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Vol. 4 No.1
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October/November, 1987
Spirit Day Costumes Sparkle
By David Herszenhorn Mr. Stephen Phillips has taken lover as acting Executive Director of the High School Division. Mr. Phillips, formerly the superintendent of alternative high schools began his job after Frank L. Smith, director of the High School Division was forced to While speaking to teachers of resign in late August. Ac co r di n g t o Prin ci pal alternative high schools two years Malcolm Largmann, Phillips is ago, . he compared stud ents to " an energetic person with ex- automobile parts. "Students come perience outside of New York City into a schoo l much as the chassis as well as in the city system ." In entered Henry Ford 's Model A two meetings with high school plant in the 19205: as the chassis principals Mr . Phillips is reported moves along the assembly line, to ,have said that he believes it is ' one worker adds a bumper, as we important that schools develop ex- add 40 minut es of ' English: isting programs rat her than look another worker add s a fender- 40 for furth er inno vatio ns. Mr. minutes of social studies. At the Phillips also believes that high end, the finishing paint is put schools should be smaller, with on-graduation day-the produc t is inspected-RCT examinati ons fewer than 2000 students.
and shoved out the door," said . Ph illips. The major impact that Dr. Smith had on Townsend Harris was the decision to implement a new admissions policy which does not allow for an interview and a writt en essay to be used in the process of evaluating prospective students. Dr. Largmann said that -the new Executive Director will follow thro ugh on what Smith .started and did not see any chance for the policy to be changed in the forseeable future. Mr. Ph illips has high hopes for the city's high schools. In an interview with th e NEW YORK TEACHER he said , "I don't think things are as dismal as people say." He continued , " We have to let adminis tr a to rs, teachers and students live up to . their potentials."
'Students come into a school much as the chassis entered Henry Ford's .Model A plant'
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Schools ·A wait Start:
Jennifer Antezweski and Christine DeLeo take part in the Hallo~ ween Spirit that flUed the halls of Townsend Harris on Oct. 30 in the fourth annual Halloween Spirit Day. Both teachers and students dressed in holiday costumes.
Asbestos Delays Openings
Columbia Scholastic Press Association awarded first place prizes to the Classic and the Phoenix.
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An all-around newspaper award went to Renata Kobetts , and reporting, editing, and sports writing awards went to David Herszenhorn at Columb ia's Summer Workshop in Jo urnalism '"
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Dr. Len Gappelburg has initiated Y.E.S.-Youth for an Educated Society-as an enrichment this term. The main objective of the group is to lobby for more financial aid to college students.
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Mrs. Susan Appel has begun a talent search for the Westinghouse Science Scholarsh ip Competition . Any Juniors interested in competing in their senior year should see Mrs. Appel now.
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The math team has increased its size this year and meets two lunch bands a week. Plans are in progress for a Freshman team to begin this Spring.
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The orchestra has doub led its size to over fifty people and an intermediate class has been added to the music program.
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Ms. Linda Carroll from the New York City Youth Volunteer Pr ogram gave an enrichment presentation on October 22, sponsored by the ARCH ON society. '
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The school Day on November 20 by reciting the traditional Ephebic oath at a ceremony at Queens College. '"
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Mr. Myron Moskowitz too k a group of students pumpkin picking at Meyer's farm on Long Island and then to Adventureland amu sement park on October 24.
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The first dance of the year will be held at Queens College on December II. II
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School sweatshirts, jackets, bookcovers, mugs, etc. can be purchased through Mr. Moskowitz.
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By Melody Keilbach Free-floating asbestos particles caused Clara Bar ton High School in B~6kiyn and Julia Richman High School in Manh atta n to delay the opening of school this year. The asbestos problems in both schools began when workmen doing renovation s hit asbestoscovered pipes and released the harmful dust. The problem in Julia Richman High School was limited to areas adjacent to the kitchen and cafeteria, allowing students to return only a few days later than usual. The clean-up at Clara Barton High School is a long-range project, expected to take at least four months.
'The board's record on getting things done gives real grounds for worrying' United Federation of Teachers president, Sandra Feldman, has requested that the responsibility f or building renovation, construction, ' and asbestos removal be transferred from the Board of Education's Division of School Buildings to an out side agency. In a recent interview published in the U.F .T . newspaper, she claimed, "It's obvious that the division of school buildings is incapable of handling asbestos removal, b ui ld ng renovation, or construction. "
The students of Clara Barton suit. By some miracle, there was had been reassigned to either Pa ul not one accident, but the frustraRobeson High School, York Col- tion level was high." lege, East New York High School The Board of Education called of Transi t Techno logy, or Harry someone in to tak e air samples at · Van Arsdale High School , depen- Clara Barton High School. The ding on their programs of study. air was said to be fine, but the The faculty had been likewise t eachers, unsatisfied, hired an atdispersed. ' torney on their own. The attorney Splitting the school up this way called in the White Lung Associacaused the faculty and students to tion , who found the level of · worry about the school falling asbestos to be unacceptable, and apa rt. Accord ing to M a x outlined removal procedures. On Brimberg, U.F.T. Brooklyn High October 2 1, students and faculty School dis trict representative, finally returned to Barton. "the board's record on getting things done gives real grounds for worrying." Townsend Harris teacher, Ellen Schwartz taught at Clara Barton High School during two years of the renovat ion . She recalled, "We knew that the building was old, so · we were worr ied from the beginning that they might be contaminating the air with asbestos part icles. " . Mrs. Schwartz also remembers how trying the renovations were on the faculty and students, " The renovating went on not only thr ough the weekends and after school, but while classes were in session. There were people on scaffolding doing wiring, plastering, and paintin g in the hallway. People walked right through the clas srooms with debris and dumped them out the windows into dump sters below." She went on, "While they were fixing the gym, gym classes had to sit in the balcony of the auditorium, and there was a daily listing of room changes that . teachers and students had to con- ' I
Inside the Classic: .
Japanese Exchange Pg. 3 Seniors
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Archon
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New Teachers Pg.6
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-Press for Rights
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Question : As a senior, what advice would you give to the new students of Townsend Harris?
Lor na C ha n : - " Just take everything in stride and don. 't let the. work get you down. Townopnn Harris isn't all work and no play, it can be fun also."
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To the Edito r: ' I think that the administration of this school has made a mistake in allowing the first mark ing period of this term to be so short. Townsend Harris has always been ' somewhat of a pressure cooker for its students : With constant tests and collateral assignments, the mood of our student body always seems to be tense. This situation was not at all helped by the decision to implement a first marking period of only five weeks' duration . This decision needlessly incurred great stress upon the student s of this
school by forcing teachers to schedule three, four, or even five tests on a single day in order for them to have sufficient marks for our first report cards (which are only letter grades anyway). This 0 policy has contributed to lower ~ grades and raised the tension in ~ this school. 'ij ::l
The obvious solution to this ~' problem would be the creation of ~ longer marking periods in the ii: ~ future . This will tend to alleviate Regina Cavaioli: "Don't lose stress and will be beneficial for sight of the end . No matter how our student s' well being. tough it gets, remember there's ' Eric Wigginton always a light at the end of the tunnel. "
Bork Tactics Questioned ' To the Editor: The public smear campaign conducted against Judge Bork was ludicrous and disgusting. The opposition has taken great pains to paint him as a racist, and someone whose views are out of step with reality. If he was, then why were none of his 507 majo rity decisions overturned? The senate's tactics must be questioned. Why was Senator Metzenbaum's staff member , a Miss Greene, allowed to intimidate a black Harvard law pro-
Seniors Struggle to Preserve Unity
fessor not to testify on Bork's behalf? His testimony would have disproved all the lies about Bork being a racist. What should we, as responsible Townsend Harris students , do to protest this outrage? First, we must send a barrage of letters to all the senators who don 't have the GUTS to stand up for what's right. Then, we should organize marches and rallies, and hope that the Senate decides to mak e amends for its mistakes. J ohn Newman
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~1 ' ., Rene Stoart : " It might seem hard, but if you stick-with it, you will succeed in getting good grades."
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Editors in Chief Managing Editors News Editors ;
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Heather Nash, Renata Kobetts Cheryl Schustack, DaVid Herszenhorn .Karen Greenberger, Holly Hatcher, Eileen Gunn -, .. Michelle Gnyp Editorial Page Editor ,.:.., , Feature Editors. , . .. , , . , .. , . , . . Dawn Cabage, Brad Mayer, Camille Gear, Hayley Thomas Sports Editors . , ,., , .Bernie Hyman , Lena Jones Business Editor. , ,.,., ,, Nanette Kung Photography Editor , ,.,.,., , . Russell DeCastro Faculty Advisor ,.,.,..,.,., , ,Mrs. Sheryl Rubin Principal. . , . , ,.., , Dr. Malcolm Largmann Staff: Corey Ackerman, Jackie Berler, Donnelle Butler, Matt Dominiani, Lenny Donghia, Lisa Feintuch, David Fischer, Marissa Gluck, Samant ha Gobler, Scott Karp, Melody Keilbach, Julia Kou, Ericka Landsman , J odie Lasoff, Ruth Lerman, Mary McCarthy, Nikila Pa i, David Richards, Kristi Rodenbeck, Michael Scheiman, Marc Schwartz, Abby Shafran, Esther Soffer, Danielle Steinmann, Steve Sussman, Amita Unaranikar , Jessica Wohl. .
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1987
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The Classic
Page 3
Hazelwood vs. Kuhlmeier:
.Future Press Fights, for Rights since the newspaper was part of a pressed his opinion that a prinBY Renat a Kobetts The case of Kuhlmeier vs. the journalism course , it was not cipal should have a degree of conHazelwobd School District, a guaranteed First Amendment pro- trol over the content of a significant case for students ' First tection as a public forum . This newspaper but, "only if you have Amendment rights, is currently judgment, however, was reversed one newspaper in the school and being tried by the Supreme Court. . by a 2-to-l decision of a three- the mate rial that is being printed is The dispute leading to this case judge panel of the Court of Ap- so controversial that it would began in May 1983 when The peals for the Eighth Circuit. They undermine [the rights] of inSpectrum , the student newspaper held that the paper, being more dividuals or a policy and no opof St. Louis Hazelwood East High than just a part of the curriculum, portunity had been afforded the School, was planning a two-page was entitled to Constitu tional pro - opposing side to simultaneously ' report jncluding articles dealing tection . express its point of view." He with divorce and teen-age Principal Reynolds defended stressed that a principal should expregnancy. his position by saying that the ar- ercise .the "least amount of conThese articles were never read; ticles described students and their trol as possible. " they were never printed. They families " in such an accurate way The school board is now joined were censored by the principal, that the readers could tell who by the National Association of they were ." H e cont inued, School Boards and the National Dr. Robert E. Reynolds. Kathy Kuhlmeier, Leanne Tip- "When it became clear that the ar- Association of Secondary School pett , and Leslie Smart , editors of ticles were going to tread on the Principals. The students have the the publication, decided to sue right of' privacy of students and backing of journalism education their school district, 'charging that their parents, I stepped in to stop organizat ions, the National the action amounted to prior the process." Organization for Women, the Principal Malcolm Largmann, a 路 Planned Parenthood Federation . restraint of the press. In 1985 " Federal district judge ruled that, former newspaper advisor, ex- for America, and the Children's
Defense Fund, as well as other journalism ' organizations. They have stressed that a student newspaper is one of the few outlets for student opinions and problems. One of the students' attorneys, however , has conceded that edito rial cont rol, to a degree, is acceptable. Dr. Largmann, a member of the N.A .A .S.P ., agreed with the stand this organization has taken. " I think the principal is probably doing what is best for individuals ." He continued, "I, too, wou ld censor nebulous descriptions, unless there ' was some sort o f p rearranged understanding." Dr . ' Largmann does advocate freedom of the press in school. However, since, "School is not the real world" but a " preparation for the real world ," he feels that students must be guided in orde r to remain
on the boundary between responsible reporting and libeL Many fear that a conservative Supreme Court deciding this case i n favor of the school board will set a preceden t for prior restra int. Citing the case of Tinker vs. DesMoines in 1979, Mrs. Rhod a Weinstein , teacher of Townsend _Ha rris Law classes, said, "I think the precedent is already on prior restraint." She asserted that a decision in favor of the school board would just be a conti nua nce of the "status quo ." "I do think the principal needs to look at the paper to see if it would cause any libel to damage any students," she said, but stressed the belief that students are entitled to First Amendments rights in school. " If you want to , have responsible citizens, you have to give studen ts responsib ility while they're in schoo l."
Sister Cities 路Swap Students ~~M
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Ceremony By Eileen Gunn "I think we're all aware of the importance of Ja panese-Am erican relation s," said Assistant Principal Bernice Horowitz to open the welcoming cere mony for Naoko Hayashi and Ak ioshi Tanaka, Japanese exchange students wh~ here in late September . Mr. . Michael Rubin, Harris' Japanese teacher, then spoke of the ' goals of -the exchange pro gram. "We're learning each other ' s cultures; but more important than that, friendships are being developed." COSA Myron Moskowitz made a brief speech and a first year Jap anese class bid the visitors welcome in their native tongue. Once the formal ities were over, the two teens enterta ined questionsfrom American students with Mr. Rubin helping to break the 'language barriers. Trista Gladden was Naoko's host and J o sep h .Bawar , Akiyoshi's. The two teens will travel to Japan over Spring break : As part of a larger group of exchange students, the foursome toured Washington, D.C . for four days and"then spent the rest of the two-week adventure in New York. They thought tile capital was a beautiful place, but found New York more exciting. Naoko enjoyed the U2 concert Trista had taken her to. She also loved the graffitied trains that make most New Yorkers cringe. " I like Manhattan," stated Akiyoshi who was intrigued by the magnitude of it. He went on. " I had heard that New York is a dangerous city, but I think it's safe. " He found New Yorkers to be very friendly . What was his impression of Lady Liberty? " It's . very tall," he said,smiling.
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Exchange stude nts Naoko Hay ashi and Akiyoshi Tanaka greet Harrisites during welcomin g ceremony:
Making the Memories By Heather Nash City will be one that they will When they stepped off Japan always remember . Not only did Air Lines Flight #006, they were. they visit the many famous sights prepared for the worst. Before of New York, they were able to they left their homeland, Tokyo, take part in a different school enthey were warned of the perils of vironment as well. New York City; of the dirt, the "We went everywhere!" comcrowds of cold people, and of the ments Naoko's host Trista . "We crime. What they found, however , went to the World Trade Center, was a city full of sights and excite- the South _Street Seaport, the ment, and an unusually different Statue of Liberty, Chinatown, educational policy. Most impor- Little Italy and the Metropolitan tantly, they found special new Museum of Art. We also went to friends in each of their American the U.N . and too k a tour of 5th hosts. Avenue with the group, and went For Naoko H a ya shi and to Washington for a weekend to Akiyoshi Tanaka, the Japanese see the capito l and other exchange students who stayed monuments . I also took Naoko to with junior Trista Gladden and see U2 in concert and to see "The senior Joseph Bawar for two Starligh t Express!" "I like New York very, very weeks. th is first trip to New York
much," remarks an enthus iastic - Naoko . " I like Washington, but I like New York a lot more. " Naoko, who studied English in school for five years, notes many differences in the Ame rican school system as opposed to her school in Japan. " The students here are friendly and the boys and girls mix together. In Japan they take the same classes, but do not talk together," she says. " In Japan, on ly the teacher _ talks, but American students are very active and raise the ir hands. In Japan the students are very shy . And American high school students have much more freedom tha t Japanese stude nts do . In my school , I have to wear a uniform;
'I learned a lot about their culture' most students do ." Akiyoshi, whose sister and cousin take college cour ses in Califo rnia, agrees that To kyo is very different from New York. "New York is much bigger than Tokyo and American people are much more . active than the Japanese," says Akiyoshi, who writes for his school newspaper and hop es.to be a writer one day. "Schools here are also different. Teac hers and students communicate together. In Japanese classes, only the teachers speak." Tile exchange studen ts were not the only ones to learn new things from this experience. Host Jo seph Bawar also learn ed a great deal about th e Jap anese and abo ut friendsh ip. " I learned a lot abou t their culture and abo ut their language. The Japanese are not tha t different from us. They're warm, friendly, and funny also ," he comments. " There were 48 of us in the program, 24 America ns and 24 Japanese, and we travelled to places together, so we each made 47 new friends . Akiyoshi and I became really good friends. I feel like I knew him before. When you think about it, two weeks isn't really a long time to spend with someone, but we saw each othe r everyday, so it felt like we knew each other for years." When the two-week trip drew to an end, it was time for the exchange students to reminisce on their experiences. "I enjoyed everything here. I don't want to -leave here! I want to live in New York," jokes Naoko. Although difficult, the thoughts of leaving were made easier knowing that in the spring Trista and Joseph would be able to meet with their new friends once again , this time I in Japanese territory.
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The Classic
October/November, 1987
Visiting TH After QC: .: . Seniors Find 路New Home on QC Campus By Cheryl Schustack It's been a month and a half of green grass, trees, frees and , of course, college cour ses for Town send Harris seniors. Not far away in a little red schoolhouse whose name now truthfully boasts the added title of " At Queens College," freshmen , sophomores and juniors are loyally attend ing high school classes. Shall ever the twain again meet? Many of Townsend Harris ' upperclassmen' must return to their soon-to-be alma mater to continue ' language and other courses not offered at Queens College. Almost everyone has returned to ViS~ 't, if not for a friendly chat , the to discuss matters of increasing irnportance at the College Of fic . The trip down memory lane has encouraged many responses, but not all are full of the trad itional nostalgia thatone might expect. In fact, returning to Townsend Harris has made many seniors appreciate their newfound freedom even more. Senior Linda Cheung returne d to high school one September afternoon " anxious to see all the teachers again and to see if anythi ng had changed." When asked her reaction to being back
the change, "I'm happy that I' m here (at Queens College). It' s AT QU拢OIS COLLe"C /1 definitely a less stressful atmosphere. We're more in touch with nature and the breaks give us the healthy responsibility of ,I./ managing our own time." / . One of the fears expressed ./ before the start Of the college year was that seniors might not feel 路 comfortable amongst the older students . Has this sentiment endured? "Not at all," reassured Anna, "I feel at home here. It 's like my new home. " , . Returning to Townsend Harris gives the upperclassmen a chance I '~ .# to vent oncoming symptoms of ~<"( o . Ij ~楼J senioritis. When asked how she , felt upon seeing the new within the familiar walls of Town- day, expressed similar feelings, " I the senior class to Queens College freshmen , Joanne responded, send Harris, she chose her words had mixed emotions (upon return- was to bridge the gap between life ' "Seeing all the new teachers and with thought. "I was happy to see ing). I was excited to see all the at high school and college. Mak- students made me think of how all the teachers again and I did feel teachers and to see what was new, ing the switch sounded difficult safe and close we were as somewhat nosta lgic." She paused but I was reluctant to be back and scary at first, but most fre shmen . " Senior Roby n and then continued, "However, because I have to travel between students seem to have adjusted Mendelsohn added decisively, there really wasn't much to say Harris and the 'College every quite quickly, eager for the change " We were never that small!" Although the happy Townsend and I began to feel out of place. day. " .Once given a taste of of pace. Many agree that although Once I left, I felt a sense of freedom at college, it seems dif- the small size of the Townsend Harris family isn't housed under freedom - ' the school seemed ficult to imagine ever having at- Harris High School student body the same roof anymore, it isn't tended a school of Harris' size. allowed for a unique closeness to too hard to find a ' familiar face very cramped ." This mixed attitude seems to 'be Joanne added , "I didn't like being develop, the idea of spending around campus, dawdling at "D" shared by many of the seniors. back in tha t little building. It's so an ot her yea r the re seem ed building or tossing aro und a frisbee on the front lawn. It's somewhat claustrophobic. Joanne Muntzner, who has to crowded." The main idea behind moving travel to To wnsend Harri s every Senior Anna Usynski welcomed almost like home. T O W N Sflllll
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QC Experience Brings First Class Closer By Heather Nash In life, change is a factor that often leads to growth and experience, as well as separation. However, separation is the one factor that the Townsend Harris seniors at Queens College did not have to face during their time of change. Since they have begun the school year away from the building that they have recognized as home for the past three years, the members of the first graduating class have been 'brought closer together, rather than further apart. When they discovered that they , would be scatt ered thro ughout the campus, free to wander from class to class without being in one building, many seniors expressed their concerns of drifting apart from one another. . "When I first learned tha t we would be scattered, I felt that we would be isolated from everything back at Townsend Harris, and would be isolated from some of our friends, since we would all have different schedules," recalls Senior Class Pr esident Tanya Odom. Senior Laura Kidolis also, expressed her original concerns, "At first I felt like it would make the little time we would be able to spend with our friends much more special. Then I was"afraid that I wouldn't see anyone because the campus is so big!" However , many of the original , feelings of anxiety were alleviated as the school year began. "It's much different than I expected ,'.' says Tanya. "People who I ordinarily wouldn't talk to, I sit down and stay with because I'm so happy to see someone I know!!"
The question that still remains is, why after three years are people now becoming closer than they have ever been? " Now we walk around campus with so many people that we don't know," adds Laura, "so when we finally see familiar faces, it's relieving. We sit down with people we really didn't know for three years." "It brought us together because now when we have classes with other people from Townsend Harris, we feel more comfortable because we know them," says Julie Tromberg. "And when I see people from school walki ng aroun d on the campus, I always stop to say hello to them!" In addition to the Humanities seminar, gym classes, and the weekly assembly in Kiley Hall, the senior lounge in D-building serves as a convenient spot to meet and speak with other Har risites. Ju lie explains, "I think that having the lounge is necessary and the meetings on Wednesday are good, not because we take care of all the school busines s, but becau se our whole grade is together, and we get to see the people we usually don't see." When the school first opened, the present seniors were isolated from all other grades , and experienced that first year together. Now as the first graduating class nears graduation, they are once again brought together for yet another year full of adjustments, changes and growth . As Tanya adds, "When we were in freshman year, we were close together because it was something new. It's something . new now ' and it brought us even closer. It's just' like the beginning again!"
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Seniors Eddie McMahon, Lori Krown, and Tanya Odom chat during a break near the senior lounge in the D-Building.
Adventures on Campus .Startle Seniors By Brad Mayer August 31, 1987. The day had finally arrived. After three years of waitin g, Townsend Harris seniors were finally at Queens College. For some, the day was filled with excitement and anticipation as students scrambled to' find buildings, classrooms, and fellow Harri sites. , "I couldn't believe that I was here . Compared to our old building, Queens College is like a city," remarked an enthusiastic Melissa Hoffman. However, as with many new adventures, the beginning was filled with mishaps for some and blunders for others . After arriving extra early for the first day of her calculus class, Hyun-Su Yi began introducing herself and becoming acquainted with some of her various classmates. It was after a small
chat about calculus with the boy sittin g next to her th at Hyun-Su realized she was in Calculus 101, not Calculus Ill. By this time, at.tendance was being called and the professor was starting to bring the class to order. Hyun-Su tried quietly to slip out of 101, and slip in, unnoticed to 111. "I couldn 't believe I was sitting there for so long and not even realizing it. I felt so embarrassed, leaving the wrong class and enter- . ing the right one late," said a blushing Hyun-Su . In Jackie Korman's Introduction to Media class students were told that their professor was unable to teach the class for a few weeks. As a result, a large 'film screen came down and a "video" professor began the lesson. While students gasped and remained puzzled by this unusual event the
real pro fessor secretly ran down from the back of the class violently pro testing the absurdity. The class laughed ~ith surprise as the truth was revealed and class began. Jennifer Kroman remarked, "Queens College has been great so far. I mean we all had a few little first day incidents we'd rather not remember, but after all our first freshmen day at the old building was filled with occasional blunders as well." The day came to a grand finale when students became confused when rumors about a change in the scheduled Townsend Harris senior meeting. However, the gossip soon cleared and the Class of '88 assembled at the college to exchange these humorous stories about an adventuresome first day.
The Classic
October/November, 1987
'Page
5
Archon Honors Loyal Workers
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Archo n members cheerfully clean Kissena Park.
Archon Cleans Up a Storm By Jessica Wohl Others came out because it gave Not even the rain could stop Ar- ' them a chance to do a public serchon members from serving their vice. Jessica Matera said, "It's a community through a cleanup of chance to help my comm unity . I the soccer field at Kissena Park on never get a chance ." October 10. Hard work was mixed with Still other people had more perlaught er as Archon members sonal reasons, "I play soccer and I painted over graffiti, picked up get mad when I play on a field litter and removed weeds and that's all messed up ," explained o tler obstacles fro m the playing Geraldine Lloyd . field. Ar chon faculty adv isor Alth ough --many peop le did Odile Garcia said, "the kids are show up, it was believed that there h a vi ng fu n; that 's ve r y were others who sho uld have been impo rtant.' , there as well. Sonja Rivera and Cam ille Orr both agreed , " Since kids play h ere they shou ld clean it up ." Unfortunately they don 't expect ,t heir work to last long. Many feel that since the field is used so 'o ften th ere is no way to fill in th e holes. The Archon members agreed. Odile Garcia still showed op "We got all our friends to come so timism tho ugh when she said, it's kind of fun," said Rachel "It's a very big job. In the spring, Ruisi who saw it as a social situa- we are going ba ck; we hope to do more then." tion.
By Mary McCarthy There are many Townsend Harris students who volunteer ' their services and expect no recognition . But now, there's Archon, a society, dedicated to honoring and recognizing those students who have given up their own free time to do voluntary service in the classrooms and offices of Townsend Harris. Archon was established to give special credit to certain students who have shown themselves loyal and hard workers. Archon members are required to have accumulated a certain number of service credits: 45 credits for sophomores, 60 credits for juniors, and 80 credits for seniors . To remain in Archon, a member must dedicate a minimum of two hours of community service per month to stay in the society. There are also monthly meetings and dues of three dollars. Although freshmen are not ac, cepted into Archon, they must still perform school service and get service credits their first year if they hope to gain 45 credits by sophomore year and jo in Archon.
, All' the members of Archon en"Archon involves a lot of . courage freshmen and other non- ,work . " says junior Natalie members to join them on their ex- Laduca, "but it's worth it." cursions and help them serve the "It's rewarding to work for Arcommunity. chon. You don't have to get the credits and help if you don't want to . But you do," admits jun ior Jennifer Appel. ' This year, Archon will participate in many special communiMrs'. Odile Garcia " Archon ty activities to clean up the city coordinator, says, "Anyone who and raise money for charity. is willing to do service is always These activities will include a welcome." .walkathon for Cerebral Palsy on The senior executive board of November 8, a Thanksgiving food Archon consists of president Dana drive and later a Christmas and Levine, vice president Tanya Hanukkah food drive, an auction Odom, secretary Lorna Chan, and 路 where many celebrities' goods will treasurer Gia MaIka. be sold, as well as monthly ice The junior class executive board cream sales. consists of president Carla Simmons, vice presidents Samir Narula and Nicole Elias, secretary Doreen Odom, and treasurer Krystal Robinson . Both Mrs. Garit. ' cia and fellow coordinator Ms. Sondra Eismann welcome any Mrs . Garcia says she's "very students who are willing to join them in Archon activities or proud of everyone who has been anyone who has gained the re- . coming to these activities. I' ve quired amount of service credits learned some things myself," she and wants to become a member. revealed.
'It 's rewarding to workfor Archon.'
'It involves a lot of work but it's worth
'It's a chance to help my community. I never get a chance. '
Yearbook Promises Perfection "All of the people on the yearbook sta ff are very dedicated, " enthused Junior sta ff member Alona Lapena. " This yearbook will serve as a memoir of the first four years of the school 's exTop from center: Senior advisor Thomas Sweetin , Representative Christine Holowinski, Vice Pre sident istence, We know it will be good. " Margaret Heindenly, Repr esentative Gia MaIka , Pre sident Tanya Odom and Senior Laison Kevin Kim. The three hund red page yearBottom from left: Senior class Representa tives Randi Feinburg, Tr easurer Ruth Kon, Secretary Velina boo k is bound in a grained, gold Jules and Repre sentative Teresa Lazar. inlaid cover. It conta ins the black and white individual photos of underclassmen, the colorful candids, and the seniors in caps and gowns. The teams, enrichments, By AliCe Welch and clubs will also be represented Thi s term , with the 'h elp of Dr. Juni or class President Alec in black and white. it Leonard Gappelberg, Pollack has Juni or staff member Ph onekeo Poll ack and Vice Pre sident Rodea begun an enrichment call ed Sarong . urges, " everyone should Ioannu are excit ed and enY.E.S. (Youth for .a n Edu cated buy a year book to set a traditio n. thu siastic! Both have many new Society). According to Pollack" Work on the yearb ook began I wou ld like it to be kept a year - ideas for the comin g year. "Young people have no voice in THINK, a monthly newsletter, last spring and many of the staff book and not a photo album. In today's government. Y.E.S. is a of almost thirty seniors came in order to do so , everyone has to will update students on Student step towards being heard." the heat of the summer to ensure buy a yearb ook and buy one every Union Events. An Activities Pollack, Ioannu, and other .Council is also in the planning. the yearbook's progress. Many of year. " members of Y.E.S. are trying to Mr. Sweetin believes that "the This council would serve to imthese same students now sacrifice contact high schools nationwide every Friday evening laboring over forty dollar yearbook is worth the prove communications between to circulate a petition against the graphics, photos, and articles price. The outcome of all the work clubs, teams, enrichments, and g federal cuts of student grants . ], 'n ecessary, to produce a first class and toil promises to be a good the S.U . Their main goal this ,year is to one." Pollack and Ionnu have been ~ yearbook. have 1000/0 attendance 'at Student receiving many requests for a Senate meetings. Ioannu feels junior prom, and are considering 拢 that, "without everyone there, the bringing it up at the next board ~ " votes really don't mean meeting. In the meantime, the a: Dec. 11 - ' 7:30-11:30 " anything." Pollack and Ioannu T.H.H.S. community can look Junio r Class President Alec are counting on everyone's supAll Refreshments/D.J. forward to this year's first dance, Pollack. ".'-, port to make this year a success. on December 11.
By Hayley Thomas and Kirsten Rodenbeck Townsend Harris' first yearbook is really a " first class act, " says Mr. Thomas Sweetin, Crimson-and Gold advisor. Dedicated to the alumni ' of the original Townsend Harri s, this yearbook traces all the events fro m the seniors' first year. Every team , enrichment, or club ever existing since 1984 will be represe nted in the four-year book.
'We know good. '
Executive Officers Offer Change
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First Dance at QC
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-The Classic
October/November, 1987
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Dr. Leonard Gappelberg is one of the two new American and Global History teachers. Gappelberg received his doctorate in American History from Yeshiva University and has previously taught at Lafayette and Forest Hills. Gappelberg, father of three, is now the advisor to the Townsend ' Harris chapter of Youth for an " Educated Society. He has taught§ the entire spectrum of the social ~ sciences and says, " I came to ..:: Townsend Harris because I felt it .~ to be on the cutting edge of educa- . ~ tion ." ~
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Dr. Linda Steinman is the other new American and Global History teacher. .Steinman received a join C degree in History and Near East Studies from New York University. She has previously taught at Marymount College and several private schools . In addition to teaching American and Global History, Steinman also teaches two secondyear English classes. She confided, "I became interested in history as a result of having a dynamic history teacher. "
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Mr. Marc Landas is the newest English teacher on the Townsend Harris staff. Landas received his Bachelor's degree from New York University and was an Education Assistant in English as a Second Language. As an assistant, he was able to interact with people from a variety @ of backgrounds such as Spanish.ij Chinese, French Creole and Rus- ~ sian. Landas admitted, " I love ~ working at Townsend Harris. It' s ~ a fun place with a lot of great peo- ~ pie." £
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Princess Bride Lives Happily Ever After By Corey Ackerman THE PRINCESS BRIDE has Once upon a time there lived a certain appeal to people of all man named - Rob Reiner, and he . ages. Young children will be taken directed a film called THE by its innocent charm. The story is PRINCESS BRIDE. Two story as enchanting as any classic lines form this delightful tale, fairytale, and the setting and which was written by _William costumes create a "perfect fanGolding. tasyland. Teenagers and adults First, there is the familiar tale of alike will enjoy the film's humor. a young couple's struggle to be The satire is hilarious at times, as together. Wesley (Carey Elwes) is is Billy Crystal as the retired on a quest to find and claim his wizard. true love, Buttercup (Robin Wright). He faces such dreadful My only negative comment on things as R.O .V.S.'s (Rodents of THE PRINCESS BRIDE is the unusual size), and the "pit of casting of Andre the Giant as despair" )n his attempt to fulfill "The Giant." He can hard ly be his dreams. understood because of his speech Meanwhile, a sword swinging defects and poor English. Spaniard (Mandy Patinkin) searches the land, seeking revenge on I recommend THE PRINCESS the eleven fingered man .who kill- BRIDE to all audiences. Take a ed his father ; chance on a fairytale!
Dontbe a test tUtRe¥ Mrs . Marga ret La ndry is one of two new Latin teachers at . Townsend Harris. Landry received degrees in Classical Language and Special Education at Boston "College, where she also taught. Landry is married and a mother of two. She teaches first and second year Latin and says, "I like the faculty support I get here and I . like the sense of humor of the students here. I also like their attitude towards work ." -Hayley Thomas Marissa Gluck
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The Classic
.Girls , Bowling Fulfills Coach's Winning Prediction By Lena Jones "Next year, we're going to be number one," predicted Girl's Bowling Coach Ellen Schwartz at the end of the 1986 season. Soothsayer Schwartz's prediction may be accurate since the Girl's Bowling Team has compiled a 4-0 record so far this season. "This is a stronger team than last year," stated Schwartz as her team handily beat Hillcrest 945-688. Team veterans Leah Mauro, Lorna Chan, Hyun Su Yi, Debbie Dermack, and Christine McGrath, as well as newcomers Ada Osburn, Dina Cox, arid Diana Osterman helped lead the 'team to their first victory of the season. The next match against Francis Lewis was'a bit closer, but it even-
tually ended with ariother win for 839-767 victory. Townsend Harris, 931-804. The high scorers of this game were Diana Osterman who bowed a 136 for Townsend Harris' B-team and Ada Osburn who bowled a 133 for While sporting their new team the A-team. , shirts and posing for yearbook pictures, Harris managed to pull off an 899-774 win over Edison in , their fourth match. "It's a great feeling to know , that ' you're bowling on the - - ' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ; - number one team," comments The third match, against last A-team member Ada Osburn. year's division champs, Forest "During a match, the team spirit Hills, was by far the most dif- soars and everyone foots for one ficult. Townsend Harris' A and B another." 'teams were behind until timely With only a few games left, strikes and spares by Osterman, team members hit the lanes, strivDermack, McGrath, ' Cox and ing to make Soothsayer Osburn in the last two frames Schwartz's forecast come true this hoisted Harris to a narrow" season.
'Number one team'
'This is a strong team. '
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Tennis pro Tami Hared in action.
Tennis Star Tami Swings Team into Success
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] Girls' Volleyball team confers with Coach Wanda Ni,x on winning strategy.
Girls' Volleyball Stuns Opponents The team kept up their reputaBy Julia Kou . tory for Harris with a score of 'Ok, I got it!" (set) 15-3 for the first set and 15-7 for tion by defeating Andrew Jackson "No, you get it!" (another set) the second. Sally Lee served allIS , 15-3 and 15-4 in the next game. The following day, Harris "All right, go!" (spike) points during the second set and The girls' volleyball team won, Lani Miller's spikes blew the Mar- defeated Grover Cleveland in the first set, but lost the second game their first four games using plays tin Rockets away. like this. Through their coordinaThe home game between Harris 15-12. Although the loss threw the tion, communication, and skill, and Far Rockaway was a little girls off-balance, they eventually the girls have stunned their op- tougher. Despite the extra recovered and won the last match position. _ challenge, the defense, with the 15-9. ," This is the best volleyball team help of key saves by Lucy Kim, ,' '' O ver the year'S, we've Townsend Harris has had and limited Far Rock to one point in they'll probably be in the the first set and seven in the se- . developed great team spirit and playoffs," comments aconfident , ;condo After that match, City our goal was and still is to be the Coach Wanda Nix. : Commissioner of Volleyball Rose best. Now I think we've finally The first game against August Korten, called the team "the best reached it," remarks ' team member, Soozie Lee. Martin ended in a triumphant vic- team I've seen so far this year!"
Opinion: '
By Steve Sussman second place in its division. Patient, dedicated and consistent "Tami's ' ability and confidence are words used to describe tennis helped us all to have a victorious star Tami Hareo, Over the last season," noted Tami's friend and few years, she has used these teammate, Nicole Elias. ' "She qualities to become a successful built the team's confidence and tennis player. both as a tennis player and a "When I was young, my older friend, she can always be counted brother introduced me to sports, on." including tennis," she states . Her During the post season, Tami tennis career started four years was named the Tennis Team's ago and blossomed in eighth and "Most Outstanding Player" and ninth grade, when she captured was one of the top three finalists first place in the Bronx PSAL , for the "Townsend Harris Female Tournament. After coming to Athlete of the Year. She also comTownsend Harris in the tenth peted in the City-Wide Individuals grade, she became a key player on Tournament. the Girl's Tennis Team. While riot playing, Tami does "It was a big effort for Tami to aerobics and rides a bicycle to stay attend practices and 'matches," in top physical condition. She also comments the former girls' Tennis enjoys travelling and has lived in coach, Donald Altman. Since her New Jersey, California, and , home is in Riverdale, Tami, on oc- Israel. casion, had to stay at a friend's Although she enjoys tennis, she house after a long match. Despite doesn't intend to make a career , the hardship, she compiled a 10-0 out of it. Instead, she wants to ' record during the 1987 tennis own "a chain of stores ' in the season and helped lead the team to fashion busness."
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Seniors Left Out of the Game By Bernie Hyman Now that the seniors have moved to the Queens College campus, they have become spectators of the Townsend Harris teams, rather than active participants. This situation must be reversed as soon as possible to allow the founding members of many of these teams to compete once again. Although it should be the seniors' responsibility to participate on teams in order to maintain a bond with the school, this is not always possible since practices and meets often conflict with college schedules. The coaches, however, can help this situation. If a team has three practices during a week, only two of them should be mandatory for seniors. The coaches should also inform the players ahead of time of theimportant practices, so the seniors can better schedule their time. In addition to decreasing the number of mandatory practices, the coaches should also try to arrange as many practices on the campus as possible. This would be useful to all members of the team, since it would make the task of attending practices easier for seniors, while providing excellent facilities for the underclassmen oft the team as well. In the past, the seniors were able to play proudy on their teams before crowds of cheering spectators. Now they are on the other end of the applause, when they should really be on the field.
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