The Classic newspaper Volume 7 Issue no. 3

-------NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE '

Vol. 7, No.3, February, 1991

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Townsend Harris High School at Queens College \

. PAID

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Perrolt No. 163 Commack. N,Y.

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75-40 Parsons Boulevard. Flushing, NY 11366

Seniors place as Westinghouse finalists

by Stephanie Lyn Strajcher Seniors Ani Fleisig and Nuri Kodaman' were chosen as two of forty fmalists last month in the annual Westinghouse Science Talent Search. and senior Jung Yueh placed as a semi-finalist in the ' national competition.

Ani and Nuri will take an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. from February 28 to March 5 to compete for prizes ranging from $ l ,000 to $40,000.

The finalists' projects dealt with various aspects of natural science. Nuri re. searched why the salivary glands of M. sexta (tobaccohomworm)larva are destroyed as theyapproach the pupation stage. Ani investigated how certain organisms, such as amoebae, are attracted to certain chemicals, specifically to acids in food.

Ani began her project, 'The Reversal ofChemotaticInhibition in Dictyoste li um discoideum Veg etative Amoebae," in September of her junior year. She worked throughout the summer, and although the Westinghouse competition will have ended,

she says she will continue until June .

"I worked approximately three times a week from the end of school until

fessor's and after collecting my data, I came up with my own conclus ion. I branched out from there," said Ani.

Semi-fmalist winner Jung competed forms. in the math section of the contest.

Both finalists said they enjoyed their Professor Robert Cowen at Queens experience as participants in the contest. "It was a lot of tedious work, but it' s worth it," said Ani. "I found it to be an exciting opportunity to pursue my interest in science at a higher level," said Nuri . Nuri's sister Pinar, whograduated from Townsend Harris last year, .~ ;.::l was a semi-fmalist in the 1990 competition.

Mrs. Appel said the finalists"did abeautifuljob.They § have bothbeen working since 8the end of their sophomore years or the beginning of their g junio r years. They were both ..3 invol ved in independent study courses during their £ junior years and are still l!: working, even though they have won major prizes ."

FINALISTS ANI FLEISIG AND NURI KODAMAN will go to Washington on February 28 to compete for scholarship", lung Yeuh is a Semi finali st in the Westinghouse Talent Search.

• The Wes tinghouse Talent Search is considered to be Nuri started his project, "DNA Deg- College and math teacher Harry Rat- one of the most prestigious science 7:30-8:00 at night... It interfer ed with my social life because I would have to radation During Programed Cell Death tien supervised his work, "Defective contests in the United States, accordstart my homework at 9:00, and I was ; in the Labial Gland of M. sexia' two Coloring of Graphs in Surfaces with ing toMrs. Appel.There are categories too tired to do anything," said Ani. ; years ago, and he too, is still working 'M ' Colors." "I spent a total of 50 for natural and social sciences, comProfessor Jared Rifkin ofQueens Col- : on it. Professor Lockshinof St. John's hours on the project. Most of my work puters and math in the 50-year-o ld lege, science teacher Odile Garcia and University aided him in his rese arch. was done on computers," said Jung. contest.The school has entered it since Assistant Principal of Science Susan "He helped me analyze the data in an English teacher Harriette Blechman the 47th year of the contest and has had Appel helped Ani in developing her . attempt to fmd the cause ofcell death," helped the Westinghouse entrants by at least one semi-finalist winner every reviewing essays required on the entry year since it was first entered . projec t. 'The initial idea was the pro- said Nuri.

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Board of Education leaves 'academic programs intact, cuts jv teams The Board of Education's budget crisis, which was expected to effect drastic cuts in schools across the city, has had little impact on Townsend Harris' programs. Areas th~t are affected include Pre-enrichments, some teams, tutoring, and after-school activities.

According to Assistant Principal Malcolm Rossman, 20-50% of the budget for tutoring, Pre-enrichments (such as SADD, SPE, etc.) and other extra-curricular activities will be curtailed. The times allotted for these programs will be cut because theschool cannot afford to employ the necessary teachers for the extra hours. For many of these activities, the school has been ' using OTPS (Other Than Personnel Services) surplus funds. However,

like the social atmosphere and less these funds will also be cut.

"Teachers volunteer for many ac- : competition," said Athletic Director tivities,' said Principal Malcolm ' Lawrence Ceraulo.

Largmann , when asked about the posThe continuation of the Boys' Socsible loss of tutoring programs. cer team is in question because not "H owever, teachers are profess ional ' enough boys join. The rest of the athpeople, and the public should not come letic programs have been left alone to expect them to volunteer services because the spring season has to be for which other professionals arepaid." funded at the same level as the winter In the Athletic Department, only the season.Coaches' salaries have not been junior varsity teams have been cut. decreased due to a contract agreement, This will affect the spring season's . but the PSAL (Public Schools Athletic Girls' Junior Varsity Softball team, League), which exclusively funds the and if the junior varsity teams are still ; Athletic Department with the money it not being funded by September. the , receives from the Board of Education, Girls' Junior Varsity Volleyball and : may reduce the number of hours a team , may practice. Starting next SeptemBasketball teams will also be cut.

"In this school, the junior varsity : ber, the sports programs may be faced teams serve a purpose for the kids who . with severe cuts. don't want tojoin varsity because they "We just hope that the city under-

Gulf War pp.4-5

Censorship pp. 8-9

stands how important sports programs are to kids," said WandaNix, Dean and physical education teacher.

Townsend Harris' academic program remains intact this semester. No defmite cuts in classes will be made until next September.

"As long as 'we have enough teachers, we will have electives," said Dr. Largmann.

However, a hiring freeze has been instituted for theremainder of the 19901991 school year and the 1991-1992 school year. Since the Board ofEducation's $6 billion budget is being cut by $470 million, every school in New York City will be affected by the start of the next school year.

The Board of Education, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), and

Poetry Festival p. 10

New York City have agreed to institute a vacation each February starting next year. Several one-day holidays in the current school calend ar will be eliminated in order to provide a one-week mid-winter recess which includes Washington's Birthday. The number of instructional days will remain the same and fuel costs will be saved.

Mr. Rossman, reacting to the plan, said that students will just be starting a new term when all of a sudden, they will disappear for a week. He also said that children who rely on school meals would be at a loss.

Jennifer Dubow.Jennife r Mattucci, and Stephanie Strajcher contributed to this article.

Intramurals p. 16 ..::

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Give out condoms: protect kids from AIDS Schools Chancellor Joseph A. Fernandez' plan to distribute condoms in.. high schools without parental consent is an innovative but long overdue approach to curb AIDS in teenagers. Since condom distribution in schools in conjunction with AIDS education is the only effective means of decreasing the number of teenagers with AIDS, Fernandez' plan should be put into effect immediately for all of New York City's 120 public high schools.

The use of condoms is the only method that prevents sexually active individuals from getting AIDS as well as sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms, though not 100%dependable, are also an effective formof birthcontrol. Their mandated presence in school would not induce kids to become sexually active. Kids will see the condoms in schools and realize their purpose - to teach them how to have safe sex and how to protect themselves from deadly diseases.

Teenage sex has been around since cave man days, and not so long ago, the teenage years were theprime timetoget married.Abstinenceis the answer for some and should be stressed, but no matter how hard religious groups and parents try to put a lid on promiscuity, teenagersare going to engage in pre-marital sex anyway. Eighty percent of the teenagers in New York City have had sex by age 19, and 20% of all reported AIDS cases in the 13-.21 age bracket reside here. (Time, January 21, 1991) The percentages are frightening, but Fernandez' plan gives us the power to curtail them.

Many parents claim that the condom plan will allow the schools to supercede their moral responsibility to teach their kids proper sexual behavior. The large number of pregnancies and the increasing number of AIDS cases in teens shows that parents are not fulfilling their responsibilities. In too many households, the subject is taboo, and rarely will teenagers approach their parents on the issue. In many cases, the parents themselves are not properly educated about AIDS, STD'S, or the most effective methods of birth control. The schools are the only reliable source of AIDS education available to most kids, and that is why it is imperative that the schools be allowed to give out condoms as a preventative measure.

Teenage sex can't be stopped, but AIDS in teenagers can. Something must be done now toprevent teenagers from contracting AIDS and to keep them alive and diseasefree. Fernandez' plan is a plan of action and part of the solution to the city's and to our nation' s AIDS epidemic. The Board must approve the distribution of condoms in . schools in order to effect these goals. And if the Board allows itself to be swayed by political or parental pressure, then it is the State Board of Regents' job to step in and require that every high school in the state distribute condoms.

PTA membership needs b00S t The Parent Teacher Association plays a vital part in the Townsend Harris community. Ever since the school's inception, the PTA has been working to assure our survival and make our school a better place. The PTA fought to get the funds for the new building allocated and its site approved, and it organized and sponsored the groundbreaking ceremony. Besides that, we are the only high school in the city with a pTA, and over 90% of the facultyare members.We are fortunate to havesuch an activePTA, but parent membership is steadily decreasing. Unless we put a halt to this decline and augment parent participation, the PTA will lose both its financial and vocal strength and we will all suffer.

Four years ago, therewas 45 % parent membership,and it has fallen to 25 % this year.

Considering how small the student body is, each percentage drop is crucial. PTA CoPresident Charles Puglisi has observed that parents tend to get involved in the early stages of their child's high school career, but with each successive year, membership decreases. Right now, almost 50% of freshmen parents are members compared to a mere 15% of senior parents.

Mr. Puglisi believes a fall-off in membership occurs from year to year because parents become complacent and see no need to get involved if everything is running smoothly. Things may appear to be fine, but in the upcoming year, Townsend Harris will be faced with serious problems resulting from budget cuts and a lack in funds. A small PTA can do little to help the school through its rough times, but an extremely visible and vocal PTA can make its presence known to the Board of Education and fight to keep Townsend Harris' program scarless.

In addition to acting as a vocal unit, a strong PTA builds the morale of students and faculty.Large parent turnoutsat schoolevents showthat students' and teachers' efforts are appreciated and encourage further involvement. An active PTA also creates a sense of family within the school..

With a weak PTA, Freshman Orientation might not be as extensive, College Night and the InternationalBuffet mightnot even exist, and PTA donations such as the recent $2250 given to the school would be slight if any at all.

Since a decrease in parent membership directly affects students, we must be the ones to help the PTA solve the problem. The first step is urging our parents to pay their dues and telling them when PTA meetings are scheduled. We must also invite our parents to PTA-sponsored events like the Winter Carnival or the Spring Concert so they can see what they are supporting.

Parents want their children to receive the best education possible, and by joining the PTA, they can actively work towards improving the school and the lives of their children. . \. , ,,

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Condoms in.high schools condone teenage se: To the Editor: Chancellor Fernandez has proposed an expensive plan to distribute condoms in all public high schools because of the imminent threat of the spread of AIDS among adolescents .This proposal is a waste.

It condones teenage sexual activity and will serve only to increase promiscuity.

Firstly, distributing condoms to teenagers misleads them to the inference that sexual activity for minors is acceptable. It's not. With the breakdown of our society's morals, the last thing we need is the acceptance of very young adults engaging in sexual intercourse . Religious beliefs are defied and parental authority and wisdom are being challenged.

Secondly, condoms are not one-hundred percent effective in preventing disease. Using them is the least efficient method of birth control. Giving out

prophylactics in school will give students a sense of security. They will think that they arc of risk, when abstinence is really the only w avoid the negative consequences of sex.

Finally, making condoms easily available to will make them more comfortable with the pra of casual sexual activity. Instead of the plar creasing the statistics of the AIDS epidemic, will be an increase. The more condoms being . the more condoms that will be defective. T fore, the number of AIDS cases would be 0 rise.

This absurd idea of Fernandez should n supported by the Board of Education . It WOl a waste of time, money and effort for all who a volved.

Catisha ~

Take a condom if you want; don't complain if it fail To the Editor: We're writing concerning the issue of the distribution of condoms in high school. We can't seem to come to an agreement over whether it should be done or not.but we're willing to share our opinions with you anyway.

First of all, we definitely don't believe condoms promote sex, but rather (as cliched as it sounds) only make it safer . Giving out condoms in schools therefore is a good idea because it prevents the possibility of receiving sexually transmitted diseases .

Then again, one out of every five condoms is defective .

We believe that if partners really love each other,

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they'll go to the ends of the earth to pre themselves from all sorts of things... But again, it IS embarrassing to go into your I drugstore to ask for a six pack of Trojans ..

There's also the problem of those infam troublesome budget cuts. How does Fernai plan to pay for all these condoms?

All right, here's our idea.

If you want one, take one.

If you don't, don 't take one.

No questions asked. Say it's for a scier experiment. But don't come crying to us , you're pregnant with your boyfriend's bat when your girlfriend has given you AIDS. Susann Stewart and Adrian MI

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Senior Editors-in-Chief Sasha An toszewski; Jonathan Perry Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Dubow

Townsend lIarris High Schoolat Queens ' 75-40 Parsons Blvd. Flushing, NewYork)

Jordan M. Dressler

Randi Korobelnik

Daihung Duong

ManaglnWFeature EdJtor

News Editor

Computer Operations

Therese Ferguson Jennifer Mattucci Michele Lockwood, Beverlie Leano " Assistant Feature ~dltor AS~lstanl News Edltor .

Co-Photography Edltors Readers are invitedto submitletter editor. Lettersshould beplacedinMrs.r Rishona Fleishman Tzachy Zaidrnan Pearl Chan Sporls Edllor AsslstantSports Editor ArlEditor mailbox in the general office. The , Stephanie Wolf Stephanie Strajcher Craig Slutzkin, Erica Tsui reserves the right to edit all leiters.

BusinessManager

Exchange Editor

Contributing Senior Edfiors-

must' include name and official class.

will be withheld upon request.

Contributing Senior Writers : Justine Eisentein, Jason Stem, Nuri Kodaman Writers : Claudia Busto, Joanne Douvogiannis, Christine Farrier, Adam Farr on, Johanna Fausto, Jennifer Fitzgerald, Larry Friedman, Matthew Gilgoff, Stacey Gluck, Robyn Herman, Zin a Izraelashvili, Kelly JOI Doug Klein , Wendy Lame, Jason Leder, Kristina Olson, Verusha Palczynski, Neftali Serrano, Jennifer S, Ronnie Sussman, Donna Weiss , Pamela Yamamoto

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Photographers: Lydia Brown, Ailin Chen, Christine Cheng, Hadar (Jackie) Hellman, Wendy Lok, Jennife Negovetti, Corey Pak, Danielle Tropea, Jessica Wong, McCaren Walsh , Lisa Ying Artists : January Angeles, Carol Cheng, Susan Chew, Cannon Chu, Bikkei Law, Vinh Nguyen, Timothy J Maria Skrepetos, Teresa Tse, Amy Yan Business Staff: Michel Allisa, Danett Bean, Ann Carroll, Monique Cole, Sabrina Falcone, Tracey Leg;t, Taniedra McFadden, Tara Natter, Jennifer Navana, Timothy Nolan, Marilyn Paulis, Nina Reed, Roxanne Jennifer Wong, Janice Yee

Pri,n~ipa.I_: .or., Mal~?l,m Larg~~~~.

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Advisor: llsa Cowen ~"

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Gulf conflict creates problems for relatives overseas ;Emotionally bay, India. He was an importer and an additional $200 becauseofthehigher : straining war To the Editor: I would like to share with your readers someof the ways the Gulf War has affected my family andme. On account of this conflict, most people are inspired toexpandtheirknowledgeabout it.

From the time of August 2, 1990, till early January, this conflict has caused constant concernsfor my uncle and his family, whothenlived inDubai,United Arab Emirates,They are now in Bom-

exporter who dealt with the trade of electronics, along with other Indians andPakistanis who aimed for a better living.Asamatteroffact,afterEgypt, India has more expatriates in Kuwait andIraq than anyothercountry in the world. My uncle will return to Dubai as soon as the war concludes.

On September 3, 1990, as we departed from London's Heathrow Airport, my mother wasforced topay

fuel prices and because it was peak season.

Thank God my father who has a job , with Saudi Arabian Airlines, has not beenlaidoff sinceSaudiArabiaplaysa significant role in the Gulf War. It is amazinghow one man, Saddam Hussein, can change so many lives I withinsixmonths.Nowyoumustknow how I have felt through this time.

Jagdish Bijlani

Unity comes in time of need What about our people relived what they were To the Editor: With the war pressing on all our minds and hearts, it is curious how nearly everyone shares the same feelings about incidents that have occurred. It is true that emotionally we have all been affected in different ways . Obviously we are all on the same side and share the same thoughts . We are all disturbed by the attacks on Israel and we all cheered when it seemed like Iraq' s position was hopeless . What was so remarkable was how we all stood together and comforted each other.

In Global Studies as well as in American History classes, we all discussed what was going on and how it was affectin gour lives. There . was a true feeling of clo seness as

Cut athletic teams instead

doing when they heard that war had begun. We waited with baited breath for news of anything more.

This was all shared in school. At least, this was my experience.

Through a difficult time, everyone felt free to express their deepest hopes and fears. I appreciated this fact and was glad to listen ....

Stacey Winkler

own country?

Fashion article is 'interesting twist' To the Edi tor: I think the article about fashion in the last issue oIThe Classic was an interesting twist for the newspaper. Mo st of the time, you don't rea lly see something that ligh thearted and appealing in a school pape r....

Susana Koze r

To the Ed itor : To the Editor: I found the article on the Middle The Persian Gulf War has affected East crisis to be very informative. me in many ways. It has been an I never realized how many stu emotional strain on me to see our dent s and teachers know service young men being killed in combat. peop le servi ng in the Gu lf, and my Yet, I know that they are dying not heart goes out to them. I liked this only for our country, but for a very arti cle because it sho ws how stuclear reason, to get Saddam Hussein den ts and faculty feel about the out of Kuwait. crisis. Printing this article mak es I have begun to think about whether students who might not car e abo ut or not I couldbe calledto fight for my the invasion of Kuwait realize that country once I reach the age in which what is going on there really does I could be drafted into the army. affect us.

I am also very concerned for the Alexis Joseph peopleofIsrael and howhelplessthey must feel, being hit with scud missiles. Every time I hear that another attack hasbeen launchedon Israel,my heart goes out to those poor people who have to suffer because of a ruth- To the Editor: less dictator like SaddamHussein. " I really enjoyed reading "MidI hope this war ends within the next " East Crisis Hi ts路-Home: Soldiers' three months and most of our ~~~" Friends, Fam ily Hope for Best."I come hom,e safely: G04 bless allthe - en~~y~ i.tbecause the MiddleEast soldierswhoarefighting for ~u;' ~9un- ' .cnsls IS ,Importan t to everyone.... try and the innocent civilian~ who We ...worry abo utthe many coura have to endure such hardships. geo us people who are ready to fight EdwardSilva Hussein.

In this article, peo ple from our school were interviewed abou t their family members or frie nds who are in Saud i Arab ia. I go t the opinion of people who actually know a soldier. It makes me feel that everyone is invol ved in this ordeal whe ther they know someone who is there or not.

Anie tra Guzman

All ,become part of Mid-East ordeal

Sports teams are important

To the,Editor: I comp letely agree with your edi torial on saving Academic Olympics. Despite all of the tremendous To the Edior: budget cuts that our city's educaI feel that the issue of the budget tion is facing, I do not believe that cuts in New York city high schools Academic Olymp ics should be a is very important. Because of the victim of them. budget cuts, many sports teams are _No t only is its $200,000 cos t a being eliminated from our school relatively small amount compared program, as well as in many other to the rest of the budget, but Aca- local high schoo ls. Sports are imdemic Olympics also influences por tant for students beca use excelstudents to take pride in their minds. lent performance of a sport cou ld -The Academ ic Olympics [team provide a college scholarshi p for competes in] competit ions in which the student. Teams shou ld not be students can show their academic cut. abili ties. .

Jessica Steinmetz A suggestion that would save the Academic Olympics team is to cut some funds for athletic leagues instead.The Board ofEducation pro- To the Editor: I am writing to thank you for alvides funds for many different ath lowing me to attend Townsend letic [teams] and very few acaHarris High School for two days . demic [teams]. I think academic Though it was a short stay, I be[teams] are just as important to the lieve that I gained some interesting students because they give them a and valuable information about chance to compete with their minds high school education in the United and not only with their bodies.

The Academic Olympics team is States. In comparison to the educafun and a very useful program that tion found in Australia. American many students need and want to education seems to be on the same keep. Don't let the Board of Edu- level, if not higher.

The racial integration which I cation make it a victim of our city ,s saw in your school interested me budget cuts!

Jennifer Ng - .greatly. In my school in Australia,

Mid-East article Increases awareness

Science Department's dissection policy To the Edi tor: 1 was very upset by the accusations made by some of the students at Queens College ("Queens Co llege: Here's W hat's in it For You," December 1990) . I think that the comments made were unfair and shallow-minded. Many Townsend Harris studen ts are very mature and carry themselves with grea t dignity and pride . Many Queens College students have never seen Tow nsend Harris students on

cam pus. T hey can't even distinguis h them from Queens College students .

Weare not in Queens College to cause problems but to be ed ucated , whic h should be everyone's priority when attending school. So whether we are 8 or 18 years old, as long as we are not a bo ther in terms of behavior , there shou ld be no problem.

Mon ique Cole

To the Editor: Congratulations to Christine Benedetto on her thought-provok- ' ing article on the dissection debate.

She cer tainly did a fine job of presenti ng both sides of the con troversy .

To avoid con fusion , I woul d like to reiterate the Science Department 's policy on dissection. We believe that dissection is an important part of the Biology curriculm.

This hands-on experience enables students to understand Mlerelation-

ships among various ~ssues and Austr alian visitor gains valuable information organs, and to apprec iate the orCanberra Church of Eng land Girls Grammar, little of this cultural diversity is eviden t. The majority of the students at my school are of Anglo-Saxon descent. Every cul: ture, race, and nationality is represented at Townsend Harris.

I Today I was lucky enough to participate in a discussion concerning . U.S . involvement in the Persian -Gulf. It was enlightening to find that students in Townsend Harris hold similar viewpoints to many of the students in my school. Although

I live on the other side of the world, my ideas concerning world peace correspond to those expressed by young people in New York City....

Once again, thank you very much for providing me with this wonderful opportunity which allowed me to broaden my horizons.

Andrea Burgess

This letter was written to Dr. Largmann . The writer was here visiting junior Anita Trawinska, whom she met in Poland when they were children..

ganism as an entity. Computer simu lations, mov ies , or textbook diagrams neither show the strength and fragili ty of living tissues, nor the texture and connect ions ofvarious structures.

However, we respect a student's right to object to dissection. Such a student will be excused from the dissection withoutpenalty,but will be given an alternative assignment that covers the same material.

Susan Appel, Assistant Principal, Science Department

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War looms heavily on Harris mind

by Pamela Yamamoto and Sasha Antoszewski The imminen t threat of war in the Middle East provoked feelings of great concern among the student body , resulting in a student-initiated, day-long "teach-in" led by the History Department in the library on January 16. Also that afternoon, Congressman Gary Ackerman, who voted "yes " for using force against Iraq, led a discussion on the Persian Gulf crisis at the senior assembly on the QueensCollege campus. Student tension reached a peak later that evening as war broke out in Iraq .

Senio r Charlie Redell, sophomore Ingrid Lemmey, and freshman Jessica Antoszewski asked the History Department to hold the teach-in, which was organized Assistant Principal Bernice Horowitz. Almost every history class attended forone period.The teachin allowed students to discuss their opin ions about President Bush's actions agains tIraq . History teachers John Hynes, Michael Manson, Mark Soffer, Myron Moskowitz, Nan cy Lieb, Paul Stessel, Mrs. Bernice Horowitz, Assistant Principal of AdministrationMalcolm Rossman, and Principal Malcolm Largmann encouraged students to ask any questions they migh t have or comment on the situati on.

The results of oral surveys condu cted at the beginning of each period by the his tory teachers leadin g the teach-in sho wed students' mixed emotions concernin g the United States' involvement in the Middle East crisis.

Conflicting Views A number of students were war advocates, including sophomore Ofir Isaac. "If we don't stop Saddam Hussein now, he will get too powerful to overcome in the future," he said .

Others agreed. "We have to stop Saddam Hussein and Iraq and liberate Kuwait!" exclaimed freshman Vimi Govind.

"I'm angry that those who are in favor of the war will not risk their own lives, but have other human beings risk their lives for them," said freshman Bernadene Crespo . Junior GayleZuckerman was troubled by the phrase "fighting for peace ." "When you fight for peace, you don't need a gun," she said .

Ms. Lieb asked students to consider the basis for their opinions on whether or not the United States should declare war on Iraq. She used the term "his torical memory" in order to explain how some people 's view s have been influ- : enced by such historical events as the Vietnam War. Junior Mandy Klein-

'Many people are going to die. It could be my brother, my father, or my friend'

man said, "The only source on which I'm basing my dec ision is the fact that many people are going to die. It could be my brother, my father or my friend."

During one discussion, Gayle informed students that 80,000 body bags had already been sent to Saudi Arabia.

This statement evoked many contrasting feelings among the group . "I feel bad for the loss of lives in this war," said junior DannySeltzer. "However, we have to understand that the soldiers enlisted voluntarily in the army. They took on the responsibility to serve and protec t our country and I' m sure these men were well aware of the risks involved."

Senior Alexandra Lutz disagr eed. "I don't think it's avolunteer army. Many . people joined the reserves to support themselves for school, " she said. ''I'm . not sure they knew what they were getting into."

Charlie considers it mos t import ant that everyone back U.S. troops . "We have to show our suppo rt for the soldiers," he said. "If we don' t show our suppo rt for them, why are they there to protect us?" Sophomore Keith Tully agreed. "We must stand behind the brave men and women who are overseas and pray for their safe return home to their family and friends," he said.

Other issues discussed during the teach-in included the "real" motives behind the United States ' involvement in the Gulf, the possible effects of war, and the cost of war for the government. " You can 't pay for lives lost!" declared sophomore.Sarah Breault.

HISfORY teachers John Hynes and Nancy Lieb listen

.Seniors Speak Out The senior assembly also h~dthe op.portunity to talk about the Midd le East crisi s. Congressman Gary Ackerman of the 7th Congressional District held an open forum, giving the students the chance to air their opin ions about the expected outbreako f war. ~~~~Ij~j(r;~;~;~;~(t:tf~~~~~~~~tj~j@fj@j@~~j@j~tj@ffjt~1@~@~~1@1~1@j~jยงj~j~j~j~j~~

'Saddam Hussein is a man who has no regard for life - not even the lives of his own people'

to

the teach-in discuessi

anyway? Open your eyes, Amer Rodney claims that he is m about the war. However, he feel. "any loss of.life is'-wrong .... If theI wanted to do something about they should 've tried sanctions while."

Erika expressed what Cong res Ackerm an called a "dovist" poi view . "A boy with a gun is still : with a gun," she told the assemb Congressman Ackerm an close discussion by explaining why he ' "yes" for using force against Iraq. been a person who has opposed ' he said, mentioning his involvern protests against the Vietnam War he was a student at Queens Colle the ' 60' s. He expressed his ne g view of the death penalty and add don 't even think boxing is a spo: After showi ng his apparent c proval of violence, Cong ressman erman said that voting to use against Iraq was " the hardest thin; ever had to do in my life."

Melissa Paoloni, Rodney Lopez, Erika Brown, and Harriet Vamoris were Many students were pleased by the four seniors who part icipated in the results of the teach-in. "I gained alotof assembly. Melissa supported President new inform ation about the war," said Bush and agrees with his decis ion to junior Andrea Gruber. Sophomore use force against Saddam Hussein.

Sohini Chowdhurry said, "It was inter- When later interviewed, she said, esting to hear other people's views on "Saddam Hussein is a man who has no the difficult situation in the Gulf and I regard for life - not even the lives of his think it made everyone feel better to own people....What Hussein has done get their feelings out into the open ." [has caused] an international dilemma However, there were some students and he mus t be contained." who disagreed with the way the teachHarriet expressed strong opposition in was conducted. "I felt uncomfort- to Amer ica's involvement. "W e have able with the tension created by the no business there !" she exclaimed. students and their conflicting views," "There are more aggressors out there Cong ressman Ackerman cone ' said junior Hope Hanner. "Many stu- twice his size. Look at South America, his address by saying, "What it dents did not participate in the discus - Turkey" South Africa, even ourselves. " down to, in my opinion, is that thi: sion and the teach -in was carried on by Thi s hypocrisy must end; who ap- , of aggression has to stop. And it sl a select few," said Vimi. pointed us the high righteous ones stop sooner rather than later."

Reactions to Teach-in

'This type of aggression has stop. And it should stop sooner rather than later"

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5

Yellow ribbons adorn individuals supporting American armed forces ,

by Randi Korobelnik "I think yellow ribbons stand for lessons we have learned from Vietnam, ... for our nation 's being behind the boys who are fighting for us, ... and for the thought that a nation divided will fall ...,' said junior William Liao, one ofmany Harrisites who aredistributing yellow ribbons among the student body and faculty, with the hope of dra wing support for the troops overseas.

Although students have expressed mixed opinions and emotions concerning the government's decision to go to war in the Gulf, most agree that there is no correlation between approving of the war and wearing a yellow ribbon.

"Your opinion on whether or not we should be there and be involved in the war doesn't really matter....The yellow ribbons are simply to show your support for the troops," said freshman Jessica Antoszewski, who is strongly opposed to war .

support for the troops. We must at- to hang up all these arguments about tempt to keep the soldiers' morale high whether we should or shouldnot fight.. .. by letting them know that everyone is Right now there are thousands ofpeople behind them ," she said. fighting for us .... The only way they "I believe that the yellow ribbon can come home is by winning and symbolizes the hope that our soldiers that ' s where we have to direct our will be returned to their families safely, energies and efforts," he explained. and as soon as possible. We must un ite The majority of Towns end Harris and show our support for the brave students agreed with President Bush ' s troops fighting overseas even if we are policy to use force against Ir aq rather not in favor of the war effort, " said than allow more time for sanctions to sophomore Keith T ully . be effective, according to a survey Yellow ribbons were first adopted to conducted early this month by The the duration of the war. Although they welcome the returning prisoners from Classic. support democracy, they see the flag as Vietnam: The practice was inspired by jfrjjjjjjjijtt~ffrfJtrttfItlj~t~~~tji1;jtttr~~t~mimjjjjjIIt a symbol of acceptance of their govthe 1973 love s0!1g sung by Tony ernment's policies in the Gulf. "I feel Orlando and Dawn, "Tie A Yellow that right now . the American flag has Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree." come to symbolize support for the war, According to one of its writers, L. and since I don't support the governRussell Brown, the song was based on ment's decision to go to war, I don't fly a story he had heard of a woman who 't the flag or say the Pledge," said Jeshad tied a yellow handkerchief to sica.

"But, I do wear the yellow ribbon welcome her lover back from the Civil because there is a difference between War. The pop tune became a patriotic not supporting the war and supporting tribute to the soldiers abroad, and to Some students are attempting to voice the troops." Ingrid agrees. "Although many, an anthem of freedom, as it later their discontent with the government's I, myself, do not fly the American flag was used throughout the Iranian hosactions by refusing to recite the Pledge or say the Pledge at this time. I would tage crisis that ended in January 1981. of Allegiance. sing the National An- never insult others for doing so. They [The New York Times. February them, or fly the American flag during are voicing their opinion and I respect 3.1991] "I personally...(am not] pro-action am anti-war. butldo support the troops and that's the most important thing rightnow.... ldon'tconsiderwearinga , ~~ ,:.. ~ ~ _ ~11 ~@llfi)@~n®lfi)~~ Do you think Ihol w..... ~ght In ullng lorce ag<iInst Iraq yellow ribbon supporting the war," ot should _ haY. given arne lot ....cIIons to lty to wotk?

"I think the yellow ribbon stands for said sophomore Ingrid Lemmey.

"No one is really in support of war," support and the want for peace when the time comes," said freshman Jen- said William. "The real reason I'm nifer Nitka." Even though some people distributing the ribbons to... is to forego are against war, they should still show arguments until the boys come home....

'Since I don't support the govenment's decision to go to war, I don fly the flag or say the Pledge '

'We must keep the soldiers' morale high by letting them know that everyone is behind them'

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"I am proud to be an American. It is because this is America that I have the right not to fly the flag or say the Pledge," explained Jessica. ''Those who are anti-war are allowed to voice their opinions... it's their freedom ofspeech," said freshman Natalie Krauser. "But, we're involved in a war right now and being against it isn't 'going to make much , of a difference....

It's too late to question whether we should be there or not.. .. It's too late to Grade 11 Grade 12 even think about Sanctions From a aurv.y by TJw CUurie it.... Wemustpledge our support by wearing yellow ribbons," she said .

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that, just as they shou ld respect my decision to express dissent," she said.

Students responding to The Classic' s survey on the war exhibited opposing views on anti-wardemonstations. Over 40% in all grades indicated their disapproval of expressions of protest during wartime.

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"It's not the troops ' fault that we're at war.

We must remember that," said Student Government President Jeanie Reyes, who. like Jessica and Ingrid, refrains from reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. "We don't want what happened in Vietnam to happen again," said Jessica. "In Vietnam, the soldiers were treated badly when they returned home... .I don't want the troops blamed for the war in the Gulf."

Despite conflicting emotions concerning the 'United States' involvement in the Gulf War. the yellow ribbon seems to serve as a unified expression of compassion. empathy. support, and remembrance for the many troops .stationed overseas. as well as a wish for their safe

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6

Haan retires as liaison; Scapp steps into Queens College post

by Jonathan Perry and Nuri Kodaman Robert Haan, who since Townsend Harris' inception has been the vital link between the high school and Queens College, resigned as liaison last month. He will be succeeded by Ron Scapp, a member of the Queens College Philosophy Department.

"I' ve been liaison for seven years /' and I thought it was time to do something else," said Dr. Haan. "I didn't quit because I didn't enjoy it. I quit because I miss teaching.t'he explained.

This spring he will be on sabbatic al leave, his first since 1969 , andnext fall he will return to the History Department at Queens College , where he will teach courses in early modem European history. Dr. 'Haan became a member of the History Department in 1962. In 1979, he was Associate Director of the Special Program in the Humanities atQueens College. In 1984, he was appointed Associate Dean for College Preparatory Programs, a new position created to serve as liaison between Townsend Harris and Queens College .

"Dr. Haan and I started together.

He 's a good friend and I' m going to miss his not being there," said Principal Malcolm Largmann.

"He was pivotal in the success of the Bridge Yearprogram. He put his whole heart and soul into the high school," said CoIlege Preparatory Programs Coordinator Rhoda Weinstein .

Dr. Haan will not completely sever his ties to Townsend Harris. "I will certainly always remain interested in the school. I still may be part of a team that leads a Humanities Colloquium ," he said. AIl seniors participate in a Humanities CoIloquium, a seminar which is team-taught by a coIlege and high school teacher, and explores important books of literary and historical inter-

est. Dr. Haan worked closely with Dr. Critics of traditional "great books" Largmann to establish th e seminars as courses contend that literary masterpart of the senior Bridge Year pro- pieces from non-Western cultures have gram. been neglected .

"All students in America are working Spreading Seminar within what has been called the WestStrategy ern Tradition. Our goal is not to indocIn addition to continuing to teach a trinate students into 'W estern values,' Humanities seminar, Dr. Haan plans to but rather expose them to .influential "remain intimately connected to books within that tradition," explained spreading the word on the seminar Dr. Scapp. strategy," and Dr. Scapp shares his Both Dr. Haan and Dr. Scapp feel commitment. Dr. Haan and Dr. Scapp that steps must be taken to incorporate both believe that the seminar offers an cultural diversity into the Humanities . important experience which differs curriculum. 'There is a tremendous from the usual teacher-directed class- chaIlenge on our table that we're all room. In a seminar, Dr. Scapp ex- trying to rise to, but there is a lot to be plained, "The teacher never tells you done," said Dr. Haan. "We are in the what you ought to know," process of considering other works Dr. Haan, Dr. Scapp, and Mrs. Wein- that would faIl into the category of stein are planning to conduct work- cultural diversity, " Dr. Scapp stated. shops with high school teachers so that In addition to the seminar projects, the seminar strategy wiIl be introduced Dr. Scapp, as the new liaison, has to regular high school classes. They various plans he would like to put into also plan to write a series of articles place .

Scapp Plans about the Humanities CoIloquia. "My genuine hope is that other educators Community Service will be tempted to talk to us and visit "I am thinking of various ways in TownsendHarris,"Dr.Scappsaid."We which Townsend Harris students can want to establish an on-going connec- work on projects in the immediate tion with other high schools and col- community," he said. His ideas inleges nationwide. " clude having students lead book disCurrently, Dr. Haan, Dr. Scapp and cussions for senior citizens and helpMrs. Weinstein are working on a proj- ing institute a Meals on Wheels proect to have Townsend Harris' semi- gram. He also would like to see if there nars serve as a rriodelfor other schools . is anything more that the high school "Our goal, however ambitious it may and Queens CoIlege could do together. be to some, is to have one type of "I have been overwhelmed with the seminar class going on in other high .intellectual integrity of the students schools around the city," Dr. Scapp and by the dedication on their part. I stated. am extremely enthusiastic in general," The current syIlabus for the Humani - said Dr. Scapp. ties CoIloquia consists of "selected Dr. Scapp admires Dr. Haan' s acreadings from the classic texts of the complishments as liaison. "I think Western Tradition." An issue that has Bob's dedication to the program, both recently come to the forefront in the in sheer number of hours, and in the education field is multiculturalism. quality of his administration and teach-

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II: CHANGING OF TH E GUARD. Dr. Robert Haan retires after seven years as Queens College liaison.

ing, shows that he is in love with the consummate teacher...." high school and the high school stuSeniors Raymond Pereira anc dents, as he has given them seven years Stephen Durney provided music foi to date of virtuaIly undivided atten- the dinner. Senior Rodney Lopez pertion," said Dr. Scapp. formed a 'rap entitled "The Gospel ol "He has a great feeling for the school," Saul and David," which he wrote based said Dr. Largmann. on his readings in the Bible for Dr, Haan and Mrs. Weinstein 's Humanf Haan Honored At Dinner ties seminar. In addition, each perso~ Dr. Haan received further praise at a who attended the dinner was asked to testimonial dinner given in his honor write some adjectives describing Dr. by the faculty and staff of Townsend Haan. The mos t common answers Harris and Queens College. "It was a included"committed," "genuine," " invery nice tribute to him," said Mrs. tellectual,' and "brilliant," Weinstein, who organized and spoke "I helped create the best possible at the dinner. The other speakers in- high school and I am very proud of it. cluded Dr. Largmann, Queens CoIlege What I'll miss most is the students," Professor Leo Walsh, Henry Shereff Dr. Haan said. "A few years ago, when and Morton Lisser of the Alumni I was on jury duty, I was on a particuAssociation, and CoIlege Assistant and larly depressing case. When I got off Townsend Harris graduate Danny Lew. the jury, I felt depressed, so I asked In his speech, Danny said Dr. Haan' s Mrs. Horowitz ifl could have herclass," "tireles s effort was the mark of not Dr. Haan said. "Just walking into the only an architect, but the skill of the class was the best possible cure,"

The Gospel of Saul and David

by Rodney Lopez

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Rodney wrote the rap excerpted below for his Humanitie s seminar which was team-taught by Dr. Haan and Mrs. Weinstein. Selected readings from the Bible are part of the seminar curriculum. He performed the rap at the dinner given to honor Dr. Haan on January 29.

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Dave fought battles against the Philistines.

He won every war, my man, he was mean .

Then one day Saul came home, He wanted to rest and chill on his throne.

The girls of Israel were singin' praise, Makin' a fuss over fly guy Dave.

Then Saul said: "David, I'll pin ya to the wall!"

Dave said: "You crazy?! I'm outta here, Saul!"

Dave was on the run for what seemed like forever, Tryin' to figure out Saul's next endeavor.

To shorten the story, I'll tell ya Saul died.

His good son John died right by his side.

When Dave heard this, he mourned and he cried But his bad feelings would have to subside.

Cuz now Dave was the king of Israel, Servin' the true God, not servin' Baal!

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Committee prepares for celebration

by Therese Ferguson and"A Prayer for Africa," the African Armstrong, Sammy Davis Jr., and 'The People Who Cried 'Who Am National Anthem .

Sarah Vaughn, will also be displayed.

A skit entitled "Where Would AmerI?' ," a cultural fair and show, will be Other aspects of the fair will include presented on March 1, from 6:30 to ica be Without Black Inventors?" will the reading of a Caribbean story, 9:30 p.m., by the Black History Month center on inventions such as the street "Nancy the Spider," and modem AfriCommittee to celebrate black culture light , subway, and telephone, as well can and Urban Contemporary dances and those who have contributed to it. as gospel music and literature by black will be performed. Various "black" The evening will feature various forms writers, and will show how these con- foods such as fried chicken, potato of entertainment and displays repre - tributions enriched the lives of Ameri- salad , roti, cornbread, and beef patties senting African, Black American, and cans . will be available.

Cari bbean cultures. Tickets are being Th e fair will feature masks , beads , "The show will be a celebration of sold for $6.00. and other art forms of black society. African-Americans who have contribA gospel cho ir will perform various Projects centering on people who have uted monumental ideas and works to songs, including "L ift Every Voice . made important contribntions to black society and the black experience," and Sing," a Nat ional Negro Hymn culture, such as Malcolm X, Louis stated Committee member Catisha March, a junior.

Teachers commemorate King's birth

by Jenn ifer Sorowi tz Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 's birthday was commemorated during a special Enrichment in the library on January 15. Th e program consisted of an oral presen ration rnade by an English 5 class, and a seminar during which teachers related their memories of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement.

English teacher Judy Biener and her seventh period English 5 class presented a Reader's Theater vers ion of excerpts from Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech, which he delivered at the March on Washington in 1963.

The speech was divided into parts and each Was recited by the students .They finished in unison, speaking the famous words of Dr. King: "Free at last, free at last , thank God almighty, we are free at last!" Junior Catisha Marsh then read part of her award-winning essay, "Where Do I Fit In? My Role as an African-American Journalist."

During the seminar portion of the program , history teachers John Hynes, Nancy Leib, and Myron Moskowitz along with math teache r Natalie Franklin discussed their impress ions and memories of Dr. King and the time in

which he lived .

Mrs. Leib recalled an experi ence she had while on vacation in Florida in 1958. After her family had sat in the back of a bus , she had 'a "strange feeling that we had done something wrong." She didn 'trealize until y ear s la ter that "wh ites didn 't go to the back of the bus and sit down."

She feels that this awareness is what caused her to become politically active and to later take part in the Poor People 's March in Washingto n in 1968 . The purpose of this campaign was to pressure Congress into passing laws that would benefit the indigent.

"The basis of [Dr. King 's message]," said Mr: Hynes, "was that there were going to be changes made in a nonvio-

lent way. " Mr. Hynes spoke of how we should "use these ideas to tum our society around."

Mrs. Franklin said she had lived in the South during "those times ." She remembers "no t being able to go through the

'Whites didn't go to the back of the bus and sit down'

front door [o f the movie thea ter ] like m 0 s t people. " Years later ,' she "felt s trange" when going to places that had been desegregated. Mrs . Franklin, whose father participated in the March on Washington, feels " this was such an important cause. " Now , she thinks "w e should look for leader ship among ourselves," especially from our families and community.

"Do you really know what we 're talking about?" asked Mr. Moskowitz.

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PRACTICING for the Black History Celebration show are freshen Francine Rich, Earl Poyser, junior Tawana Armstrong , and freshman Terita Murphy .

He explained to the students that the purpose of the program was "to help [them] understand what it was really like at that time." He believes that the loss of Dr. King "left us without a strong leader to come out, to take up a righteous cause, to talk to all people."

He also found it very ironic that the birthday of the J!1an "who was a person of peace" was also the deadline for Saddam Hussein to withdraw his troops from Kuwait.

"I found this really depressing," admitted Roxanne Ryan , freshman.

Roxanne knows people who are being sent to the Middle East. Since war seemed imminent, she was very upset by the fact that she might never see these people again. "Martin Luther King fought so that we would never have to do this," she said.

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"It's good that you fmd this depressing," responded Mr. Moskowitz."After you finish feeling sorry ...do something about it." He told about how the Civil Rights Movement "urged people to keep a focus on wha t was right and what had to be done ."

"People tend to forget things," said Eleni Palmos, sophomore. She felt that programs such as this one "helps you to focus."

Assistant Principal Bernice Horowitz, who organized the program, hope d the discussion would help each of the students adopt the attitude of "I am responsi ble. I have to know what is happening in the world ."

"W ith the war in the Middle East, " said Douglas, "I think it's good to know about someone who is nonviolent."

PROGRAM

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FIRST AMENDMENT ADVOCATE Marcia Pally listens to questions posed by inquiring students and panelists.

"Cong ress must not interfere zoith. freedom of reliqion, speech. orpress} assemblt], and petition.

Congress shai! makf- no raw ...abridging thefreedom of speech} or of the press."

Activist speaks out against censorship

by Debbie Drazen "The answer to bad speech is good speech. notno speech. t'said Marcia Pally, First Amendment activist, feminist, and movie critic for Penthouse magazine, who gave a talk on censorship in the library during Enrichment on December 13. This was her first time speaking to a high school audience.

Ms. Pally has lectured widely on censorship, film, and issues in feminism before college and professional audiences. She has appeared on television programs such as The Donahue Show and Sally Jesse Rafael, and has written for many publications such as The New York Times, The Village Voice, and Film Comment , Ms. Pally is against censorship in any form. She feels that when people allow others to censor, they lose their ability to make up their own minds.

"I think that you would prefer to decide what's trash or not, on your own," she said.

According to Ms. Pally, those in favor of censorship argue that we will have a safer. more secure life if only we get rid of some books, some movies . and some videos. and that then there will be no more crime, drug abuse, or teen pregnancy.

"People have been using drugs for hundreds of years without needing any rock

videos to show them how to do it...," said Ms. Pally. "Teenagers somehow found out how to get pregnant without having rock videos to show them how to do it."

While she believes that the censors have the best of intentions. she feels that I all the problems blamed on certain songs and videos existed before the video camera and the video tape were invented, and that censoring is only an appealing way to try to end all the bad things going on in our society.

"Wouldn't it be great if we could get rid of rape by banning Playboy and 2 Live Crew?" Ms. Pally asked.

"I'd like to suggest that drug abuse, crime. etc., have real life causes, that people are affected by real life situations even before they see ... [these things] in videos or magazines.',' she said.

She cued the JudasPriest case to show the extent to which people can go in blaming things such as song lyrics for the problems occurring in their lives. The incident involved two teenage boys who listened to Judas Priest 's music and then tried to commit suicide, one successfully: The parents blamed the suicide attempts on Priest's lyrics. Ms. Pally describ~d the numerous "real life" problems the boys were facing at the time .

These included drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and being beaten by a parent or stepparent.

Ms . Pally then addressed the problem of dealing with offensive speech.So what do you do when you see or hear something that is disgusting or racist?" she asked.

"The least productive tactic is silencing the other guy. As soon as you've silenced him. you've given him the rightto silence you," Ms. Pally said. "Instead, form protests, start boycotts. start letterwriting campaigns. The answer to bad rap is good rap. If someone makes a teeshirt that is degrading to women, make one that is degrading to men to get your own ideas [across] ....But don't silence the other guy!"

Ms. Pally said that democracy cannot exist without freedom of speech. "The idea behind democracy is that no small group of people gets to decide what's trash or not for you. You get to decide. and for this decision.... you need a whole range of uncensored ideas from an informed public."

At the end of her talk, Ms. Pally answered questions from the audience and

a panel of journalism students. The panel consisted of sophomoresTerri Ferguson.

Rishona Fleishman, and Randi Korobelnik, and juniors Neil Drumming and Jordan Dressler. ~ Randi asked Ms. Pally what students can do if their principal wants t~ censor something in the school paper. She replied that they should start committees. organize facts. and get together a strong series of arguments.

"You have to start, in a sense. a political movement in your own school," she said.

Neil asked her if she thought a child growing up listening to 2 Live Crew would develop bad ideas about violence and women . Ms . Pally answered that parents should guide their children and that if a child knows violence is wrong from his background and family. he will not commit a crime.

"It's worse for a child to hear his father say••Ah, shut up!' to his mother than listening to song lyrics." Ms . Pally said.

"Censorship has not solved anything and is totally wrong," she concluded.

NEA mod:

by Jacqueline Loeb The Natio nal Endowment for tl the federal org anization which sut artists, is showing signs of eas stand agains t work deemed contr c or obscene . On January 4, 1991 th approved grants for Holly Hug Karen Finley, two artists who ha denied gran t money in the past.

The approvals came after a year troversy over the Endo wment 's c ity stipulations in the 1989 Helms P ment. Although the recent NEA a als might indicate a less restrictive giving procedure. members of t: community are still opposed to the ing of the legislation funding thl for 1991.

The NEA's problems began in Congress was grappling with tl tional Endowment for the Arts ' fiscal bill when two provocative e were brought to its attention. The retrospective by Robert Mapplel included sexual ly graphic photr what most newspapers have dubbe moerotic imagery." The other coni sial piece was included at an arts pr in North Carolina. It was Andre rano's depiction of a plast ic CJ dunked in urine.

Both shows were funded by the which led to a storm of protes t fron offended by the works. The NE receive its fiscal bill, but only wit! new stipulations that restricted tl1 of work eligible for funding .

Congress. driven most notably b) Carolina Senator Jesse Helms (Il imposed an amendment stating t funded work may involve obsc enit eluding, but not limited to. depict: sadomasochism. homoeroticism, ' ploitation of children, or indiv engaged in sex acts" (Time July 16,

Hazelwood decision affects schr

by Erica Tsui tailored to serve its purpose ." (New York Times, January Freedom of the press has always been one of the fun- 14, 1988) damental rights Americans cherish. In 1988. the §uDuring the three years since the Hazelwood ruling, preme Court reviewed the application of that right as Townsend Harris' publications have not undergone any regards the student press in the case of Hazelwood censorship by the principal. Dr. Malcolm Largmann.

School District v. Kuhlmeier. The case involved a high Dr. Largmann said that he has "never had occasion to" school principal in Hazelwood. Missouri who removed personally enforce Haze/wood. However. he adds that if two pages of his school's newspaper because he felt two such an occasion were to arise, he is confident that adarticles dealing with divorce and teen pregnancy were ministrators, advisors. and students would be able to ' too personal and therefore inappropriate. work out a compromise.

This was the opinion of the Court as delivered by Overall, Dr. Largamnn feels that the Hazelwood Justice White: "We hold that educators do not offend decision "is not beneficial because we are trying to teach the First Amendment by exercising editorial control students responsibility. It is the responsibility of the over the style and content of student speech in school- school to teach what proper standards of journalism sponsored expressive activit ies so long as their actions ' are." He also said that if a school has a certain "philosoare reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical con- phy about standards," the students will learn to follow cerns." That landmark ruling. in effect. gave school the guidelines. "Then there is no need for Hazelwood," officials broad power to censor the student press . (New said Dr. Largmann.

York Times. January .14,1988) Other administrators praise Hazelwood. They feel The dissenting justices put out this opposing opinion: that since school publications are a part of the school "He [the principal] violated the First Amendment's pro- curriculum. educators should be able to regulate what hibitions against censorship of any student expression goes into print. Some believe students cannotbe responthat neither disrupts classwork nor invades the rights of sible enough -if given free reign. othCr~. 'and against any censorship that is no t narrowly ' ""'-Although administrators are divided in their opinions.

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Are New York City High School Newspapers Censored?

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asure or denial of free speech? controversial position on obscenity; artists still feel threatened es on to state that works may not be director of New York City 's Public Artists Space put on an exhibition ennded "w hi ch, when taken as a whole, Theater, were amo ng those who found titled "Witnesses : Ag ainst Our Vanishnot have serious literary, artistic, po- the stipulations intolerable and refused ing." The theme of the show was AIDS , ical, or scientific value." the grants. and how it has affected a community . /irgini a Falck of the NEA in Was hingIn spite of the backl ash, many peo ple While sexuality was not the exhibit's 1 said in an interv iew with The Classic maintained then, and still insist, that the focus, so me work included homos exual It gr antees began asking all sort s of issue has little to do with censorship. im agery . Th e exhibit also cri ticized po estions , most of wh ich the NE A itself Ra ther, they say, it is aquestionofwhether litical figures such as John Cardinal uld not ans wer. taxpayer money should be used to fund O 'Connor, Congressman William Dan'P eople were calling...wonderi ng ex- controversial art . Queens College Pro- nem eyer (R-Ca .), and Jesse Helms. tly what was going on ," she said."Co uld fessor Rosette Lamont, theatre journal- "Witnesses: Against Our Vanishing" ~y put a homosexual in their pla y? ist, frequent contributor to the New York provided the NEA with its first opportuould they lose grant money? What is Times Arts & Leisure section, and a nity to deny the funding of artwork con scene?" teacher of a Townsend Harris Humani- sidered "homoerotic" or "obscene." 'l"eedless to say, Congress' restrictive ties seminar, told The Classic, "I am not On November 8, the Endowment with.asures were far from welcome in the scommunity, which viewed the Helms nendment as a fundamental threat to istic expression and First Amendment hts.

The Whitney Museum of American t in New York City began by taking a I page ad in The New York Times and eWashington Post to protesttheNEA' s trictive language. Under a headline :ich asked, "Are you going to let poli 5 kill Art?" the ad insisted, "Artshould supported by government and proo 'ilc ted from politics...Don't let moral ~ l'Q iic and political pressure kill the Arts." >. .0 ~ccording to Jenn ifer Russell , Direc~ of the Whitney Museum, the ad gen If ued a lot of mail to Congress from BUTIONS were sold to theater-goers last summer in Central Palk to raise funds for those izens opposed to restrictive language. fighting the Helms Amendment. resumably none of us would be doing at we do if we didn't think it had among those people who are profoundly drew its $10,000 grant. John Frohnmayer , sticvalue,"Ms. Russell toldTheClas- disturbed. A person who wants that free- the NEA's chairman, explained that he dom perhaps ought not to expect public had based his decision on the political .egardless of the type of art they pro- funds." She went on to explain that " the content of the exhibit, saying, "I believe :e, or the degree to which it would be whole idea of Avant-Garde is that you that politcal discourse ought to be in the isidered "obscene," a number ofgrant- are supposed to shock people. Subsi- political arena and not in a show sponsored by the Endowment." [N.Y. Times turned down NEA funds in protest. dized shock is an oxymoron."

Susan Wyatt, executive director of the 11/9].

11 Zimmer, director of the Iowa UniA number of grantees who lost NEA sity Press, Los Angeles choreogra- Artists Space gallery on WestBroadway, :r Bella Lewitzky, and Joseph Papp, believes differently. InNovember,1989, funding claimed they had been denied

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support for political reasons.One such case was the work of Karen Fin ley, the performance artist whose fund ing was reins tated by the NEA last month . Ms. Finle y ' s work had em phasized femin ine issues, most notab ly the abuse of women .

The NEA spurned Ms. Finl ey's work despite the fact that she had been funded be fore and was recommended by peers.

Townsend H arris senio r H arr iet Vamvouris has been especially responsive to this case, telling The Classic , "Work such as Ms . Finley's has pol itical and social value, and there was no justified reason for denying her last year's funds. The NEA simply manifested its right-wing prejudice against a po litical platform, namely feminism."

Harriet also holds strong convictions on the broader Endowment controversy.

"Censorship." she explains. "cannot tolerate progressive change, which is the very essence of our country. Wehave.our liberties at stake here."

T ownsend Harris senior YuLinda Chow reflects a mo re conservative view , saying,"People are not interested in controlling others...They simply oppose their tax dollars going toward work they fmd offensive and wouldn't go to see themselves."

'The issue," responds Harriet, "is indeed control. It is no secret that denying grant money will effectively censo r those who cannot otherwise display their work."

Mark Schuyler, Executive Director of the Queens Council on the Arts , agrees.

"One of the majo r reasons to have public funding through the NEA is to have a 'stamp of approval' on quality," he explained. He went on to say that when the NEA denies grants, this in turn alienates the private sector.

On the advice of their Independent

Committee, Congress did not attach a new obs cen ity clause to the bill fun din g the NEA for 1991. It did, however, state that applicants will be judged "taking into consideration general standards of decency." The bill also says that that the NEA will not fund art co ns idered legally obscene based on the standar ds set forth by the Miller vs. California case . Miller vs. California says tha t some thing is obscene if the average person appl ying contemporary community standards', would fmd that the work appeals to the prurient interest, and if it lacks serious social, political, scientific, or artistic value.

In spite of its toned-down language, opponents of this new bill say it reflects the spirit of its predecessor. In fact, many who protested the first bill consider the NEA's new bill to be equally troublesome.

Ms. Wyatt spoke out against the latest bill, saying the stipulation regarding decency is "hard to swallow," She explains, 'There are legal interpretations of obscenity, but when it comes to 'decency,' I'm no t sure there is a legal defmition. It seems murkier and I believe it to be problematic."

Ms. Russell at the Whitney also believes that the decency rule "sounds...as though it's going to be pretty difficult for people to define .'

According to Ms. Falck at the NEA, lawyers were brought in to help figure ou t how the language might be interpreted. Some Harris students feel that any offi cial interpretation is, at the present time. unreliable.

"All we need to do," said Harriet Vamvouris, "is see how the NEA behaves throughout 1991. I think that then we'll know exactly .what we're up against."

.tic journalism nationwide; students win some victories ts across the country stand as a united ous because it lowers the quality of school newspapers. said that although the Supreme Court had given adminregain the rights they feel they have He also brought out that when students censor them- istrators the power to censor school publications, "the ere have been some victories and many selves, it is giving in to the fear of possible confronta- existence of a power does not compel the exercise of that power." tion and therefore is very self-defeating.

Hazelwood/vas also weakened when Iowa passed a However, not everyone agrees that the effects of ress was particularly attentive to the izelwood decision during 1988-1989, Hazelwood have. been all negative. Robert Knight, bill in 1989 which returned editorial power to the rear subsequent to the ruling. During professor of journalism at the University of Missouri, students. Iowa was the third state to enact a freedom of If censorship in schools increased at a took a national survey of educators and others con- expression bill, but it was the first to do so directly in :, according to the Student Press Law nected with the student press. In this survey, Mr. Knight opposition to Hazelwood.

Cases such as these have loosened Hazelwood's t said, "What we are hearing time and discovered that as a result of the Hazelwood ruling, uances of blatant censorship by school "Good high school newspapers and yearbooks are grasp in some places. However, other instances ofcenre had reports of student newspapers getting better. n . He recorded accounts from student sorship have been reported Some journalists worry aanned and advisers being threatened journalism instructors that show writing is improving over the long-term effects. "Will the brave high school or refusing to censor quality student because the students and their advisors are more aware journalism of today's best papers continue? Will read. of the need to have accurate, well-balanced articles. e~s know what press freedom and responsibility mean? ident publications." lieves that many well -written stor ies The survey also suggests that another positive effect of Will journalism teachers? Professional journalists?" ortantsubjects such as AIDS, abortion, Hazelwood is that it has drawn attention to the impor- asked Mr. Knight.

The long-term effects of Hazelwood on high school e been discarded or blocked because of tance of the student press.

The positive and negative effects of the Hazelwood journalism are as yet unclear. While the SPLC and hool officials. i concern is the matter of self-censor- decision have been weighed against each other all other agencies continue to be vigilant, files recording to an article in the Spring 1989 issue of across the United States. Sometimes the student press cases of censorship grow. The following are some of N e wspaper s Fund's Adviser Update, has won. In 1989, the New York State Education Com- the occurrences on file at the SPLC: *In Texas, a principal refused to allow publication E xecutive Director of the SPLC, said missioner Thomas Sobol overruled the decision to hip by students and advisers is danger- censor a student publication on Long J sland . Dr. Sobol of.an article about the high school valedictorian be -

I

cause he said it was "too personal." The story inlcuded information about the valedictorian's troubled childhood and family life, as well as the fac t that she had one child and was pregnant with another. *In Maryland, the superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis ordered the destruction of all copies of a satirical student magazine. The magazine had done a parody of Playboy, using a centerfold photograph of a midshipwoman in a bathing suit, male models, and a cartoon of a woman in a bikini. *In Colorado, a high school principal exercised the right of prior review and removed from the school paper a story involving the pros and cons of a policy making study halls mandatory. Responding to this act of censorship, the students printed the paper with a blank space where the story.would have run. *In Indiana, as assistant principal delayed distribution of the high school's newspaper because she felt that since she had not seen every draft ofan article about Satanism, she had not fully exercised all her rights under the school's self-imposed policy ofpriorreview.

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Science Fair features diverse projects

by Matt Gilgoff The second annual Science Fair, coordinated by Assistant Principal of Science Susan Appel, was held in the library on January 23. The fair featured exhibits ranging from the composition ofrain forests to the affects of religion on divorce.

The projects were supplied by members of Students For the Preservation of the Earth (SPE), students in the science research elective, Westinghouse Talent Search participants, and autho rs of select science collaterals.

Although the W estinghouse projects were entered into the national com petition, the school Scienc e Fair was non-compe titive. Since many proj ects

were complex and technical, the students who created them remained on hand to give explanations.

Students were taken to visit the fair during their science band. There were mixed reactions to the presentations.

"I was impressed by the originality of the projects and the obvious hard work that went into them," said sophomore Jessica Rothman.

"The projects were great, but the library was too small to properly display them," said freshman Natalie Krauser.

Sophomore Eric Abad felt that " there should have been more hands-on projects. " "We would like people to come and see what the Science Department is

doing," commented Mrs. Appel. "We arc concerned about what is happening to our planet and our lives."

Many participants researched current environmental problems, including SPE which performed a comedic skit on the destruction of the Rain Forests and its effects on our lives.

Members of the Science Research elective sold desserts outside of the library. "The fair was too hot and crowded to get into, but the food was very good ," said sophomore Alana Sanford.

"The fair was grea t. It gave the students a chance to show their knowledge and creativity," said science teacher Adcl Kadamani .

Poets present 'Wild Words' at festival

by Therese.Ferguson Poetry Festival 1991' was presented by the seni ors in English teacher Debra ~ichlewitz's "Wild Words" poetry class on January 17 in the library during Enrichment. The theme of the festival was "Poets Deal With Change."

The festival began with Robert Fros t's "Nothing Gold Can Say," read by Jeffrey Bohr; D.C. Berry's "On Reading Poems to a Senior Class at South High," read by Jennifer Brusic, Vicky Cardenas, and Michael Detweiler; and Edwin Arlington Robinson's "Mr. Flood's Party,"read by Vicky, Brian DeMaso, and Debbie Leibovitz.

After Jenniferread an untitled poem, Erika Brown and Sasha Antoszewski "took the stage ;" In their selection, which dealt with "changes that only a poet can see," Sasha, a poet, looked into a mirror and met her creative muse, Erika, and they read an e.e. cummings poem together.

"We chose to perform this poem be cause it had a lot of imagery and cute ideas. It also had descriptive words ," said Sasha. "Also, e.e. cummings is my favorite poet," added Erika.

Jamar Brown read two Langston Hughes poems. The first, "Cross," received overwhelming applause as Jamar ended with the lines, "My old man diedina fmeoldhouse/My mama died in a shack/ I wonder where I will die/ Being neither white or black."

Jamar then read "Dream Variations," which included the lines "That is my

'Anything can be poetry' dream/To fling my arms wide and dance with the sun. " The next few poetry selections dealt with the "relentless reliable change of the seasons," and included John Keats' ' T o Autumn" read by Alison Keil and Crystal Gant, and Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Spring" read by Debbie.

poetry. The discussion centered on the question, "What is poetry?" "Anything can be poetry. 'The sky is blue' can be poetry. Poetry is very broad.

Poetry is what you think poetry is," said Ngozi Efobi.

"It evokes an image in your mind.

You can see ,it," added Catisha Marsh, junior. In reply to a question asked by Principal Malcolm Largmann, Sasha "THE SUN AND YOU. u " Juniors Ngozi Efobi and Dori Williams display their proje said ,"I1earned a lot of surprising things about poetry from the class [Wild Words]. I thought that poetry was very free but there arc a lot ofstrict rules that many poems follow."

The SAT is May 4th

Angelica Espinosa, Luis Otiniano, During the discussion, students were and Nancy Roman read poems con- also asked to cite favorite poets . Among taining examples ofpoetic devices such those named were Robert Frost, Carl as alliteration and hyperbole.

Sandburg, and Gwendolyn Brooks.

The poetry festival ended with "se- \ Former Townsend Harris English lected readings from people who have teacher Steven Mermelstein initiated made poetry parts of their everyday the Towns end Harris poetry festival . It was continued bec ause "the students lives." Erika, Kris Fassler, Crystal, and Toyea Wilson read several selected had found it a wonderful way to bring and original poems. po etry to other students," said Ms. Erika, who read her own poem en- Michlewitz.

'The Poetry Festival was great! " extitled " Free," said, "I joined 'Wild Words ' because I like poetry. I write a claimed sophomore Lisa Khan. 'The lot of it and its a part of myself. I also . poems they picked and the way they wanted to expose myself to other writ- .. [the seniors] read them were beautiful. ers."

My favorite lines were, 'And you learn "I joined the class [Wild Words] be- and learn/With every goodbye you cause I wanted to expand my poetic learn.'" side, to experience various sides of "I really enjoyed it. I saw a whole culture, and I have not regretted it knew side of poetry that I never new since," said M ichae l. existed before. I can't wait until Poetry Th e last twenty minutes of the En- Festival '92! " exclaimed sophomore richment were spent in a discussion of Sang Kim.

Will you be ready?

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Il: SENIORS Melanie Eichelbawn,Lara Cutrone, Kristin Fassler,Jessica Mattera, and Lisa Michitsch recite a poem at the Poetry .Festival,

The Prin ceton Review is not affiliated with the Educational Test ing Service or Princeton University

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The Classic February 1991

Charity events foster giving;

Wint~r

concert ringsin holiday season

by Donna Weiss Holiday tunes could be heard echoing throughout the cafetorium on December 20, as the Concert, Junior and be distributed.

Jazz Bands, conductedby Daniel Orvis Junior Holly Sage suggested the clinic and the Chorus, directed by Dorothy with which her father, Dr. Robert Sage, Savitch, performed at the fifth annual is affiliated. Dr. Sage counsels teen- Holiday Concert. The concert was held agers who are at high risk to become in conjunction with the "Winter Jubidrug dependent due to their parents' lee" sponsored by the Parent-Teachers problem with drugs.

Association. Parents were encouraged "Cynthia and I told Holly of our idea. to bring desserts to share with those So her dad instructed the people of the viewing the concert. clinic to gather a list of the teens ' Preceding the musical entertainment, requests," said Michelle.

Dr. Robert Haan, who is retiring from The project began in mid November his position as Townsend Harris' liaiand by the week before Christmas, a son to Queens College, spoke on his total of forty-six gifts were collected. involvement with Townsend Harris, Dr. Sage picked up the gifts and gave and welcomed his successor, Dr. Ron them to the teenagers at the clinic.

Scapp. Principal Malcolm Largmann "It's an unfortunate situation when pra ised Dr. Haan for his achievements. children are neglected by their parThe concert opened with the perents," said Michelle. 'They shouldn't formance of the "Star Spang led Banhave to suffer because of their parents' ner" played by the Concert Band and mistakes." sling by the Chorus.

"I want the students of Townsend The Chorus sang six traditional holiHarris to realize that we appreciate . day songs, including "The First Noel," everything they've done for this pro- "Let It Snow," "Chanukah Rondo," gram . Every effort brought a little more and"RideTheChariot."JuniorMonica happiness to the lives of these teen- Bogal' accompanied the group on the agers," said Cynthia. piano. 'The chorus and bands obvi"Giving and sharing is something ously put in a lot of effort into their I've been raised to do. It is what makes performance....Theresultwasquiteimpressive,"saidsophomore Carrie Hess. us human," said Mrs. Garcia.

The chorus turned the show back to the Concert Band, which entertained

the audience with such pieces as the first movement of Symphony #40 by Mozart, "Malegrena," and the more recent "Wind Beneath My Wings."

The Junior Band then performed such piecesas ..WinstonHoeDown,....Jingle Bell Rock," and the Police's hit single "Every Breath You Take."

"It -was hectic at first, ..everything wasn't planned until the last minute...but I definitely would do it again," said Junior Band member, sophomore Alexandria Bonemme.

"I think this concert is a grea t way to exhibit Townsend Harris students' talents beyond academics," said sophomore Amy Chau.

"They worke d very hard on this and you have to admire their dedication," said English teacher Georgette Wallace.

In an attemp t to raise funds, junior Dien Taylor dressed up in Santa Claus garb, calling himself "Mr. Holiday."

For $1, one could be photographed with "Mr. Holiday."

'The concert was splendid and it's a joy to make peop le happy with holiday cheer," said Dien.

Mr. Orvis had many positive feelings about the even t. "Motivating the kids was the key to the success of the concert," he said. "If you have confidence in the kids, they'll have confidence in themselves....The performance sounded great!" he said.

families, kids receive donated gifts

by Joanne Douvogiannis Student donations to the " Clothing Drive" and the "Giving Tree," two programs organized by Science teacher Odile Garcia and juniors Cynthia Berner and Michelle Bilboul, provided clothing and presents for needy children and their families this winter.

The clothes collected in the Clothing Drive were distributed to families living at the Jamaica Arms Family Shelter, a welfare ho tel. The "Giving Tree" was designed toprov ide Christmas gifts for children of drug addicts and members of the Addiction Research Treatment Corporation.

Mrs. Garcia received a great deal of support for the Clothing Drive from the faculty and many students. History teacher Myron Moscowitz brought the clothes donated by the seniors to the high schoo l. Assistant Principal of Science Susan Appel, Dean Michael Manson, and a half a dozen students helped to load the school van with the winter clothes and unload them at the shelter.

"Mrs. Garcia made sure that all of the clothes were clean; she even took some of them home and washed them her-

self," said Mrs. Appel.

'The idea behind the Clothing Drive is to show that there is a pleasure in giving and sharing ," said Mrs. Garc ia.

"It is good to receive, but it is better to give."

While the clothing drive consisted of donations of used clothes, the presents for the "Giv ing Tree" project were purchased with specific teenagers in mind. The teens were asked to make a list of presents which cost no more than fifteen dollars that they wished to receive. A large paper Christmas tree was designed and placed on the wall near the desk in the lobby. The presents requested by each teen, as well as the recipient's and giver's names, were written on gift tags that were hung on the tree. Students were asked to choose a tag from the tree and chip in to buy the requested gift .

The idea for the "Giving Tree" was created last year by radio station Power 95 (WPLI). Since Power 95 did not sponsor the project this year, Cynthia and Michelle, who were in charge of the program for Harris last year, wanted to fmd an appropriate organization to . which the "GivingTree" presents could

Combination lock thefts escalate

by Adam Farron Has your lock been stolen? If so, you are not alone . The stealing of locks has been an increasing problem for Townsend Harris this year. Out ofone hundred students questioned, more than half said that they have had at least one lock stolen since the beginning of September.

"I had a lock stolen, and I really can't think of one friend off the top of my head that has not had one of their locks taken also," said sophomore Jackie Hellman. "It's really kind of sad, but it's

But more stuff from gym lockers have been stolen because not everybody puts a lock on their locker in the locker room."

Physical Education teacher Lawrence Ceraulo said, "I am not aware of many locks being removed in the locker rooms, but sometimes a student forgets to lock their lock, and then somebody else can take it and put it on their own locker."

According to sophomore Tatiana Castro, "Only new students ever get their locks stolen, so practically everybody in the school has had a lock stolen at one time or another. Next year another new class , will have to deal with the problem, and then they'll get through it." However, Dr. Manson said, "I have not seen any pattern. There are even juniors that' have had their locks stolen this year."

Dr. Manson said that no one has ever been caug ht in the actual act of trying to steal a lock, but he thinks it's the work of one person and not a group .

"When we find the girl or boy who is causing the trouble, he/she will immediately be suspended, but whether or not crimi nal charges will be pressed depends on a number of outside factors," said Dr. Manson.

The school authorizes the use of key locks to students who have already had their locks stolen.

Although not everyone can use key locks, Dr. Manson said, "For now, their use seems to be the easiest solution to the probl em."

true."

Sophomore Anthony LaGiudice said, "I had two locks stolen and both times I got so angry . It isn't the biggest deal, but it's such a pain." Freshman Stephanie Bernstein has a similar opinion. "I had myhall lock taken the second week of school, but I didn't know whom to speak with at the time. It was a shocking experience, because I came to this school with the unrealistic idea that Townsend Harris is perfect ," she said. ..Anybody who has a lock stolen should definitely come direc tly to me," said Michael Manson, last semes ter's acting Dean of Students. 'This is prob ably some kind of joke, because usually only the lock is taken, and the stuff inside the locker is left behind."

Dr: Manson also said, "Out of the cases reported to me so far, the most ever taken from inside a hall locker was one math book and a decorated m agnet.

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Briefly...

Principal Malcolm Largmann h as been selected as a recipient of the Jewish 'teachers Community Chest's Educational Leadership award. He will be honored at a brunch on April 14.

Round One wirmers in the Student Energ y Research Competition are seniors Nuri Kodaman and Jung Yueh, and juniors Steph anie Wolf, Aziz Khan, Sally Chao, Jama Gosalia, and Bin otti Parekh . They will travel to Albany from May 20-22 and will be accompanied by science teachers Phillip Jones and Richard Tiffen.

Senior Sasha Antoszewski won the sixth annual Shakespeare recitation contest, which was held in the cafetorium on January 1. She will go on to the borough-wide contest, which will take place at HillcrestHigh School in March.

Freshmen Lydia Brown, Natalie Krauser, Andrea Ogundele, Wendy Lame, and senior Judy Luong have won awards in the 1990-91 New York City Association of Teachers of Engli sh (NYCATE) writing contest. The essay topic was 'The Best.i.'

W omen 's History Month will be celebrated this M arch with a spec ial Enrichment, a contest, and a lesson in the role of women in history. Assistant Prinicipal of Academic Subjects Bernice Horowitz is coordinating the events.

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Study aids facilitate easy reading

by Craig Slutzkin ~rrr~lllltltllttlllltlltlllllllll11@ It 's Sunday night at 11:30 P.M. You have a test on A Tale of Two Cities Monday morning at 8:20 A.M ., and . you haven' t even started the book.

What do you do? Do you : (A) start reading the book now , even though many consider it long and hard to comprehend, or (B) read one of the more popular "Study Aids," such as Cliffs Notes, Monarch Notes, or Barron's Notes , which will enable you to / learn the plot, imagery, and themes of the book in one hour, or (C) read both the book and the study aids , so that you can have both your interpretations and Many students think that English those of an "expert"?This question has teachers do not approve of these study . frequently puzzled h igh school and . aids at all, but this theory does not college students. always hold true. For example, GeorCliffs, Monarch, and Barron's are gette Wallace does not mind their use the three most popular literary study because "some students have a diffiguides . They contain short summaries CLIFFS NOTES help sophomore Jason Pensky understand Sopocles' Antigone. of hundreds of titles, in addition to culty with comprehension." Judy Bianalyses of characters, themes, and ener said that "they can be useful if not misused." However, she continued, imagery.

"Nothing can compare to reading the 'J!1ough these "Study Aids" are frequently used as substitutes for reading novel and drawing your own concluthe assigned texts, that is not their in- sions. " Helen Rizzuto warned, 'They tended purpose according to those who serve a purpose sometimes...but they

by Justine Eisens tein write the aids . Each study aid contains should not be relied upon for the phi Some writers are great; some actors name of the Duke. But Olivia falls for a statement that it should be read in losophy [of the book]." She added, achieve gr~atness, and at the Riverside Cesario, who is really Viola, while conjunction with the original book. "[Book notes] should not be read for a Shakespeare Company's version of Viola falls in love with the Duke. This For example, a copy of the Cliffs Notes . book that can be read without them."

Twelth Night, the audience has great- comedic situation is further aided by for Mark Twain's The Adventures of 'An Instant Book' antics from Olivia's servants, jokes ness thrust upon them.

Huckleberry Finn says: "These notes The Riverside Shakespeare Com- from aclown, and the confusioncaused are not a substitute for the text Some teachers do not want their pany's version of Twelfth Night by by Viola's twin brother, Sebastian, who itself...and students who attemptto use students to use these study aids. For William Shakespeare is currently being Viola mistakenly believes was drowned them in this way are denying themexample, history teacher Leonard performed at Playhouse 91, a truly off- at sea. selves the very education that they are , Gappleberg, who conducts a senior The acting by all parties was exceloff Broadway theater. However, by presumably giving their most vital Humanities seminar, described the the quality of theproduction, one would lent and in light of this, the beauty of years to achieve." notes as "the Circe of education," and never guess it.The production, directed Shakespeare's verse truly came "a form of corruption of the intellect."

by Stuart Vaughan who was the found- through. The humorous characters such Origin of Book Notes Circe was the witch in Homer's The ing director of the New York as Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew The concept of having a condensed Odyssey who lured sailors to their Shakespeare Festival and has directed Aguecheek were amusing without doom . Dr. Gappleberg compared usover 30 major New York productions, having to hit you over the head with version ofbooks came from bookstore ing these notes to drinking instant is entirely professional and, without a comedy at every funny line, and owner Jack Cole , who published outcoffee, explaining that using thses aids Shakespeare's fool, Feste, although lines of books . Cole then met Clifton doubt, entertaining. is like reading "an instant book."

Twelfth Night, one of Shakespeare's jolly, sang beautiful and soothing songs Hillegass, who agreed to reprint many However, even though he would not mellower comedies, has a humor un- throughout the play. Even the one set of Cole's outlines of Shakespearean recommend them, Dr.Gappleberg does like that of Shakespeare's The Comedy used throughout the play, although works. Hillegass later expanded this consider these study aids to be a potenofErrors or The Taming ofthe Shrew. simple, was quite effective as the idea and hired college professors to tially helpful source that can be "used It is funny; but has a serious tone at Duke's courtyard and Olivia's garden, write summaries of books for him. after reading to clarify [certain points]." the two main scenes used in this ver- Eventually, Cole's Notes became Cliffs times that conveys deep emotion.

History teacher Myron Moskowitz, Notes. Cliffs is the dominant company The fundamantal plot is that of a sion of the play. who also conducts a seminar, does not in its field today, holding 80% of the The Riverside Shakespeare bizzare love triangle between a Duke, want his students to use the notes eia lady; and a maiden posing as a man Compnay at Playhouse 91 will feature market and grossing $11 million, fol- . ther . He explained that "they're still and servant to the Duke. The Duke Twelfth Night until May, after which lowed by Monarch Notes, published someone else's opinions."

Orsino is in love with the Lady Olivia they will put on Romeo and Juliet, and by Simon and Schuster, Inc. Currently, and so sends the maiden Viola posing one other play that has yet to be deter- the two most popular notes are for Macbeth and The Scarlet Letter as Cesario to win Olivia over in the mined.

(Forbes, Oct. 30, 1989). .J

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When broken down, the results of the poll.showed that most students cons istently do not use study aids. Only 1% of the freshmen , 17% of the sopho mores, 16% of the juniors, and 15% percent of the seniors described the frequency of their usage as " always" or "usually." However, a substantially greate r number of students classified their frequency of usage is "sometimes" or "occasionally."

Book Notes Condoned For the most part, Harrisites condone the usage of these study aids, as long as they are read in conjunction with the book itself.

'The book notes give me the overall story, but I usually read them with the book ," said freshman Vicki Soffer.

'They help me understand something I wouldn't normally understand from just reading the book, " said junior Matthew Nelson .

"They can be very helpful, but only for a plot summary. For our school's English classes , and especially the Humanities seminar, you go much furthe r beyond that," said senior Judy Luong.

"I use them to review the night before a test if the teacher didn't go over all the facts. I don' t read them for . interpretations," said junior Carrie Spivack.

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'If I don't use the notes, I discover things by myself

Junior David Kucharsky says he doesn't need them . " I feel that ifl don ' t uses the notes, I draw my own conc lusions and discover things by myself," he said. . . '.

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Different Brands

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13

Redell rides rails to ·b reak record

by Jennifer Sorowitz Few teenagers make a hobby out of ridingthe subways. However, senior Charlie Redell just happens to be an accomplished straphanger. When not listening to music, reading or playing pool, he rides the subways. His longest stint lasted over 65 consecutive hours.

During this trip, he traveled over every inch of track in the New York City subway system.

Charlie and Roy Fox, an old family friend, went on this train odyssey together. "He got me interested in trains when I was 12," said Charlie. "We always talked about [going on this trip] and I always thought it would be a lot of fun to do ."

Once they dec ided to begin their jo urne y on December 20, they had to carefully plan their route. 'There are so many little pieces of track tha t are only used during rush hour," said Charlie. "We had to make sure that we got those." The Transit Authority assisted them by sending a list ofconces, sion stands and working restrooms.

car with the motorman, she accepted the idea.

Charlie wasn't apprenhensive about having problems. One of the reasons he did this "was to prove that subways aren't as bad as the news med ia makes them out to be. I knew that getting mugged...was a real poss ibility, but I wasn ' t so afraid that I didn't think I would be able to get through it," he stated.

He and Roy spent most of their time looking out at the tracks and sleeping.

"I've always been able to fall asleep at will," admitted Charlie. "I really did a lot of that."

They ate dry cereal, hot dogs , (which a CNN crew got for them) , food fromMcDonald's (which Charlie's mother brought), and roasted chicken, hamburgers, and boiled eggs , (courtesy of a photographer covering their trip).

When the journey was complete, Charlie "felt a sense of accomplishmen t.I felt really good aboutmyself...I had actually gotten all the way

In addition, Charlie's mother had to be assured of her son's safety . "[She] had to be slightly convinced that...I wouldn't be killed or mugged," said Charlie. After Roy spoke to her, explaining that they wou ld travel in the

through," he said.

The two adventurers appeared on local television stations and were contacted by the mayor's office. In addi tion, the Transit Authority wants to give them a letter of commendation.

"Seventeen magazine wants me to write an article about [the journey] for them," said Charlie.

Charlie has written to the Guinness BookofWorld Records and is awaiting their reply. "We figure we should [get , into the book] because no one has ever ' done this before."

Charlie now feels that the journey would have been better "i f we 'd had one more rush hour...Then we would be able to do it a lot faster."

Is Charlie willing to go on another train odyssey? "Actually, Roy and I are talking about getting together and doing it again in the warm months...to help the homeless," he said .

In order to raise the money. he and Roy would compete with people who already hold distance reco rds in the Guiness Book. People would sponsor them , and whoever finished the trip first would win.

Charlie wants to be in the spotlight in the future. He hopes to attend SUNY Purchase, which he feels has "the best acting program in the state schools." , He likes to act because "it gives me a chance to get away from all the problems in my life . I get the chance to be somebody else."

Despite the fact that his mother got him an agent when he was three, per-

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ACfOR AND SfRAPHANGER, senior Charlie Redell. rode over 65 consecutive hours on the New York City subway system. " forming didn' t always appeal to him . It addition, he has been involved in school wasn't until he was seven, when he did plays since the sixth grade, and he coa music video with Anthony Quinn, hos ted the school talent show last year. that he became enthusiastic about actCharlie has enjoyed these experiing. He has since had parts in two off- ences and is now very serious about Broadway shows, Counter Service and acting. "I t's what I plan on doing for Cricket on the Hearth. He has also the rest of my life ," he said. been in a Nintendo commercial. In

Block rocks silver screen

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by Claudia Busto He has been in Big. Radio Days. New York Stories, and the current movie, Awakenings. No, he 's not a famous Hollywood star . His name is Oliver Block, and he is a freshman here at Townsend Harris.

Oliver got his acting start at the age ofeight when casting directors went to his school, P.S. 207 in Howard Beach, looking for extras to be in Radio Days.

He auditioned that night in Manhattan, and was one of five children chosen to have a speaking part in director Woody Allen's film . Since he took offtwentyfive school days and worked on the movie for about eight hours a day, he was taught on the set by a tutor hired by the production company.

Oliver was recommended by casting directors for the lead role of Big, but instead got the smaller part of the younger brother of the girl whom Joshua liked. He was in New York Stories - Woody Allen's "Oedipus Wrecks" as a face in the crowd at a magic show. He also got the part of Robert DeNiro's childhood friend in Awakenings. Because he's been in so many major feature films, Oliver has come in contact with many of Hollywood's best.

"Tom Hanks, who wasn't supposed to be the original Big star, is very nice andjokes around a lot, but Robin Williams is even funnier," said Oliver.

The whole time we were on the Awak-

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enings set, he never stopped making me laugh. It was just like when you.see him do stand-up comedy. Robert De Niro [also of Awakenings], on the other hand, is really quiet but is also very nice. Woody Allen doesn't speak to you; he gets the assistant director to do it for him. He talked to me once one late night when I and the other kids in the movie had messed up the scene about thirty times . He told us to 'do it for Unc le Woody.' " Oliver, who also enjoys video games and sports, says he is just in the movies to have fun, make money and to see what it's like. He doesn't want to make acting his careerbecause "it's too much trouble to miss school and go to all those auditions. I don't want to go to any more auditions but if a casting director calls me up with a part, I'd love to do it. I don't want to do theater work , like a school play, because I get too nervous doing things live, where you don't get a second chance if you make a mistake."

In order to launch your career, Oliver said, "You have to go to an agency where they give you something to read, you fill out applications and you give them pictures. Then you just wait until they call you with a part that fits your description." Oliver offered advice to aspiring actors: "You can't let acting go to your head, ...because then you start thinking that you're better than everyone else."

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14

The Classic February 1991

Simmons races full speed ahead

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§ ..; If TOP RUNNER, sophomore Nia 'S immons, is caught standing still.

by Rishona Fleishman "Basically, I love track because when I'm running, I'm in a total ly different dimension. It feels like you're float ing," explained Townsend Harris' record-breaking runner, sophomore Nia Simmons.

Nia is a member of the Gir ls' Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track team s, all of which have different seasons. Nia likes cross country the best because she feels it is more relaxing and because she enjoys the constantly changing scenery.

"Cross country is nice because you 're in the woods. It' s really wild!" exclaimed Nia. Nia first started runni ng at the age of five. "When I was five, I did track , swimming , and gymn astics. My mo ther had to put me in something because I was such a hyperactive kid," she said.

For Nia, training inclu des team prac tices and runnin g on her own. She sometimes runs with the whol e family, but she is the only one who competes.

Nia does the best '.in long distance races. "I have endurance, not speed, " she said. " Most people maintain a pace and then sprint at the end, but if I

start out slowly, I go slowly. If I start out fast in the beginning, I push hard to stay there. l'said Nia .

For a runner this is very unusual, she explained. but for her it works. She said another factor for a successful run is your mental attitude . "You have to train your mind before your body .

While you 're running, your mind takes control and you're in a whole other world. Your mind gives you that winning edge," she said .

As a way to psych herself up before a race, Nia keeps a positive attitude.

"B efore a run , I say I am going to go out there and give it my best sho t. If you have doubts in your mind abou t winning , they will come true," she said.

Support from your teammates is also an important factor in a succ essful run acc ording to Nia . She sa id the Townsend Harris teams are better than othe r teams she has been on. "These tearns are excell ent because of their great suppo rt and spir it. Teamm ates cheer you on even if you're not doing so well," she said.

"This season I didn 't do as well as last year . In the beginning, I was taking

it very easy," said Nia . "I was playing around, I wasn't taking it seriously," According to Nia this season was just satisfactory. She started with numerous first and second place finishes, but as the season progressed, her results were not as good as the previous year.

"You really have to love it to do it.

Everyone says I don't run with heart becaus e if someone passes me, I don' t go after them . I am working on that though, " she said.

"I also cannot take pain. Once it starts hurting, I stop. Once the going gets tough, Nia doesn ' t keep going ," she said.

Running plays a large role in Nia's life outside of Townsend Harris as well. One of her heroes is Evelyn Ashford because of her great running ability. Nia wants to continue running, when she is in college. She would take a sports scholarship if it is offered to her.

College is two and half years off and for those remaining years at Townsend Harris , Nia plans to run with her char acter istic speed, endu rance, and determin ation.

Old baseball cards yield new money

by Ronnie Sussman If you had walked into a stationery store ten years ago, chances are you would have seen young children purchasing baseball cards and shoving them into their jacket pockets. They would continuously mishandle them as they played such games as flipping in which two or more people toss cards against a wall and the person who se card is the closest to the wall gets to keep the other cards . Nowadays children are pu tting card s into protective plastics 'to preserve the condition of the cards, and adults, too, are collecting cards for their rapidly increas ing value.

Many adults have abandoned their jobs to sell basebal l cards as a fulltime busines s. At a recent baseball

card convention at the Nassau Colliseum, thousands of people from all over the East Coast came to buy, sell, and trade valuable cards. Certain cards such as a 1952 Mickey Mantle sold for over $3000. Some baseball card companies gross as much as a half a million dollars a year in this ever-sopopular hobby industry.

The val ues of superstar cards are rapidly increasing. Over the past few years, Rickey Henderson has become a superstar. His first cardjumped from $15 dollars in the summer of 1986 to almost $200 at the present time . Many people think that these prices are too high since most children cann ot spen d the amou nt necessary to purchase one superstar card . They feel that the only alternative is to buy cards of young

players who have a lot of potential but have not proven themselves. If this player should become a superstar, his card's value would increase tremendously.

Baseball card collec ting can also be a risky business. If a player does not live up to his expectations, his card's value will decrease drastically. When Dwight Gooden's drug probelm was revealed, his first card dropped from $45 to $20 . The collecting of basebal l cards is speculative.

Collecting baseball cards is more c ;;:l popular than ever, being a hobby for ti i'; some as well as an enterprise for othCQ ers. Anybody with mone y can start a E § collection, and if you 've got an eye for .;;IOIlillllillllllllllll_ llllllllllllliillllillllllllll_ IIIIIIIlIIIIIII_ IIIIJIIIIIIIIIIIIlII IIIIII_ _IIIIIII_iIIIIII8lfi® ·:;"""""" ", If successul players, you co uld strike it YANKEES star first baseman Don Mattingly and the Mets' Greg Jeffries are just a few big. of the faces on the baseball cards whose values are on the rise.

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15

Opposing Viewpoints: [:r.~

Women in Men's Locker Rooms?

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Yes!

by Rishona Fleishman Male reporters have dominated sports reporting since its beginning . Recently, female reporters have started opening J;he doors to this exclusive world of sports and have already made great progress. All of this progress will be put to a sudden stop if women reporters are banned from male locker rooms.

In our society, professional sports are male sports (except tennis), and since women cannot participate in the games, it seems only fair that . women are allowed to report about them. To report sports means to be observant and to be as near to the teams and players as possible.

Not allowing women reporters into the locker rooms with the players and coaches while male reporters are welcome is a form of job discrimination because of sex. All people want to achieve as much success as possible in their careers.

Women reporters would not be able to achieve success as journalists if they were not allowed into male locker rooms while their male counterparts were.Many breaking news stories originate in locker rooms after great defeats or great victories. The best way to acquire an authentic, fascinating story is by getting the reactions of the

players directly after an event.

Newspapers, which want to get the most newsworthy, informative, and intriguing articles, would not hire women reporters if they were barined from locker rooms. Newspapers have an obligation to cover every aspect of the story for their readership. Why hire a woman who can't go into the locker room 3Ild can't get breaking stories if male reporters are available? If women were banned from locker rooms, female sports . ling a story. When incident like this happen, reporters would be forced to move on to other society should not excuse it by saying women areas of journalism where they could advance. shouldn't be in locker rooms. Society should This proves that excluding women from locker realize the fault lies only with the offenders.

In situations where players feel very uncomrooms will make sports reporting exclusive for male reporters. This is wrong; no profession is fortable with female reporters in their locker permitted to have discrimination, even sports rooms, it should be the team owners' responsibility to fmd solutions. reporting.

There are many possible alternatives to having Many female reporters have stated that their first experience in men's lockerrooms were reporters, be they male or female, in the lockeruncomfortable but that soon their lockerroom rooms. Many have suggessted a press room in the experiences became normal and ordinary, jus t \ club house where reporters and players would part of the job. The problems only come when meet directly after the game for a set amount of immature players such as the three New England time. This way, news could be acquired without Patriots feel they must make obscene gestures to going to the actual locker rooms. This solution, women reporters who are only interested in get- however, may result in the players not giving their impulsive reactions, but if this is what it

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takes for women reporters to have the same opportunities as male reporters, so be it.

People who oppose female reporters in male locker rooms often bring up the hypothetical argument that if there were professional female sports, male reporters would not be allowed in female locker rooms. The fact is there are no professional female sports that require any coverage. Talking about what might be is ridiculous .

In order to solve this problem, we must focus on the present reality, not the hypothetical future.

The right of a reporter, male or female, to get a story is one all reporters need in order to succeed.

Excluding a female reporter from a professional male team's locker room because of her sex is backward and in consistent with the present equal rights movement of today's society.

a locker locker room where the athletes of the same sex are present. room scoop is Women may say that this position t b d t IS unjust, Yet et im every 1eve1 0 f anyo e covere a o

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by Doug Klein In this land of ours that we call America, there Now high NFL officials are considering baris a place for everybody. However, a male locker ring all reporters from the locker room following room is not a place ·for females. In addition, it a game. This idea hurts one group of people- the should not be acceptable for a male to enter a audience. Media members will still have their , female locker area. Male reporters, rrr:rrrr::r::rrr:r::rrr::::r:':::rr'r,r:,::: jobs, and players will still have however, should be allowed into a ;............... ............................. ..................................... their games, but you will not

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have theopportunitytohear what Lawrence Taylor has to say after a game against the San FranCISCO 49ers. I mean, you '11 be 0

type of competition, male and feall, i t will able to listen to the man, but not ~ malelockerroomsareseparate.Have have to be with the same intensity and you ever witnessed a co-ed locker emotion, not with sweat dripd o n e by a man' ping off his face following a , room? It has always been the case that men change in one place while hard-fought battle . women do so in another.

Why? Not because the players do.not want But why then should men reporters be allowed reporters in the lockerroom, but because they do I to enter the private domain of male athletes? not want female reporters there. It might be Well, the answer is that the story must be ob- wrong to discriminate against women in their tained. You as readers want to know the facts I rising field, but having a male reporter in the first-hand-notjustthescore, but each individual locker room is better than having nobody. If a player's feelings. locker room scoop is to be covered at all, it will Football players, especially, have been reluc- have to be done by a man. tant to talk when women are present. Look at the Prohibiting women from the men's locker room Lisa Olson incident. I agree that the New Eng- seems to be the only sensible solution that will land Patriot players went a bit overboard, but guarantee the players' privacy while not deprivthey did it for a reason. As biased as their behav- ing their fans of the best possible story. Women ior was, the players harassed Olson because they and men work for a newspaper, not themselves. wanted to make the point that women do not The newspaper would provide the article in the . belong in men's locke~ rooms. Other people, same fashion as before, maybe even better now such as Cincinnati Bengals Coach Sam Wyche, that the atlete would be more willing to speak. havealsomadeitclearthattheydonotwomenin Ultimately, it's thestory that counts, not who .. I._ the locker room. . ._ __ _ wrote it _ _ _.._.. .. . _. ... . _

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Sports Analysis: Boys wrap up Intramural season

by Neftali Serrano The excitement and anticipation that has built up since the Intramural Basketball regular season began will finally culminate in the do or die playoffs. Heavy favor ites for the title are the Blazers, Lench Mob, and B- Plus .

But surprise teams such as the L.O.R's may emerge from the contenders come play-off time and sneak into the title game .

- Sporting an 8-3 record, B-P lus is a team which can match up to any other and will be hard to defeat come playM AGIC VS. RAZORBAC KS. Junior Damian Young makes a lay up as senior Issac Koren and off time. Their play -off opponents will sophomoreKenny Hom follow him. be facing the three six-footers, Captain Byron Kirkland and Ma tthew Nelson,juniors, andsophomoreRandy

by Doug Klein Taylor. The three have been formiThe members of the Townsend Har- beat New Utrechtfor the second time dable on both the offensive and the ris Girls JV Baslcetball Team proved in the season, 40-21. Freshmen Krisdefensive boards, and have shown their themselves wrong. The original plan ten Erickson played her best game of . scoring capabilities during victories for the season was to just go out and the season, as she scored 14 points en such as the one over the Blazers (9-2). have fun. They did not expect to win, route to victory. "I had trouble at the "I feel we have a very good chance to for the majority of last year's players beginning of the year, but I got better win," said Randy, "because we have a had moved up to the Varsity level , game by game," Kristen later comlot of talented players and we pass the leaving the roster open to inexperi- mented. "Weplayed great almost every pall," enced freshmen. However, sophomore game," she added.

Their two losses in the top four have Both of Harris's losses came against co-captains Lynette Cegelski andMaricome against the Lench Mob earlier in lyn Paulis led the team to a remarkable August Martin,a team which is recog- the year (9-2) and the Razorbacks (8nized as one ofthe best in the city. "We 7-2 record.

3), but by a score of 56-55, with the In the final game of the season, Harris lost against them both times, but you game determined by foul shots. put on an outstanding display of defen- have tb look where we're coming ' While B-Plus may be the tallest team sive dominance, as they defeated from,"Coach Keith Hanson said. "Two inIntramurals, the fastest team is probaBryant High School 43-8. The four years ago, we lost by 50 points and last bly the Blazers. Led by Ramon "Choobaskets Bryant barely managed to put year we lost by 40." In fact, there was choo" Serrano, the Blazers dealt the through the hoop set a new school a large improvement, The team lost by early favorites, the Lench Mob, their record for fewest points allowed in one less than 10 points in each contest first loss . Thriving on speed and solid against Martin. game.

Coach Hanson predicted the team's OnJanuary 23, the N squad hosted Springfield Gardens. Led by Lynette's record after the first loss against Au9 points, they defeated their rivals 26- gust Martin. "We'll be 7-2, because 14. Springfield scored no more than 6 nobody else will be able to beat us," points in any quarter, and were unable the coach said.

Surprisingly efficient play from to penetrate THHS's pressure defense.

"We didn't score that many points, but freshmen, along with dependable skills our defense was incredible," Lynette from veteran sophomores, allowed Townsend Harris to reach their potensaid.

The day before, Townsend Harris tial.

IV Basketball comes out strong

, defense, the Blazers are cap able of outrunning any team, but are challenged more when faced with having to play half-cour t ball. Facing B-Plus' zone defense, Serrano was unable to penetrate effectively against the big three, leading to their second loss of the season. Randy would like to play the Bla zers in the secondround, "We're too big for them. " Rounding out the top four are the LenchMob andRazorbacks.Th e Lench Mob, holding the number one spot for most of the season, has lost only .0 the' Blazers and in overtime to theresurging L.O.B .' s. Relying mostly on captain Jose Perez, junior,.the Lench Mob is a big threat going into the play-offs, as they have beaten two top four oppo nents.

On the other hand, the Razorbacks have been a big surprise. All of their victories have been very close, and most of them have been decided by foulshots. Senior captain Jamar Brown leads them in scoring, and led them past the Blazers. The Razorbacks, however, were dealt a late season loss by the Hurricanes (6-5), and may lack momentum entering the playoffs. Junior Damian Young of the Razorbacks prefers playing the Blazers in the second round because of the challenge.

"The fact is that they [the Blazers] have a good team and we have players . who can match up to them," he said.

Besides the top four tearns, another contender for playoff victories in the

first round is the L.O.B.'s (7-4) whc have beaten two top four teams , anc the Tribe Call ed Love. The L.O.B.' l have perha ps the best stock of guard: in the league ~ith Igor Solop anc Anthony Manza, two very good bal handlers, and are led in scor ing b) sophomore Steven Bilaniu k. Having beaten B-Plus ear lier in the year anc the Lench Mob in an overtime thriller this team is capa ble of pulling off ar upse t.

Th e Tribe Ca lled Lov e (6-5), led b) sophom ore Dev in G allagher and cap· tain Danny Loewy , junior, may alsc pull some playoffs surpri ses, althougl they haven't bea ten any of the tOI teams during the regular season.

The other tearns who have set theii hopes on making the playoffs are the Running Rebels (5-5), Huskies (5-5) and the Hurricanes (5-5). The Huskies are among the league's lowest in get ting fouled, which translates intc trouble in close games. Senior captair Brain Demaso has led the Huskies ir scoring.

The Hurricanes' (6-5) offense relie heavily on the shooting of captair Henry Hayes, junior. However, the) have the Razorbacks and the Tribe Called Love in check.

For the remainder of the tearns, Ju'i Crew (2-8), the Redmen (0- 1), and th( Magic (1-10), the season has come tc an end. Instead of playing in the plaYj offs, they'II be watching, which prom ises to be almost as exciting.

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Girls' Varsity Basketball makes play-offs

by Jason Stem "It looks as though we're going to end up in second place, behind August Martin," said Lawrence Ceraulo, coach of the Girls' Varsity Basketball Team.

"We're looking forward to the playoffs."

So far, according to Mr. Ceraulo, the highlight of the season came in the Martin Luther King Tournament at Manhattan Community College on January 21, when they defeated previously unbeaten Brooklyn Tech, 4942. Despite entering the game as the . underdog, the Hawks were able to upset : them in front of a large pro-Brooklyn Tech. crowd.

Townsend Harris has a 7-2 league record. They have defeated Richmond Hill twice, 63-26, and 52-25, with Lauren Caiccia leading the way with 17 points. They crushed John Adams, 60-18, as Lauren scored 15 points and senior guard Rachel Ruis i added 14, and then beat them in the rematch, by a score of42-20.In other league games,

they defeated Beach Channel, 62-46 and 66-38, with Ngozi Efobi scoring 22 points and Lauren contributing 21, and demolished Far Rockaway, 69-24.

In that game, the Hawks held Far Rockaway scoreless until the final . seconds of the first half. Their only two league losses have been to division leader August Martin, 73-54, and 6837.

In non- league games , the Hawks have defeated Francis Lewis, 58-43, and Bishop Laughlin, 62-48, and have lost to Robeson and Newtown. Their loss to Newtown, 43-42, came in overtime when Newtown hit a jump shot from the left side with 21 seconds left.

While the entire team has performed well, junior Lauren Caiccia has achieved personal recognition . On January31, she was named New York Newsday High School Scho lar Athlete of the Week. "It was nice to be reco gnized for my academic achieve ments, instead of as just a basketball player," Lauren said .

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