Classic newspaper Volume 26 Issue no. 9

Vol. 26 No.9 Summer 2010

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aSSlC Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367

Budget cuts threaten progra-ms; spark reaction

by Rebecca Seidel For the past month, letters have been pouring into New York's administrative offices protesting the city's cuts to Harris's budget for the coming year. The cut - which will slash over 10% from the school's money supply, if passed as-is - will necessitate reductions in faculty and elective offerings.

The reduction in money supply stems from Governor Paterson's cuts to public education in his proposed state

budget for 2010-2011. There is pressure in Albany to lighten the burden placed on education, but unless the governor alters his current proposal, the city will have to work with what it has been given.

These cuts build upon reductions in funding that have been piling up for the past three years. The magnitude of the budget cuts has sparked outrage among students, faculty, and parents, who have been writing letters to

government officials appealing for $650,000 in additional funding.

"They've heard everyone loud and clear," said Principal Kenneth Bonamo. "I've gotten calls from people who work in the central Department of Education, _ and have heard from elected officials [as a result of the letters]."

The campaign to save the budget has not been limited to paper. On June 16, eight teachers represented Harris ~"": ...." " , _: as members of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) at a rally in front of City Hall that drew members of over a hundred municipal unions. A handful of students joined the teachers at the rally to show their support.

In spite of everyone's efforts, though, the budget situation is still bleak.

For administrators, the impending cuts

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raise the question of what to slash from an already tight budget.

"Everything's on the table," said Mr. Bonamo, explaining that as of now, each department will have to reduce its staff by one person.

While some departments have teachers retiring anyway, five teachers and one secretary still might be excessed.

As a result of these reductions , classes will have to be reconfigured. In a letter to students and parents, Mr. Bonamo listed the elective classes that will be "affected" by the budget slash - essentially everything beyond Townsend Harris 's core requirements.

Whilethey won'tallnecessarily be cut , these classes will be reworked to fit within the new budgetary restrictions , meaning that sections could be cut, or the curriculum could be restructured.

Assistant Principal of Organization Ellen Fee explained that last year, the school was given an extra $160,000 after appealing for an extra $350,000 in funding.

"The remaining money that we didn't receive was absorbed by our new enrichment schedule," she said, "reducing our overtime (per-session) expenses . This year, we made an appeal for $650,000. We are not able to cut anything else but teacher positions - and with that, elective classes."

Advanced Placement (AP) classes that correlate to a required Townsend Harris course - such as World History - are not in danger. However, any AP courses that don't replace a Regents-level class will possibly be cut or resized.

Mr. Bonamo said that if there are too few classes as a result of the budget cuts, there will have to be a "study hall" system implemented to replace class time. While he recognizes that students have thus far exhibited "o uts tanding .. .performance despite successive budget cuts," he also stresses that further cuts will deduct from the school's vitality.

"We have to make sure that kids have something to strive for," he said.

§~I~Jo!lr I?as~!'mn~e £.r~~tes st!~ky sit'=t~!!~d~Oili_

Japan had just scored a goal. Like others in the cafeteria fifth band watching , the FIFA World Cup Japan v. Cameroon game on June 14, sophomore Mayisha Ahsan was cheering loudly. She looked away from the television for a moment and heard screaming again. She assumed that another goal had been scored. She was wrong.

Instead, she saw five to seven seniors lined up by the window behind her, throwing boxes of food and chanting, "Seniors, seniors!"

"Towards the end, it was either curry powder or garlic powder - they had boxes of it - and they threw it in the air. It just smelled really bad and it was hard to breathe. A bunch of people hid underneath the table; some kids just walked out," 'she said.

"It w~tty bad. There

They rampaged the whole entire place...from the tables by the window to past the middle of the lunchroom. Everything was covered in food, milk, and powder. It was a huge mess," she continued.

The prank, planned by a few seniors, resulted in the administration ordering the seniors to either leave the building or stay in the auditorium until they had classes.

More than 30 students, however, said that they were told to just leave the building, and only heard of the option to stay in the auditorium later.

Dean Wanda Nix confirmed that Mr. Bonamo's original instructions gave students the choice to remain in the auditorium, but said that since "things were a little eraZY," students may have heard different things "depending on when and who they heard

Retirements pg.4 T

"I came out of my economics class [fifth band] and found...[faculty members] in the hallway. They were saying that senior meeting was canceled and that all seniors were dismissed. I was confused, so I asked some people in the staircase and they told me about the food fight," said senior Tasnia Ahamed.

"Then I went down to the third floor and I was in the College Office for a few minutes with a bunch of people when... [a faculty member] came in and told us all to leave, and if we needed to come back for . some reason, they might let us in later - might. My friends and I went to our lockers and as we were getting our things together, a few of the teachers started yelling at us to exit the . building," she continued.

The faculty . member in question declined to com-

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Dr. Colakis on Jeopardy! pg.5 T

Many seniors waited outside the building for further

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The food fight started by some seniors on June 14 leaves 'a huge mess.'

instructions, while others left.

During this period, seniors were not allowed back for any reason. A senior who needed to use the bathroom was not per-

Senior College Destinations pgs.6-7

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er senior unsuccessfully tried to enter the building to ask an

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administrator a question, but the person would only answer his question through the door.

Mr. Bonamo noticed the continued on pg 5

Summer pgs. 10-11

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The Classic . dummer2010

Editors say good-bye after a long but rewarding year Sarah Mahmood, Editor-in-Chief It is difficult for me to write this - perhaps, because on some subliminal level, I do not want to. After months ofeagerly anticipating change, the moment has finally arrived...and yet I cannot help but feel a little sad, because it has also sunk in that to experience new things, you have to say goodbye to the old - and I' ve never been good at goodbyes.

This year was by far the most controversial one for the Classic, one that truly tested the schoo l's commitment to our First Amendment charter. I am proud of my staff for having the courage to write contentious articles, but I am even prouder of Principal Kenneth Bonamo, for making the right choice - the difficult choice - to unwaveringly support our First Ame ndment rights.

We also set another record this year - we published nine issues, more than any other year in Harris history. While there are many people who deserve to be thanked for helping us achieve this feat, I am only going to list a few. The entire list is longer and more tedious than an Oscar acceptance speech, so I hope you will forgive me for this indiscretion.

To my staff: I'm sorry. I know I bombarded your email inboxes, pleading with you to please send your article by this evening because we really need to go to printer and this is holding us back. Thank you for putting up with me and thank you for being so enthusiastic and dedicated this year.

To my fellow editors and, later on in the year, editors-in-training: Thank you for not leaving me to deal with stressful deadlines alone. Thank you for making staying more than five hours after school so much fun that the security guards come in and check up on why we're laughing so much. None of the success we achieved this year would have been possible without you.

And of course, thank you to Ms . Cross and Ms. Cowen for staying late with us, and editing articles mercilessly. Even more importantly, thank you for supplying us with so many snacks. I'm pretty sure I've packed on l0 pounds because of all the choco late chip cookies you bought for me, but it's okay, because they were really, really good.

Thank you to all the teachers, especially in the Humanities Department, who distributed the paper to their classes, encouraged them to write letters to the editors, and always stopped me in the hallway to say that they loved the new issue.

I would be remiss to ignore one person, and that is my mother, also possibly the Classic's biggest fan. Mom - it's really embarrassing when you insist on showing copies to guests and your co-workers and find ways to casually brag about the awards it has won, but it's also very sweet and encouraging.

And now, I would like to thank you. You will never come close to guessing the amount of time I have spent this year working on the Classic. The number of hours is embarassingly large. But when I saw you, flipping through the paper when you should have been paying attention in class - all that stress was worth it. Thank you for having me as your Editor-in-Chief. This was an amazing year, and I am so lucky to have been a part of it.

Pearl Bhatnagar, News Editor During my four years at Townsend Harris, I've encountered more grammatical tenses in foreign languages than I have boys. I've encountered too few shoulders and too many maroon lanyards. But mostly, I've encountered a lot of complaints.

Take offense if your hobbies include narrating epics to your mother's friends about the backbreaking amount of homework you receive here. Take no offense if vent ing to your peers is all that gets you through your grueling underclassman days. But if you want to grow up to be of any importance, what you need to understand now is the significance of taking action.

Quit comp laining about demerits and go write a letter to the editor. (Her name is Rebecca Seidel and I'm sure she 'll be glad to hear your grievances, as will the administration, who I am positive pick up The Classic now and again.)

If you are upset that even your traditional Indian mother* is less conservative than the Townsend Harris Dress Code, come up with a conv incing argument for exposing thighs and sit in on a monthly School Leadership Team meeting. (I've heard that Mr. Bonamo ends each meeting asking if there are any other issues left to discuss . This would be your cue).

If you think about it, it essentially comes down to this : if a student can get the World GuP to show on a flat screen TV during fifth band lunch, most anyth ing is possi ble (see pg. 3).

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. Esther Whang, News Editor

As I recently cleaned out my bookshelf, it dawned on me. High school was really over. Like all things, my four years at Harris were coming to a close, and I fondly looked at the remnants of my time here. My freshman year collateral on India's caste system, Spanish-5 notes on the subjunctive mood, and definitions from March Madness Month all rem inded me of what now seemed like the "old days." .

Looking back at my high schoo l career, I find it difficult to sum if up. It certainly had its share of challenging moments, consisting of tests, overlapping deadlines, and finals. But the memories that I have found to stand out are those that in many ways define the fruitful experience that is the Townsend Harris experience.

One of the lessons that Harris has taught me, and I'm sure many others, as well, is that working for rewards is not satisfying. Working on the Classic has, in fact, been one of those fulfilling experiences that did not need rewards to make it so. Writing, editing, and staying long hours have shaped a large part of my and the rest of the editorial staff's year. While the rewards of working on the paper were not always concrete, I have realized that awards cannot measure the value of the teamwork that made every issue of this year's paper possible.

I 'h ave learned firsthand that high school is neither just a place, nor an institution of learning. It is a place for growth and discovery. It was a place to meet lifelong friends, and a time to develop strengths. As we move into the summer - some of us to return next fall, and others to enter new schools - I hope we can appreciate what we 've learned this year, or even for the past two, three , or four. While our efforts may have seemed in vain at times, the rewards are not always tangible - at least, not yet.

Budget cuts: a familiar story

by Rebecca Seidel "City Budget Action Criticized; Townsend Harris High School Cut is Called Inexcusable; ' a NtfW York TImes headline reads.

If you 're an avid nmes reader, you might be puzzled. While the city's proposed budget cuts to Harris for the coming year are indeed inexcusable, you probably would have noticed if the paper singled out our school. Why wouldn't a headline like this have attracted your attention?

Maybe because it's from 1941.

I路 Backwhen T0wnsend Harris was an all-boys academy, Mayor LaGuardia uSe9- budgetary restrictions as an excuse to cut funds to the school, forcing it to shut down. While our school today is by no means in such danger, it stUI cowers under the threat of budget cuts from the city - cuts that will hurt our curriculum, slash faculty members, and minimize our strengths as a selective public high school.

It's a wonder that after so much time, people still don't realize how vital education is to the city's continued growth and progress. Sure, everybody recognizes its importance on some level. But if the importance of a full education were completely understood, schools like ours wouldn't have to be struggling to provide its students with what they deserve. It's a vicious cycle. When money for education is cut, potential leaders are lost. Motivated students find fewer rewards. With an education lacking in depth, they see less of an incentive to move forward. They make less informed decis ions when they ' re older - and thus, the whole process begins all over again.

A school like Townsend Harris needs an enhanced curriculum to serve its students. We're at this school because we want to strive beyond the parameters of a bare-bones education, and because we want to serve our community in the future. We want this vicious cycle to end; we want to be a part of the solution.Mayor LaGuardia didn't realize that in 1941 . And judging by our projected budget for next year, our current government doesn 't realize it eithe r.

Apparently, nothing has changed in 70 years.

*Mom, this is not a reference to you.

News Staff: Allison Bennett, Candace Burten, Frailk Cemzza, Hayley Desmond, Caroline Egan, Eunice Lau, :Niehelas Lupo, Preddy Millan Jr., Lory Martinez, Kristina Rudalfo, Rupeshi Shah, Grace Shin, Rebecca Suzuki, Tracey Wang

Saral1 :MaJ1nlooe.

Editor-iD.-ehief

Rel>ecca Seidel Feature Editor

Pearl Bha.agar Es1her Whang News Co-Editors Sharmin Rashed Pkotography Editor

Eilin Perez Sports Editor

Liz Kussman Art Editor

Aliza Altman Di"pabaliChowdhury Business Managers Ilsa Cowen Caroline Csess Co-Advisors

Kennetn Bonamo Principal

Feature Staff: Indira Abiskaroon, Quinn Batten, Emma Court, Chandi Ghuman, Margaret Jill, Abigail Ko#fier, Elia Leviyeva, Genna Mastellen, 831ma Mohamed,CatherineMoskos, Demetra Panagiotopoulos, KatherineValles, Yuval Solomon Sports Staff: Raht:tl :Bhasin, :Benjamin Horowitz, OLiver Lee, Daniel Pecorare, Eilin Perez, Grace Shin, Arthur Tarley Art Staff: Riohie :Bonilla, Edward Farquharson. Alice Hung, KatherineValles, Amy Wang,Amy Yuan Photography Staff: Pearl :Bbatnagar, Rebecca ebu, NicoLe Godreau, $amiha Khan, Karen Rose Kim, Misty Kim, Nicolette Nanton, Marissa Shieb,Yuval Solomon

TOwnseDd Barris Digh School at Queens College 149-11 Melboarne Avenue, Musking, NY 11367

The Classic is an open forum for thl expression of student views. The opinionj e.ressed therein should not be taken t; r ep r esent those of the administration OJ faculty or student body as a whole.

Readers are invited to submit letters to thj editor. Letters should be placed in Ms. Cowen', mailbox or e-mailed to thhsclassic@.gmail.com The Classic reserves tne right to edit all lette Letters must include name and official class Names will be w ithheld upon request.

J

The Class ic Sum mer 2010

, Opinion:

Missing prom, but not by choice

by Pearl Bhatnagar "Who said senior year is easy?" This statement has been uttered countless times by the exasperated seniors who were given some sort of false hope at the end of their junior year. Life is hectic. Between Queens College electives and Humanities seminars and especially college applications, you question whereall your free bands went. ' .

With everything going on at once, and without a homeroom teacher asking for it, it's easy to forget to hand in a blue card. The line to sign-in is so long after Humanities that you tell yourself you'll wait until it' s shorter. Then you make your way into the library to do your Euthyphro journal and get so caught up in Plato's philosophy, you truly forget to go back. Racing to get to your Government class on time after Anthropology 101, you weigh the option of either walking into class with your thick North Face jacket or getting there three minutes late because you de~ided to stuff it in your locker.

When you finally do get time to slow down, you sit on the third floor facing west. It makes the most sense to you because, well, you actually want to make eye contact as you speak to your friends.

It's easy to rack up demerits for insignificant infractions: It's also easy to be "careless" when the .questions looming over your mind are life-altering ones. Which university is the best one for me? If I splurge on an undergraduate education, where will that leave me when I apply for medical school?

Whom will I take to prom?

That is, if you're even allowed to go to prom. Forty-nine of the nearly 280 seniors of the class of 2010 accumulated more than nine demerits, which was enough to bar them from both the baccalaureate awards and the epic milestone that is "the best night of your life." Yes, teenagers can act unruly. Sure, teenagers may abuse the trust conferred on them. But there is no adequate explanation for over one sixth of Townsend Harris High School's senior class being excluded from such momentous events.

After four years of service to their communities, four years of measuring up to the highest standards, Harrisitcs should not have these events so easily snatched away.

Those with fewer than 16 demerits have the option of partaking in the "school beautification project," wherein one demerit is removed from a student's record after two hours ofwork. And though some of the 18 participating seniors may have gotten one of their nine plus demerits for chewing gum, scraping other people's dried out wads of Trident White does not seem like fair punishment.

Scrubbing desks or filing papers doesn't seem right, either. There are more productive ways to serve one's community. To make the same kids whom the administration flaunts as "the brightest students in the city" do hours of chores to gain the right to attend senior prom is absurd.

More preposterous 'is that baccalaureate award nominees do not get this chance. If a student were a clear-cut winner for a specific award, he would be out of the running by virtue of his nine plus demerits. Even working on the "school beautification project" would do him no good. Now if this student received his demerits for a serious reason, taking away the award seems warranted. But when insignificant infractions add up, it is disheartening that a student's demerit count will trump his academic achievements.

By paying such a high price for minor oversights, what are Harrisites really learning? The , administration argues that it is teaching students "life lessons," but the only one being taught is that there is absolutely no room for mistakes-a lesson that should be frowned upon. Slapping on referrals for trivialities will not condition someone to be perfect. Even Harrisites are human; mistakes will always be made. The demanding course load and high expectations coupled with nit-picky rules and the dire nature of their repercussions do not make for a healthy mix-or a happy student body.

Either demerits shouldn't be so generously doled out (Level 3 Insubordination for wearing leggings?) or the number of demerits needed to be barred from prom and other major events should increase. If a student still needs to work off demerits despite these modifications, the community will be better served ifhe takes a cue from the senior project and donates his time to a soup kitchen. And to my fellow seniors who missed out on prom: my stuffed chicken wasn't all that great anyway.

World Cup broadcasted live in'student cafeteria [Yang] to help me out because

by Tracey Wang As Mexican player Rafael I couldn't reach the power Marquez scored the equalizer button. Jerry fumbled around' in the World Cup opening and got ESPN without any game between South Africa sound, but it was all good."

"Well the TV is there," and Mexico on June 11, the entire cafeteria roared with Jerry said, "so why don 't we use it if we have it? The World excitement.

The television screen, high Cup only comes around once on the wall near the Student every four years so it's a shame Union store" displayed the to miss the special games. gam e as it happ ened live from Also, it is a good time for the Johannesburg, South Africa. students to become friends There was no sound from the with each other and bond." screen, but it was deafening For many, watching the in the cafeteria: every fumble game together was what made and pass was met with cheers it fun.

"I enjoyed watching the or frustration.

Junior Alice Kim was game in school more than I responsible for the game being enjoy watching it at home: I liked that everyone got so into aired during the lunch bands.

"I know there were a lot of it and we were all cheering kids who were upset that they together. I thought it was a had to miss it because of class, nice break from the regular . so I thought maybe if I can get school day," said junior Anitra it during my lunch band, we Singh said. " It was cool because it was can watc h the second half of the game ," she said . "I came all the nat ions coming together downstairs during my lunch to play soccer, regardless of band and saw the television in their backgrounds and we're the cafeteria ." watching it together as a group Alic e then decided to of students who are also from ask aide Paul Sforza if she different backgrounds," said could turn on the television to senior Giovanni Barcenes.

ESPN .

Sophomore Fiona Cheung, "I think he thought I was however, said, "Personally, I j oking, so he said that if I can don't really care for the World turn it on, I can watch it," she . Cup, but everyone else was said. "I asked [senior] ' Jerry rea lly into it," she said.

'25 at 25' gala celebrates achievements of recent alumni

by Pear l Bhatnagar and R ebecca Seidel .

The buzz ofexcited chatter filled South Street Seaport's Harbour , Lights restaurant, where three generations of Harrisites mingled and shared memories.

Alumni of the original Townsend Harris High School, as well as more recent graduates, faculty, and current students, ,all convened on June 12 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the school's reestab lishment The gala celebration, organized by the Alumni Association, honored 25 graduates of the reopened schoo l who have "exemplified the spirit of the Ephebic Oath," according to the associ ation's , webs ite, by making distinctive contributio ns to society.

Following speeches byCo- ' presidents Tanya Odom and Craig Slutzkin as well as Cochairman David Herszenhorn, all honorees, each of the 25 graduates were presented with a certificate from the Alumni Association. . As they stepped forward in response to the guests' applause to a designated area

in the restaurant, a large PowerPoint projection displayed their photographs and biographies.

"I'm an extraordinarily lucky principal to have been around to see these successes," remarked founding Principal Malcolm Largmann about his former stude nts' accomplishments.

Retired chemistry teacher Michael Anz el ., felt the alumni's '0 'OJ achievements were rJJ <IS a reflection on their .,,Q'"'" . ., alma mater. "The best PI:: thing to see is how >. ,Q many really successful .so ,Q students there are. e, Many have jobs, great careers and it is a testament to the school Three generations of principals join honorees to celebrate the school's 25th birthday. and to themselves," he advi ce." assembly, Principal Kenneth ago." said .

At an assembly the Bonamo said, "It is our sincere At the gala , Mr. Senior and Archon echoed this President Natasha Bankay said afternoon before, some of the hope that you find inspiration Herszenhom she was "thankful" for having honorees addressed curr ent from the acco mplishments sentiment: "The hope' is that been invited to ' the event, stude nts during a double ninth and life journeys of our more you let current students know a ' stating that she "met a lot of b and. In an e-mail message recent alumni, some of who m little bit beyond the collaterals people who gave me ' great expl aining the purpose of the sat in your desks not too long and laps around the gym,"

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4-The Classic

Summer 2010

Michlewitz to retire after 37 years Steinberg completes another . in love with the profession ."

by Hayley Desmond "Students now hav e needs that we never anticipated 37 years ago," said English teacher Debra Michlewitz, .

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After a long career, Ms. Michlewitz is retiring this year.

During her : retirement, Ms. Michlewitz plans to write a book documenting her parents' experience as prisoners of war during World War II. She also hopes to work on securing grants for the school.

"People had kept telling me that I could've retired earlier, but I kept putting it off," she said.

Ms. Michlewitz didn't expect to become a teacher. "I took education courses just as a back-up plan when I was in college," she said. "Originally I was going to bea scientist. Then I had to choose between Organic Chern and Chaucer and Chaucer won. When I student taught at Brooklyn Tech, I fell

After working for 13 years at Jamaica High School, Ms. Michlewitz started teaching at her alma mater, Tilden High School, where she met Wanda Nix and Malcolm Largmann.

In 1989, she came to Townsend Harris, where she was reunited with Ms . Nix" dean , and Dr. Largmann, principal.

"We have a real sense ofcommunity [at Harris]," she noted. "Young students have talents we could not dream of."

In addition to the core English classes, she has taught Poetics, Social Science Research, Comic Muse and E3: Earth, Environment, Ecology.

Ms Michlewitz thinks hands-on experience is an important part of learning. "I enjoy creating an activity that is .relevant and exciting for students," she said, citing her Comic Muse elective's Comic Muse Day as an example.

She began coaching ' the fencing team when the former coach retired, although she had no experience with the sport.

"I was trying to repay the team," she said, explaining that her son . benefitted from being a fencer when he attended Harris. Ms. Michlewitz will return in August to assist the new fencing coach. ' Ms. Michlewitz's experience as a teacher at Harris encouraged principal Kenneth Bonamo as he got used to the ' school.

"Since the day I took the job, she has welcomed me here and been a true colleague," he said, calling her "innovative, creat ive, energetic and , fun."

Teague completes final year as college admissions advisor

by Tracey Wang - .

"---After working for the Department of Education for more than 30 years, college advisor Antoinette Teague has decided it's time to retire.

"This feels 'like an appropriate time for me to move onto different challenges and to beg in to grow in new ways," she said .

Ms. Teague has guided seniors and juniors in Harris through their college application process for nine years.

Over the years, she has noticed that the college process has unde rgone a change from paper to electronic submission.

While the medium for submission has changed, the stress and panic Kenneth Bonamo said, "We are that are synonymous with the college planning to move to an arrangement in application process have not. For which Mr. [Jonathan] Hirsch will serve college applicants, Ms. Teague said the as our college liaison, and students most important thing is "to stay calm." will be guided through the application She said, "Too much stress will process by the guidance counselor to interfere with your ability to do well." whom they are currently assigned."

Senior Reisha Cadelina credits Ms. "This allows students," he added, Teague for helping her stay on track , "to enjoy a continued relationship with with her college applications. their current counselor in the senior She said, "Without Ms. Teague's year during the college process; it guidance, my college applications also preserves the idea of having one probably would have never been sent counselor taking care ofourrelationship out. I remember the whole application with colleges, coordinating visits by process being a time of complete panic, college representatives, our college but -Ms. Teague was always there to fair, etc." answer questions and' to help everyone Furthermore, Mr. Bonamo said out whenever she could." that Assistant Principal of Guidance, The announcement ofMs . Teague's Janet Solomon, will be overseeing retirement has raised concerns among .the "transition" next year with the the students about the future of the help of Ms. Teague, who is "stay[ing] College Office . on in a part-time capacity to help our To address these concerns, Principal students."

stage in I.ong scientific career

by Lory ·M artinez .

Irwin Steinberg, physics te acher and interdisciplinary enthusiast, is retiring this year.

"I didn't want my wife to be alone quite that much," he said about his dec ision to retire for the second time in 10 years.

"I came out of retirement at 65 to teach. I really enjoyed it. It brought out the nurturing side of me. It was very different from when I took my software company public," he said .

Before teaching, Mr. Steinberg had a very successful career as an engineer. . He patented two Missile System designs by the age of 23 and worked at the Brookhaven National Laboratory for several years. There he designed a wide area network called "Brooknet," which involved connecting a particle accelerator to the supercomputer at Brookhaven.

He later worked on computer research in pattern recognition at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University.

In 1970, he designed an automated dispatching system for the New York City Fire Department. Though this earned him II million dollars, he continued his career, taking two software companies pub lic.

He also continued his scientific pursuits by teaching "Philosophical Implications of Quantum Theory" at NYU. Mr. Steinberg's public teaching experience began the summer he read a New York Tim es article about a shortage of science teachers and dec ided to give it a try. He has since then taught forI 0 years. He particularly enjoyed tuto ring and being able to transform someone into the "I got it" moment. .

In addition to teaching physics, Mr. Steinberg taught Astrophysics, Cosmology and Space-time Physics electives. "In different . way s, I've

enjoyed them all. I' m thankful that I was able to teach them ," he said.

He would do his best to include history and theology in his courses, applying the interdisciplinary approach he so loved.

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He began . his physics' courses by quoting Princeton Professor John Archibald Wheeler: "Mass tells space how to curve, space tells mass how to move." The rest of the year would be spent proving and understanding this idea.

Even though he had always loved engineering, Mr. Steinberg never expected to become a physics teacher.

He shared the story of his colleague, who graduated in the class of 1956 with . a doctorate in Engineering at Cooper Union and published two books: one on the theory of germ disease and the other on malaria. "It just proves that you never know what you 'll end up doing," Mr. Steinberg said.

Now that his time at Harris is over, he plans to teach a few courses forretired professionals at Hofstra University that will integrate science, relig ion and art .

"I'll be teaching Cosmology, Relativity and working with the chess program," he said.

Eaton steps down after 14 years .'

by Rebecca Seidel Science teacher Rosemarie Eaton is saying goodbye to Harris this year.

Ms. Eaton has worked in the Science Departm ent for 14 years, . teaching both biology and science research.

Before coming to Harris in 1996 - initially as a student teacher - Ms . Eaton worked as a dental hygienist, in addition to working for the public health system. Her work has always been rooted in science.

"My background is human physiology, so I love everything about human systems," she said . "I always loved science, so I went for a Master's in science education."

Ms. Eaton said that her favorite thing about teaching 'at Harris was "having students eager to learn.

After hearing stories at other schools, I felt very privileged to be here in this school, where the main motivation was learning." .

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She added, "I will miss the students, the colleagues. I won't miss getting up at 5 am to teach at 7 am."

Now that she is done teaching, Ms. Eaton plans to spend her time traveling.

"I have two trips lined up: Napa Valley, California; and Costa Rica."

~"J(;']

!

The Classic Summer 2010

~

This Greek and Latin teacher scored big on Jeopardy!

by Rupeshi Shah Who is Dr. Marianthe Colakis?

Anyone who was logged onto Facebook on June 14 would have noticed the explosion of statuses cheering on Classics teacher Marianthe Colakis as she took the podium on the television quiz show Jeopardy!

Dr. Colakis contended against Ohio librarian Mark Passerrello and Texas assistant district attorney Marty Scott. During her interview with host Alex Trebek, she said, "I'm as fluent . [in Latin and Greek] as anyone can be, considering we're not really trained in conversational Latin."

Categories included "Literary Stupid Answers;" "Jones-ing," and "Alien Invaders!"

To Dr. Colakis' advantage, the.

Final Jeopardy category was "Moons .

and Mythology." She was the only one to give the correct question (Who is Mars?") for the answer presented: "This planet is named for a Roman god; its only moons are named for the sons of his Greek counterpart." Scott, however, still received the first place standing with $25,000 at the end of the Final Jeopardy round. Dr. Colakis came in at $10,400 and Passerrello at $8,200.

Although there weren't any questions based on what Dr. Colakis teaches regularly in her classes, she believes. that her teaching experience helped her "when it came to thinking on my feet and not going blank under pressure. People commented on how calm I looked on the show, but I was actually very nervous."

Dr. Colakis cites getting to chat

with host Alex Trebek as one of the best parts . of the whole Jeopardy experience. "It's always interesting to have a behind-the-scenes view of a television show and see how it's put together," she said. She pointed out the set is not as vast as it appears to be on television.

Students and teachers had been anticipating Dr. Colakis' episode for weeks. On the night the show was aired, many used their Facebook statuses to show their support for her. Some statuses even criticized her opponents.

Dr. Colakis recalls that although she didn' t win, many congratulated her on becoming a contestant in the first place. At a rally Dr. Colakis went to recently, a woman recognized her from the Jeopardy episode and asked to get a picture with her.

Dr. Colakis flew out to California during winter break for the taping of the episode.

Appearing on Jeopardy! was a lengthy process. In early 2008, she took a test being offered by the show online. In May 2008, she was invited to auditions being conducted in New York City.

After taking a 50-question written test of general knowledge and taking part in a mock game and interview there, Dr. Colakis received no word for . over a year. Finally in November 2009, she was invited to come on the show.

Dr. Colakis describes her interest in trivia not "as 'being fascinated by trivia' but as having broad general knowledge and a memory of odd facts.

Whatever I know is an outgrowth of my interest in a subject."

Administration isolates seniors after food fight in cafeteria continuedfrom pg 1 congregation of seniors outside the back door after he came upstairs from the cafeteria. He said that it did not even occur to him "that they were asked to leave without being given the chance to stay in the auditorium."

He had thought that the seniors left by choice.

Since they were being too noisy, Mr. Bonamo said he joined the seniors outside to reiterate their options.

"Mr. Bonamo told us that making this noise was inappropriate and that if we would behave, we would be let back inside. Once we were back in the school...[we were told] 'the auditorium or the back door: those are your two choices,' so most people left through the back door while those of us who still had class or wanted to be with our fellow classmates stayed in the auditorium, which turned out to be about 15 people," said senior Kimberly Young.

"They had escorts to and from the auditorium to classrooms."

Mr. Bonamo said that the decision to isolate the seniors seemed like the only logical thing to do at the time. "Seniors who were in the building without classes were creating unsafe situations....you had to limit [the seniors'] access. It was the soundest decision to make given the information I had at the time. I had 11 00 children to protect."

For him, the fight sunk "to a level of behavior that is uncivilized and disrespectful and really has no place in the school."

Mayisha also found the prank distasteful. "A lot of people got upset because they were saying that a prank should be funny, not something that hurts or is at the expense of others. I felt really bad for a girl whose report got messed up. It was due next band and she was showing it to a friend. The whole thing got splattered with milk and it was ruined. I do know a few people that got hit with food. Someone in my algebra class was really upset because he got milk all over his shirt," she said.

Hector Benitez, one of the custodians who had to clean up the mess, said, "They could have thought of something better than that; they're smarter

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waste of food and time cleaning it all rp, But the reaction of the administranon was equally unacceptable. Students who had absolutely no idea ofwhat was going on were reprimanded and forced to leave without any real explanation. I think the administration behaved rashy," said Tasnia. "The blame should not have been placed upon the entire senior class because, quite honestly, the majority of the students didn't even know anything about it until they were told to exit the premises."

"This rash action taken by administrators left the seniors marked. Suddenly everyone was looking at every senior as a hateful foreign body. While I didn't change out of my senior t-shirt (I had an 'extra shirt to switch into), I was very tempted to....I got unfriendly stares from administrators and certain faculty members, which hurt," said senior Kristi Chen, President of Senior Council.

Another senior, Virginia Milieris, however, said, "I can see where Mr. Bonamo was coming from...because he was trying to prevent more disasters from happening. However, it is unfair that some of us weren't able to go visit teachers for one last time because of something we didn't even do. At the same time, I don't know how else this could be dealt with. It was a tricky situation."

The prank had not been planned by the entire senior grade, but only a few students. The main prank planned by the senior class was to set off alarm clocks to go off during classes.

6

The Classic Summer 2010

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First N arne

Abramova Adeyeni Agas Aguirre Ahamed Ahm ed Ahmed Ajzenman Akbasheva Aliahmad Alicino Altman Ashai Atamian Baamonde Baig Bailey Bajor Baksh Bal Bankay Barcenes Barrera Bartellino Bedassie Belange Benitez Bennett Bethune Bhasin Bhatnagar Bhuiyan Blanco Bonet Brown Bruno Cadelina Cao Caparatta Chand ra Chavez Ch en Ch en Ch en Chen Ch en Ch eng Ch ern Chi tam an Cho Ch oe Chou Ch owdhury Chowdh ury ChuA Kong Ciesielska Cohen Costello Cullivan Czerkies Damaso Dejesus Delatour Demetriou Desai

Ilona Susan Audrey Natalia Tasnia He nna Nasri n Matthew Svetlana Sarah Alyssa Aliza Aqsa Elisa Daniel Ayman Ashley Angela Brandon Karnveer Natasha Giovanni Michelle Walter Shanice

Jessica Michelle Solomon J essica Eugene Laur a Stephany Leah Devon Cons tantino Tejal

Desilus

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St.John's University (Pharmacy)

Dimaculangan Dominianni Dong

Tracy Alexandra Anne

CUNY - Baruch Eugene Lang College NYU (Liberal Studies)

Jehanne Carlos Allison J erome Rahul Pearl Saeed David Stephanie Felicia Gabrielle Reisha Bryan Shannon Rebecca Alexis Ching H siang Kristi Raymond Tiffany Vivian Warren Jennifer J aved J oonho Saebom Emily Dipabali Sadia

College Attending

Skidmore College CUNY - City Tech SUNY - Stony Brook CUNY - Hunter Rutgers University (Pharmacy) CUNY - Macaulay CUNY - Hunter CUNY - City St.John's University (Pharmacy) St.John's University CUNY - Baruch University of Michigan CUNY - Baruch Boston University Cooper Union CUNY - City CUNY - City Tech SUNY - Stony Brook Macaulay Honors - Baruch Macaulay Honors - Baruch SUNY - Stony Brook NYU (A&S) SUNY - Albany NYU (Polytech) Northeastern Unive rsity Johns Hopkins University CUNY - City SUNY - Albany St. John's Universi ty Macaulay Honors - H unter Harvard Unive rsity SUNY - Stony Brook Pace University St.John's University Wellesley College Adelphi University CUNY - Hunter CUNY - City Adelphi University St.John's University Macaulay Ho nors - H unter CUNY - City NYU (Stern) NYU (Polytech) St. John's University SUNY - Stony Brook CUNY ~ Baruch CUNY - Baruch St.J ohn's Unive rsity NYU (polytech) Barnard College SUNY - Binghamton CUNY - Baruch Macaulay H onors - H unter CUNY - Baruch Fordham University Temple University SUNY - Oneonta SUNY - New Paltz University of Central Florida O ut of Country St.John's U niversity ' Pace University CUNY - York CUNY - H unter

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Donotan Dylgjeri Esperson Evans Fan Fan Fedus Fong Frangos French Furs Garcia Gergoudis Gessler Gheewala Giappone Gizas Gobinrajloo Goodman Grabarz Gregory Grewal Gumbs Gupta Gurm Guzman H alkias H assan Hernan dez H ospedales Humayra H umphrey H ussain Huynh Ijaz Ilie Javorovac Jeong K alam Kamal Kamio K ang K ano Kei Khan Khanai Khananashvili Kim Kim Kim Kim Kler Knight Korani Kritikos Kussman Lai Lee Lee Lesiv Leung Li Li Liang Liew Lin Liu Luchian Lugaro Luna

Allison Enxhi Na taliya Stefan FuYun Sammy Nicolas Michelle Samantha Madeleine Alexei Christian Kellie Marisela Sajeda Cristina Eleni Ramona Andrew Anita Ryu Chang Prabhjot Andrew Sujata Manreet Katherine ~

Jos eph Syeda Jocelyn Stephanie Sadia J an ell Ashraf Thu Laraib Ivana Almedi n Jun Aniqah Saad Ayumi Jennifer Ayumi MingYan Sarah Amy Samuel Agness Co ra , J ulia Pearl Ranbir Lucas Preet Konst andino Elizab eth Chuen Haeun Oliver Ivan Sherry Jessica Shen Shen Sabrina Amanda Max Aminta Beatrice Stephanie Agnes

CUNY - Brooklyn Dartmouth College Rutgers University SUNY - Stony Brook SUNY - Binghamton St.John's University , Marist College SUNY - Binghamton Lehigh University Bryn Mawr Georgetown University U nion College Columbia University NYU (A&S) St.John's University (Pharmacy) Marist College Bryn Mawr St.John's University SUNY - Stony Brook St.john's University SUNY - Plattsburgh SUNY - Stony Brook Carnegie Mellon SUNY - Binghamton St.John's University (Pharmacy) New York Institute of Technology CUNY - Hunter NYU (A&S) Fordham Univers ity School of Visual Arts Pace University (Manhattan) University,of Connecticut SUNY - Stony Brook CUNY - Hunter SUNY - Stony Brook Yale University St.John's University SUNY - Binghamton CUNY - H unter NY Institute of Technol ogy SUNY - Buffalo Boston University SUNY - Stony Brook NYU (A&S) Pace University St.John's University CUNY - Hunter ,.

NYU (A&S) Cornell University (A&S) SUNY - Bingha mton Boston College H ofstra University Trinity College SUNY - Stony Brook St.John's University SUNY - Geneseo University of Michigan CUNY - City SUNY - Geneseo SUNY - Bingha mton SUNY - Ge neseo SUNY - Buffalo Northeastern University CUNY - H unter SUNY - Stony Brook SUNY - Ge neseoCornell University (A&S) Arizona State University CUNY -J ohn Jay CUNY - Queens

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:1il~ ~1il~ 1rm~W @@noo@j) Ly Lynam Magnan Mahmood Mann Manoukian Mansour Mao Markopoulos Mayo McCaffrey McCarthy Mielnik Milieris Milyavsky Misbah Mohammed Montenegro Mook Morgan Mummini Murray Myers Naba Nagpal Neizvestnaya Newman Ngo Nguyen Nimboonchaj Noboa Nurse Ocampo O'Grady Oledzka Panayotov Papagermanos Pastore Pecoraro Perez Perez Perez Petushi Pfister Pinkhasova Pojawis Purmasir Quach Rahman Rahman Rajic Ramdeholl Ramsammy Ramsaroop Rana Ranchurejee Rashed Raymond Reisner Rodriguez Rodriguez Rodriguez Rodulfo Rojanasopondist Rojas Roselli Rosengard Sahadeo Sandhu Santos

Angela Sanne Felicia Sarah Kayla Lia Nadine Clare Nicole Rachel Megan Kellyn Adam Virginia Daniel Mahnoor Nada Stephanie Kevin Tasia Swetha John Miranda Zarka Alyssa Aleksandra Ashley Melanie Huy Vipattra Natalie Thiahera Isabella Caitlin Isabella Katherine Vassiliki William Daniel Cynthia Eilin Erica Sindi Kaila Sophia Julia Vena Christopher MD Shajoti Kristina Emily J essica Annmarie Shivpal Kristie Sharmin Jeannette Marc David Guillermo Samantha Kristina Intiporn Jennifer Gabriella Rachel Daryl J aspreet Mary

NYU (Liberal Studies) Macaulay Honors - Baruch SUNY - Oneonta Wellesley College University of Miami CUNY - Hunter Barnard College Grinnell College SUNY - Stony Brook Brandeis University SUNY - Binghamton Lehigh University Fordham University Macaulay Honors - Hunter Macaulay Honors - Hunter Adelphi University School of Visual Arts CUNY - City U.S. Air Force Academy Temple University Wesleyan University University of Tampa Georgia Tech CUNY - City Northeastern University CUNY - Baruch University of New Haven CUNY - Baruch Brandeis University SUNY - Stony Brook CUNY - Baruch University of Wisconsin Middlebury George Washington University SUNY - Binghamton / Cornell Northeastern University Barnard College CUNY - Queens Macaulay Honors ~ Hunter Macaulay Honors - Hunter Williams College Wellesley College St.John's University SUNY - Binghamton CUNY - Queens SUNY - Stony Brook Swarthmore College NYU (Polytech) CUNY - City CUNY - Hunter University of Miami Macaulay Honors - City Pace University Adelphi University NYU (Stern) Adelphi University CUNY - City St. Francis College J ohns Hopkins University CUNY - City Macaulay Honors - Hunter Boston College NYU (Liberal Studies) Pratt Institute Pace University NYU (A&S) Wesleyan University SUNY - Stony Brook SUNY - Stony Brook CUNY - H unter

Saywack Scandura Scaturro Selegean Semple Serra Singh Singh Singh Sinnathurai Smith Sovern .

Spain Spinner Spitaleri Spitaleri St. Julien Stamatelatos Stypulkowski Subhani Sur Suwada Suzuki Swarns Tarley Teboul Theodore Thornton Topal Trinh Tsai Tsatsis Tsoi Valbuena Valles Varghese Vieira Viera Wanees Wang Weiss-Perea Wen Whang Wiyanto Wong Wong Wong Wu Wu Yang Yanishin Yao Yebetit Vee Yenko Vim Young Yu Yu Yuan Yung Zabala Zablan Zhang Zhang Zheng Zhu Zhu Zizva

Shalita Olivia Francesca Jane Tanay Sandy Robin Simranjit Sukhjinder Tharmika Amina Lindsay Shanyce Sydney Frank Joseph Michele Maria Natalia Jason Shirley Paul Rebecca Charisse Arthur Isaac Christina Ashley Andrew Man Sheena Thomas Kin Yam Keegan Katherine Mobin Samantha Janelle Abanoub Christopher Shayna Spencer Esther Evelyn Alice Crystal Jessica Beverly Linda Jerry Yaroslav Kristina Kibret Brian Irene Isaiah Kimberly Lawrence Michele Amy Bowie Kathleen Audriana Christopher J ing Xia Judy MengMeng Tsu J essica

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SUNY- Stony Brook NYU (Gallatin) CUNY -John Jay CUNY - Hunter CUNY -City NYU (Polytech) CUNY - Hunter NYU (A&S) Penn State (WilkesBarre) CUNY - Baruch University of South Carolina Brown University Northeastern University CUNY - Queens Pace University SUNY - Stony Brook Dickinson College Fordham University SUNY - Stony Brook NYU (Polytech) St.John's University (Pharmacy) St.John's Univesity Boston University St.John's University Macaulay Honors - Hunter SUNY - Geneseo Adelphi University SUNY - Geneseo SUNY - Binghamton University of California - Berkeley Case Western Reserve University (PPSP in Medicine) Alfred University SUNY - Stony Brook Macaulay Honors - Hunter Fordham University SUNY - Stony Brook Culinary Institute Swarthmore College Dartmouth College Vassar College Carnegie Mellon CUNY - Baruch University of Michigan Brandeis University St.John's University NYU (A&S) St.John's University (Pharmacy) â&#x20AC;˘.

NYU (Tisch) CUNY - Baruch SUNY - Binghamton SUNY - Stony Brook CUNY - Baruch Barnard College St.John's University CUNY - Hunter University of Michigan Columbia University NYU (Polytech) Ohio State University Carnegie Mellon SUNY - Stony Brook SUNY - Binghamton Macaulay Honors - Hunter CUNY - City University of Connecticut Macaulay Honors - Hunter SUNY - Binghamton SUNY - Alfred State NYU (A&S)

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The Classic Summer 2010

Valedictorian Akbasheva ·plans to stlidy ·pharmacy at Sl~-~ohn's

by Sarah Mahmood

"Although I'm really excited becoming a pharmacist seemed like a much at this school, not only from my Valedictorian Svetlana perfect fit. Once I made this decision, classes, but also from the intelligent and to go to college and begin this new Akbasheva plans to pursue pharmacy it became clear that St. John's was talented people that I was constantly part of my life, I'm also really sad that at St. Johns University so she can help the schoo l for me, since it has a great surrounded by." all of us are splitti ng up and going to others . pharmacy program and is close to Svetlana credits her family and different schools. It will be strange home." friends for her success at school. "There not to be together any more, but I am Svetlana, who is no way I could have made it to where so happy that everyone got into all of took Organic I am today without the support and love these great colleges and now it' s time Chemistry at of my family and friends . I need to say for us to shape our lives the way we Harris, said, "M y thank you to my mom, dad, grandma, want to," said Svetlana.

"To the class of 2010 , than k favorite subject and my big brother Andrey for never is chem istry pushing me to do anything and always you for making the past four years because it's rea lly encouraging me to do whatever make s abso lutely amazing and unforgettable," intere sting that all me happy. To all my friends, I love she continue d. "I will miss you all of the different you guys and thanks for keeping me so much and I can't wait to see what reactions we smiling and laughing over the last four incredible things everyone will be up to in 10 years !" learn about years," she said. are actually happening ~ around us all ~ the time, just j on such a small """"""v,,,,,ALi&.,,WU ~ i ~_ ~ scale that we ~ can't even see ~ them. I must ;.. ~ admit that the ::. demonstration ~ with the exploding ~ gummy bears -& was also really coo l."

"I always knew that I wanted Reflecting on the impact that ....

Ql) a career in the hea lthcare field, but Harri s made on her life, Svetlana said, it wasn't until college applications "I will always be grateful to Townsend ...

-=~ rolled around this year that I began to Harris for introducing me to some of i: seriously consider what I wanted to do the best peopl e in the world, both in ., l:l.< in life. Although I researched many terms of the teachers I had and the oS different career s, everythi ng kept friends I ma de," she said.

Se leading me back to pharmacy," said "Townsend Harri s was definitely . 1 . ' U I . 111'/ j -& Svetla na. "Since I am very interested challenging, but in the end I really do As captain of the track team, Chris has in chemistry and I want a career that feel that everything we went through by Pearl Bhatnagar "I went to school with so many learned "how important it is to try and will allow me to help people directly, was for the bes t. I have learned so smart kids and I'm just really, really set a good example and how having flattered," said salutato rian Christopher fun usually results in everyone being happier and doing their best." He adds, Wang of'his achievement.

He added, "Grades were never "When things go well it's just about the really something that I stressed out best feeling in the world."

Things went well at this year's about." He credits his friends with providing the motivation for him to Sports Awards , when the members achieve. "There were a couple ofpoints of the Track team presented their where [grades] did matte r because my coaches with thank-you gifts. Chris friends kept telling me how well they said, "[I enjoyed] seeing our coaches' • Cornell University expected me to do. I didn 't want to expressions .. .and knowing I was a big • 2009 THHS Honors Graduate disappoint them," he said. He joked reason for that." Amo ng the presents that his friends either saw the potential was a t-shirt that read "Have a nice trip , • 2320 SAT in him to succeed or expected so much see you next fall."

• Classroom Course &Private Tutoring of Christopher also played the tenor him "because I'm Asian." ,. ~:;=r " we Christopher shared the secret to saxophone on the Jazz band from E-mail: arieLbrodsky@ivyinsiders.com his success, delineating the methods freshman to junior year. "Everytime Phone: 516-395-2876 he would use to study for exams. "I'd someone had a solo we were all just ARIEL BRODSKY take some time out and try to read the sitting there hoping that they wou ld chapter that the test was on. I'd look for perform as well as we knew they keywords and try to break the mate rial could," he said.

Christopher plans to pursue both down into parts that I understood. Then Private Tutoring Classroom Course I might go over my notes from class but these interests at Vassar College in that's only if a) they existed and b) they the .fall, a schoo l he felt "fit the bill" SAT Classroom Course 5665 SAT due to its "community-feel," "openwere legible."

Christopher was one of only three curriculum" and "[small] student to Location Flexible Utopia Jewish Center seniors this year to be active on a facu lty ratio."

6/1 - 8/5 7/8 - 7/29 Christopher joked that he will miss sports team for all twelve seasons of his high school career. He explained "the outrageousness of the school - the 10:00AM - 1:00 PM his relationship with outdoor, indoor, idea that plag iarism is a more serious and cross-country track. "It's knowing offense than bringing [in] a gun."

Still, he made sure to add, "A lot of that you're competing with others who are also giving their best.

It's knowing the people, I'll miss ."

- Vlew full schedules or enroll today at When asked how he hopes his that if you want to win, you need to http://ivyinsiders.com/ariel_brodsky give just a .little bit more than you can peers will remember him, Christopher possibly imagine that you have . It 's alluded to the yearbook. "Well, the the respect you gain .for yourself and seniors have spoken, haven't they? the people you race against," he said . 'Most likely to fall asleep in class. ,,,

Salutatorian Wang to pursue sports, music at Vassar College

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From the Desk of Irwin Steinberg:

Book of the Month Explorinqtne Invisible (Art, SCience, and the Spiritual) - Lynn Gamwell This stunningly illustrated book shows how directly, profoundly, and indisputably modern science has transformed modern art. Beginning in the mid-nineteen th century, a strange and exciting new world came into focus - a world of microorganisms in myriad shapes and colors, prehistoric fossils, bizarre underseas creatures , spectra of light and sound, and atomic particles.

Exploring the Invisible reveals that the world beyond the naked eye - made visible by advances in science - has been a major inspiration for artists ever since, influencing the subjects they chose as well as their techn iques and modes of representation, Lynn Gamwell (Director of the Art Museum at SUNY Binghamton ) traces the evolution of abstract art through several eras, beginning with Romanticism (early nineteenth century ).

My favorite example is how the work of Helmholz (a German physiologist and physicist), which demonstrated that color is not in the world but in the mind, directly influenced Monet's revolutionary new approach to depicting light. .

This wonderful book reveals the scientific sources mined by Impressionist and Symbolist painters, Art Nouveau sculptors and architects, Cubists, and other nineteenth and twentieth.century artists.

not

WhatV to do over the summer -Don't go to bookstores just to look at review books .

-Don't spend all your time 路on Facebook. Especially on the MLiT page. (See article to the right.)

-Don't change into your gym uniform to work out.

-Don't be afraid to wear shorts. Or sleeveless tops.

Or flip flops. .

-Don't spend all day watching the World Cup. -Don't go to sleep at 3 AM just because you can.

-Get a job. Just please don't drive a Silly Band truck (Yes, such a thing exists ...see photo below.)

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by Lory Martinez .

I recently had the crazy notion that I should attempt to endure two weeks without text messaging, instant messaging and the ultimate social networking distraction: Facebook.

I didn't think it would be all that difficult; after all, people lived . before "google" became a verb. I figured I could revert back to those day s when I was a kid - the days before you could "friend" someone with the click of a mouse.

AndsoI wentinto this little challenge optimistically, "It reallycan't be that hard," I said to my friends in the final hours before it began. Yet that first night, I actually dreamt that I caved in by going on Facebook.

The next day, I heard the news that my friends had placed bets to see 'how much time would pass before I caved. That same night, I received over 15 new messages in my cell phone inbox. I felt like Pandora, so tempted was I to open my inbox and sneak a peek at my messages.

I kept a log documenting the experience. I would kill time reading old entries to see how far I' d come. Here's an excerpt from Day 3:

"I took my phone in my hand and just pressed the buttons, as if to text without actually sending anything. It s so strange not to be able to use it. I 've gotten so addicted to it that I now curse the day I got unlimited talk in text... ss

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The next couple of day s were similar. I would be talking to my friends and they would me ntion some thing about a Facebook post or someone's status and I' d have to remind them tha t I hadn't been online to see any of it. Every time I heard someone say "F acebook," . I'd get this sudden pang, as if someone had said "L ord Voldemort" : the word was almost tabo o for me.

Now that the tw o we eks are ove r; I have come to this realization: Despite the fact that I actually ben efited from the extra time I didn 't waste, I kn ow that I wo n't stop using Facebook, IM s or texts.

It's not that I don't have the willpowe r. It's just that I don' t want to give up soc ial media.. They are a welcome distraction sometimes.

Still, during my technological hia tus, I learned that by sub tracting at least some of those hours we waste typi ng and tex ting, we can easily get a lot more done. Even though I didn't lik e giving up my social outlets, I was all the better for it.

..

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, The Classic ~ummer2010

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • • : Summer's here "- and with ,it ,comes th~ end of :

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• eye baggage . Take the time to enjoy the sun and : the freedom.even if you do use the summer as an ':• • opportunity to bolster your college application.

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My Life is Townsend: Summer Edition Ufe is Slightly Less Stressful Today Today is my last day of school. It's also my first day of summer college class. MUT.

Things to Do Over the Summer: We all love Betty White, but that's no excuse for sitting at home all day watching Golden Girl reruns this summer. If you can't go away on vacation, there are many fun and free things you can do in New York City:

Shakespeare in the Park

Today, I blushed when I saw my friend's shoulders. I had completely forgotten about them. MLiT. Today, I went on Facebook to get homework. Then I realized I didn't have any. MLiT. Today, I'm on vacation and I'm lying on the beach reading. My trashy novel? A Tale of Two Cities. MUT. Today, I realized that most people cry out of joy because school is over. I cried because I got my report card. MUT. Today, I found out I got a hundred on the Chemistry Regents. I want my Happy Meal. MUT. Today, I got acosted by a uniformed security agent. My crime?

Wearing flip flops in June. MLIT. Today, two of my friends got into a heated argument about whether it was a better idea to go see Shakespeare in the Park or to a local poetry slam. MUT. Today is the first day of summer vacation. I got up late and grog:gy, but somehow managed to put my 10 on before heading out to meet my friends. MUT. Today, I was watching the World Cup in the cafeteria. I was so transfixed that I didn't notice the food being hurled at me. MUT.

This summer, the annual New York tradition will feature The Winter Tale and The Merchant of Venice. To get free tickets, stand on a line at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

Lines are very long, so you should get there early to secure admittance. you can spend an entire day at the park, hanging out with your friends in the morning and watching the play at night. Visit http://www.shakespeareinthepark.org/formore information.

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The Daily ShowlThe Colbert Report Its too late to book tickets to attend a live taping of the Daily Show with Jon Stewart or The Colbert Report this summer, but that doesn't mean you can't go! If you stand on line early enough, there is a very good chance that the studio will let you in. If you're in the city and have some time to spare, arrive at the studio at around 2 pm with a government-issued ID and a book to read while you wait. Visit http://www.thedailyshow. com or http://www.colbertnation.com for more information.

Kayaking Go kayaking with a friend at the Downtown Boathouse. No prior experience is necessary, but you can attend one of the organization's Wednesday night sessions. Check out http:// www.downtownboathouse.org/ for more information.

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With comedy shows, poetry slams, music, dance and theater, SummerStage offers events for everyone in parks throughout the city. Check out the schedule at http://www.summerstage. org to find something that you like.

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Classic

Summer 2010

Athletes, coaches honored at 25th annual Sports Awards dinner

by Benjamin Horowitz "As a freshman, I took a shot with my teammates." All three Championships. McCarthy was The Townsend Harris at fencing and never looked back. athletes showed great dedication selected to 'the' All-City Swim Athletics Community gathered for It was an amazing experience for throughout their 12 seasons as team and represented New York the 25th annual Athletic Awards me, as I made new friends and Hawks.

City at the State Championships.

Dinner and Dance on Wednesday, met a few Olympians. However, Thomas Tsatsis, Kellyn Halkias was captain of the June 9. the most important part was what McCarthy, Joseph Halkias, and Wrestling team and won the Donald Altman, Townsend I learned from fencing: how to Nicholas Fedus were four other City Championship in the 152Harris' first athletic notable team pound weight class. He finished director, started the M V P s . three years of wrestling with a tradition in 1985 Av e r ag i ng combined record of 25 wins and because he felt that 25 points a 3 losses. Halkias and Senior Isaac the school needed game, Tsatsis Teboul, who placed second in the a night to celebrate drove the 140 pound weight class, led the its athletic success. team to the team in its first year as a member Twenty-five years playoffs. In of the A division. later, athletes, the playoffs, Fedus led the Boys' Varsity their coaches, and he brought Soccer team to a winning record a d m i n i s t r a to rs his best game and their first playoff berth in continue to celeband averaged three years. Fedus commanded rate the culmination 38 points a the team's offense and tied for 13th of the athletic year game. At the in the city with 16 goals scored with a night of end of the on the season. Tsatsis, McCarthy, awards, dining and 2010 season, Halkias and Fedus each plan to dancing.

The Girls' Softballteam celebrates its season while honoring its members. T sat sis continue their athletic careers on When Mr. handle adversity, discipline, and became the second all-time the college level.

Altman started the Athletic dedication to whatever I put my leading scorer in THHS history, Along with the team awards, program, his goal was "to instill mind and heart to." scoring over 1500 points and the athletic department honors two the concept that it is through Seniors Tracy Dimaculangan, dishing out over 300 assists. athletes with school-wide athlete McCarthy has played a major of the year awards. Seniors Eilin dedicated effort that success is Christopher Wang; and Brian Yee achieved." During the 2009-2010 were honored for completing role in the Swim team's success Perez and Allison Donovan were season, 18out of24 eligible teams , 12 full semesters of Varsity for the past four years. In 2010, made it through to postseason Athletics. Wang was named MVP play. In addition to team success of the Boys' Outdoor Track team. individual athletes also excelled in Dimaculangan and Wang helped their sport. At the awards dinner, lead the Girls' and Boys' Outdoor each coach selected a player to and Indoor track teams, as well receive Most Valuable Player, as the Cross Country team. The Most Improved Player, Rookie of Girls' Varsity Cross Country team the Year and Coach's awards. won the Queens Championship Senior Captain Christopher and the Junior Varsity Team took Quach was named MVP of the home the Queens Championship Fencing team. Quach has played for the 18th year in a row. a major role on the team since his Yee was named MVP of the freshman year. Finishing with a Boys' Varsity Volleyball team four year regular season record of and was a member of the Varsity 64 wins and 11 losses (16 wins and Indoor Track and Cross Country 2 losses in 2010), Quach received Teams. "It is great that I was the 2010 PSAL Heisman Award able to participate in sports all as the best senior male fencer in 12 seasons of high school," he The Girls' Track team enjoys a nightof dancing at the SportsAwards dinner.

New York City. Quach is grateful said. "It feels really weird now chosen as the most outstanding for the opportunities fencing has that it's all over. I am grateful she received a gold medal in the male and female athletes in the brought him the past four years. for the experiences I have shared' 100 yard breaststroke at the City interscholastic program.

Perez has been a member of the Boys' Varsity Cross Country and Indoor Track teams for four years. He finished second in the 55-meter high hurdles at the Queens Borough championships.

He was captain of the Varsity Baseball team and batted over .300 the past two seasons.

"I am confident that the skills I learned to harness on the field as an athlete at Townsend Harris will carry over into my years in college and beyond," said Perez.

The most highly decorated athlete of the night was Donovan.

She was named MVP of both the Girls' Varsity Softball team and Varsity Basketball team. She was also named Rookie of the Year of the Girls' Bowling Team. As senior Captain of the Basketball Team, Donovan averaged 20 points a game and became a career 1000 point scorer. She was also a force to be reckoned with on the softball field, batting .530 on the season with a slugging percentage of .750.

Athletic Director Wanda Nix, who is always at games supporting Harris teams, was proud of the Hawks throughout the season and at the awards dinner.

"It was a terrific t' night; everyone was in ~ good spirits and had a ~good time, including the "" staff. We had a really ~ i:' successful year and ~ when student athletes '0 stay together as a team, ~ practice, and do their ~ best, every season can 8 be a successful season," ~ said Ms. Nix. f She added, "I am proud of our athletes for making the most of their opportunities and representing the school well."

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Top Hawk runners go the'distance at city championships

by Eilin Perez and the group behind her for half the last four years," said Smith. and passed a few competitors on Despite strong gusts of wind the race, she fell back, after her The 400-meter intermediate the straightaway to finish second that engulfed the New York City fourth lap and fell to ninth place, hurdle race was hotly contested in his heat. His time, just over area, the Boys' and Girls' Track but she found whatever was left on both the female and male sides. one minute, was a shade over his teams competed at Icahn Stadium within herself to finish the last With the race consisting of only personal record in Randalls Island on June 6. The and good enough teams went up against for 13th in the the best that the Public city.

Schools Athletic League Junior Kerry had to offer, as athletes McEnerney was from all five boroughs Daring's female came out in full force to counterpart on compete in the Outdoor the 400-meter CI) Track and Field City intermediate Championship. ~ hurdle circuit, II> Several Hawks starting in lane -= represented their eight of her heat. .r!i high school and their Despite falling -= behind borough at the meet, as u in the '0 middle of her they were among those ~ who qualified for the race, McEnerney 1: championships based := powered through e on either the standards the straightaway S"" c set by the league, or in what -=~ characterized their finishing place in a all Borough Championship The Boys'and Girls' Track teams' 'strong seasons culminate at the PSAL CityChampionships.

Harris runners event. on this day: a strong Senior Amina Smith 200 meters of the race strong and one lap around the track while finish. McEnerney finished sixth competed in the first running pass a runner for eighth place having to clear various hurdles, in her heat, and 16th overall in the event of the meet, the 2000- overall. there was no room for error. The meet with a time of one minute meter steeplechase.

Smith, "Itwas kind of a bittersweet Boys' and Girls' teams each had and 12 seconds. seeded fourth in the only heat of feeling. I was so happy that it was a runner qualify for the event.

"On the final straightaway, the event, maintained her seed my last race of the season, but at Junior Emmanuel Daring was even though I was so tired, I position by staying in fourth place the same time it was sad because in lane eight on the track. After knew everyone else was tired after her first two laps around the it would be the last time I would encountering some early trouble too, so I just had to push through 400-meter track at Icahn. After compete as a high school athlete clearing the first few hurdles, and really fight during those last straddling between the front pack with all my friends that I met in Daring turned on the afterburners few meters to place better," said

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Freshman Katie Kang accented her season by qualifying for the 1500-meter racewalk finals at the City Championships, but put an exclamation point by actually placing highly in the event. Seeded ninth at the start of the race, Kang methodically worked her way up the pack and into within striking distance of a medal. After a hard-fought battle with a fellow Lady Hawk, Kang edged past senior Kristina Rodulfo to place sixth, earning her the final medal in the event.

"We both did our best at Cities and I'm so proud of both of our results. I was really surprised at how much I improved from indoor [season}. My goal for next year is to get under eight minutes," said Kang. Kang's time of 8 minutes and 16 seconds was a personal record.

Despite not competing, captains Christopher Wang and Tracy Dimaculangankept their teammates in high spirits. Said Dimaculangan, "It was a pleasure to watch my team compete in its final meet. " Wang echoed the sentiment, saying, "It was thrilling to see our athletes compete here with the best in the city. To know that we have a place among these athletes is something special."