial run," Mr. Scardino said.

Ms. Teague explained, "We want to offer Townsend Harris students an opportunity to learn about colleges more in depth, and to enhance the Townsend Harris reputation."

According to Mr. Scardino, only juniors are allowed on the trip "at the moment." The trip fee is $300 and includes two nights at a Marriott Hotel, travel, meals, lodging, and the tours of the college campuses.

The trip is scheduled to begin on April3 at 6:30am. That day, the juniors will visit Yale University, Wesleyan University, and the University of Connecticut. The following day, April 4, will be dedicated to Brown University, Harvar4! University, and Boston College. Boston University and Northeastern University will be the last stops for the Harrisites on April 5, . and .they will arrive back to school that . night. .

Ms. Teague said, "It's a valuab~e experience for students. Instead of just reading about [the schools], students will experience colleges firsthand: ...

It can be an exploratory trip for them to get a more intimate feel of the campus."

Amy Yuan, junior, wants just that.

She said, "I want to see [the schools] for myself- how the learning environment is, classrooms, lecture halls, and dorms -basically, student life."

Junior Angie Dylgjeri was "excited" when she first heard about the trip.

She said, "I thought the price was reasonable f9r seeing all those colleges and it seeme~ like a great opportunity to actually be able to meet the students since it's on school days ... .It saves me from spending a lot of time visiting

each college [one at a time]. They're doing it in multitudes so I find it very productive."

Michael Chen, junior, is riot going' on. the triQ. He said, "I don't plan on leaving New York City [for college].

Besides, I don't think I'll make those schools or be able to afford it if I miraculously get in." ·Senior Will Jo said that he would have "loved to visit" the colleges.

He said, "I think I would've liked to know what they would've been like; it's time off from school during a busy year. SATs, APs, and Regents had me ·

Amy thought this was "a great idea" when she heard about it. · She said, "That'll be very helpful; they can tell us what's different and how it is compared to Townsend Hams."

Angie agreed. "They know how Townsend prepares . their stQdents so they will be able to tell us how we can approach a college education," she said.

One thing the alumni may d~scuss on the tours is the difficulty of the college process. Ms. Teague said that students sho11ld not have their minds set on one s<;:hoo~ and that school only.

ffinnl With the econmny the way it is, I decided to go on my own college tripf

QUEENS Cou.fG.E

rmnn LWLW l. .·" l

flooded. I think seeing those colleges She advised, "Release ·th~ notion that would've been motivational for my there's only one school [you] have to studies." go to." .

Some students, like junior Walter She added, "It's good for students aartellino, are planning on visiting the . to expand their horizons." schools on their own. Even though he This is why there are a _variety of plans on visiting .the same schools, he colleges being visited. "We have a said; "I like the freedom of going when -nice mix, I think. There aren't just I want."

Ivy League schools .... Students get the Junior Alyssa Nagpal, however, opportunity .to compare and contrast," said, "It's a lot easier to go with the Ms. Teague explained.

Stefan Evans, junior, said, "I think school than it Is to schedule a visit on the weekends with my parents." _ it's important [to visit all the schools] Ms. Teague and Mr. Scardino have · because how else will we know? You scheduled meetings in several colleges _ need to be able to compare the colleges for Harris alumni to speak with the before you apply to them." students.

Mr. Scardino noted, "You don't

4

know until you try it, until you go there."

Ifthis trip is successful, Mr. Scardino said that future trips will includ_e SUNY and other upstate schools, as well as schools in the Northeast.

The mix of schools, however, was a problem for Clare Mao,junior, who said that she is not going on the trip because she does not have a lot of interest in the some of the schools planned for the visit.

"I think it's a · great opportunity they're offering students and I would recommend they continue to offer it," said Angie.

"It gives people who don't usually have the time a chance to visit colleges," Thomas Tsatsis, junior, said.

"The trip should be extended to · sophomores. Sophomore year isn't · a bad time to start thinking about college," said Claire.

There are about 50 juniors going on this trip. Lawrence Yu, one of the 10 junior boys who will attend, . said the problem was publ!,city. "Few people seemed to know about [the trip]. I h~d many people asking me about it as . long a:s two months after the deposit was due. I got a memo from the school about it...but even I completely forgot about it until a second notice was sent in February asking for the final payment," he said.

He added, "I think it was a good ide~, but more could have been done to ensure that everyone knew the deadlines."

However, many students are excited about the trip. Lawrence said, "It feels like a field trip with classmates, with the college visitations being the perk."

Alice Wong, junior, said, "I am really excited for the college trip because I get to see .all the colleges I wish I could attend, but would most likely not get into. I'm excited for the hotel room parties and the chance to buy sweatshirts from dream schools."

Mr. Scardino joked, "Any · opportunity I have to leave the city, I take it."

Ms. Teague said, "I'm excited to . see the students get excited."

Sadie ,Hawkins da-nce is 'lowest attended' event idea of a · guest Coordinator of Student Activities Freshman Marta Tomaszewski said dance featuring the Adam Stonehill said that "it was that she didn't attend the dance because tradition of Sadie definitely the lowest attended [dance]" none of her friends were going.

Sophomore BrianRiverahad another Hawkins arose in for several reasons. "I think in the end r:: a Consultative we needed to advertise more. Clearly reason. "!"didn't [go] because I was ~ Council meeting · it seems guest dances are unsuccessful; -bombarded with homework," he said.

0 several months [they're] not something everyone goes Another sophomore, Ashley Lecaro, § before, and the to," he said, adding, "It;s not one of said, "I didn't feel in the mood: It was ..0 a busy week and they didtl't hype it up · event sold about those all-encompassing events."

Junior Judy Zeng said that the dance enough for me." £ 100 tickets "was badly advertised," and sophomore Junior Almedin Javorovac said, ~ overall. ..o · o..

Josephine Lo Bryan Medina agreed that "more "The dance would've been okay if Brutto, who runs advertising would have made it better." more students showed up." Sophomore the Student Union Student Union President Ryan Urquidi, Juliet Prieto agreed that the event was" (SU) store in senior, said, "The dance served as a very disappointing." , the cafeteria, lesson to those who seek to plan future Health teacher and chaperone Maria Junior Ashley Newman, sophomore Bryan Medina, and freshman _Stephanie Vourderis party together at the Sadie Hawkins dance. noted the low events. Advertising was a weak point Assante said, "I just wish attendance ticket sales. in this su event, and from now on we would've been better. I hope that it

by Lory Martinez "I was very will work to maintain a transparent will be better ·advertised in the future . The girls asked the boys to the Sadie surprised when they didn't sell. I was connection with the students about because it's always a positive school .Hawkins Dance, held in the gymnasium wondering why, because we usually do what they should keep their schedules thing." open for." · from 6-9 p.m. on February 27. The well with the dances," she said.

<

The Classic

8 ---------=------------------' ·Junior earns top-1 0 .spot Rainbow Reading promo s in Poetry' Slam contest ·· · tolerance t.hrough Poetry March2009

L_

•••••~•.!l••u-

added that she improved a lot from the

by Nicholas Lupo Thiahera Nurse, junior, placed workshops. among the top io in the New York .

"At first! would just recite my poetry Knicks Poetry Slam Program. The -like I was reading a newspaper," she 14 finalists performed on March 7, said. "I guess. I didn't feel comfortable fighting it out for $30,000 in prizes, putting my own voice into it and being including scholarship money, a laptop, · vulnerable in front of an ~udience." and a printer for the winner.

However, "the workshops helped me Thiahera first stumbled upon the get ovel;" that hurdle."

Knicks Poetry Slain in the contest At first, Thiahera was "just excited folder by chance this year. "I had heard to get on stage and perform." As she about the Knicks Poetry Slain before, came .closer to the finals, she realized and I was really interested. I've always that, in ·a sense, it wasn't a performance admired slam poetry from afar ever at all. "It was basically my time to present my 'thoughts and feelings to a since I can remember," she said.

"I have been writing ever since I room of 12~ people," sh~ said. could pick up a pen," she continued.

"But for most of my life, I've kept Since she made the finals this my poetry to myself." Despite her year, she will not be able to compete enthusiasm for her. work, she needed in the Knicks Poetry Slam again next some prodding from close friend before year. However, she said, "My poetry definitely doesn't end with the Knicks she would enter the contest.

The first stage of the contest was Slam." · She continued, "I will be writing the open auditions on November 15. .If called .back, contestants attended until I am not physically able to do so, poetry workshops with mentor~ from and by doing the Knicks Slam I know Urban Word NYC. This organization, that I am in lqve with spoken, word according its website, "presents literary poetry."

Thiahera draws inspiration for her arts education and youth development programs in the areas of creative poems from ju~t about everywhere. "It writing, journalism, college prep, is an amazing feeling to write a poem and believe in whatever you have literature and hip-hop."

Thiahera's ·mentor, Mario "Fish" written," she said, adding, "If you ju~ Vargas, made a lasting impression on open your eyes and ears to the world her. "He was very real," she said. ''He around you will be forced to react ·to wasn't there to lie to us. If we needed your· surroundings. _For some, their to improve or change something in reaction is music, or drawing. My our poetry he would tell us." She reaction is poetry."

~ .................. -

to explain that part of the profits from the reading will be going to SAGES. .After an introduction by Phoenix adVisor and English teacher Robert Babstock and the Co-Egitors, SAGES advisor Franco Scardino kicked off the ~ · reading with "When I heard at EJ the Close of the Day" by Walt . >- Whitman.

0 ~ Juniors · Eilin Perez and ~ Lindsay Sovem read from ..0 .

• .s the works of Allen Gmsberg, .[ while seniors Bryan Gamble .. and Matthew Watton read song lyrics by a homosexual musician. Sophomore Brandon 0' Shea talked about the achievements of the LGBT . .

Junior Eilin Perez contributes to the, Rainbow Readcommunity m the sctenceing, the latest poetry reading co-sponsored ~y The Phoe- . fiction world. ri . ,. W

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_,_..

"'

nix and SAGES (Straights and Gays Educatmg Students).

by Liz Kus$man · The Phoenix and the club SAGES (Straights and Gays Educating Students) came together to host the third poetry reading of the year on March 6. Harrisites gathered in the : library after school for The Rainbow Reading, . which fostered awareness of and offered support for the LGBT (lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender) community.

"We want to support SAGES and their campaign for the acceptance of any sexual identity," said senior Keren Sharon, Phoenix Co-Editor-in-Chief along with seniors Stephanie Cherestal and Diana Buchalter. She then went on

Senior . Daniel Lehrman said that the reading "echoed the diversity arfd acceptance of the school." · · Junior Megan McCaffrey, ~member of SAGES, was glad to see "so many people excited about the cause."

"It is long overdue that a poetry reading dealt with this theme," said Mr. Babstock. "Gay poetry is essential to AmericaH. poetry."

"I think it was successful.- there were definitely great moments," said Diana. "People really came together to support the cause, and we are so lucky to be in such an understanding school. ... This kind of reading might not be possible everyWhere." ·

Gold Key awards recognize .Harris w·riters, photographer I

I

by Rebecca Seidel did. Her winning writing portfolio · It often happened that I'd meet a friend of a friend and we'd become friends The Scholastic Art and Writing included three poems and two short and in my head I always took out a big red pen on them. I spent time with them Awards honored four Harrisites this . stories. Kate also won an award for a and enjoyed what surface oftheir personalities I was exposed to the same way · year with regional Gold Key awards. poem she had submitted separately.

I appreciated a unique idea that would make a good poem. As walls broke SeniorKateLu,juniorKristinaRodulfo, "As a writer, this award makes me down, their surface expanded and word count increased, I always had my and sophomore Tamara Yunusova won feel validated in what I've been doing big red pen ready to stall me from accepting a final copy. I don ~like their exawards for their writing, and senior for more than half my life," she said. clamation point, there s too m{my question marks, I would think, yet I'd stick Angel Sutjipto won an award for "To be recognized by professional to them iii an effort to fix their run-on thoughts and reversed order ideals. photography. writers as having some sort of potential Excerpt from junior Kristina Rodulfo's memoir, "Why Those Happy In total, these four students amassed makes this one of my .greatest personal Face Doodles Appear in the Left Margin" seven Gold Keys, which are the highest achievements." . distinction given by regional Scholastic Angel, who won a Gold Key know that your hard work is being said Tamara. She noted that Scholastic judges. Now that they have won on for photography, also feels honored recognized by a professional party," accepts entries in a variety ofcategories, · "It's nice to she said. "It encourages me to pursue including short stoties, journalism, and' the New York City regional level, by the recognition. photog:raphy." poetry. The art department also has their work is up for national Angel's ~ing photograph many subcategories. · competition. was shot over the summer, during a The contest is held every year, and "When I . got the Stuyvesant High School summer arts the deadline for submissions is usually big envelope saying program. "Due to the fact that I was around mid-January. Regional winners 'Congratulations!' on the always ·surrounded by other great are notified within two or three months . front, I literally screamed," photographers, I drove myself to of the deadline. said Kristina. She won a total . improve and become better during a "Now, Scholastic is emailing me of three Gold Key awards: short period of time," she recalled. with tons of new opportunities .for two for poems, and one for a =.g.

Some of Kristina's work also other contests," said Kristina.

She memoir. "I wasn't expecting · ~ derived from a class setting.

"I wrote added, "Contests like these are chat_1ces I'd win anything." ~ the poems in Creative Writing [class] for you to share your talents, pave ways· For Tamara, who had ~ last year as assignments," she said. · for more opportunities, and realize, won a Silver Key award two £ "The contest was introduced to me by perhaps, you're better than you thought years ago, this recognition ~ [EnglishteacherRobert]Babstockand you were.'' ~ "wasn't as surprising as it '8. I needed to do a contest for Engtish 5, Angel said that the competition is "a was the first time." Still, she so I took his suggestion." great way to convince your parents that feels "proud and somewhat For Kristina, the memoir, her you have what it takes to pursue your accomplished" that her poem other winning piece, "was more like a artistic dreams, whether as a writer, a won a Gold Key this year. revelation that I needed to sort out to photographer, or an artist in general."

The contest _is open to fully understand, and what better way Kate added, "Even kids who don't students in grades 7-12, to do that than to write about it?'' think they'll pursue a career in the arts, and is open to submissions All four winners recommend this but feel like they have some sort .of in .a~l categori.es of art and Angglelia (Angel) Sutjipto's photograph of passengers on the contest for any aspiring artist or writer. talent, should enter. You never know wntmg. . Semors can also Staten Island Ferry, taken during a summer photography course "This is a golden opportunity for where you can go when you're doing submit portfolios of their at Stuyvesant High School; received a Gold Key from The work, which is what Kate . Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, those who are interested in writing," something you love."

a

The Classic - - - - · - - - - ----~ - _ ________

Romantic

film~

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9

March 20Q9

get strong reactions from viewers

women are financially independent.

Edward Cullen, Noali Calhoun, Landon Carter.. Mention these names .to a . Romantic movies are nice for girls . . · · teenage girl and you'll receive a response of delight. These men from romantic They're not accurate as_ we know, but · films, Twilight, The Notebook, and A Walk to Remember, characterize the male they doh't give a misconception to personality in romantic films -- sweet and charming. However, while girls say girls. If anything, they raise the stan. they enjoy watching these males, boys generally say they don't. Some ofthem. dards." · claim romantic movies aren't realistic, and even work against them, because they Junior Cynthia Perez said that she raise a girl's.dating standards. doesn't paf!icularly enjoy films of JuniorBobbyWaneesbelievesthat this genre because they influence her romantic films give girls unrealistic · perspective of love. She said, ."Perexpectations of guys~ He said, "Girls sonally, I don't like romantic movwatch th6se posers act all roman- ies because they're unrealistic and · tic, but ip_ reality, it doesn't happen. can make me depressed. Sometimes Girls then expect guys to treat them the way people view love is unrealis. a certain way, but they shouldn't." tic imd scary. I like romance, but roHe added that girls "should expect mantic films don't fit in my realistic kindness and stuff like that, but not expectations." She added that girls the extreme lengths the actors go who believe the movies portray realto," which freshman Michael Nitolo life "are going to be crushed when it agreed with. According to Michael, doesn't happen." · .· However, there might be some ad"Guys should be polite, b~t girls can't expect them to always. be perfect." ditional positive aspects to romantic Contrary to these male opinions, films, according to both males and females. For one, guys say these movies can some girls say these movies don't teach them how to act around their girlfriends . .Freshman David Wong said that give them that sort of hope, but just while "watching these movies puts a surreal idea of what guys should be like provide for fantasies. Junior Janelle and raises expectations that they can't reach, guys could take ideas from them to Viera said, "The movies aren't an please their girlfriends." · , accurate portrayal of Senior Lydia Nitchman added that males benefit reality 'because they from watching romantic. movies. She said, "I think that because girls watch these kinds of movies, guys don't show all the faults and make the guy' seem too perfect. They're just fun to don't feel pressured, but they might think it's okay to watch ,and wish you had a boyfriend like that." Senior Marsia ·act romantic."

Bulbul agreed, saying these movies "let you escapefor a while."

However, according to sophomore Jane Lee and While some girls think such fantasies are harmless, others disfreshman Courtney Utsey, romantic films do put pres·sure on guys. Jane said, "Guys feel more pressure beagree. Senior Maryam Azam said, "It makes love seem like the most important' thing irr life." Judy Biener,' English teacher and cause the films exaggerate everything. Girls know it's advisor ofC.O.W. or Club ofWomen, a club that focuses on ferriinot true, but they really wish their boyfriends would act that way." Courtney noted, "When I see the guys nism, said, "It's a complicated question. I think there are some peopie in the world who don't need a loving, committed relation-· acting a certain way, they set the standard for how I ·ship to be happy. On the other hand, I wouldn't want young girls want my boyfriend to be." to think love is the most important thing. When you're young, it Due to the higher standards that come with romantic movies, sophomore Chang-Jo Park strongly disapmight be the most popular thing, but it's dangerous to get inter.twined in a relationship with someone until you know yourself." proves of the movies. He said, "I think these films Ms. Biener also said that .feminists view the romantic film as should be bann(:d because after girls see Edward Cuiharmful to girls. She said, "The conventional wisdom is that it's len, their standards become too high, and they expect unrealistic, that it teaches girls to wait for the knight in shining their boyfriends to be perfect." armor to come in and sweep them off their feet. That's unrealisBoth Lydia and freshman Sang Kim, however, tic. It promotes passivity and sets them up for disappointment or agree that romantic films benefi~ both guys and girls. worse. I agree with that to some extent but that's a typical femmist According to-Sang, "When girls watch these movies answer." with their boyfriends, they have a good time, because they give the girls a real~ Junior Angie Dylgjeri, member of C.O.W., said that romantic films aren't so istic point of view of romance, and guys can learnwhat to do from them." Lydia negative. She said, "I think that older movies show women as damsels in distress added that, "If a couple is watching a romantic film together, they might say, 'Oh, . and.as completely hopeless, but in newer movies, there's gender equality where we can be like this."'

by Esther Whang

.

Lengthy la_ s t names leave lasting impressions correct pronunciations are bound to . People have such trouble to fill in or bubble in a lot more spaces Many of us grew up singing about get butchered. Tracy Dimaculangan, pronouncing Tim Wongbuphanimitr's [on tests]," she said.

Long la:st names are associated with John Jacob Jingleheimer-Schinidt, junior, argues that her last name is last nanie that they often stop trying and how his name was our name, too, . pretty ~imple to pronounce; however, after the first few syllables. Former people of c.ertain nationalities. Thai simply because that is how the lyrics "since my last name is so long, people physical education teacher, George surnames, for example, are . usually go. However, many people are able to are often overwhelmed and overlook Rio, for example, had what Tim called lengthier than others. "In Thailand, relate to these lines more personally, as the fact that it is pronounced just as it is "the funniest pronunciation" when he the alphabet is different, so when you translate a [last] name into English, their surnames, like Mr. Jingleheimer- spelled." Although many of her friends said, "Won-gap-a.. .I give up!" ·Although it bothered him as a kid, it appears longer," explained Tim. Schmidt's, are unusually long. mispronounced her last name freshman When Ramona Gobinrajloo, junior, year, they did eventually learn how to Tim, a senior, no longer minds the Greeks, too, tend to have lengthier, "We're surnames. sat to take her yearbook picture, the say .it correctly. "Most people don't inconveniences that comes·with having multi-syllabic photographer started counting the give up on the pronunciation of my last a long last name. "Eventually I got famous for long names," Nicole said. number of letters. in her last name, name because they usually realize that used to it, but from what I recall, it was Her father legally changed his Greek after noticing the length of the writing it's quite simple once I pronounce it for a pain for me to learn my whole n.ame · surname to a much shorter "Markou." · by the first grade. Also, my name got When asked whether she would !!Cross her ID card. "The grand total them," Tracy said.was eleven," she stated. Nicole Other students, like Nicole, aren't cut off on my School ID card, but hey, change her last name to something shorter, Ramona stated, "Over time, I Markopoulos, too, has heard comments so lucky. "I always had pr:,oblems no big deal."

Unlike Tim, a long last name is have come to really like my last name about her long ~urname from her peers, with people pronouncing my name. I especially following an ~ssignment in usually have people Americanize it by more of a nuisance for Nicole. "I once because it is something that separates her A.P. World class in which she was pronouncing it as "Markopolis." I've feared that my name wouldn't fit on me from everyone else. It gives me a required to present the history of her had people call me "Marco Polo" and my jersey. I also don't like having such spark of individuality. As for now, I last name. "I've been teased by my for ~orne strange reason my seventh a long last name becausdt _makes my would never change my last name to . friends about [my last name's] length~ grade histery teacher was convinced email address long," she said. Tracy something different because I am proud with them telling me 'it has every letter that my last name was "Markowitz" agrees that having so many letters in of the people I share my last name with of the alphabet,"' she said. and even wrote [that name] on stuff he her last name can get tedious. "The part -- those people being my mom, dad, I actually do mind is the fact that I haye and two brothers."

With such len~y . surnames, gave me," she said.

by Pearl Bhatnagar

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The crassic March 2009

Check your source: H-ow rE!Iia-ble is Wikipedi.a?

4 .

by Rebecca Seidel · been directly involved disagree planet is given free access to the to have with teachers' these websites, web addresses · limitations on with the" .edu" extension come "Welcome to Wikipedia, the sum of all human knowledge,"' in the Kennedy assassinations imposing free encyclopedia that anyone said Mr. Wales, as quoted in of both John and his brother, Wikipedia, many others think from recognized educational the book Wikinomics. '"That's Bobby" (qtd. in Rea4). This the restrictions are justified. institutions. can edit."

However, The greeting words on what we're doing"' (71). false claim went undetected "Not all the information is scholars aren't the only ortes Wikipedia's homepage Because it is not limited by site administrators for over accurate," said sophomore who post information on these , (wikipedia.org) speak the truth. to paper like a . regular four months.

J.P. · Amato, adding that "one websites. Students from these "Anyone" means anyone: . a encyclopedia, Wikipedia Since then, Wikipedia's false fact can have serious schools also use the ".edu" credited expert, an unqualified continues to grow, with articles executives have set new consequences." extension, so not all material to A junior disagreed. is of scholar-level quality; stranger, . or someone who is encompassing everything from restrictions, · hoping While some students use just really bored. It can even ancient - history to modem ·boost accuracy and prevent - "Students should be allowed to _ be you.· vandalism. - At one time, ·use the source, but at their own Wikipedia in conjunction with culture.

"Once I added 'I love However, due to the constant creators of articles could be · risk," she said. "They should other websites, about 11% of Now, users double-check the 'legitimacy those polled shun Wikipedia rubber duckies' [to a Wikipedia addition of new information, anonymous. article]," said senior Lydia as well as the _stream of public have to register tmder a name of the information." altogether -during research.

Nitchman. Sophomore Lory editing, not everything 'is before creating new articles.

Students have made a "I do not use it at all," stated . Martinez has also "edited" always correct. In spite of Also, entries on heavily clear .distinction between Dimitri Otero, freshman, Wikipedia for fun: she once the site's routine using Wikipedia explaining that "peopl~ can added her own words to an maintenance, for preliminary put false information there." . entry · about the color blue. inaccuracies researchandciting Sophomore Freddy Millan, "They left it for two weeks have remained . itinabibliography. Jr., has a different outlook. before changing it," she unchecked. .While 92% of "Everyone thinks it's a bad "It doesn't those surveyed resource because people can recalled. said . they add whatever they want to the This poses a question: if guarantee anyone can edit Wikipedia, reliability," said have sought articles, but it's not like that," information on · he .said, adding that there are then when it comes to research, Ms. Getting. how much can one trust the "You have to take the site, orily 20% people who... check the site site? it with a grain of have actually regularly for inaccuracies. ·Wikipedia administrators salt, because , it's · used and cited "Wikipedia is ·a much better . do designate people to manage not always the it in a research source than people are led the entries; to make sure any most accurate." project.

Out to believe. I love it," he added information is relevant Wikipedia's of that number, declared. and accurate. Articles undergo lack of · Either way, Wikipedia has only a few faced · frequent maintenance, and consistency is repercussions become a modem cultural misinformation is usually . problematic to such as deduction phenomenon.

All students removed quickly.· Lydia's both student · of points. surveyed said they were "rubber ducky" addition, researchers and "There's no familiar with the website. As for example, was removed their teachers. reason to · lose of January 19, Alexa.com, . 2001, points on . such which ranks websites by traffic, within days. "I guess whoever In a thing," ·said places Wikipedia as the eighth regulates the site caught my inconsistencies s o p fi o m o r e most Visited site by Internet faulty editing," she observed. led the history However, the basic premise department at Marissa Shieh, users globally. The seven who agrees above it are all industry giants: of Wikipedia is that everyone M i d d 1 e b u r y has the initial power to edit College in Verinont to ban disputed topics or people (e.g. with teachers' restrictions on Yahoo, Google, YouTube, · articles, regardless of their Wikipedia citations. Concern George W. Bush) are locked Wikipedia research. "I use it Windows Live, Facebook, level of expertise. According about the online encyclopedia from public editing (Tapscott for general information only." MSN, and MySpace.

English teacher Rafal Nevertheless, Wikipedia's to Wikipedia's "About" - had risen 'after numerous 74). In these cases, personal page · (http://en.wikipedia. students included identical opinions don't ever reach the Olechowski said, "It's an place as a research tool is still okay first-look, go-to place, evolving. It is up to the user to org/wiki/Wikipedia:About), . inaccuracies about Japanese text. having diverse contributors history on their exams. The Wikipedia · articles also but not a last place to look. determine if, -when, and how "provides the access and professor traced the inaccuracy contain citations in the form . When yo~'re doing a research to use it. breadth on subject matter to · its source: Wikipedia. of links, ·so readers may trace project, it shouldn't be your Sources that is otherwise inaccessible According to The New York information back to original only source."

Wikipedia's administrators or little documented." Also, Times, this incident led to the sources. In the article "In Cohen, Noam. "AHistow I>~ent Bans Citing Wlkipedia as a Research having many editors makes college's new restriction.

Defense ofWikipedia,'' Diane give the same advice. The Source." Mew York 1!lm.¢s 21 F~ 2007.

Mew Ylltk Twes .Online.

UnlikeMiddleburyCollege, . Murley observes that this database contains a page artiCles more timely and open Online. Internet 30 Deceniber 2008. to correction.

Townsend Harris does not have makes the online encyclopedia that assists researchers in -<ht!p:/l;www.n)\tilnes<~;omt:2007t0St2U cducatlon121 wikipcdia.html> Wikipedia is powered by an official Wikipedia research a vahiable reference tool, citing Wikipedia articles However, many especially when beginning a (http:/ I en. wikipedia. org/ software called "wiki,'' the policy. ".-edu Home Page." ~ 2009.

Onllne. Internet. tS Januacy- 2009. wiki/MediaWiki:Cite_text), Hawaiian word for "quick." teachers warn their students project. <hnp·!fnet,educause.edntcdudomam/> This software grants editing against using it as a source.

To further bolster but it comes with a warning: "Gleba! Top Sites." Alexa· The Web access to multiple users, rather Out of -188 students of all dependability, when there "Citing an encyclopedia as InformatiQ!l Comoanv f9 January 20'09. On:line. Internet. 19 Januacyenough citations an important' reference in than just one (Tapscott 71). grades surveyed in classrooms aren't 2009. <httwilwww.a!exa.OO!lllsi~ People often use wikis to run this month, 174 claimed that within an entry, or ~fan entry footnotes or bibliographies may top~sites> collaborative web · projects teachers have restricted them appears biased, Wikipedia result in censure or a failing "MediaWiki; Cite Text." ~ administrators place a note - grade. Wikipedia articles to which different · people from research on the site. l!he. Free Encycl.Qpedia 4 October 2008. Online. Internet. 15 January "It's not a terrible SOUrCe, of warning at the top of the should be used for background contribute. "The term 'wiki' is 2009.. <ht!l!:i/en..wikipedia.orwwkindex. alLover the place," remarked . butldon'tthinkit'sacreditable page. Freshman . Tymoteusz information, as a refere.Qce for php'ttitlc=Medi.a'Wiiki:Cite_text &Gldid=243008436> Susan Getting, Assistant one, either. I . have seen Trzaskalski noted, "If someone correct terminology and search MuiJ.ey. Biane.

"Ih Defense of Principal of Humanities, 'who misinformation disseminated," posts false information, it's terms, and as a starting point W1kipedia."

Law .Libmry Journal has seen it used in numerous said Humanities teacher . usually poorly done and easily for further research."

Swmner 2008. Online. Lexis--Nexis, 26 December 2008. <ht!pdiw.,;wlexisnexh. spotted."

The statement continues:. web pages.

Georgette Wallace. com.central.ezproxy.cumr.edu:2048'1ns/ AP World History teacher These cautionary measures "As with any commUnity-built After · being introduced to tnaeademie/reswltsldncv!eW,'d<>oMH!!W. do?docLmk;Jnd~trne&risb~21 T54590 wiki technology, Jimmy Wales Aliza Sherman has a similar have increased confidence reference, there is a possibility 29305&fermatc'~Ff&so'*"R:ELEV and Larry Sanger founded attitude toward the site. "I in Wikipedia's reliability. "I for error in Wikipedia's content ANCI?i&strutDool!il& -l&resultsUrJKey · 29.. T$459029312&cislr22 _T54890298 Wikipedia (a combination of don't like them [my students] used to be more skeptical of it - please check your facts 1.1 &we-e.!IJ!ro;.~true&treJJW!dth~csi<--'1 45277&docNo~l> '~wiki" and "encyclopedia") to use it," she stated, adding than I am now," Ms. Getting against multiple sources." in 2001. The site, run almost that "some of the stories are remarked. "Atleastitidentifies This is precisely what Read, B!Wk. "Can W'lkjpedia· Ever Make the Grade?" 1ihe Chr:Qniele of what's put online responsibly, sophomore Abigail Koffier · exclusively by volunteers, completely fictitious."

Wwldneation 27 October 2006: AJ<l.

This was indeed the case in and what isn't." However, she does during her research: "I use _ 'llh!! Chronicle Online- Olllille. lntemet. gathered a total of 18,000 26 il'ecember 2008. <h«p;&du:p:niclc. 'entries in its first year. Today, . a well-publicized scandal back continued, "I wouldn't suggest it [Wikipedia]," she said, "but ooml.&cct,<§,3{~Hlft0a()3Ji01 .hmll> the online encyclopedia has in November 2005. A vandal or recommend using it for a I check it with another site, over two million articles. edited a Wikipedia entry about research paper or something ·something ending :ln ·'.edu. "' ~"Imagine a world in which journalist · John Seigenthaler, of a scholarly nature."

According to www.educause. every single person on the Sr., writingthathewas"thought · While some students edu, the domain source for

WIKIPEDIA The Free Encyc_loped'ia

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The Classic March 2009

Archon induction ceremony celebrates community service liaison Helen Gaudette and

by Ariel Brodsky The Archon Induction Principal Kenneth Bonamo~ on March 18 recognized "In my speech, I discussed the community service the importance of holding achievements of about 180 onto a vision for this new new and returning members, Archon year," said senior Jane who gathered in the auditorium Whang, outgoing president of Archon. "It is most important to receive their awards. "[Theceremony] was really for the leaders and ultimately nice ... short and sweet," said all members of Archon to Adam Stonehill, Coordinator strive to see more fundraising of Student Activities (CO~A) or more awareness in the and Archon advisor. "I community."

Junior Natasha Bankay, want to thank the Guidance Department, especially Ms. incoming Archon president, [Angela] Sarmuksnis [and] said, "I look forward to and Ms. [Marijana] Liseca working With the new board [secretary] for all they did to and I hope that together we are help out." able to help the community in The incoming Archon . many more ways than we have Executive Board members already done." were welcomed to their new The ceremony also featured positions by the outgoing board student performances. Junior in the Flower of Tra~ition Michelle Ciesielska played Ceremony. ~peeches were·also "Prelude to Wohltemperierte presented by several of these Klavier,No.1,"byJ.S.Bach,on students, while congratulatory the piano. Freshman Jennifer remarks were given by Mr. Gersten and seniors Amy Cha, Stonehill, Queens College Brian Hu, and Kevin Huang

also played a Bach piece, ·in .Concerto for Tw~ Violins .

D Minor, 1st Movement. The last musical presentation was Leonard Cohen's "Hallel~jaht sung by senior Divya Mary Janies, junior Christopher Zhang, and sophomores Jason Kim and Ezra Ok, with Ezra's ac-companiment on the guitar.

Assistant Principal of Pupil Personnel Services Janet Solomon administered the Induction Pledge' to first-year members, after which students .of increasing standing in Archon received their awatds on stage: . Each participant placed ·two jars of baby food into collection boxes as a first act of service after induction.

Archon members perform at least 80 hours of community service per year while maintaining a minimum overall grade point average of 85.- Returning members must also complete two charity walks and one charity event.

Mu Alp_ha Theta 4 honors math achievers

by Daniel Pecoraro Mu Alpha Theta, the inatherriatics honor society, welcomed 109 , jtinior and · senior inductees in an informal ceremony in the cafeteria on March 13. Although usually held on March 14, Pi Daynamed for the mathematical ratio of the circtunference to the diameter of a circle, which is 3.14 - fell on Saturday this year.

"Pi Day is an important date in the mathematics world. It's nice to celebrate two things [Pi Day and Mu Alpha Theta] in one day," said Ms. Liu. After a brief welcome by Ellen Fee, who is Assistant Principal . of Mathematics, Physical Education, and Organization as - well as Mu Alpha Theta's advisor, the program began with an adaptation of the game show Family Feud with the juniors competing against the seniors.

Questions focused . on math

and Harris life, such as "Top Reasons to Procrastinate on a Math Collateral." The juniors defeated the seniors by score· of350 to 225, earning the right to eat the meal of pizza and fruit pie first.

After the . distribution of certific~tes came the traditional raffie. Prizes included graphing calculators and elevator passes~ The Chuck Jones cartoon The Dot and the Line was also supposed to be shown, but the projector did not work.

Junior and first-year inductee Janelle Viera said, "I thought the ceremony went really well."

Mathematics teacher Aleeza Widman enjoyed the informal setting. "There are so many formal gatherings, so it's nice to celebrate something that's more relaxed," she said.

Mu Alpha Theta inductees have at least a 93 average in math, a 90 average overall, and have completed Math B. ,

a

Wir:1ter Carnival .Personals At the Winter Carnival on January 26, The Classic sold personals to students, teachers and parents. They are published below in no particular order.

Please note that the editors reserved the right to exclude messages or omit statements that were deemed inappropriate for publication.

Hi, Bmma an:Gl Nata~ia!!

--Olivia

From: Mr. Bonamo Good luck to all students in the spring semester!

From: Ms. Lonergan Wishing all my wonderful _ U.S. History students a rewarding and fun spring semester.

!Dear Jeatmette ana.Peter, We are at the fair uaw, and we were persuaded to litU.bl}sh the fact that W<tl ~ove you in The Classic. · Lave, Jane and Zaeh

From: Olivia Go lb-chie. Swim fast.

Oreos and bubble tea are AWESOME!! :D

From: Mr.s. Getting, To Social Science Research I: Good luckin the - NYC History Day Competition! :

From: Emma Court Rebecca is ,super cool, plus Dougie is amazing!

From,: Yena Purmasir Clare, I can't heJieve I

Wliote this.

Prom: Daniel Peeora:r o

To the Class ctf 20l0 we're inching closer to senior year! Good luck, all'!

From: Clare Mao Yena, get over your feat.

Linda, please buy a horse.

/

From~

Ms. Getting

To $oc:i:a;l !S:cieaee lteseat:c-la I: GeOlii luck iu. the NYC History Day Cotn-

petitiolil·!

From: Richard A. Bonilla To Emma and.Olivia: You are my sole inspiration in life.

Francesca, Congratulations. You are alm9st there! · Love, Mom, Dad, Daniela, Antonio, Teodora, and Matteo

Pro:m! Stephanie Gergoudis and Aiy;a AbouiJaker Platypuses are reaUy

l'rom: Jeannette Raymond ILOVBALLMY .RJ.NliORS'! :B-ut you knew that!

From: Ms. Assante , I think my 3rd and 4th . band step aerobics classes ROCK!!

amazmg.

From: Ms. Fee Math rocks!

From-: Aaonymous FINiD Tim INNER.

CHILD WITmN YOU!

From: Philp Kim

Hiabigailandlery:Famreal1ycheapsa1i$'.11lmakingthisonewordsolonlyhavetopayoneticketyougu:ysare-

coalandsoisemmaool!lt.tsin-

To Rebecca Suzuki: I love your sushi during lunch!

Love, Natalia

c,er>Cl:vmhllil.!tbm Froml Jane (E:oo Ah) Lee Come te $eek:ers, ltotnn 531 on Friaays. We have

l0tsaffuo!

From: Liz KussmanMaria, you are the greatest Spanish.buddy. I love El Cid!

From: Ckelse~ Pellet Te EJ.nFna: you ar"tl the caolit;;St persan EVER.

From: Elaiza Santos U is for Ukuleles.

Pltitip and Malamo -

Best ~eker 0uames ever!

Even when I spftl water al1 over the iaor! :) Abig~l

From: Jane (Eon Ah) Lee Jane Hong, you're my favorite senior.

From: Emma

Eiaiza, you. are so amaUt.g, 16 W0l!Os Cannt>t desorit>e~

From: Anonymous Hey Budsk:y- You Totally Rock!

Fro:mr Anooymous

From: Elaiza Santos

I LOVE ltOMANTICtSM:!

Emina Court is one rad fish :) I LOVE YOU.

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12

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The Classic

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March 2009

La,dy H,aw,ks triumph in season's f:irst game

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Senior Cecilia Ehresman achieved her first no-hitter of the season.

t,y Ashley Knight The Girls' Varsi;ty So~ball team had tlt.eir :first game of the F'~AL season on March 34 at Martli:n Van lll!lfen High School. It was a cola day and the team continuously ran to thek coats in between innings. Despite the weather, the Hawks managed. to win the game 12-1.

In the fi.t.st inning, senior Francesca ~ar.talini hit a dou@le. allowing senior captain Cecjlia E.luresman ana jUJ'lior Allisun Donovan to get to home ease. A1S Dartaltni advanced to secom:i ease, her teammates cheered, ..:Bartalini!

Brooklyn Academy Bobcats_Claw Hawks -out of ba~ketballl playoffs dcftmse collapsed on Murray the loss, he said, "We are still

by Eilin Perez The Boy's • Varsity and he made an excellent pass upset about our 2-point loss Basketball team's season to me." On the finish, he said, !n the semis, but I feel that ended just one ·win short "I took two steps and ended everyone got better." Coach of an appearance in · the B with authority." Jones added Denunzio · shared tQ.e same Division championship game. five rebounds and four assists thoughts, as he said, "[The team] became a cohesive unit Amidst . a packed crowd at to his 32 p·oints.

Down by 10 at halftime, . in every aspect of the gan1e," i:he Hunter College gym, the Hawks lost to the Brooklyn the boys ·needed to return to and especially became adept at Academy Bobcats 63-65. The the game with more eriergy. "making quick adjustments in loss closed a season in which Coach Frank Denunzio lauded orde1; to be successful." · Next year,' the team will be the Hawks went undefeated the boys' effort, saying, "The in regular games and finished boys cam.e out in the second without captains Sheldon Jones with a record of 21-1. The half playing tenacious and and Ryan Van Winckle. Coach Demmzio, on losing Jones and Hawks ·also finished first in the aggressive defense." , He added, "they Van Winckle, said, "We are Queens B East Division and were the third seed in the B continuously pressured the losing two key seniors .. Jones ball, causing havoc for our broke the all-time scoring Division tournament.

In his final game as a opponent." Leading th&: charge record for Townsend Harris, Hawk, senior Sheldon Jones were juniors Thomas Tsatsis, amassing over 2,000 points. scored 32 points. Jones's hustle and Sukhjinder Singh, and Van Winckle compiled the most shone in the final seconds of . senior Ryan Van Winckle, ,.Vho rebounds in school history." the second half. On a fast break were '_'relentless in pacing the Nevertheless, Coach Denunzio looKs to remain "competitive sprint down the court, junior Townsend attack."

With the Hawks leading :in with our returning and new Thomas Tsatsis passed the · ·ball off to junior John Munay. the final seconqs of the game, student-athletes."

Summing up his time as a As the defenders rushed to the Bobcats nailed a three- · point shot from afar to put the Hawk, Jones said, "We went. Munay, he . passed the ball . winless my first year -so for Hawks at a two-point deficit to Jones, who emphaticaiiy dunked the bidl over a player that was never overcome. us to go undefeated in my last of the opposing team. Jones Singh summed up the game year is great."

Denunzio Coach· had been fouled on the dunk, by saying, "This game was a By far it was one of the mentioned "a quiet locker thriller. so he drained the free throw to complete the three-po~nt play most exciting and depressing room" after the game, but and gave the Hawks t11e lead. games I've played in my life." added, "I told them they had Tsatsis had 15 points, nothing to be ashamed of and Jones said he was "following the play in case of a missed seven rebounds, and two assists they represented Harris with lay-up." He added, "the in the loss to the Bobcats. On pride and class."

1lartaini!..

B}!u;e&Ji.l\an showed off her pitchtng ablities when she .managed to pull off a no-mlter. ''During tfie sixth inning. I got nervous wnen my dad said, 't.luree more 01.Us and you '11 have a no-bitter''' said Ehresman. ''I was happy I was aale to putl it 0if because it was my :llirst no-hitter of the sea-

Ha,wks begin outdoor season

s0n."

Dl!lfing the fifth i;nning, when Bhresman was p;itchtng, she acci<tenta:lly nit the leg of a Van Buren :Bee. The opponent screamed in pain and was escorted. off the aeld .ftl)r the rest of the game. During the sixth inllling, jtmi(!)r Iv~ Uic was hit ey the sofltball in tne ankle by tlhe Bees' pitcner.

Ceacn Malia Cohen asked 1Iic if sne wanted a substitute but she deciaed te> continn'e playing.

"The girls did. a I§Feat job today. The game on Frlday against Car<l0zo wlda be m0re e'R@llenging,, but.! know we'll be able to put 11p a good fight," said Conen.

Players

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IJy Daiel Pee0:raro The Bays' Varsity Track team opened 11p lhe outdoor season at Ranttatl's I;sfarul 011. Waren 21. The fast track at lcahn Staci:wn boded welil for tne Hawks, who haa several tnem&ers place ftii~nly in their even:ts. .T'lmior Daniel :Baamande :f''l acea hipest amoDg the Hawks in oompetition. He rallk'M :6Ith in the discus tnrow with a distance 0f 95 :feet, and p:J:aced 11th in t\he varsity skat ]llllt with a (it'Stance of 37 feet, 1. 75 inches.

Senior David VauPan reacned sixth place in tile varsity 40t meter dash with a time of 52.71 seconds, as wela as eightn place in tne varsity javelin threw with a distance of 82 f~et, 1 incn.

Fresnman Alex Back had tne hi-est placement of any freshman on the team, acme:ving 16th place in th:e fiieshman 200 meter dash witn · a time of 3g seconds.

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Name: Ryan Urquidi Grade: 12 Team: Boys' Varsity Volleyball

Favorite part of being on the team: Having fun Pre~game ritual: Tying shoes

Pre-game snack: Drinking water, Kashi bar

Hero: Abraham Lincoln Outside Team: None