The Classic newspaper Volume 6 Issue no. 2

Page 1

I

~"

Vol. 6, No.2, February 1990.

'--.. _,- -

Townsend Harris High School at Queens College • 75-40 Parsons Blvd. Flu~hing. NY 11366. '

Schedule set for new building Construction to begin in fall of '91' ·~iIiJ~liil._~~~ilij~fllJ~lflfJ

I ~ll

'<I

KIRSTEN RODENBECK. senior, Is guarded by a Jamacla High School player while Rachel RUisl, junior, and Kelsha Robinson, senior, come to help. The Girl's Varsity Basketball team Is currently leading the Queens 1 Division. See article on page 12 Photo by ElizabethLoewy

,

Construction of the new Townsend 'Harris High School building is set to begin in the fall of 1991. and completion is expected two years later, according to the I architectural firm handling the project. The 'new high school building will be at least four stories tall, possibly six, not including a basement floor, and will be located on what is currently a parking lot in the southwest corner of the Queens College campus at Melbourne Avenue and 149th Street. The building will be 110 by 330 feet and , will hold 1,000 students. Brad Waters, the project programmer for Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, Inc., said that completed designs for a new Queens College parking facility and soccer area are due this summer, with construction beginning in the fall. The Queens College facilities must be completed before work begins on 'the new high school building; H,O.K., which handles architecture, engineering, interiors and planning, expects design drawings of the new high school to be completed by the summer of next year. Mr. Waters said, "We are work-

ing on a detailed architectural program which is essentially a statement of the problem that the architectural design has to solve. We're doing a lot of data gathering and interviewing. Another group [from H:O.K.] is doing ' site investigation.", According to a draft of the "Townsend Harris High School Program of Requirements" prepared by the Bureau of Building Facilities, classrooms in the new building will be state-of-the-art. Each room will contain a television screen and an overhead projector. The television screens will be centrally controlled, allowing programs to be broadcast throughout the entire school. Thc school might also have a satellite dish so that foreign language teachers can receive foreign television for use in their classes. Principal Malcolm Largmann said that the school will have a 2,000square-foot student act!yities center and a "huge" student cafeteria. The activites center will house student government offices, publications offices and more. The new building will have two gymnasia. One gym will be regulation size and the other will be a

smaller specialized gym, which Dr. Largmann said could be used for a dance and-aerobics program or as a weight room. The library in the new building will take up 4,000 square feet, more than double the size of the present l,8oo-square-foot library. There will also be a suite of computer labs and some "Project Preparation" rooms in addition to the standard science laboratories . Each subject department will have an office with a conference room and storage space and there will be three lounges and teacher work areas. The new building will have a 5OO-seat auditorium with a 3,OOO-square-foot stage, a stagecraft room and a coat room. Dr. Largmann said, "There -will be some marvelous things in this building." Mr. Waters said, "Things are moving reasonab ly quickly. We certainly have the highest expectations." J. Andres Petruscak, also of H.O.K., said; "We have a great design team on board. It's a tight but exciting site. Townsend Harris is such a special school. It's an exciting place and that it makes it a very exciting project."

Extravaganza launches Black History' Month ce lebration' :!Bi_I.IJI~~tt.\ilttt&i~gl~Mtl:[tj

Townsend ltarrlS stuai:nts will commemorate Black History Month with special events throughout February. Some highlights will include a "Black History Month Extravaganza" on February 16, poetry read_ ings, and visi~ from guest speakers Celeste Miller, principal of I.S. 59, and Reverend Floyd Flake. Students chose "Black is.:" as the theme for Black History Month. All who view the programs should be able to say "Black is..." and fill in their perceptions at the end. Everyone involved agreed upon this theme because they felt that it will giv~ insight into the different ways one can interpret "Black." To emphasize this, the Black History'Month Committee is proposing the assignment of an essay in English classes about the meaning of "Black." "Black is more than just a color. Teenage youth at Townsend Harris realize its various, diverse and significant meanings," said junior Julian Moore.

"We are working diligently to make this a Keith Hanson, ~ne of the faculty advisers, hopes that n~t only Afri~an-American s~success because black history is not only and Francesca Willpresent one act from Au- dents but white students Willalso attend With Martin Luther King," remarked Coordinator gust Wilson's Broadway hit, "Fences," and their families," said Natalie. She added, Marsha Scipio. This year's presentation in- the Readers' Theater Workshop will act out "We want to put an end to all rumors that the eludes all aspects of black history. "We want a Nandi , tale, "Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Black History Month performance is limited to do something interesting because the Plain." • to blacks." Some non-black students have school does not have enough emphasis on ' The plannin~ committee expects Benjamin become involved, "I believe in strengthenblack history," said coordinator Natalie Tho- Johnson, who is head of ACT-SO (Afro-Ac- ing the minorities in America," said junior mas. . ademic, Cultural, Technological and Scien- Carol Cheng, a non ,- black participant. At the February 16 performance, . fific Olympics) and the NAACP (National The Black History Month staff is divided participants will model African clothing of Association for the Advancement of Colored into committees which meet on Wednesday the '20's, '60's, '80's and future, and will People) here in New York City, to speak to mornings and in their Enrichment. Their ad. present a skit written by Francesca Mom- Harris students on February 20. Further ac- ' visers include Mr. Hanson, Assistant Principlaisir, another of the student coordinators. .tivities, such as singing and a poetry recita- pal Bernice Horowitz, COSA Michael ManThe students are practicing dances to old tion, may also be held on February 22. son, and Dean Wanda Nix. The letterAfrican records as well as more modern Students will recite poetry by black au- writing committee has invited prominent songs for the show. There will be a step- thors in the library on February 27. Some black individuals, including Mayor David dance, singing, and poetry recitations. authors that will be featured are Imamu Dinkins and Toni Morrison, to speak at Juniors Kenya Lee, Keicha Bolden, Tracy Amiri Baraka (Le Roi Jones), Maya An- Townsend Harris and are awaiting their reWestcarr, and Sasha Antoszewski will entergelou, Langston Hughes, and Rochie D. sponse. tain with songs. Junior Brian Salkow is planTaylor. The long work and preparation that makes ning to accompany some poetry readings All of t!!e Black History Month partici- the celebration possible began months ago. with ' spirituals on his guitar, and Senior pants stress that everyone is welcome to join "It's a lot of work, but its worth it," said Kathie Cheng will perform a piano piece. in. "The Black History Month committee Francesca.

..

::::::~:;~$:l::':::;>'-::::::::::::::':::;;;::::::::l9.:::::::::::::::::;::::::::;:::~:::::;;::::;:;:::::::r:: )(;:::::,<::: :::::::;Y.::::;:;:::;:;x::::::::;:;:::::;::s :;::::: ~:: ::::"~:;:::;r..:;:::;:: ~:::;:::;::::: ::~':;::S-;·;<;-;>7.:;W :~::: :~;::·;::""\:~~:Q.j«:;:01':~ :*=·:O:;:·:·Xo:.;.;.:.;.;.: .;. :. :.;.; .;. ;.:.;;: -:- :.;.; . ; . ;. ;.; .;.;.;. :'; -;';'«';':'-:';-:-);':'-;';';' ;-;-;';-;.0;. ;.;-;.;- ;. ;.;.;. ;. ;.;.;.;J<;

...;.;...-;-;•••••;••••.,.,........................-.-•..._.-.•-.-........ ...... -.-.y .---~ -. - .-.~-

.•.._. _•....•....__...-•.._.--.

W

c , en

z -

Poetry Culture 8 6/7 .. Four Westinghouse

Entertainment 9 Se mi-Finali~ts : '

Intramurals 12

see p.3

.-


"

Jdhb~ials _ February 1990 , .

'

'

..

.. " " .

-

_

, ): ij i !i~I,' I 'I; :li :' ;I I ,'I I I I'I'1 I' I 'I :I' I'!:I !I; !I ~I I I I!I I I :I I 'I li'jli il ;~: ~iljl!I I I 'I!I"I,il'I :!li!: li " :1il" :I' I'

• ~

'

".

Right to petition Enrichment praised ."But all my friends have Regents week offi" How often did you hear.words to this effect in the past month? ' . When the Townsend Harris student body became aware that the school would remain open during Regents week, there was an immediate uproar and protest Petitions were , written and passed out throughout the school stating j hat it was unfair for Townsend Harris students to have to attend school on those days. Most signed, without thinking, .because everyone..wantsdays off. They did not know the facts. ' ',. .'. ' . , . , In actuality, there is nothing ,that 'the students' or the ad- . ministration could ,have done to change the situation. School must be in session because of the State Attendance Law. Full student attendance,is mandated if the administration of Regents exams does not interfere with regular " " , ' . " ' '. , classes. " 1\t Iarger l.ri~1} 'schools; fl:1allY students take January l~e ~ gents. .Teachers are,need~q as.proctors and therefore classes cannot go onas.usual.' . ', ' '., .' . .' . .. , . " At TownsendHarris, only about four students took Janu-' ary Regents exams. IIi rio way did this interfere with the usual schedule. Last year, there were more students taking Regents exams.and RCTs, and half-days were needed to allow for the administration: of those lests~ , . : . . ' .' . >, : ' Though-the creators or'the petition were not entirelyto ' blame'for theirlack'of Information:.. (see. H ow" boutsome -, infO?} they' still 'had 'the':responsibility of-Ieaming these ' fads. Instead; they jumped to conclusions without consult- ' ing the proper sources. The freedom to protest is a treasured right of all Americans, including Townsend Harris students. Drawing up a . petition was a commendable idea. However, in the future, studentsmust-learri-to be more careful and responsible:

ff(jV\'- ,}bo'ut :, ~":~:""'>, ' :

some info?

,' I

Townsend Harris is always buzzing with activity. Changes are constantly.being made in ,schedules, and new events .are ~c~r:riPgr .practically every day\ .yet .students.. ra~lYcJqlQwl ,,\y'~'s.gQing -on-in their ,O~, school,;For a high school. to function .properly, the , studentsmust :be . well- infonned. , . When it comes to informing students of events and scheduling changes, the administration and staff have been lacking in their responsibilities; .-, " ". : " ' . '. A good'illustration of-this is-Regents Week, which had , been ,a -concem of the student body-. for ,w~k~, "Regents Week.arrived-and.still; there were some .who, were-unsure of what the schedule would be. ' . .".' , , . There was nothing or no one to explain the .situation. True, Dr. Largmann did meet with several studentleaders, but "the .irifonnation he conveyed ' was .never formally passed-on to the rest of the student body-.' ,_ '. This.is.just -one .of many examples,of ·Ute .informarion problem.In our school>Even simple things -like.schedule: changes Can capse,mass confusion. . . . , ' .' :' , ' . "Is today -a Monday or Tuesday schedule?_'There's 'a' homeroom today? When?· When do we get report cards? When are examinations?"! Often teachers seem to be just as confused as the students. ' ., -.: . . . W~ .could go. on i!n~op ,.~!h. aJI,of ,me, qifftt~I}t .iqsl3J1C-. .es.:·Somewhere between the staff and students, there is, a , . ti on ·~'p ."I< '-" .: ,'." ."." -'.", ..._ ", ~ ", . ~ '.. . . t " , . · commumca :The Classic' propoSes' tfiar'.a·'calendar of ~ieS'eilt month and the next month be posted in the lobby. As changes occur, the calendanshould .be.revised. The information will remain up to'date and,be accessible.to every. th bu'ldin one, me l g. .. . . ". , .." ' , ' . . ".. . ' ,. . . :The Classic also urges ·that 'teachers make it their top priority to read the weekly c,alendar they 'receive and then tell students of the events taking place. . As, stl,!.depts." we,pll}y,a mfljOf'role in .the,daily,routine of ' To~se.nd Harris, "aJ.1d. we need to..be ·more ,cle~rly .in~ foqne~ '.a b.qut w]1~t.occurs ..We,q,on'.tjust neoo,to.1Q1pw; we hare a,right~ok.now~,. , < ... , .,. ~ , . .. l

I

.,

e

"

.,

·... 1

the'

..

. '. ..

. ..

~

-

~~.'1l.il:.a~'ltHt.tW~lfilt.F~.rrj~li,

l '

Enrichment is a period on Tues -

days and Thursdays that allows students to get instruction in any area they choose. I, personally, take advantage of the time during Enrichment to make projects in Visual Arts and Nature and to just enjoy myself. Some feel that Enrichment is a , waste of time and shouldn't be given to students as pari of '!,he school · ~urric~Um:.

However, I disagree and am writ- man being in Enrichment. The ing to emphasize the appropriate- students see the time spent in E ness of the period . richment as possible homework The possibility for relaxation dur- outdoor recreation time. But 0 ing the school day is a fringe bene- must consider the productivity . fit of Enrichment. The time spent what is accomplished at home V I in this period gives . students a .sus that of the Enrichment perioc chance to develop their creativity . see that within the same amount It may help the~, realizetheirpo- time, I do more during Enrichrm tential to do something rewarding. than I do at home. Getting home earlier takes on The inclusion of Enrichment more importance for some people the school curriculum truly ; complishes its purpose: to em students ' lives and give them a ! riod of recreation. Lawrence FI

Teach typing To the Editor: In a' modern world filled with , computers' . arid cornputer-related : , ' jobs; it is easy to see the need for · good typing. Everyone needs ' to know how to type. but how can a · Harrisite learn if there is no elec· tive for it? Enrichment's the an,. swer!. ' , .... . ' , In a1?OJl~ ~ .tlu:ee,mmitli course, 'one can basically m aster the skill,

or so I've heard. If we had it for Enrichment, it's true it would only take place twice a week, but people who feel they need more could always take it again the next term. Not every Harris student knows how 'to type. How are we ever going to function in today's world without it? Gillian Born

Announce drills To the Editor: often circulate about drills, and the I'd like to bring to your attention students that get their jackets get in . : a problem,that recurs in our school trouble. But we have no way of · at leasi once 'a month, Students . tell ing l1lJ'!l0~ frOm ~e truth. , . ~ 'always 'tile l~st ones to: kn~~ about I think announcements 'of when a dispersal drill is scheduled should dispersal drills. We usually find out about the be made at the time of the Pledge. drills right before our last class. Students should also be made With everybody rushing to their aware of when we are allowed to lockers at once. there is a lot of get our jackets. McCaren Walsh ~on&.~ti.o~ , the h8J.1s. Rumors

are

'.

.

.

To the Editor:

:ui .

Soccer. memones To the Editor: Your news article in the Nove ber Classic about the disastn record of the soccer team of wins and eleven defeats recal my soccer team experience of years ago. I was the goalie of team in 1931. My height then' about 5'5" and I was 14 1{2 ye old. Game after game, oppos players kicked the ball from ev possible point. With all my '" determination, and courage and of our defensive line, we could avoid loss after loss. Imagine our,elation and surp when we all got both an oval and a major letter at the awe ceremony! Tell the losers not despair - it's playing the game I counts! . Bernard Friedman

I

New building'

Li mit ~spirit days

To the Editor: I heard a lot of people tallc To the Editor: , gle hand how many people dressed about a new building being buiJ " It seems that ever since I started ' up. I :personally didn't even re- replace this one. It is going to member. · · ' placed on the Queens College c school in September, there has been one Spirit Day after another. I ' , l thiilk'Spirit Days should be lim- pus. I have visited the cam recognize •th~ir si~fi~ce. We . ired to il certain number. It would many times and have seen a bu show ' our support for Townsend be better if they were close to or ing being worked on near the : Harris on those days .'! must admit, . coincided with specific days. such dent Union building. I have some of them have been fun, espe- ' as Halloween or Friday the 13th. heard that our building was t< cially theone on Halloween, but That way. they would receive more built where the parking lot is. 1 , enough is enoughl I~'s. gotten to a . :« attention and be more enjoyable ' to the library. Which will be ...'point "where . some -people don't • because more people would partie - . site of our new building and I · even know it's SpiritDay, >'.. .. .. . ipate: ,. long will it take us to ge t settle · Take the .most recent one-we had . " . • Sally Chao it? Pajama Day. I can count on a -sin- , , Tommy Karagia ,

~}.ilf~*tJI~tftll*)~~~f.qltll~~t~tl ',llt"l

.

assiCftl¥f*%ili~1iifullt1i~I;~11~fiigt:m1t~tf~[(&111l0~:~:~ ,

SdIool .'

~ • ' . . SElnior Editor-in-Chlef:' David Herszenhorn ' .' To Hank QeftM ~ .~ unior· Editors:Iri-Chief: Jonathan' P~rry; Sasha Antoszewski .15-41 f1ntIIW. New YwIl IIJt6 'Issue Production Manager: Jennifer Dubow . Readen are IavilC'd to submit !etlen Managing'Editor: CraigSlutzkin Assistant Managing Editor: JordanM. Dressler to !be editor. Letters mould toe placed in Mn. e-'saw1box in the amenl ofNews, E~itor: Eri<;a Tsul. . , ., .Assistant NewsEditor: Elizabeth Loewy fICe, The <'1aIac ~ the ria" t to Featwes.Edit.pr: LQrraine Honand ' Production Edit~r: Alexandra Lutz edit all Iettcn . (.ellen must include Entertainll)entEdit6r:'JodieLasoff Photography Editor: Elilabeth Loewy name ad officilll ch.ll. Nama wiD be ,"",held apoa Rquest. Editorial PageEditor: MaryMcCarthy ' Business Manager: StePhanie Woll

Senior Contributing Ed~orS: Jarie Cirigliano, Melody Keilbach Photograph!ll'S: Allin Chen, 'L1ndha NarvIl9Z. Toyea Wilson Artists: Pear1 Chan, Carol Cheng, Susan Ch_, Vinh Nguyn $tall: N,in~ Brooks" Andrew Carter, Elizabeth Daly, Kelley Drapkln, Jennifer Dubow, Erica Eisenstein, ThersseFerguson, Arkady f reckhtrrran, Jumoke Gamble, Martellen Gutwein, Jodi Hunter, Alison.Keil, Randi KorObelnlk, Jacqueline loeb, Jennifer Mattuccl, Dlno Ravnlc; Nellalf serrano, Jodi Shapiro, Jason Stem, Ronnie Sussman, ElizabethWellington, Tzachy Zaldman , flusiness Sta.lf: JeJlnlfet Bruslc, Dina Daoud. Sabrina Falcone, Tara Natter, Stacy Rosenberg. Stephanie Slrajcher, Janice Yee

Principctl: Dr. Malcolm Largmann .,' Adviser: ll Ga Cowen

~

t

'

.

,-

;'

.

1~.it~~

'~~'i-~~.-

.. ..'i~ -· .•. '

' .• <1;,


news

3 February 1990

Briefly ...

Seniors place as Westinghouse semi-finalists

The Winter Carnival will be held on February 22. Archon adviser Odile Garcia is organizing the event along with planning committee chairperson Nikila PaL All clubs are welcome to have booths, and English teacher Arthur Boulanger will hold an auction. The profits will go to charity. Junior Jung Yuen placed first in the Fall '89 junior competition of the New York City Interscholastic Math League. Nuri Kodaman, junior, and sophomore Pearl Chan were also high scorers. The senior team came in ruth place in the New York City Senior League competition, with junior Susan Chew scoring highest. Judy Vuong, Myriam Charles, and Anna Laghezza placed first, second, and third in the ninth grade division of the annual essay contest sponsored by NYCATE (New York City Association of Teachers of English). The topic of the essay was "Always in My Memory." The Academic Olympics team won their match against Cardozo High School on February 6. Latin teacher Richard Russo is their coach. Senior Ayanna Barrow received a $750 scholarship toward her college education at any institution by winning an essay contest sponsored by the American Society of Newspaper Editors on behalf of the New York State Newspaper Foundation. There were four winners in New York State. Shari Stromberg, sophomore, had a story published in the February/March issue of Merlyn's Pen, a national magazine of writing for and by young people. A story by junior Patricia Ceger will appear in the April/May issue. Both stories are alliterative fairy tales created for their Word Processing classes last year. Junior Carol Cheng won the Shakespeare recitation contest held on January 11, and Charlie Redell was the runner-up. English teacher Harriette Blechman coordinated the contest. Freshman Aron Chizik won the school-wide story-telling contest on January 26. Act-so. the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, Scientific Olympics of the Mind, is a national contest forstudents of African origin sponsored by the NAACP (National Association for the Adv~­ ment of Colored People). Participants may compete in 36 categories excluding athletics. Students interested in participating should see Guidance Counselor James Murray or junior Francesca Momplaisit: the Townsend Harris ACT-SO ambassador. Almost 200 students and faculty members participated in the WPU (95.5 PM) "Giving Tree" program in December by donating small holiday gifts to needy people in hospitals. Sophomores Cynthia Berner and Michelle BiIboul organized the project. Urban Park Rangers Freddie Fields and Janet Gillen spoke to the Photography and the vistJal Arts and Nature Enrichments in theli- . brarY on December 7. The Rangers urged the students to become involved with their neighborhood parks, to help preserve the environment, and possibly choose an environmental career. Alexandra Lutz, junior, skied her way to First Place at the Bosquet Interelub giant slalom race in Pittsfield, Mass~ on January 14.

[~l_l:j~j'i'I1~t&'-ifJi1!lrn1~::[*lii~*m

lated with their scores on a stan- faculty members who helped out Four Townsend Harris students dardized achievement test in math- included Math Chairman Harry placed as Honors Group semifinal- ematics. She found that scoring Rattien, Joseph Hom, Odile ists in the Westinghouse Science well on the, test is not related to Garcia and Harriette Blechman. Talent Search. Robin Bacigalupo, creativity in mathematics. Rhonda The Westinghouse papers were Ivan Bilaniuk, Rhonda Donn, and studied the attitudes of students to- sent in on December 14. Robin Pinar Kodaman are among 303 stu- wards animal testing in biological felt, "a big weight was off my dents who reached this level out of , studies. She discovered that as they chest. I was glad to finally finish the 1431 nationwide entrants. got older, students became more it." Ivan said, "What a relief that I The seniors were notified of their utilitarian 'and were more likely to finally got it in," and he was "satisHonors Group status on January 24 accept the need for animals in test- fied with the finished work." Now that their Westinghouse exand were uniformly ecstatic. When ing. Pinar opened the letter from WestIvan studied mutation in E. coli perience is over, the four semifiinghouse, all she had to read was bacteria and discovered, contrary nalists have advice for those just the word "congratulations" and she to the results of previous studies, beginning. "Start early... and stick "screamed." that amino acids suppressed the with your topic," Rhonda said. "I was very surprised and very frequency of mutations. Pinar also "Make sure the topic is something happy," Rhonda said. "I knew all worked with E. coli, mapping a you are interested in. It is going to my hard work paid off." certain location on the E. coli chro- take up a lot of time and effort. If Robin and Rhonda researched mosome that is susceptible to mu- you aren't interested, it will be a real drag," said Robin. Pinar topics in social science, while Ivan tation. and Pinar worked in biology. Entrants were advised by Science thinks that "whether you win or Robin studied the mathematical Research teachers Susan Appel lose, it is a memorable expericreativity of school children COTre- and Michael Manson. Other ence."

First science fair showcases student efforts . ,. . . ,," ... The first Townsend Harris High School Science Fair, coordinated by the entire Science Department, was held in the library en January 12th. ''The purpose of the Science Fair was to make everyone aware of some of the activities in science that our students are participating in," said Mrs. Susan Appel, Assis, tant Principal of Science. "It's surprising to me to see how much we've done." . The fifteen students who entered the ' Westinghouse competition ,. . were. among those who exhibited their projects at the Science Fair. ''The Westinghouse Competition was a big commitment and whether I win or lose; it was a meaningful experience," said senior Pinar Kodaman, who displayed her

project, the mapping and analysis , ' propose an experiment to be done of certain mutations in cells. "The on the Space Shuttle. ''We want to Science Fair was a nice event, see whether or not certain types of since it gave the rest of the school materials could be bonded in a chance to see what I and other space," junior Grace Chan exparticipants in the Westinghouse plained. ''We had a lot of fun Competition have done." working on the project and we The Westinghouse projects also were motivated, since the winners included papers in the social sciget to go to Florida," said-~boences. "The Social Science WestmoreAdartt 'ShpaIi.: . • inghouse projects sometimes don't . Students For the Preservation of get the same recognition as the the Earthmounted a display showother entries," senior Darlene Shea ing the world's environmental commented. "I felt good to have problems. They also asked people my paper demonstrated." to sign a petition. "We think that , Members , of the Independent ' the money that the companies gain Studies class presenied )Jie < from-the deposit on cans shoUld be " stages of their ' Westinghouse ' usedfor environmental PUrPOses,'" '-. projects. ''The Science Fair was an ' said junior Lindha Narvaez. effective and interesting way to . "It was really well put together show what we've done so far," said and showed quite a bit of work. The students communicated their junior Ani Fleisig, who beganher work very effectively," said physproject dealing with slime molds " , ' ics teacher Philip Janes.'!It .was this fear. . ':." , The ScieneeFaii;however; did~ ' <; imptessivefor the firSttithc.we did · not just consist of Westirighouse • it," said . biology and . chemistry ' : projects. There was a display deteacher Odile darcia~ . " ' . , .', . scribing the Student Energy Re- : Refreshments, which were pro. 1'.lr. Hansonspoke about three sear.chComj>etition(SERC)entries vided by the Science Research men in ' particular who continued that were selected to compete in . class, were sold outside the library. the- work of King after ' his' ' the n ext round. "In May, everyone' " Part of the 'proceeds will helppay : death: Ralph >-Abernathy; Jesse " '~Whose pi-ojeCt\va5'SeleCted WiIfgo , r for aSciehceR~h claSs trij:l'to Jackson, and Andrew 'Young: ' In ' to Albany' -to show ' their projeCt," <theCold~Spring Harbor DNA Lab- , Mr. Hanson's opinion;'iaUttie' al:l_explained junior Jung Yueh. . ', ' oratory in 'the 'spring:-,The rest 01 " " versity can make a better person." > .The Science Research ' class pre- .' , ' the money is being used to pay for According to'Mrs. Butts, "Martin ' , sented their -entry to the. ''Take ' The ' Q uantu in Cat; 'the' Science Luther King's whole · thrust ' was ' Flight With 'Ideas". competition,. . magazine. " . making it possible for all the peo- sponsored by NASA. They had to ........ '. ~.....-' ....._ .... ...... ple in our society , to really live ...

early

<

.-

School community cornmernoratesKlnq "As

much as I love... [Martin' Luther King's] 1 Have A Dream' speech," said Latin teacher Thaddeus Ferguson. '1 fmd that I'm moved even more by a speech he made in his own church. ..in which I got the impression that he expected to die for his beliefs. He compared himself to Moses leading the Hebrew people to the Promised Land, and said he had been to the mountaintop and he had seen the Promised Land. He might not get there himself, but he had faith that his people would reach the Prom, ised Land." Dr. Ferguson was one of the speakers at an assembly held in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during Enrichment on January 9. "He had a strong intuition he would die for his c8.~. He was prepared to die, not for race, not for religion, but his humanity. , We should relate to . him.~;8S · human 'i,beings. He tran. ......

4-

.-.:

- . . .~

scendsallethnicity," said Dr. Ferguson. .. During the assembly, Dr. Fergu- . son, English teacher Arthur Boulanger, physical education teacher Keith Hanson: and PTA Co-Presldent Clementine Butts spoke about the ways Dr. King's work has af~ fected their lives; The assembly is held annually near Dr. King's birthday. ' . 'lt gives us a chance to meet to-

or.

quality lives,"

Mrs. Butts grew up

ge~erandto.discu~ouride:as:md in.the~o~ .w!tile.itwas,~~gab feelings," said Assistant Principal ed. '1 WItnessed cross .bumings," ' Bernice Horowitz, who coordinated 'the e~ent. Juniors Marcia Scipio and Natalie Thomas recited Dr. King's '1 Have A Dream" speech, and freshmen Samantha Graber and junior Rochelle Lee commented ' from theaudienee. Mr. Boulanger felt that "King ~uld be remembered because, [the freedom] he fought for and , achieved in this nation in subject of great .turmoil in Eastern Eu~

rope... ""

.'.....

~-

'"" ....... ...

.

_~.'":

she said; "I saw a man after he was . slaughteted by the Klan, SO it takeS ' on a personal meaningforme, All people should ' be able to...live to . their full potential." She said that Dr. King taught us we should judge people "by their personal knowledge, ability, and their own personal awareness," and that. we should appreciate the real worth of people before jumping to' false conclusions based on the color of their skin. -a '" ~

" -.

.

MATH··".·C.0"RNE'R',.'.".., i , I

.

.,

.

'. .

'

,.. :, . , ". , . " " '. ' , . ,.: . ' " ~ . ' Fin~ th~ sum .of ~l th~ numbers in , 'all 'poSSIble. permutations of tlle . . numbers one, ~o, ~, fo~, five, . ' taken five at a ume, Hmtthinkbefore you work. i

"

>

"

A

math

The solution to last issue's Phyllis ZizzO.' Other correct 'reproblem is, from highest to lowest: ... ,sponses' cam~ from . Jerome Aeneas, Daedalus, '· Brutus, and Tomaselli. David , ' Rosenthal. Caesar. The first one to submit the .' Daihung Duong, and ·Pearl Chan: correct answer ,was sophomore ......,

.I1' ~ _

r

'II'.. ,

w:

_

~ :.


February 1990 i

I

A.A. member shares experienc tlllf . .. .fi~[~filiir~[~~~~&l .. .. Earl, a member of Alcoholics

I 1 ill A'

j l1.

SEVERAL MEMBERS of the Family Living class sit by Dr. Ruth Westhelm er and a stage manager. The class was part of the audience for a taping of "What's Up, Dr. Rut h?" The show discussed Death and Dying .

Hall of Fame dinner honors alumni . If.i • •~illfiIItiffIBjl resentatives

from the Parent- George Weissman, '34, corporate Townsend Harris alumni of all Teacher Association also attended executive and art patron; and Mr. ages, backgrounds and professions the event Herman Wouk, '30, Pulitzer Prize turned the ballroom of the Grand In his opening remarks, Master winning novelist. Hyatt Hotel into a true "Hall of of Ceremonies the Honorable KenMrs. David Schoenbrun accepted Fame" at the first Townsend Harris neth Shorter , '30, said, "Having the posthumous medals for her jourHall of Fame black-tie Din- students and faculty from the new " nalist husband; composer Ira ner!Dance on November 21. Gershwin; Richard Rodgers, the Townsend Harris not only gives Groups of older men reminisced this event a sense of continuity be- Broadway composer of "The with former classmates and met tween the two schools, but they Sound of Music" and "The King recent graduates Elizabeth Bulla , also lower the median age of this and I"; and actor Edward G. Julie Chan, Edward McMahon, '88 room dramatically!" Robinson . John and Christopher and Paul Jannicola, Lani Muller, Women in gowns and men in Cerf accepted the medal for their and Alec Pollack, '89. father, Bennett Cerf, founder of tuxedos danced to the music of Edward said, "Graduates from composers Ervin Drake, Ira GershRandom House Publishing. the original Townsend Harris came . win and Richard Rodgers, all Paul said, "Everyone was told over and introduced themselves .... Townsend Harris graduates, which that Dr. Salk would be late. At They were excited about meeting a was played by an eight-man or10:45 the dinner was just about student from the new school and chestra. over and Dr. Salk had not yet arasked many questions about the Bronze medals inscribed with the rived . I was really disappointed beschool's location, courses taught; tree of knowledge were awarded to cause I wanted to meet him and extracurricular activites offered , ' Dr. Kenneth Arrow, '36, Nobel talk to him about his research in amount of homewo rk given and Prize winner in Economics; Joseph polio and AIDS. Then Dr. Largstudent-teacher relationships." Flom, '40, attorney and philanthro- mann told [us] that Dr. Salk arHe added, "They were also very pist; Judge Stanley Fuld, '20, re- . rived and wanted to meet us. I pleased about the school's being tired Chief Judge of the State of couldn't believe that Dr. Salk wantdesignated a national secondary New York; Dr. Herbert Hauptman, ed to meet us!" school of excellence by the United '33, Nobel Prize winner in Chemis"I rushed over and we all shook States Department of Educat ion." try; Eugene Lang, '34, industrialist hands. He asked us which colleges Principal Malcolm G. Largmann, and philanthropist; Leon Levy, '42, we were attending, what we Academic AssistantPrincipal Ber- financier and art patron ; Dr. Jonas planned to do with our futures, and nice Horowitz, Guidance Assistant Salk '31, inventor of the polio vac- he advised us to carry the love of Principal Sheila Orner , Yearbook cine; Dr. Julian Schwinger, '33, mankind with us throughout our Adviser Thomas Sweetin and rep- Nobel prize winner in Physics; lives and to do some good. I hope that I could do as much as he did."

Volunteers inform on AI DS

Iit.llllltii1.1r~ili~j~milJ~imil~~1i11t Ronnie Billini and John Cristal10, volunteers from The Educational Outreach of the Queens AIDS Center, visited Townsend Harris on November 9 to speak to students about drug abuse and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome . Ronnie Billini focused the discussion on ' how drugs and sex relate to AIDS and youth. "AIDS has a lot to do with you and your tomorrow," she said. She told the students that by 1992, each of them would kno w someone with AIDS,

HIV infection. "Kids are usually according to current projections. John Cristallo, a drug abuser for receptive to the message," said Ms. nineteen years who is infected with Billini . Joy Joseph, junior, felt that the virus, told students that it is not possible to get what you want in "hearing about AIDS is a lot differlife and use drugs at the same time. -ent when it comes from a person He said that he is scared of not who has been diagnosed with the having enough time to do what he virus." She said that the lecture wants, but speaking to youth and was worthwhile because John showed another view of the AIDS adults helps him to cope. Their intended message, they crisis; he made it seem real by said, was for students to realize sharing his life experiences. that anyone can get AIDS and that Fritz Jeffries, freshman, felt that using drugs or having sex with it was important because it showed many different partners puts stu- "how a smart man could make dents at a greater risk of getting the such a stupid mistake."

.

Anonymous (A.A.), spoke to the volleyball and debate Enrichments in the gym on January 4. He informed students about alcoholism , his background as an alcoholic , and A.A. "The A.A. program is the only program that can make you stop drinking and keep you stopped for the rest of your life," said Earl, who did not reveal his last name to ensure his privacy. He spoke of other treatment programs and stressed that A.A. is the only one that works since "it is a life-time program." Student response to the presentation was mostly positive. Sophomore Amanda Berbower commented, "The guy was nice and informa tive. He was really spunky. Instead of people who just address the crowd, he involved everyone. Barl explained that alcoholism is an inherited disease with which you can be born. He told students that according to statistics, "one out of seven of you will be alcoholics. " Earl spoke of how he had inherited the disease and said that his first alcoholic drinks were cough symp and wine at his .communion. He became an alcoholic at age 19. Since Earl was what he called a "closet drunk, " or an alcoholic who hides his addiction well and can always appear sober, he kept his alcoholism secret from his family and his colleagues for over 25 years. Earl said that his three adult children are still unaware that he goes to A.A. meetings. Some students found Earl's presentation inspiring . Freshman Stefan Bilaniuk said, "It was uplifting to someone overcome such an illness as alcoholism. I was glad that he didn't ruin his life

see

as a result of being an alcoholn Earl told students how to help for themselves or someone they know . He spolo the waming signs to look fo parents and teenagers. Mis: school, a drop in grades , han] out with the "wrong" crowd, borrowing money and m paying it back are sure si according to Earl, that a teen may-have a drinking problem. "He was encouraging peop. reach out for help instead wasting away their lives," junior Wailani Sung. Junior N Dakic said, "I learned a lot a the signs of alcoholism and ' to do when someone you kno an alcoholic." I Earl said that "alcohol is th /drug in the United States. It more harm than all other drug together." The reason for thi: added, is that "we don't attention to it because it's and [socially] accepted. " Earl discussed the establish of A.A. in 1935 by two alco' friends who helped each other drinking by talking to each I about their alcoholism. ' drunk talking to another <In that's how you stop drinking,' Earl. He described a begir meeting and said that people different ages, races, and reli; attend . Even though Earl has alcol his house now , he said he has "the compulsion to drii goes away in the A.A. pro and it won't come back if I doing what I'm supposed to he said. Health teacher Ellen Sch said she invited Earl to because "alcoholism is the #1 problem in the U. S. especially amongst teenagi like to bring in speakers tha with issues that teenager: concerned with or shoul .concerned with."

I

Skits dramatize health proble r.lI.jl:.!iwI~j~~~~II~mj~1j~~j1~!W A weary-looking man wearing a black hood staggers towards the audience with the aid of two people. He has been diagnosed as carrying the AIDS virus. By relating his experiences, he is helping to educate people about AIDS. Many Townsend Harris students witnessed this scene when a group called Black Spectrum Theater vise ited the school on January 2. Black Spectrum Theater is an associa tion that has teamed up with Planned Parenthood in order to educate students from the ages of 12-20 about issues of particular concern to teens. While at Harris, four actors performed three brief skits dealing with AIDS. The first skit depicted a girl' s nightmare of an angel taking her away for contracti ng the AIDS virus due to carelessness. The second enacted a scene dealing with homosexuality and AIDS . The third portrayed a boxing match inside the brain of a confused boy,

tom between his body 's de his knowledge of what's rig Acquired Immune De Syndrome has affected mr three hundred thousand pc New York City alone. "Th doubt that it's one of the m ous things to affect societ fects every aspect of our tion. Tha t is why it is up to ple to do what they can to it," said Lisa Stem , a rep tive from Planned Parenthc The approach used b Spectrum Thea ter was des entertain students. Accoi Ms. Stem, this method h successful. "If we were tc up to the blackboard and li information [about] All would be bored. This w more fun and the students well," she said. "They presented a seriou in a humorous way," r Andre Khillawan, a junior tended the presentation.


The Classic

l1e~s!feat~res"5

.

,. J:'o.h r."I":lI

Anti-fur activists rally f,iliit.il.1II1l1f.l~%lttml:111

"Fur is murder, don't buy/Uri" " .. "If you don't buy it, they won 't kill it!" These chants could be heard at a nationwide animal rights protest on November 24th at Columbus Circleo Several members of the Townsend Harris "Friends of Ani mals" chapter attended the march, which covered eight blocks and was sponsored by Trans-Species Unlimited, a national animal rights organization dedicated to the total elimination of animal abuse and exploitation. "Some people don't know that it takes sixty innocent animals to make a fur coat, and the ways they are killed are beyond belief," said sophomore McCaren Walsh, who attended the fur-free march. "They are kept in small cages all their lives; then they are either electrocuted, clubbed to death, or killed some other cruel way. People who wear furs are ignorant of the facts, and the only way to help...is to make them aware of what's going on." Junior Lindha Narvaez, who also attended the fur-free march, said, "Fur is the price th.at tortured animals have been paying for our vanity." School president Addie Male, another animal rights activist, was disturbed at the media's coverage of the protest. "The media did not show the point of view of the protesters," asserted Addie. "They made us out to be monsters when in fact we are trying to support animal rights and save animal lives."

Michael Kardias, manager of Storfer Bros. Furs in Jamaica Estates, defended the fur industry in a telephone interview with The Classic. Addressing the problems raised by fur alternatives, he said, "To produce the [synthetic] materials [the activists] want to use instead of fur requires chemicals which in turn pollute the air and environment... . This is detrimental to both humans and animals." Mr. Kardi as also pointed out the hypocrisy he feels is evident in an. imal rights activists, saying, "A lot of these demonstra tors are wearing leather bags, shoes - what are they? That was once an animal walking the earth too." Trans-Species Unlimited considers killing for fur only one aspect of animal abuse. According to a pamphlet published by the organization, psychological researchers "subject tens of thousands of monkeys, cats, dogs, and rats to a bewilderin g array of gruesome psychological experiments, ostensibly to provide a 'model' of human behavior." The organization insits that such tests are not only cruel, but "trivial" and "predictable" as well. For example, they say that after 30 years of "maternal deprivation" research involving 7000 animals and costing taxpayers over 57 million dollars, it was concluded -that "infants separated from their mothers experience emotional distress and psychological trauma." "Tran-Species Unlimited believes the experiment was unnecessary, claiming the results were alreadv

f' •

t

k

-{

:i, ~; .;. ~

j

.

z

.c: 'C

c: ::J

15' o

"/5 s:

Q.

STUDENTS Participated In the Fur Free Rally held on November 24, 1989 at Columbus Circle. ' known by psychologists and mothers. · . . ,Some Ha1ri~ students feel" that the question of animal rights is secondary to some of today's other issues. Junior Ivan Lee said, "This should not be top priority, There are other problems to consider, like the homeless and drug situations." Sophomore ". Kristen -Ruckdeschel agreed, saying, "There are more important issues today that we should be concerned about. " Sophomore William Liao commented, "We must look above the trivial problems of animal rights

and concentrate on making ourselves better. iso we...will live in a w~;ld ...lthat's] strongand prosperous rather than a world where animal rights are more important than human knowledge." Yet, the nationwide protesters appear to ' be making an impact.

"I haven't seen it this bad in years.osorne stores-are discounting merchandise 70%, 80%, even 90% and we've got cold weather here." "This proves...we are not fighting a losing battle," said sophomore Beverlie Leano, an activist who attended the fur-free .march, .Lindha

Accq r.djng ...,Jp

stressed lhe_ro\e"Oi~s\udentS"in"the

the . w in ter. ,1 9 89

Trans-Species newsletter, "the fur .' "animal· rights .mbvement:'·'As stuindustry is now considering a 4% dents, we have more influence than increase in fur auction fees to genpeople think. By going on that erate additional funds to fight the march, we made an impact," she anti-fur movement." The newsletsaid. ter cites Jeffrey Casler, another furrier. as telling Business World, . '"' " . ,

...... Amnesty struggles toward human. awareness

:!I:.II.tiJI:lil~¥LI1II!~

Townsend HarrisstUctents pcirtic~ ipated .in Amnesty International's fight for human rights during the months of November and December. Ten students attended a rally on November 18 at Union Square to protest executions in China. Others were active during Amnesty International's Human Rights Week, held December 3-10. Human Rights Week was set aside for the purpose of fostering increased awareness of Amnesty and its objec tives. In Townsend Harris, special attention has been given to one of those main objec- '

•i:; j

,,

tives, which is to petition various foreign governments for the release of prisoners of conscience (POC 's). These are men, women, and children imprisoned for their ethnicity, color, sex, religion, and beliefs, who have advocated no violence. During the week, Amnesty International celebrated its pas t suecesses in its struggle for universal human rights, and meanwhile stepped up its international letterwriting campaigns. Due to the pop ularity of Amnesty and its causes among high-school students, many school chapters received specific

cases on wh.ich to concentr ate: the cases of pnsoners of conscience who are children or teenagers. In Townsend Harris, many letters were written to the government of Yugoslavia on behalf of Nuredin Aliu, a 17- year-old ethnic Albanian who was at a large dernonstration protesting the widespread discrimination against his people and the official suppression of the AIbanian cultural heritage . For the. crime of "association for the purpose of counterrevolutionary undennining of the social order," Nuredin Aliu, a high-school student, received five years in prison. Letter-writing through Amnesty International has been responsible for the release of many POC's worldwide . The letters also help boost the morale of prisoners who are isolated from the world. In an AI pamphlet, a releasedPflC from Paraguay explained how important a letter had been to him: "For years I was held in a tiny cell. My only human contact was with my torturers...My only. company were the cockroaches and mice...On Christmas Eve the door to my cell opened and the guard tossed in a crumpled piece of paper . It said, 'Take heart. The world knows you're alive. We're with you. Regards, Monica , Am-

nesty Internati onal.' That letter saved my life," he wrote. One of Amnesty's main focuses is China because of the huge uprising that occurred there this past June. Under martial law, many Chinese who had been demonstrating in the pro-democracy movement were slain. "A Free Future For China, " read one. of the many banners raised at the Amnesty International rally last November. The crowd of about 85 chanted for 'freedom and a halt of student executions in China. Junior Jackie Loeb, one student who attended , said, "We went there and left with more knowl edge than we came with." The students considered the rally a success because it attracted many passersby who took the time to stop and listen. Accounts of-the June 4 massacre drew the world's attention . One testimony describing the incidents read: "We cried because our hearts were breaking." In the aftermath of the uprising, many faces seemed to disappear from Chinese society. It is suspected that those who suppor ted or who are children or teenagers. In Townsend Harris, many letters were written to the government of Yugoslavia on behal f of Nuredin

took part in the demonstrations are paying for it. A Chinese speaker at the raiiy described her experience in prison. "The most terrible thing about being in. prison ill that you just feel the ' whole ' world " [will)' forget you..:You just imagine that you are buried alive," she said to" the crowd. She went on to describe the mental torture inflicted upon inmates. A prisoner was made to stand beside someone with a microphone, and without being able to respond.. he was criticized or "cursed. Sometimes family or friends were forced to do the criticizing . The Chinese speaker explained that the biggest problem is China's secrecy. She said that throughout history, China has hidden "truth" . from the rest of the world, whether it be minute or large scale, and that information regarding the arrest and torture of prisoners is usually secretive. She said that the goal of people in the future should be to public ize "truth" and not accept the "lies" communicated by the government. One participant said, "If the world wasn't so oblivious to injustice, there would be less of it. Ignorance is Amnesty 's worst enemy." 0"


.~

6

C'"A

SLICEOFCUL .

..

.

.

_Wil"'raR.rJiiW:lilIi'i__• •iiW~iij6iltR~'l.~rJi!."I®.{W._1 . International celebration declared 'success' :l!i~_.~.*-,~~rl~l.\l~j~ll~r.~I~K;l~ "It was the most successful [Interna~onal Night] we had," claimed PTA ~o-PresidentClementine Butts. An esimated 500 people attended the fesivities held on December 14 in the school gymnasium and cafetorium . A majority of the schoo l population d their families showed up for the nual even t, bringing with them foods om all different cultures, including taliiin, ·Japanese and Indian. "The ~ifferentkinds of food were delicious," ommented Randi Miller, a freshman. sabel Cuervo, also a freshman, agreed . 'The food [was] fantas tic!". she remarked. After the dinner , foreign language tudents performed skits, songs and ances from many different cultures. e Latin Lead Singers sang, "Rodolhus Cervus Hasim Rubicundum abibat," better known as "Rudolph e Red Nosed Reindeer." The Italian nrichment sang "S anta Lucia," which s an Italian boat song. An ancient Jap anese dance was preented by the Japanese class and two Mexican dances called "El Gusto" and

~

I

1 . t;

.:;: ~ D

":ili

~

c,

t-

"El Jarabe Lapabo" were performed by seniorEsperanzaC. Weng and her dance partner Ron Chalvison. "Love Poems From Around The World" displayed students ability to speak in other lang uages. These languages included French, Germ an, Japanese, Korean , Indian, Greek, and Spanish. A Ge rman skit called "Der Daumenlutscher" taught children to obey their parents. Sophomore William Liao and juniors Keisha Boldin and Tracy Westcarrtoldjokes in Latin. "That night," William said, "people greeted people as peop le, not as one color or creed." The Foreign Language Department and the PTA co -spon sored the event. Robert Goodman, Coordinater of the Foreign Language Department, said that this International Night "surpassed our expectations." Mrs. Butts felt "the entertainm ent was superb," and said , "[This night showed] the importance of diverse people really coming together." She added that this was "the beautiful concept of Townsend Harris."

Li )19 1 SiJ Puce

step! stage Dr.

with audit acroi teacl

retur N one from

ESPERANZA WENG, senior, dances with partne~ Ron Chaluisan to a Mexican folk song as part of Internatiqnal Night.

I

1

__ Edue form venn

atten

Culture Column:

New Year's arrives more than one

What did you do for New Years'? Did you Most Chinese people buy tangerines and : man Stephanie Strajcher observes Rosh go to Times Square, or maybe have a family Chinese grapefruits which stand for wealth Hashanah by going to temple with her famget-together? Did you gorge yourself with and good luck for the new year . Good luck ily and friends. "There the rabbi reads from junk food, or did you eat a traditi onal meal? candies with red wrappin g also have special the Torah [a sacred scroll containing the Possibly you did not celebrate on January 1 meaning. "There is u sually a lot of feast- Five Book s of Moses] and a special prayer book ," said Stephanie. "[A] food we eat is because your famil y observes the new year ing," said Amy. The Korean New Year was also cele brated apples with honey which stand for a sweet at a later date . Just as each family does different things, various cultures have their on Ja nuary 27. Like the Chinese New Year, new year," she added. Ten days after the beginning of Rosh Haown time and way of celebrating the new it comes at the end of January or the beginning of February. On this day, people spend shanah is Yom Kippur, The Day of Atoneyear. The Chinese New Year usually falls be- time with their immediate family. Everyone ment. Jews believe that at this time each tween January 21 and February 19,depend- dresses in the native Korean clothing called year, God examines a great Book of Life, in ing upon the lunar calendar. One of twelve the homboke (spelled phonetically). The which there is a record of every act and different animals represents each new year. children bow down and pay respect to their thought of all living people. On Yom KipThis year is the Year of the Horse, and it . elders, usually grandparen ts, and receive pur, the people fast and pray to God to began on January 27. money in return. Sophomore Eura Ahn said, forgive their sins. Traditi onally, the festivities last for about "Paying respect [to elders] makes the KoAbout a month after the Jewi sh New Year, a month, but nowadays they usually last for rean New Year different from New Year there is another celebration. The Indian a few days, varying from place to place and [celebrations] in other countries." She added New Year usuall y occurs in October accordfamily to famil y. During this time, Chinese that many Korean-Americans call theirrela- ing to the Indian calendar. A big part of the people decorate their houses, eat special tives in Korea to wish them a happy New new year is the idea of a new start at a life filled with prosperity. "You want to cleanse foods, and have celebrations which some- Year. times include fireworks. On the last night, a The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, is yourself of your sins so there is nothing usually in September, and this year it falls on working against you," said sophomore huge dragon parades throught the streets. . Freshman Amy Chau talked about her September 20th. Rosh Hashanah is part of Shefali Patel. "When the New Year comes, family's celebrations of Chinese New Year. the High Holy Days at the beginning of the you want to have light in your life instead of "We give out red packets [that look] like Jewish year. The traditional service in the darkness." On New Year's night, it is cusenvelopes, with either a word, symbol or synagogue concludes with the sounding of tomary to put candles in front of your house picture in gold on the front. These packets the Shofar, or ram's hom, a call for 10 days ' to signify light, which represents goodness. · are filled with money - usually dollar bills." of self-examination andrepentance. Fresh- Also many Indian people who live by water

float candles, which are believed to bt light into your life from all directions. T)is a lot of feasting on this holiday. "All of relatives go to the oldest sibling's ho where we are greeted wiith sweets or f foods," said Shefali. "It is also customar receive blessings of luck , good health , happ iness from older relatives on the Inc New Year, " she explained. In the Vietnamese tradition, there are f different New Year's da ys. They are Chi mas, New Year's, the first day of the f month of the lunar calendar, and the teenth day of the filth month of the lu calendar. According to Vinh Ngu yen freshman ofVietnamese origin, these ChI mas and New Year's celebrations are si lar to those of other cultures. "We excha gifts and eat a big meal," said Vinh. However, the other two New Year's a little different. On the first day of the f month, everyone goes to temple and pr for luck and prosperity. There are a 10: festivals and contests, one of which competing to see who can make the 1 lantern. Money is given out along with I cakes and moon cakes. The fifteenth da] the fifth month is basically the same, exc a larger celebration. On this day, youngsi dress up like dragons and dance the drai


7

-'UR_E --

Freshman loaf around :._.JBBil&m~fi1ftiii

tQWW.w8JilMii~l.JTh~l!j6iilii.;~

Concert 'provides seasonal tunes • •iI_ljiri%~f:1i\lJitiiT~jrl~iitw!I\

The cafetorium was filled with the sounds of holiday music on the evening of December 21, as the Senior Concert Band, conducted by Walter Davis, and the Women's Chorus, directed by Helen Houdek, performed at Town send Harri s' fourth annual Holiday Concert. The audience took their seatsat7:30P.M~as the lights went out and the Women's Chorus entered, beginning the show. The chorus ' first group ofsongs included traditional holiday music such as "Carol of the Bells," a Ukrainian Christmas carol, and "Hashivenne,' an Israeli folk song . .

Soloists Danielle Smith and Melanie Eichelbaum each took the microphone to perform respectively "Th e Rainbow Connection," and "On My Own." The chorus then sang "Lo, Now A Rose," a melody from the sixteenth century. The Women's Chorus turned the show over to the Concert Band. The band played "AI Hanisim" followed by "Winter Wonderland," representing both Chanukah and Christmas, and "Chanson Triste, " a classical piece by Tchaikovsky. At the end ofthe band's set, the Chorus maintained the holiday spirit by singing "The Little Drummer Boy ," "My Dreidle," and a Christmas spiri, .

tual, "Go Tell it on the Mountain." The.Senior Concert Band then performed "Sleigh Ride" , followed by a sing-a-Iong with the audience. Members of the chorus helped with the words to "Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!","Jingle-Bell Rock", and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." The show's finale brought the Concert..... Band and the Chorus together to perform, . which has not happened in many years , according to Mr. Davis. The Chanukah songs "S'Vivon" and "Chanukah is Coming," and"A Christmas Por trait" closed the performance.

Center grant funds musical 'programs 11i.ffii~~1i'J11_ If Muse tte from z Boheme, she the cafetorium ier arms around I~ smger . mirted lembers of the I nade her way ld sat in music ~iS' lap before

e.

I

,y ed by Penny, !rs of a group he City Opera I on who per!xl "Opera Ad. . ed IIwere mvit to hm ent on De-

cember 7 as the group performed excerpts from famous European operas in English, French, and Italian. By the show 's finale , many members of the audience had taken a part in the performance as well, either as spectators on stage at the bullfight in Carmen, or as the recipients of a personal serenade in The Barber of Seville. "It wasn't jus t a dull opera, " freshman Terez Czapp said after the performance. "You know, you got involved." The "Opera Adventure" was the secon d of four performances made possible by a $2300 grant from Lincoln Center. The first, a con-

cert of flute and guitar duets from the Juilliard School of Music . was held in the library on December 4. The grant will also fund a two-part performance entitled "Dance Around the World" which is scheduled to be held in the gym this spring. The programs are being coordinated by librarian Valerie Billy, w'ith the help of Assistant Principals Shiela Orner and Bernice Horowitz, Dean Wanda Nix, and Mr. Davis. The goal of these shows is to expose students to the divers ity of many ethnic backgrounds. "[It is] intended to be a cross-cultural presentation," said Mrs ..Billy .

During second band on December 4, Mr. Davis' Intermediate Instrument class and other invited band students were able to hear Andrea Tinsley, a flute player, and Ed Ticheli , a classical guitarist, perform music dating from the Renaissance through the present day. Andrea , who plans to become an orchestral performer, and Ed , who teaches guitar and does freelance work, had only been prac ticing together for a month before this performance: Despite the cold weather which .she claimed numbed her fingers, Andrea played with a virtuosic

technique developed over the thirteen ~ears she has studied the flute. She played a solo entitled "Excerpts from Carmen" which involved many rapid, high-pitched) notes. Sophomore Jennie Mar, who has studied the flute for two years herself, said that she admired Andrea's tone and her use of vibrato Ed wasn't exposed to musical training as a child, and said he therefore feels great satisfaction in teaching the guitar. He especially 'enjoys performing for students. "I like to watch them smile ," he said . "When I look at their eyes light up, I'm touched ."

in the street. A red bag offake money g from a certain building. The dragons :e in a fight and one climbs up on top of her and eats the bag. The dragon then !t out. "It's really fun to watch!" said

ly students agree that American New s can be lots offun too. Today's New ~ customs of making noise, dancing, ~g, and dressing up in costumes go bthe Roman midwinter festival. Origi~ ulius Caesar named the first month of endar January in honor of Janus , the aced god of beginnings and endings ~nings and closings. He also declared 14 as Janus' festival day which I 1mark the beginning of the new year. I. Pope Grego ry XIII changed New Day to January 1. lhman Lisa Khan is one of many who I . rate the holiday. " I spend New Year's ith my family and friends, and we party, party ," said Lisa. "We also the countdown on MTV and the news the ball drop in Tim es Square." Fresh Carrie Hess said,'Whatever I do on I jr'ear 's, it' s always an excitin g day!"

I

IT

,~ article was researched and written ierese Ferguson. Jennifer Mattucci. ~ne Holland and Jennifer Dubow.

~

-~ : -.~

M

rMf!

Jf1ff ?ftw-

'F!

IL~ l.e~i ~!

It was a very tasty experience," said Nia Simmons of class 905. Townsend Harris' first armual Bread Day was held on November 27 in the Eriglish 1 classes of Debra Michlewitz and Lynne Greenfield . Allover the school; students from these classes could be seen carrying bags and platters of the bread that best represented their cultural heritage. Almost all of the students in these classes contributed some type of bread to Bread Day. "I now realize bread is an important food which tends to represent its culture in some way," commen ted Rishona Fleishman. The idea of Bread Day originated with Ms. Michlewitz, who thought it would be an "effective and educational way for students to learn about and apprecia te the cultural diversi ty of the student body." When Ms . Greenfield heard her idea, she thought it was terrific and that it would be a "delicious, though very fattening way for this to be done." There was a real variety in the breads brought in for Bread Day. Sang Kim brought in Korean Walnuggets. This bread is eaten every January or February on the day of the Korean New Year. It follows a special meal and is eaten with tea. Alexis Vega brought in a Hebrew Challah. According to tradition, two loaves of this bread are put on the table every Sabbath to symbolize the double portion of marma that God gave to the Jews in the desert on Fridays during the exodus to Egyp t. Lynette Cegelski brought in a Polish Oplatek. This is a Christmas wafer that is placed in a comer of a house at Christmas time. It represents a Guard ian Angel and is believed to unite families. The .breaking and sharing of it begins on Christmas Eve. Other bre ads brought in for Bread Day included Indian Roti, Hungarian Krumplis Kenyes, and West Indian Coconut Bread. "It [Bread Day] was really good and I liked the coconut bread," said Stephanie Strajcher. "I loved the cornbread!" exclaimed Agnes Farres. "The Indian brea d I tried was extremely good. It ~as quite bland, which shocked me considering all Indian food is very spicy," said Rishona. "I also liked that it had potato in it, because the pota to is one of my favorite foods ." "It was nice. I liked the matzohs and the Oplatek ,' said Elaine Eng. "It ' would seem like a bread as common as matzoh has been eaten by almost everyone, Jewis h or not, but to my surprise , many people had never tried matzoh and discov ered that they loved it," observed Kara Tubridy. Ms. Michlewi tz and Ms. Greenfield thought Bread Day was a huge success, and hope that next year's English 1 teachers will continue the tradition.


t-eoruary 1990

'Wild Words' class hosts fi rst poetry festival ~:.~i~J~~ll~I~J~Jjill~~~~~j~j ~$~I*~~1~11q~itfji~Ji .ii.ii:

participating in the creation of a "masterpiece." "I can let my creative juices flow," said sophomore Catisha Marsh. "It allows us to be proud of what we do," she added. Mrs. Michlewitz is also enthusiastic about this Enrichment. "I want the students to enjoy poetry and themselves," she said. Mrs. Michlewitz previously taught at Jamaica High School where she used the Readers' Theater format as a .teaching aid. She said it got an excellent response from students. The Readers' Theater group presented "The Human Experience through Folk Tales and Poetry" during an Enrichment last month, and performed their poem "Suicidal Seal" at a freshman assembly. The poem was created by juniors Melanie Eichelbaum, Chris Fassler, Lara Cutrone and Carolyn Sprower, who worked with James Thurber's poem, "The Seal Who Would be Famous." They changed the order and inserted words from other poems, forming their own individual work of art. The Readers' Theater will perform a folk tale for Black History Month, and is currently exploring various methods of conveying "The House that Jack Built."

William Stafford . Cheryl explained that the honorary title of PoetLaureate is bestowed on poets of significant contribution and reputation who have "their finger on the pulse of American experience." Jill Grathwhol and Sera Congi offered a salute to Ameri.can poet Allen Ginsberg. Jill read passages from "Kaddish" written in memory of the poet's mother: Sera followed with Ginsberg's 'This is America," a poetic social commentary which Sera said is "critical of racismv bigotry and

.4

路4,

;.

Tetris Champs Jennifer Tuohy and Happy Li, both juniors. won the Tetris Competition held on December 15. Jennifer won on the Advanced Level, with a score of 29,899, and Happy on the regular level. .

.,

..

~


~ .~. .

~

I

J C.

The Classic

~::{ili@;:_1 entertainment 111)1111;;':::::;:;::

9

.:.

February 1990

Show taps students' talents

• _ _1~~!ilW11~lii1 "It was so hysterical, I still can't stop laughing," said sophomore Stephanie Nix, referring to the third annual Townsend Harris Talent Show. The show's theme was "Just when you thought it was safe to go into the cafetorium..." and was held on December 8. Under the supervision of drama adviser Harriet Blechman, the Drama Club and other student performers organized their talents into a comedic event. Hosted by juniors Rodney Lopez and Charlie Redell, the show's skits ranged from Kung Fu to impersonations. Together, Rodney and Charlie imitated Public Enemy and Hanz and Franz. Charlie and Jamey Nessel played cameo roles of David Letterman and Paul Schaffer. Rodney and Jamey performed in an Arsenio Hall skit. Seniors Kathie Cheng and Dave Mannis, jun ior Carol Cheng, sophomores Shelly Binotti and Deidre Mike; and freshmen Aron Chizik and Mami Sussman all acted in a skit called ' "Time Warp." This group, along with Ms. Blechman, David Mayer and word processing teachers Judy Biener and Pamela Strudler, also appeared in the "Twelve Days of High School," a skit created by Ms. Blechman. Some of the acts displayed the agility of the performers. These included David Mannis' "Kung Fu Form," Matt Mandell's juggling, and Deidre Mike's tap dancing to

Billy Joel storms back on the frontl I

"Crazy Rhythm." Carol Cheng combined music and comedy in her act, "Schizophrenia ," as did her sister, Kathie in her version of "The Adam's Family ." Kathie also played "St. Louis Blues" on the piano. The other musical acts included junior Sasha Antoszewski's whistling rendition of Tchaikowsky's 1812 Overture. She also sang "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" Freshmen Aron Chizuk and Steve Bilanuk, along with the band "The Shaggy Duops" , sang The Who's "Pinball Wizard " and "Start Me Up" by the Rolling Stones. The show ended with a special twist when alumnus Paul Jannicola, accompanied by David Mannis on harmonica, sang "Good Love." Ms. Blechman and the Drama Club held numerous auditions and many rehearsals to prepare for the show. Charlie claims, "It was hard work, and it was exasperating - I wouldn't give it up for the world!" Rodney was pleased with the outcome of the performance. "It was fun being part of the show and we . pulled off Ii pretty good one. It was smooth, varied , and entertaining. I think it was enjoyed by the audience," he said. Freshman Randi Korobelnik thought they "did an excellent job," and that "the acts were really good and creative." Deidre Mike said, "It was hectic at times and a royal pain, but I can't wait to do it next year." . t

·

5

f._l~i_~fit~tifii~l~l~i~it~

Storm Front marks the longawaited return of Billy Joel to the world of contemporary pop music. The album is the first offering from Joel since 1986's The Bridge. Joel is back with a new band, a new tour, and a new sound. The album leads off with "That's Not Her Style," a rocker that boasts some fme blues harmonica work. The song also introduces Joel's new band, which includes a new bass guitarist, a new key. boardist, and a new fiddler and backup singer. This new backup band lends muscle to most of the songs on the record. Long-time drummer Liberty DeVitto and guitarist David Brown are the only remaining members of Joel's "old band." The second song is perhaps Joel's most ambitious to date. "We Didn't Start The Fire" is easily Joel's most successful single so far. (It ranked Number One on the Billboard Singles chart after a few weeks of release.) It is a rapid-fire barrage of the pop icons and events that made the last forty years so exciting. Although it is a clever and catchy song, it becomes tedious. Joel works all the items from 1949 to 1989 into rhyme and rhythm with poetic virtuosity. . Aside from .this, however, "Fire" is mediocre. The next cut on Storm Front, however, dispelled any notions I had that Billy Joel is not a master singer/songwriter. "The Downeaster 'Alexa'" takes

~

I.. A

"')\~ / -/'':'/ IJ

\t\ ( ~.~ ' 0 '\

I

\

(( ~>\i\

~~,f~'~ I f;

~V·\t\·~ f '

~

'r. \

!

,

Uf

I "~

:.....

~

the prize as the best song on Storm Front, and one of the strongest compositions of Joel's career. "Alexa" is one of those great songs that tells you about a life that you aren't a part of, but that you can relate to. It tells the story of a fisherman off Long Island who is having trouble making ends meet. Joel, who is a millionaire artist married to one of the most beautiful women around, takes on the identity of the harried fisherman with ease . The haunting melody is .accentuated by the intricate percussion work and the plaintive cries of a lone violin. The last stanza of the song roars with the line, "There ain't much future for a man who works the sea / but there ain't no island left for islanders like me."

''The Downeaster 'Alexa'" leaves you pondering the situation. Joel's striking voice is a perfect complement to the words and melody of this masterpiece. Buy Storm Front if only for this song. Unfortunately , though, this song is the only compelling reason to , buy the album. The following tracks are bland and trite. In the fmal song, "And So It Goes , the usually successful combination of piano and Joel's lone voice fails, and the album ends on a disappointing note.

Storm Front is far from Billy Joel's best work, but it is not his worst. It's just that Joel can do so much better. I was in the mood for a melody, but Storm Front doesn't have me feeling quite all right.

Hoses rival for home survival

Bt.~";I••B1&~£afii From small spats to major battles, fights are a common occurrence in matrimony, and no couple exemplifies this more than Barbara and Oliver Rose (Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas) in the black comedy, The War of the Roses.

Director Danny Devito stars as a divorce lawyer who tells the story of the Roses to a prospective client in an attempt to dissuade him from seeking a divorce. He traces the Roses' history from a beautiful romance in Nantucket to its hideous ending .

The Roses start off happily enough, frisky newlyweds who soon have a couple of cute kids. In a crowded apartmen t, they use a tin foil star for the Christmas tree and keep the money tight. In a few years, the Roses are able to afford a house. It's Barbara's dream house. While Oliver furthers his law career and moves up in his firm, Barbara takes to decorating the house , For years , the house is her life. But there is only so long you can spend decorating a house. When Barbara finishes, she feels lost. 01iver has no time to help her and he

doesn' t care. They start to have a lot of problems with each other. When the problems become too much for the couple to handle, the Roses decide to divorce . However, they can't agree on the terms, Barbara is willing to give up everything, but the house. Out of spite, Oliver says he'll give her every thing but the house. Devito, Oliver's lawyer, finds an obscure law which will allow the Roses to divorce yet live in the same house. That's just what they do, with the , house split between them. Then the real fights start. The Roses offer us some of the

best Hollywood fight scenes. The evil in their eyes causes literal sparks to fly. This is courtesy of great acting by both Turner and Douglas. You'd better believe these two hate each other. For example, in a moment of "passion," Turner tells Douglas, "Every time I see you sleep , every time I watch , you eat, every time I look at you lately, I want to smash your face in." And she proceeds to do so. While the script of The War of the Roses is, for the most part, equal to the great quality of the fight scenes, the character development is disappointing. Both Bar-

Dead Milkmen MOOve fans [~1.illlJ~~~~r*~@~ili~r~~lliifll~~I: Last time around, Jasper Thread only had a few minutes to talk about the Dead Milkmen . But recently , Dave Blood gave about forty minutes of his own time to answer what he considered some "pretty strange quesions" with his "semi- coherent ramblings." One question frequently asked of the Milkmen is how they created their stage names. Dave offers this explanation: "We basically came up with the stage names because

we figured that if we did anything people would be bored and just go really silly and we'd get in trouble, away." A Dead Milkmen show is it would be a lot harder to trace us. good-natured fun, unlike many We actually never expected in shows that come to New York. some ways to get this popular." Their fans are made up of all races , Dave makes it clear that fun is colors and creeds. They are a unithe reason the Dead Milkm en keep fied bunch of young adults, out there to support their band. making records and touring. "If it stops being fun, we're going to In return for this support, the stop doing it....On stage, we're just Milkmen try to maintain a close rehaving a ball. And people sense lationship with their fans. "Most of that and have fun at our shows 00- us go out after the show to talk to them (the fans)... because they cause we have fun. If we went up there and started cranking it o~!> .- ~ cametp p ave fun and you came t9

have fun and it's good to meet people you had fun with that night," says Dave. This relationship is continued through fan mail. The Milkmen get a large amount , according to Dave - so much, in fact, that responses can take up to three months. "We try to read all our fan mail and answer as much as we can," he says. "It's good to write back... Fan mail is a really important part of what we do." If you're not sure where to write to them, the. !'-d.dress is P.O. Box

bara and Oliver start out as basically nice. Then they turn into nastier people. Douglas' character goes through the change slowly and you can see how he still loves his wife. In Turner's, character, however, the metamorphosis is almost instantaneous. She immediately becomes cold and unloving . It's a lot easier to hate Barbara than Oliver. The movie would have been better if their progression toward nastiness had proceeded at the same rate. . Aside from this complaint, the movie is excellent. It gets a little gory, but it's very funny. The War Of The Roses is definitely worth the cost of tickets and popcorn.

..

58152, Philadelphia, PA 191028152. When you write them a letter, you get a free subscription to their newsletter. If you're confused about how the Dead Milkmen sound, here's how Dave described them: "It's like waking up in the morning and having someone throw a washcloth that's been drenched in cold water at your face." If you're unsure about life, listen to their records and the solution will become apparent LAUGH! . . .; .. . · · ' . ;


advertisement February 1990

SAT· SAT· SAT WHY OUR STUDENTS SCORE MORE THAN H.IS... The Princeton Review Computer generated score reports, pinpointing students' strengths and weaknesses .

Four complete diagnostic exams

• • • •

Average 10 students per class, with a maximum of 12 - not 25 or more Students grouped by level of ability _ )0-

I

,Free extra help sessions with a live , tutor - not a tape

Stanley , Kaplan

o

0 0 0 0

WE-PASS'THE TEST '~ :NOW ITIS YOUR TURN ••. ..

Compare The Princeton Review's , Average SAT Score Increase

-"It ,~ ~~

. .., ~

..,

THE PRINCETON · ,REVIEW .

', . 11~160

~~

13 ~~~~~ffi~~j~1~~1

.:

.

No

t;

SChool

.Cou,.. *

Cou,..*

Stanlel The Princeton , Kaplan * , "" , Revl,-wr

• According to the Coli. Boar4 the average etudent with a"1000 (CDmbined) SAT 01' ,PSAT KOIe can expec:!a 13 point inaeue without anI coaching at alL The College Board aleorecently 8tucliecl hiKh achool CD..- around the CDunby and only 14~ lepodecl tlle abUlty to rai8e ec»ra at alL The average eaect 01 ' theM cou_ wu ·~ poinIa.

(718) 935-0091

,

.hicti~

..

.. In 1979 the Federal Trade CollUftiaion the siantey Kaplan Educational CenieD and found ita effect on ec»ra w. 48.9 pointa. Xaplan baa repeatec:lII lefuaecl The Princeton Revfew. challenle to CDmpue ana verify CDmpetitive JCCII'e iacreaMIa.

t

Our averaa;~ .COIe iIlcreue of 110-160 pointa baa been veriliecl V..,..".. Mapzine, Harvard UniversitI, The Unive..ity of Pennaylvania'. Upward Bound Pft)~ The Center for Pairand Opea Teating, ana MYa other ecllacatiaMI ~

n. JIriIIliIIaa. . . . . . .lIIi1iIMwida . . s.

ti

!,...............u.u..a.,. ~ .~

.'9..

'i.'...-. .......

pou'" ,

'fI~.

"""it,.... ; • _......:

;-"'~:',_ .. ~'#~~ t~• • ~.' -"'. ":-.

..

••

~.


li'i'illliil·:I:ji11Iir"·f e 'il "tu ··r e.::

": : i~!I :j·I:'I ·I :I.·il!I!l ljl :I I I I"I "I "1 !I I I:jljil l ..II:II:I·i:I.:..·. :I ·I I .~ I,I· I ·~l il l ·I I ·I~.[~I,·I :I·I I I..I:li:I!III..1111!111..l i!jl..I 'I ~:i l,I: I ..IIIIII:!, s pcrts

.

.

Stude nts reflect on ,Eighties ~ 1I:.~I::I~::.il:: : im&~ffi::\f:l: mHm

1986, the Chernobyl nuclear acci"It was the best of times, it was- dent in the Soviet Union also in the worst of times," Charles Dick- that year, and the AIDS, epidemic ens wrote about 18th-century that still rages on today were additional suggestions for "worst France and England in A Tale Of Two Cities, but he just as easily event." Junior Michael Detweiler could have been writing about the selected the Challenger tragedy. world in the decade stretching "It was so shocking, so unpredictfrom 1980 to 1990. Some say that able," said Michael. the Eighties was a period filled The poll was not all so gloomy, with hope for the future. Others however. It continued with a subbelieve that this was the time of ject a bit closer to home. greed, selfishness, and evil. As the There was no clear winner in the .Eighties draw to a close, race for "best band" of the EightTownsend Harris students have ies, but emotions still ran high. many opinions on this tumultuous Choices ranged from Depeche and momentous decade. Mode ' to' the New Kids On The . In a survey of 150 Townsend Block to Air Supply to the Cover Harris pupils, an even 50% thought Girls. Junior Francesca Momthat the destruction of the Berlin plaisir made a choice that was unWall in Germany on November 9, usual. "I really like George Ben1989 was the "most important son's Jazz Band. Jazz is unpopuevent" of the decade. "It means the lar, but it truly is good music," said end of Communism," said sopho- Francesca. Sophomore Tara Rodmore Jama Go~alia. History teach- riguez had a more usual opinion. er Paul Stessel shares Jama's view. "The New Kids [On The Block] "[It is] the death of an ideology. are the best in the Eighties. They'll - The disintegration of Communism be around forever!" exclaimed is the most exciting thing this de- Tara. Lisa Ying, another sophocade," he stated. Queens College more, chose a different band. Lisa liasonDr, Robert Haan said, "It is said, "Depeche Mode, ,man! totalitarianism that is faIling. To- They're awesome!" Sophomore talitarianism is the opposite of Daniel Seltzer is a fan of Depeche freedom. Communism as an eco- Mode, but he prefers the popular nomic system is not evil and is not English duo Erasure. "Erasure," he dead." said, "is easily the best band of the A distant second in the poll was decade. No question!" Apparently, the 1987 summit meeting between according to the wide variety of reformer President Ronald Reagan sponses, there is a question. and Soviet Premier Mikhail GorWhatever the question, most of bachev, with 10% designating this the responses of the Harris students as the decade's most important polled referred to only, the past event. Freshman Fritz Jeffries year or two. The destruction of the said, "You see, [at that summit] we Berlin Wall, the San Francisco fmally made some moves to get rid earthquake, and the appearance of of nuclear weapons. It gave every- New Kids On The Block all hapbody hope." pened in the year 1989. Does this Assistant Principal of Science show that teenagers have short Susan Appel had a decidedly dif- memories? "No! It's hard to argue ferent choice for the outstanding that the crumbling 'of Communism event of the Eighties. "Townsend ' in Eastern Europe is not the most Harris was built," she said. Even monumental event of the past demore personal was freshman Sta- ." cade. if. not the past thirty years!" cey Hollander's pick for the most '. roared sophomore Alwin Eversly. important event of the decade. '., Heconpnued,'lt justso happens "Rodney Dangerfield stepped on . that important things happened in my toe," said she, "and it was the . 1989'" . ' thrill of a lifetime," Or at leas~ the In any case, the Eighties are .thrill of a decade. ' over. The Berlin Wall, the ChalMother Nature was ham on the lenger disaster, the San Francisco planet this decade, according to earthquake - all of these are history Harrisites. Natural disaterssuchas 'now.' They will be read .about "in Hurricane Hugo and t1}e ; , ~: future (JIQbal His~ory textbooks by quakes in Mexic'8teit}t, Armenia, . future Harrisites. But the question and San Fransisco all ranked high remains: were the Eighties the best in the poll for "worst event" of the of times or the worst of times? As decade, Junior KanmLemmey ex- Townsend " Harris High .School plained those ch'6ibes.' ''They all leaves its first decade, its students killed millions of innocent people. , try to answer that question about They were really sad," she said. . the wild decade known as the Other disasters such as the space Nineteen Eighties. shuttle Challenger accident of .

~

t,

EYE EX

-

'N ... T'ONS

,

OR.

,

~...

CONT"'CT LENSES

MA~C

past competition Marjorie Charles, Nia Simmons, Ayanna Wright, and Alicia Hughes were the runners involved in these races. Also competing in another 4x400m race were Allison Hollander, Myriam Charles, Ingrid Lemmey, and Fazeela Alli, running a total time of 4:52.0. Their time eamed them first place in the class relay. The track team didn't stop there, as they went on to the Bishop Loughlin Games on December 10. Freshman Nia Simmons had an

outstanding run in the l000m race, taking first place, winning a gold medal and setting a meet record by running a time of 3:22.9. Ayanna Wright also won a gold medal, finishing in 1:45.6 in the 600m race, another meet record. Other medal winners were twins Marjorie and Myriam Charles. Coach Joseph Horn feels that he has a well-rounded team, "The girls concentrate on different events....All of our girls are doing great," he said.

Opposing Viewpoints: ' Should the NBA expand abroad?

1

Since 1891, when James A. Na- noting that the U.S. has.dominated The Olympics and McDonalds ismith invented the game of bas- basketball both at home and OTI: the Open have showed that foreign ketball, it has remained a relatively international level. Michael Jordan players can compete. In 1988 the a U.S.-dominated sport. Because of in.Chicago would be just as dorni- world was shocked when the Sovithis, competition between the Unit- nating illd perhaps 'even more et Union and Yugoslavia competed ed States and other countries dominating in Italy. The caliber of in the finals of the Olympics and would be uneven and unfair to the competition on the internation- not the U.S. That U.S. team was other countries. Despite its recent al level is just not comparable to considered to be one of our best international acclaim, the NBA the NBA. Until the -intemational ever. The last McDonald's Open feashould not expand into intemation- 'teamsprove' to th~:NBA' that~ they al competition. can be consistently competitive, tured a final in which the European 9ne of the major problems with . the.. NBA , should ...notexpand. champion Jugoplastika Split from expansion is the difference be' -Neftali Serrano Yugoslavia played the Denver tween international and NBA rules. Vlade Divac. Shurinas Marchalu- Nuggets. Even though Denver For example, in international com- nis. Do these names sound famil- won, they only won by six, and the petition, foul shots are awarded iar. They should because they are game was decided in the last few after the seventh personal or tech- two foreign rookies prospering in minutes. nical foul in a half. In the NBA, the NBA. These two players are Another reason why the NBA. foul shots are awarded after the stongevidence that non-Americans " should expand to Europe is the fifth foul committed. There are can play in the NBA. That is why higher intake of profits. The exalso different court dimensions and the NBA should expand to Europe. . pansion of the league would allow shot clocks. These rule discrepanA problem with this proposal in the NBA. to market their products cies may force changes in a team's the past was that foreign players on a wide range basis inEurope as style of play, depending upon who could not compete with the Ameri- well as in the U.S. changes their rules. , " can players. .)Vith , the es~aglish-,. : .: r. rrhe ~~. shg¢(td~fIWtely exTravel ti~e an~ ,.l?£sts for ~s ....}\ent~f tJ1~YiJ:lt~ational~e.vents, ~ PlW-d tO~eWe~~ds~~t would ,would al!l0;,fX>~ Ii majorproblem. :we , ,can. ,~,,,~t ~~reign ;:R,IAyers ~, be). ben~t~r ~~~t~lim-oUghFor example, if the Los Angeles have elevated their level of play to out 'the world. Lakers were to travel for a game one comparable to .the NBA. -Dino Ravnic against an Italian team, coming off a home game, they woUld have to travel through 11 time zones. The ".---~----------------------"i EL.: ( 7 18) ~·3636 players would have trouble adjust. (516) 481·5500 ing to the many time zones during the ' course .of a season, which would hamper their ability to play at 100%. Struggling NBA clubs would also find. it hard to pay for BRooKLVN. . U H ER S E RVICE " - -the extensive.travel costs. Besides, , . Q ~ENS.NASSAU prime time in Italy is 2:00 in the afternoon in New York. That i';~~~ " ,_'.: : . _ \-i . ~. ~J ' .~' would not , attract .many viewers. ,J ~ i o.ts:r AV£~tJi! , Perhaps the most important ques. " . R ICHMOND HILL. NV 11419- 1399 , tion is whether international ex- i ---:: ,pansion will add excitement to the ." ,-. ,., .. ... '" NBA. I highly doubt that it would, '.

HE~!!:G,~.I,L~~.IN<'

.-.,.

-<V .ir: .~

~.

,.I:[ln.r~-·-v,-,~-,,-~

'~._ m' _ _ ~M ~ " -

m_ m

_

_

•••

• •_

••

RMnTH ' US 'R " ESTn un nNT

_~~._w.-.•_.wy_ww,,,._y~w.-.-w.~,,"w.w• .~.ww,,_._,w_.w.w,,~.. _ •._ _ ,wm.~m~w.w~'.

ymw.•

.

',

,,

,

,

.

." ~ 'J '.. 82-:tS-: :,B6t:$Oil-$ Bidd euind -'~; . , TEl:;~·;.3"O -:6616 ' ., '". . ~ :,.," ',:" ~'~ ,~ ~" <' ' .: "3'; ..,~ ,». ~~ ;; '~ between the G!:!~d Cl!ltlrarrfJrlCwaY·!lnd. ,pnton TUf'ppijce :; 'k .~

s

" OPEN7D RYSRWEEK -Eacetlent Food Fresh Fish, Greek Dishes, I talia n Dishes, -EHcelient Seruice Hom e made bread, cheese cak e, Greek ,-EH , cellent Prices ~ Pa stries baked on premis e s.

.

S A KOW

-t-,

: . : , '

.Early Bird Dinners $7.95

Full RegUlar Menu start s at 8.95

, ,,;::;::ttj~~:~·D tco~e a~d try :t1,l e be;t-~in·~;'rs in New York at any price

~~.-.~~ ·i

h~t-

1 .

February 1990

t 0'

E.

The Girls' Indoor Track team has won 20 medals and broken six school records in two meets. At their first meet, the Crown Relays, the team showed its potential by breaking two school record times in the Sprint Medley and 4x400m races. In the Sprint Medley, in which each runner runs a different distance from 200m to 800m, the track team collectively ran a time of 4:40.6, while in the 4x400m race, the team collectively ran a time of 4:28.4.

~~ .... ~ ,

OPTO ME TRI ST

,

t--

-

The Classic :jlj:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:i:jj:j:llj:j:j:j:j:j:j:j:i:j!i:j:j!j!::;j:j!:fI::I jit.II.11 1

,

"

,


~l

. . . ,,&~:111111(llllllt"III.

sports

1 February 1990

Boys' B-ball is back with Intramurals

·l-'-'-

3-2-1... and"iliebiiiieiwIi~I sounded on the 1989-90 Townsend Hams Boys' Intramural Basketball season

r 1 -'

"-.or:.

iii

];

j

a.

JON ISLER, senior, attempts to steal the basketball from Khal Phu, senior as members of the Questionmarks and Shooting seamen watch.

Knicks Led by Senior Captain Ross Hartman and ball-handling specialist, "Kareem Abdul" Jamar .Brown, the Knicks finished the season in first place with a 9-1 record. Their only loss came in a close game against the Hoyas. "We have a great combination of dribbling, rebounding, and scoring, which makes us such a quality , team," said Ross:

·· ea Girls' varsity drives to division I d .f:j~.~.I~t~fJ~~lif:~w~wmi11~1~Iiillifil The players took their positions. The referee threw up the ball for the tip. Ngozi Efobi won it and Keisha Robinson got hold of it. She passed it to Rachel Ruisi, who scored on a layup. The crowd went wild as the Hawks took the lead, on their way to one of their many victories. The Hawks are currently in first place with an 8-1 record. They defeated Flushing twice, 62-30, and 55-21; Cleveland, 68-32; Newtown, 53-10 Long Island City, 6822; Forest Hills, 54-28; and Bryant, 50-12. They lost a heartbreaker~o Bowne, 64-63, but beat them in their second meeting, 49-42. In the game against Bryant, they were leading at the half, 24-6. In the second quarter, Rachel Ruisi stole the ball and drove down court. She scored on .a layup and was fouled. Rachel hit the free throw for a three-point play. Plays

like this led them to victory. The 'Hawks held their opposition scoreless for the first six minutes of the third quarter.This led them to a 5012 win. In the game against Flushing, Lauren Caiaccia scored 13 points while Ngozi Efobi pulled down 16 rebounds. Ngozi also led the team against Newtown by scoring 16 points and grabbing 17 rebounds. Keisha Robinson chipped in 23 points in a losing cause against Bowne, while she scored 19 and Rachel Ruisi added 10 in the win against Cleveland. "I'm very impressed with the team," stated Coach Larry Ceraulo. The Hawks fmished their nonleague games with an 8-0 record. In one of their games, they defeated Van Buren, 80- 29. Keisha Robinson led all scorers with 26 points. So far, that game has epitomized the Hawks' season. "We're a strong team. We play excellent de-

"-.

decade comes a new and improved Junior Varsity Girls Basketball team coached by physical education/health teacher Keith Hanson. The team is 6-2 so far this season, winning five of their last six games. August Martin beat them 55-18 in the season opener, but the team came back to defeat Bryant in the next game, 25-13. Other wins have come against Beach Charmel and Springfield Gardens. Their two losses have come against powerhouse August Martin, the only team Coach Hanson believes the they carmot beat. According to Coach Hanson, this year's team is led by four players, including two from last year's team. Sophomore Allison Leischeidt is a 5'10" defensive specialist who is leading the team in blocks and averaging eight rebounds a game.

Against August Martin, she was the team's high scorer with seven points and pulled down a team high 9 rebounds. "Allison has been my best performer this season," said Coach Hanson. Freshman guard Vikki Bouza is relied on heavily to hit the outside shot, taking the pressure off of sophomore captain Tracy Librie. Coach Hanson believes that Tracy is his most talented player because of her great court sense, aggressiveness, and great moves to the basket. Tracy also has the most steals on the team. Point guard Niki loarmou is a quick player who led the team in scoring in their season openf,lr with eight points. In November, when girl's J.V. tryouts began, thirty-one girls tried out. This was the largest turnout for a J.V. basketball team·in school history. Coach Hanson was able to carefully select a team which con-

The Magic Led by Captain Gary Mellow, senior Mark Ackerman, and freshman Stefan Bilaniuk, the Magic fmished with a 3-7 record ; "Weare much better than our record shows," said Stefan. Their victories came against . the Wildcats, ?Marks, and Twin-Hype.

Pistons Wildcats When thinking of "the big man" "Consistency, that was our in pro basketball, . Akeem problem," said Senior captain Olajuwon and Patrick Ewing come Mike . Williams, whose Wildcats fense,' said center Ngozi Efobi. to mind. At Townsend Harris.jhe finished at 3-7, after a very slow The Hawks also defeated Francis name of Sophomore Jose Perez start. Sophomore Damian Young Lewis, Hillcrest, and Springfield stands out. Due to the play of Jose and junior Jonathan Perry were the Gardens. "We have a good chance and junior captain Brian Demaso, two bright spots for the team in to win the division," said Coach the Pistons compiled an 8-2 record. their victories against Twin-Hype, Larry Ceraulo. Their only losses came versus the Hawks, and the ?Marks. Starting for the Hawks this year Twin-Hype in their first game, and Twin-Hype are guards Keisha Robinson and in a late season defeat to the Several forfeits and a lack 01 Rachel Ruisi, forwards Kirsten Ro- league-leading Knicks. 'We have team unity gave the Hype a 3-7 denbeck and Lauren Caiaccia, and the most talent of any Intramural record. Sophomore captain Jumoke center Ngozi Efobi. "I expect alot team," said junior Stephen Durney. Gamble led the team along with from all the returning players,", Byron Kirkland. The two high The Hoyas stated Coach -Larry Ceraulo, Newpoints of their season came in "We're going all the way! Let's comers to the team are Kristen victories against the Pistons and Buonagura, Kalen Tubridy, and go Hoyas!" said sophomore Matt Nelson. The Hoyas fmished with a Hoyas. They also defeated the Kara Tubridy. Over the last three years, Keisha 7-3 record. Sophomore Ramon Hawks. Byron said, "With a little Robinson has developed into the Serrano and captain Jae Kon Kim more consistency and effort, we star of the team. This year the 5-4 form a productive backcourt for could have been much better." ?Marks senior will be looked upon as the the team. Kim stated, "We have a The Early on, the team had one bil leader. NY Newsday classified her great variety of talents." question mark. Would Juliar as one of the "Players to Watch." Hoyas were defeated by the Pistons, Wolverines, and TwinMoore's after-school job ever le "I don't expect anything less him show up to play? Thi from the team than the previous Hype. problem has plagued the ?Marks years," commented Coach Larry The Shooting Seamen who ended with a 2-8 record. Thej Ceraulo. The Seamen fmished the season have beaten the Hawks and Twin with a record of 7-3, losing only to Hype. The team is led by senio the Knicks, Pistons, and Hoyas. captain Jon Isler and sophomon Adam Shpal1. "Our expectation sists of multi-dimensional players The team is led mainly by senior were much higher," said Adarr who work hard. He has implement- captain Khai Phu. "We have great "We could have been excellent." ed an offense which consists of lit- chemistry and · an . all-around tle dribbling, with an emphasis on awesome team," says sophomore Hawks passing . and moving without the Jason Vives. This team, led by senior captain ball. The defense is based on an The Wolverines aggressive press, which is used to The Wolverines, led by senior Mark Robinson, finished with a 1create quick points off of steals. David Herszenhorn, fmished with 9 record . Their only win came "My team's biggest strengths are a 7-3 record. They lost only to the ( against the Magic, "Once we sa", its guts and will to work as hard as Seamen, Pistons, and Knicks, "We that we woudn't make the playoffs, we just had . fun," said starting they possibly can," said Coach surprised everyone except "Wf Hanson. "They even want to come ourselves ," said sophomore Mike center Faizad Hossein. played like clowns ." in on weekends! We have great Lorello. "It was a terrific season." team chemistry and when we exei I cute plays correctly, they usually work. Our points are distributed among the whole team." Sophomore Nikki loarmou said, "The I team this season has more potential than last year's team. We are more determined and most significantly, we are taller." Mr. Hanson, optimistic about the future, said, "We would like to go . 8-2. That would be my ultimate goal!"

Girls' J.V. B-ball shoots for the top tfff\!!!1!\1'f!'~'!i!!il

Redmen The Redmen fmished with 5-5 record, thanks to the play of captain Dino Ravnic and junior Jairo Yun. They defeated the Wildcats, Hawks, Magic, ?Marks, and Twin-Hype. "We were able to win just enough games to make the playoffs. We made the clutch shots and won the clutch games," said Igor Solop.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.