Classic newspaper Volume 2 Issue no. 2

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wbeQtlussic wnwnsenb lIarris fligl1 ~cl1nnl at (@ueens <!tnllege 75-40 Parsons Blvd., flushing, NeW York 11366

Vol. 2, No.1

. November, 1985

Celebration Unites Present And Past

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Japanese students Miki Hirano, Miho Nakajimo and Miko Ohno with Dr. Largmann, LislIl DeMairo; Ly• • CarroU aad Sppbia Menakis.

Students Exchange Warm Welcomes

By Heather Nash . dedication of the Alumni Associa- Fight Song," written in 1940.

The second annual Founder's tion and reminded the students of During the morning session of Day celebrating the reopening of . their promises. "In the spirit of the Founder's Day celebration, Townsend Harris High School the Ephebic Oath, I can say that, many alumni visited classes in seswas held at Colden Auditorium on we have made our school a better sion. "Townsend Harris was the November 7th, by the school com- . place than we have found it." mos t cbaIIenging and exciting time munity and the Alumni AssociaThe new Queens College Presi- of our lives," commented Alumni tion. dent, Dr . Shirley Strum Kenny, Association President Henry Master of Ceremonies, alumnus spoke to the audience on the im- Shereff in his visit with students Ted Peck, began the proceedings portance of the humanities and of earlier in the day. by reading excerpts from the diary a liberal arts education. In addiAmong the other alumni pre.of Townsend Harris. Following tion to praising the humanities, sent were Jack Matasol, a profesPeck were speakers such as . Kenny praised Townsend Harris, sional bowler, and lyricist Irving Queens . Superintendent . Samuel . saying that it is "a school of Drake.

Kostman, Mr ~ Henry Shereff, students and faculty that deserves i I President of the Alumni Associa- to bear the name of Townsend tion, and Dr. Susanna Pflaum, Harris. " the Dean of the Queens College " In the musical interludes, the School of Education. school band performed "Songs of Townsend Harris language As in last year's ceremony, Dr . . the American Patriot," and the students earned an Atari SOOXL Largmann administered the "Little Jazz March.... Townsend computer through a promotion Ephebic Oath to the freshman . Harris student Yana Stotland, sponsored by the National class, and reminded the students . played Beethoven's Piano Sonata Theater of Performing Arts. Mrs. that their future would be affected "Pathetique." In addition to sing- Silver and Mrs. Walsh will conby their choice to follow the oath. ing "My Favorite Things," and tinue the program this to earn Speaking on behalf of the "Memories," the Townsend Har- theforeign language software. students was Student Organiza- ris chorus, conducted by David tion President, Thomas Postilio, Briskin, performed alumnus 1rVThe Classic earned a first place who in his speech praised the ing Drake's "Townsend Harris certificate from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. The newspaper scored 889 out of 1000

News Briefs

By HoDy Hatcher and Haera Hwang Townsend Harris High School welcomed three high school students from Japan on Monday, October 7th, for a two week stay with sophomores Lisa DeMairo, Lynda Carroll and Sophia Menakis. Each hostess was paired with a speciallychosen guest from Japan. Miko Ohno was Ms. DeMairo's guest; Ms. Carroll was paired with Miho Nakajima, and Ms.Menakis hosted Miki Hirano.

Ata presentation in the library to introduce the exchange students and their hostesses, Dr. Largmann opened with a quotation from Aeschylus, "What is pleasanter than the tie of hosts and guests," According to Dr. Largmann, this is the flrst visit of Japanese students to Townsend Harris High School in the school's history. .At the close, there was an exchange of gifts between Dr. Largmann and the Japanese guests. The students were made honorary members of the class of 1988. The hostesses said they are grateful for the funding of their Japan trip this spring, made possible with the financial support of the alumni. Thomas Postilio, school president, invited the Japanese guests to the first student mixer on October 14th. Mr. Postilio expressed hope that the' hostesses and the Townsend Harris High School community can "gain t: from an exchange of ideas and cultures" by the youth exchange. ~ , The three Japanese guests, all 17, attend Kanto High School, a private ~ high school for girls in Tokyo. The educational and social atmosphere sur- :l:1 rounding the students at Kanto High School is different from that at Town- § send Harris . Students attending Kanto are required to wear uniforms and a ,~ standard hair style. Makeup and jewelry are prohibited whileattending Kan- ~ .

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Two common aspects which are shared with Townsend Harris High ct ............

• School are the stress on education and the great respect for teachers.

TH students practice Japanese guest Miko Ohno, said, "Townsend Harris is so much liberated.

In Japan, we are very shy to raise our hands, to ask questions. Here, it is, different. " The presentation was the first of many events which followed the arrival , By Christine Holowinsky of the students. The first week, the students and their hostesses toured Townsend Harris High School Townsend Harris High School, Queens College and New York Oty. The received 72 IBM PC's as a result second week was spent in Washington, D.C. where the students visited of a grant written by Queens Colmany historical sights. The exchange students returned to Japan on October lege.

18th.

The computers are located on the school's lower level. In the computer lab, students learn the basics. All ninth, and some tenth grade students are involved in computer courses. Word Processing is taught by Mr. Boulanger, Me. Mermelstein and Mr. Polizzi.

Math teachers Mr. Horn and Mr. Rattien teach Computer the world of sculpture to modern Technology and Computer ProBy Linda Facinelli New elective courses are a part day computers, students have the gramming.

Freshmen spend an average of of all tenth grade programs this opportunity to enrich their minds, year. These courses give the further expanding their horizons. two bands a week in the computer Some of the electives offered rooms. The word processing prostudents the opportunity to explore specialized subjects that are this year are computer programm- gram . was introduced to the not offered in the standard cur- ing, sculpture, instrumental students with eight lessons on music, and drama. Computer pro- keyboarding. The computer edits riculum.

There is a variety of elective gramming, taught by Mr. Rattien, and .revises; for two weeks, courses for the sophomores. From . .Continued on page 4 students worked on a fable, which

year

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The Phoenix, THHS literary magazine, acquired a second place. certificate from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, as well as an All-Columbian award for creativity. :

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Diana Zuckhur, former school president, was the school reporter for THHS on 98.7 Kiss FM on Oc~ • tober 30th .' She spoke about the .

Townsend Harris experience for two minutes at 6:50 A .M., and . received free accessories and three tickets to the premiere of "Krush Groove."

computer technology.

QC Grants Computer Wish

Sophs Elect New Courses

was moved around for corrections. In order to get ready for their writing, brainstorming is used so the students can list many ideas on a specific topic in 10 minutes. This is called "Priortising the editing list."

Sophomores participate in the computer enrichment, as well as in the programming and technology courses. Individual 10th grade classes will be asked to come down to the lab to do subject-related classwork. .

In English and global history classes, reports will be done; in mathematics, computations. In foreign language classes, new vocabulary can be recorded; in science, experimental projects can be programmed. In music classes, students will be able to create their own melodies, and in art, students will be able to create their own pictures, using the koala pad.

The collection of Christmas gifts for the patients at the Bernard Feinstein Development Center in Howard Beach, Queens, will begin shortly. Forty THHS students will entertain the patients on a date to be announced.

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Renata Kobetts bas won Round I of competition and has been given $300 to build her proposal in .the Student Energy Research Competition to be presented in Albany in May .

Representatives from Harvard University visited Townsend Harris on November 8th to inform students of requirements for Ivy League admission.

Heather Nash, Renata Kobetts and Mrs. Sheryl Rubin attended a student conference on the free press on November I3 at the Association of the Bar of the City of New York.

Page 2

We Need A Study Hall Students at Townsend Harris need a study hall. Our students never seem to have enough time for studying or for completing homework. Students just don't have any more time; in the end, their grades may suffer because of it. The simple and sensible answer to this problem of time is to work a study hall band into the students' schedules.

The band would give the students time to work on classwork and homework and also serve as a time when homeroom activities and attendance procedures could take place. It could be created sometime during the day between bands and could first be tried out on a trial basis. The study band also could prove useful for teachers because it would give them extra time to do their work and would enable them to be more available for the students for conferences. A study band would benefit both teachers and students. .

We know that many people will oppose the idea of a study band and feel that it will turn into a big "gossip session" and become a waste of time. We hope that the students of Townsend Harris will not abuse the extra time given to them by the study band when they see what they can accomplish during the band.

The students at Townsend Harris need a study band and we, as a student paper, feel that the administration of Townsend Harris should create a place in our schedule for such a worthwhile activity. '

TH Penalized

By Funding The method of funding practiced by the Board of Education penalizes Townsend Harris and other small high schools. Student activities are funded according to the number of students on the school's register as of the . previous year. This method does not provide us with an adequate amount of money to support our interests. The Classic believes that funds should be given for the number of activities a school supports, rather than the number of

students it has. : Townsend Harris is funded three dollars a student per year for student activities. However, we are subject to the same expenses as a school that is funded for as many as . 4,000 students. The cost of publishing a school newspaper, for instance, is almost the same for a school of our size as it is for a school with thousands of students.

Some might say-that since we have fewer students, we do not need as much money. However, this is not the case. We have the same number of interests, clubs, teams and publications as a full-sized high school, and yet we are limited because we are not given enough funds to support them. Our st.udents are forced to fundraise to support our causes.

The Board of Education should change its funding policies to focus on the quality and quantity of a school's activities, not on the number of its students.

w4t Qtlassic Wnwnsenb lffarriIi lffigll ~rllnnl at Ql)ueens <!tollege .

Editor-in-Chief: Heather Nash News Editor: Holly Hatcher Feature Editors: Martha Douvogiannis, Doris Sachs Sports Editors: Russell DeCastro, Scott Siegel Business Editors: Gia Malka, Marcia Valentine Staff: Tammy Benjamin, Dawn Cabage, Roberto Colon, Stephanie Epstein, Linda Facinelli, Danielle Frons, Camille Gear, Monica Gibbs, Michelle Gnyp, Karen Greenberger, Joseph Guzzardo, Christine Holowinsky, Haera Hwang, Bernard Hyman, Joel Karlin, Renata Kobetts, Jackie Korman, Brad Mayer, Sean Moore, Yasmin Qazi, Rachel Rojas, Cheryl Schustack, .Doreen Soo-Hoo, Heather Wacht, Lisa Walters, Debbie Warren, Danielle Woodall Faculty Adviser: Mrs. Sheryl Rubin .Principal: Dr. Malcolm Largmann

The Classic is the student newspaper at Townsend Harris High School. We are located at -75-40 Parsons Blvd., Flushing, N.Y. 11366-1038. Our telephone number is (718) 969-1433.

Letters To The Editor Student President Praises Spirit To the Editors: As president of the student body, I want to let every Townsend Harris student know that I believe that you are all doing a great job in keeping the Townsend Harris tradition alive.

For example, I was very pleased with the turnout at our first mixer.

The response to our second dance was overwhelmingly wonderful and I was very happy with the special programs we had on November 7 for Founder's Day. I think it was great for the Townsend Harris students of today to share experiences with the Townsend Harris students of yesterday.

Congrats . To The Classic

To the Editors: We would like to congratulate the entire Townsend Harris I must also thank those staff newspaper staff .for winning the members who came to our dance Columbia Scholastic Press and mixer - for you, too, are an Association award.

The important influence on the spirit newspaper staff did an excepof our school. tional job, and the leadership class I assure you that the student is proud of you. In jnst one year government is' working hard for the work you've accomplished is your best interests and if you have in a class by itself. Keep up the any specific ideas, suggestions or good work. complaints, please feel free to see On behalf of the Leadership <lass any member of our executive Cartine Emile board or drop a note in the sugand Daketta Marshburn gestion box outside the main office.

My best wishes to everyone for a successful school year.

Rest regards, To the Editors: Thomas Postilio I think it was entirely ridiculous for the tenth grade to take the PSAT's at the end of six hours of school, Although the PSAT scores are not being sent to colleges and do not qualify us this year for National Merit Scholarships, the results of this test are important to most of us. A lot of people in Townsend Harris pressure themselves to do their best in everything academically related.

The test is a basic reflection of our knowledge and should act as an indication of what we will achieve on the SAT's.

Taking the test at the end of the day almost defeats its purpose. . How could we possibly .do our best under such conditions? By . 2:30, all we wanted to do was go home because we had a full day of school, homework, and tests on our minds - not the synomym of "gregarious" or "how many 2" x 2" squares can be cut from a piece of cardboard 8" x 4."

I hope the administration takes this into consideration when the next test, whether it be a PSAT or a CITY-WIDE test, is scheduled.

Sincerely, JuDe Tromberg

Time Defeats .

Purpose

Sophs Shortchanged On Computers

By Cheryl Schustack rival was pushed further and fur- don't want. There are many other At last Townsend Harris has ther ahead into the year. By the choices on the Enrichment and entered the computer age. With time it became clear that it would elective menu, and a student the long-awaited 64 IBM and Tan- take until we were sophomores for might not choose to take a comdy computers (and another 36 ex- the computers to actually arrive, puter class. In this way. the pected to be delivered), our high the course had already been sophomore might 'go through his school has more computers per taught strictly as the composition entire high school career without capita than Bronx Science or class. ever having any knowledge or exStuyvesant. The extensive comSince we missed out on the com- perience with computers. For such puter equipment is set up to give puter course last year. a class us- an important subject to be offered our new freshmen an invaluable ing the new equipment is being of- on a voluntary basis is not suffi.fered to us this year as an elective. cient. A computer class 'should be experience.

The ninth grade course teaches This class entails programming us- made mandatory. For if offered a basic keyboarding, writing using i n g ' Basic and computer choice of a dance class or an in"Deskmate," word processing technology. A computer class is tegrated math course, how many and composition. This class is ex- also offered as an addition to our students would actually opt for tremely beneficial to the freshmen Enrichment program. Here, tenth the mathematics even though they because of the increasing impor- graders get hands-on experience, realize knowlege in this field is extance of computer literacy in to- learn basic programming and .tremely important? day's machine-oriented society. word processing and play games Computer science should take However, the sophomores do not on the machines. its place among the other manget the same chance at the comThere are some teachers (and datory classes in our schedule. puters as the freshmen do this students) who say that.it is a better Computers are now a vital part of year. When we came to Townsend idea (0 路 offer these computer the business world, and not havHarris last year, we were promised classes on a voluntary basis. In ing a computer education in our a computer course (with com- this way, they claim, students will curriculum would leave Townsend puters) called word-processing. be learning by choice instead of Harris graudates unprepared for The month of the computers' ar- having to take class they really tomorrow.

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Thanks For The Memories From Tokyo With Love

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Sophia Menakis, Lisa DeMairo

By Lynda Carroll In anticipation we waited for and 1 brought our guests to school them to walk through those large for four days. Although the steel doors. Finally, out from Japanese girls couldn't undercus toms, 24 weary Japanese stand most of what was said, it did teenagers stepped onto American not take any knowledge of the soil to our greetings of cheers and ,English language to observe the hugs. For my guest, Miko Naka- many differences between our two jima, and me, the tension broke as school systems. Although their soon as she walked out of the air- "American Educational Export and said in broken English, perience" was wonderful for the " I can't believe I'm in America!" â&#x20AC;˘ Japanese guests, it was the exciteOur first night together was ment of being in New York , New very exciting. We sat around the York, which interested them the table taking about and comparing most.

Our guests enjoyed their three our two different cultures.

Fascinated by the similarities as day tour of Washington but we well as the differences, we talked could all tell that New York was until 1 was sure we were good the city they really loved. Unforfriends and she was surely my tunately the flight to Tokyo left the next morning; their two short "guest-sister ."

The first week went by quickly. weeks in America had come to

an end.

I stood near the window staring at the jet which the 24 Japanese had just boarded through tearfilled eyes. The two weeks which 1 had waited so long for had come to an end. No longer would 1 have to explain those trivial American facts, such as tipping in restaurants; no longer would 1 have to speak slowly and explain the simplest words to my guest. 1 ' would not see my new friends for another six months. Still, when that plane left the ground, 1 felt that a part of me left New York, never to return; that part of me was scattered among the 24 Japanese students who were about to start their 14 hour journey back home.

Interns Learn Hands On

By Brad Mayer This summer man y fellow Harrisites participated in the school's unique summer internship program. This program offered jobs, both with and witho ut pay, ranging from acting and production to zoology. Those who participated over the- four to six weeks were able to gain "han ds-on " learning experience in the real business world.

Many students returned to .school in September with glowing reports of their experiences.

Suzanne Offerman, Michelle Gnyp, Rene Stuart and Traci Lashley worked at the Bronx Distrit Attorney's office . With the help of an assistant district attorney, the fou r witnessed trials and went on tours of the jailhouse and courtroom. Suzanne Offerman described her summer as "a

time in which I grew mentally and emotionally wh ile preparing myself for the future ."

Felicia Schpall worked at Playwrigh ts' Horizons, a professional , off-Broadway, acting company. She assisted the company in their production of "Paradise."

Felicia said, "Not only-did 1enjoy my summer, but I received help for my hopeful career in acting."

Jackie Korman , who wor ked at a real estate agency doing clerical work, was fortunate eno ugh to get paid . Richard Jones' employer liked him so much, he now has a part-time paying job at the doctor's office.

Mrs. Sheila Orner, guidance counselor and coordinator of the ' program, remarked, "The interships have been a marvelous success. T here have been great responses from both students and employers and we hope to have a :bigger and bette r one for next Ed McMahon, Cheryl Shustack, Faria Pereira, Joe Bawar wod summer."

with Mrs. Appel.

Students Leap Into Research

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i Jennifer Abramson poses for an audience.

Star Ballerina Shines on Stage

By Martba Douvogiannis

Jennifer Abramson nervously awaits her cue. As she hearsit, she steps forward onto the stage; the spotlight focuses on her and the music fills the air. Jennifer begins to dance, intensely arousing the audience's attention. She ends the performance with a grand-jete and the audience breaks into thunderous applause indicating their satisfaction. Jennifer is reassured that she has received a part in the New York Ballet's annual production of George Balanchine's "The Nutcracker. "

Jennifer, influenced by her mother and some friends, started taking ballet lessons at the age of five at the Rabovski School , where she studied for the next six years. She then auditioned for the School of American Ballet and now is a student there . ' When asked how she feels aud itioning in front of a strange, live audience, Jennifer replied, "When I'm auditioning I feel exShe concludes, " I would like to treme ly nervous and very competitive, and if I seem to be doing be a professional dancer and well, 1 feel hopeful that I will achieve as much success that is in my reach in this field." reach my goal."

Spirit Day .II: The Tradition Continues

By Yasmin Qazi

By Camille Gear Some of the more memorable Mrs. Appel's D-Band class is very different from the average science and Karen Greenberger costumes among students were An executioner, clowns, a belly ¡ " t h e Christmas Tree," a lass. The students rareIyget homework, are not required to memorize formulas or defmitions, and willnot have to take many exams this year. These dancer, and even a Christmas tree scarecrow, the Invisible Man and students are part of the Science Research Class. As one of the eight elec- roamed the halls of Townsend . a pair of valentines that succeeded tivesoffered this semester to tenth graders, the research class welcomes any Harris on Spirit Day II, "The in stealing everyone's hearts.

Many of the students were almost Townsend Harris student with an interest in science.

Year After."

Students arrived disguised as unidentifiable; Christine Petty Though the class clearly is not a facsimile of atypical science class, it is not unprecedented. The idea of a science research elective was devised by 'everything from housewives to was disguised as an executioner, Appel, who had previously taught the same type of class at Jamaica High surgeons. There was a wide varie- covered in black.

Schpol. She knew the program had been successful because many of herty of witches and cats. The Ninja Students were not the only ones former students developed ideas for science projects and had submitted was one of the more popular who appeared in costumes; several eir projects to the prestigious Westinghouse Science Talent Search. costumes for the boys and bunnies teachers were also transformed.

Knowing that many Harrisites were drawn towards a career in science, Ap- 'won hands down for the girls. Mr. Polizzi was attired in a red pel hoped they would choose this elective.

Periodically, the class is given a laboratory exercise where they must design their own experiments. Mrs. Appel presents the class with various problems and she encourages her students to ask questions and to make observations. She expects her students to solve the assigned problems experimentalIy and to write up their own labs using the scientific method.

Each of the 27 students in this class is required to undertake an individual research project during the course of the semester. Although the main emphasis is placed on biological studies, five of the students have submitted ] Iproposals for the Student Energy Competition, a state-widecompetition for high school students . .

When asked what she anticipates for her students, Mrs. Appel replied, "I hope my students learn to ask questions and will not be afraid to answer

Ithem."

Although she has to keep up with her school work, she doesn't neglect her ballet training. She trains six days a week, on Tuesday and Thursday for two-and-a-half hours and the remaining days for one-and-a-half hours . For Jennifer, training is an intense, constan t discipline of the body and is emotionally tiring and tedious, but on the other hand, it increases her energy, and enab les her dance movements to become mo re precise.

All this training has paid off; she has already performed twice in " Th e Nutcracke r " in Lincoln Center; this upcoming season will be her third . In addition, she has performed in two other ballets, "Ha rl eq uinade" and "Firebird. " Jenn ifer Abramson has been studying ballet for 10 years now, and is even making plans to become a professional ballet dance r.

Scottish kilt, Mrs. Rubin and Mrs. Weinstein were dressed as teenagers, and Mr. Mermelstein was William Shakespeare .

Although Mr. Moskowitz said he did not know what he was, when he was asked for comment, he knew he was definitely Hawaiian.

Contests were held..during the three lunch bands and prizes were awarded to the winners . During E lunch, the winners were: Dana Levine, a Christmas tree; Matthew Donimanni, Ed Grimly; and Nicole Witherspoon as a white rabbit. Cheryl Schustak and Abi Jones, a belly dancer and a valentine, were the winners of F band.

Ma and Pa Harris, Sophia Menakis and Joanne Muntzer, and Gail Hobson, a red valentine, won the contest for G. The Classic's Bake Sale was a smashing success and is on its way to becoming part of the Spirit Day ' tradition. The spirits that roamed the halls created the spirit and exexcitement of Spirit Day II, "The Year After. "

Boys' Bowling Strikes A Victory

Girls' volleyball team with coach Nix.

Girls Show Spirited Skill

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By Scott Siegel The Townsend Harris girls' volleyball team triumphed over Flushing High School on October 11th, after several losses at the beginning of the season. The team is a new addition to Townsend Harris and is coached by Ms. Wanda Nix. The team won the first game with a score of 15-10; then Flushing went on to take the match.

The team, in the junior varsity league,played aggressively against Flushing's varsity team. Denise ' Corsi gave an outstanding performance, serving for six straight points.

Electives....

Along with Denise, several teammates, including Christina Woo, Suzie Lee, Carrie Weinstein, Michelle Gnyp, Dawn Cabage, Jennifer Weinberg, Jane Kwon, Emma Lee, and Hae Joo Kim played with great skill.

Several weeks before the Flushing game, the team played against Tilden High School. At this game two observers from P.S.A.L. came to decide whether 'the team could be official or not.

One of the questions they asked was what it takes for a team to make it. The response from team members was, "It takes Ms. Nix - she's a great coach." They awarded the team official status.

Siegel Speaks On Sports

What's The Real Deal?

ment and courts are necessary for play.

It is unfair that students should have to raise funds in order to support their high school's teams. We are funded on the number of students we had last year and therefore we receive less than one fourth the amount of money as other city high schools. We at Townsend Harris should re. . quest extra money from the PSAL in order to support our ?ot knowing a thing about ~owl- teams without raising funds Since the Board of Education mg learned special techmques • .. . from Ms. Kaplin and became bet- has allocated more money for junior varsity teams, we feel ter bowlers. The bowler with the this request is justified. highest .score during a match was It is true that our school has only two grades and a Cheryl Schustack,with 144. _ register of 412 students, but we still need sufficient money Team members are: Sayeeda for our teams. Student athletes need not suffer the Clarke, Bernadette Van-Huy, f f d .. h db' d . h Debra Dermack, Lynn Horowitz, ' pressures 0 un raising; teams soul e recogmze Wit Aliza Konig, Christine McGrath, money.

Tilden Bowlers Unspared

Continued from page 1

By Christine McGrath is a course in which the students The girls' bowling team's first learn how to write their own pro- victory was against Tilden High grams in BASIC, a popular School on October 23rd at Jib computer language.

Lanes.

The adrenaline flowed as the The main focus in Mr. Morales' girls threw strikes and spares, one sculpture course is students' after the other. The girls, along understanding of the creation and with their coach Ms. Jean Kaplan, design of three dimensional works were overjoyed. After the victory, of art. The class is currently work-' Jeanne Salehi, one of the bowlers, ing on a bas-relief. This project in- exclaimed, "The game was pretty volves plaster into which the decent, I must say." students carve designs.

Many of the girls who began Mr. Nelson is the maestro of Instrumental Music. This course includes students who have played instruments for a few years, as well as students who wish to try their luck with an instrument. The more advanced players practice as a band. The beginning students try to master the fundmentals of their instruments, which include brass or woodwinds. They are currently working on pieces of music to be presented on Townsend Harris Day and their annual Holiday Season performance.

The Drama elective is an academic study of the dramatic arts with a hands-on approach to directing, producing, and presenting plays. The class is currently working on a set of radio plays for possible taping. Ms. Blechman, the drama coordinator, stated, "there is so much natural talent that we hope to channel some of it into the performing arts."

The other electives include journalism, student leadership, computer technology and science research.

By Bernard Hyman The first boys' bowling team victory was over Beach Channel on October 23rd, at Jib Lanes.

The A-team, consisting of John Meredith, DarrinFallick, Scott Roth, and Elliot Roman won their game against Beach Channel's A-team. The B-team was also victorious, with the combined efforts of Xavier Mendoza, Kevin Kim, Sujal Bharucha, and Vadim Rubinstein. Bernard Hyman, Joseph Bawar, Michael McDer~ .0 mott, and Xavier Mendoza, the I~ C-team, lost, but despite the loss, :~ the Townsend Harris boys were i5 triumphant. .. is: A Darrin Fallick bowled several ~ strikes as did John Meredith, and § with Scott Roth's experience, they took the lead. The B-team won Boys' bowling team with coach Altman. with the help of Xavier Mendoza's score.

Some of the bowlers expressed their feelings about the team.

John Meredith said, "I feel it was a very exciting and enriching activity. It helped me grow and increased my bowling ability ." Darrin Fallick felt that the team gave him a chance to work with new people, make new friends, and learn about teamwork and competition. Coach Don Altman is Why should high school sports teams have to raise funds looking forward to next year when they compete as a official team. in order to pay for such necessities as uniforms and court Townsend Harris suffered time? The PSAL gives Townsend Harris $2,000 a year for losses to Hillcrest High School, equipment and salaries, but uniforms are part of equipForest Hills, and John Bowne.

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Jeanne Salehi, Hyun-Su Yi, Shari Reinstein, Lorna Chan, Sonia Lee, Cheryl Schustack and Donna Sodano.

Student Mixer Begins Friendship

By Haera Hwang The Student Mixer, which was held in the cafetorium on October 14th, and could not have been possible without the support and cooperation of the Townsend Harris students, marked the beginning of new friendships among the sophomores and the newcomers.

The cafetorium was festively decorated with balloons and bright colored ribbons. The mixer . kicked off with the presentation of the Japanese students by Thomas Postilio, the school president. Then the loud, hard music filled the air as people glided around the dance floor to the rhythm of the music.

The teachers, too, appeared to be having a delightful time.

Although some of the teachers were seen in corners, brushing their feet in contented silence,

other teachers were more vivacious. Mr. Rossman, for example, became the center of attention as he joined the dancing crowd and showed off some "interesting" steps. . There was even more enthusiam as Thomas Postilio sang "New York, New York." His superb singing, which strongly resembled that of Frank Sinatra's, received an overwhelming applause.

The mixer was run entirely by Townsend Harris students, some of whom were the disc jockeys.

They also brought -cassettes and tape decks. Ticket collection and food service were arranged by the students. Behind the excitement and enthusiasm, there was much cooperation among the students.

More people attended this social gathering than had been expected and that made all the efforts worthwhile.

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test prep organization.

WEEKENDS .

(718) 261·~40p

STANLEY H. KAPLAN EDUCATIONAL CENTER LTO. QUEENS COLLEGE STUDENT UNION 152-45 MELBOURNE AVE. FLUSHING' NY 11367 SIANIIYt't KAPlANlIllJ(AIIONAI (jNItR.llD' •

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KAPLAN