The Classic newspaper Volume 9 Issue no. 2

Vol. 9, No.2, January,1993 .

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Townsend Harris High SChool at Queens College

75-40 Parsons Boulevard. Flushing, NY 11366

Violence infringes on safe haven

by Diana Tuite While in many schools everyone races out the moment the bell rings, Townsend Harris pupils hesistate to abandon the safety of their building.

Since the beginning ofthe school year, twelve incidents of violence within the vicinity of the school and involving Townsend Harris students have beenreported to the Dean. In all but one case when a group of girls were harassed, freshmen, sophomore, and junior boys were physical ly attacked by students from other schools.

are around . ''They get away with it one time and they try it again," theorized Mr. Rossman.

Police presence·sought

Some parents have worked with local politicians to secure police presen ce and improve transportation, steps which Mr. Rossman feels are helping. Other parents voluntarily patrol the area after dismissal.

Most of the incidents occurred within three blocks of the school with only one taking place Increased Security directly on the steps outside. On this occasion, Reacting to these incidents, the Board of December 9, two youths approached one junior Education allotted the school money to improve boy who was standing in front of the school, security . Secur ity officer Leroy Howard will knocked him to the ground and began to kick remain in the building every day until 6 PM as of him. "At first I thought they were play fighting; .

February 1. On a voluntary basis, some teachers thenhisheadhittheconcrete,'~saidonejuniorfewill begin to stay after hours. Administrators are male who witnessed the event. Turning to a socurrently establishing counseling programs for phomore boy, whom one parent witness describedas "minding his own busine ss," one of the victims to be headed by the guidance office.

Administrators traced some of the perpetrators attackers punched him in the nose. Both boys to Parsons Junior High School, League School in were able to get into the building before sustainBrooklyn and P.S. 75 in Rigewood. Many of the ing further injuries.

Police responded to a telephone call from biolyouths, whose names and addresses school officials obtained, are area residents. According to ogy teacher Odile Garcia. On the following day, Assistant Principal of Organization Malcolm two sergeants from the 107th Precint visited, Rossman, there are probably two differentgroups promising to "rearrange schedules to give addiresponsible for the attacks . Usually in groups of tional school saftey."

Pressing charges about five, they have most often accosted boys Faculty members stress that witnesses should between 3:30 and 4:00 PM when fewer people

identify the youths and that victims press formal charges in addition to filing school incident reports . Without formal charges , no arrests can be made.Incidentreports, which are filed with Dean Wand a Nix, are sent to The Division of School Safety to determine the number of security officers stationed at the school. "Unless students who have been victims file reports and press charges, we won't be successful in keeping a policeman to safeguard the area," said Assistant Principal of Guidance Sheila Orner. " We are hoping for the prosecution of those responsible," agreed Ms. Nix .

Identifications are all the more important since photographs taken on Halloween; when violence officiallyerupted,constitutetheonlyactualproof school officials have. During the entire week before Halloween, members of the Townsend Harris community were bombed with eggs, threatened, and physically assaulted. Haunting the roof unobserved, Mr. Rossman took pictures ofyouths defacing the building with eggs. These photographs went to Parsons Junior High School, whose administrators identified some of the young people. When the Mobile Task Force from the Division of Schoo l Safety arrived the next week, the "major egg thrower" was apprehended. "Basically, he was told what would happen to him if this happened again," said Mr. Rossman.

Despite such measures, the assaults have in-

creased in seriousness. One boy suffered from a broken jaw and another suffered a concussion.

Another incident occurred across the street from the school, near the bus stop. According to a witness, a group confronted one junior boy and someone punched him in the face "to gain respect." "Everybody at the bus stop spread out.

They just left him there. He was trying to get them away," said a sophomore girl. Having been notified; security guard Leroy Howard intervened before the boy, whose nose was broken, was hurt more seriously. One bystander even attempted to get the boy safely into his car. However, the assailants dragged the boy from the vehicle.

Faculty offers advice Foremost, faculty members advise students to travel in groups and remain aware of their surrounding environment. Encouraging them to avoid the situation altogether, Ms. Nix suggests students go straigh t home after school. Leroy advises them to look potential aggressors directly in the eye. 'They can see the fear in a young person," he said. In addition, he instructs witnesses of an assault to come to him or run into a nearby business for help.

"1 think that as a school, we should stand to gether and not let one person look out for themselves," said one anonymous female sophomore.

Alee ma Bacchus contributed to this article .

Recycling program to resume despite problems

by Alison Gabriele After three years, the New York City schools are finally on their way to fulfilling the requirements of the city's Residential Recycling Program. With assistance from the Environmental Action Coalition (EAC), all schools should be recycling to the extent of the law by September, 1993.

Local Law 19, which was put into effect in July, 1989, required the Department of Sanitation to develop collection programs throughout the city, including public, private and parochial schools, to satisfy the recycl ing goals. While the residential recycling program has been very successful, the school recycling program got off to a slow start.

In a Waste Watch Report, recently put out by the Natural Resources Council, this delay was blamed on the Board of Education. Cindy Sweatt of the EAC, who has worked alongside the Board of Education in developing school recycling programs, declares these accusations to be unjustified.

"Yes, it is a shame that schools could not have' been recycling sooner. The Board of Education could have sent notice that schools should begin participation in the program. But the program the schools must follow is very complex. Instead of having to deal with each school's individual problems, they thought by reaching the schools on a system-wide level, which is being developed, the program would be easier to deal with, " said Ms . Sweatt.

Kirby Codlin of the Board of Education's Division of School Facilities agrees that the delay was not due to the Board of EducaI

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SPE supplied the blue pails. .and the Department of Sanitation provided the folders and cartons in which the school depos ited its paper. The Depar tment of Sanitation .alsoprovided the large bin in which all of the containers were then emptied . When the bin was nearly full, Odile Garcia, advisor of SPE, would then have to call the Department, and they would usually come to the school the next day to collec t the paper .

Difficulties were created whenever it rained becau se the bin, which was kept outside the school, had rio lid. It had to be covered

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with plastic by members of SPE to keep the paper dry. (If the paper got wet, it would not be picked up by the Department of Sanitation.) After it rained. the water which had collected on top of the plastic would then have to be carefully discarded.

Due to budget difficulties, the Department of Sanitation is no longer supplying the bin. For now , the individual schools are forced to purchase plastic bags which meet the Department of Sanitations' requirements for paper recycling. ''This year, the school-wide recycling is being treated the same way as residential recycling. We will still pick up the paper as in our regular Curbside Recycling Program, but we need for the schools to purchase their own bags and get the paper to the curb on their own," said John Cho of the Department of Sanitation. Mr. Cho had helped SPE organize the paper recycling program last year .

Purchasing the bags is not the main problem at To wnsend Harris. However, purchasing a collection bin whi ch will also protec t the bags and paper in inclement weather, is a major obstacle. "We are concerned that the bin may be vandalized or the contents set on fire. Squirrels and other critters could also damage the contents of the bin," said Becky Lee, President of SPE. In addition, the collection bin is very expensive and the Board of Ed will not be supplying either the bins or the funding for their purchase. However, in collaboration with the EAC, the Board of Educatio n

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tion's negligence.

"All areas are required to meet the demands of the law... by September, 1992. By then we will be distributing bags to schools and meeting the requirements ," said Mr. Codlin.

Because the programs did not exist in schools, the Department of Sanitation went around to each school and developed individual recycling programs. Townsend Harris started recycling paper last year under the auspices of Students for the Preservation of the Earth (SPE).

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The Classic January 1993

Violence mars . veritable Eden v'

Our school has always been noted for being free from violence - a veritable Eden.

But like that Biblical garden, we now have an evil serpent of our own. Rather than tempting students, this troublemaker is striking against them - endangering their safety.

Sadly, for the past few months, students have been attacked outside of school by members of Parsons Junior High School and other schools. These events have brought us to the painful realization that we are no longer invulnerable to violence.

We must not stand by watching a crime being comm itted. Now is the time for us to act to protect ourselves and get help for other students being victimized.

To date, there have been a dozen incidents reported to Dean Wanda Nix . Many of those involved have received injuries, the most serious being a fractured jaw.

Though thankfully not hurt, two seniors were robbed at knife point while walking back to the school building.

There were other students nearby when several of these episodes occurred. Most did nothing and simply stood by and watched. This is not to say that we should join in; anyone of us is powerless when outnumbered, and it is foolish to fight against an attacker who could have a weapon. However, a bystander should do something: namely, get help. Find a school faculty member or other adult. Equally important is to scream as loudly as possible. Yell "Fire!" if you must. When people hear this word shouted, they will come to investigate. Shopkeepers will look to see where the shouts are coming from to learn if they are in danger. Once we have their attention, we can have them call 911. It is vital that we do something to help one another.

Just as it is important for the bystanders to help a fellow student who's in trouble,

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it is necessary that the victim take action. Legal action. Anyone whn is assaulted should notify the police and file a report. descriptions of the attackers (as should any WItnesses). This must be done If there IS to be any chance of the perpetrators being caught.In addition, filing reports is the only way to get police protection for the school. These reports will let them kno w that a problem situation

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of are clothing , height, weight and hair and eye color. We should pay attention to the exact location of the attack. " To the Editor: Thanks to parents who called the 107thPrecinct , a police van is outside at.

The number of Asian students enrolling in dismissal time. An officer on foot patrol is also presentseveral days a week directing Townsend Harris has been increasing noticeably for traffic and keeping watch. The parents who have individually patrolled the area after the past couple of years. Also, their contribution to school shou ld be thanked for taking it upon themselves tohelp maintain our,safety. the aggrandizement of thereputation of THHS has We must also do whatever is-possible to maintain our own safety. We should be been enormous. sure to travel in large groups and not hang around outside after school. We should However, not enough is being done about the wait inside for a ride and wait at the bus stop with several friends. promotion of the Asian culture. There was a Black If we pull together and do our part in helping victims and seeing the attackers History Month to promote the history ofblack Ameribrought to justice, we can deal with this situation and overcome it cans. We celebrate many Jewish holidays by closing

AIDS ReS0 IUtl0 n 33· R"I d"I CUlous •

Less than a ear after the Board of Education put the Condom Distribution Program into eflect throughout New York high schools, it has hypocritically bound the hands of AIDS/HlV educators by signing "Resolution 33" on May 27, 1992.

This resolution stipulates that "the written and oral presentations" on mv/AIDS "must devote substantially more time and attention to abstinence than to other ' " me thod s 0 f preven0 on.

Let's get real! According to health teacher Ellen Schwartz, 50 percent of all high school students will engage in sexual intercourse at least once before graduation.

Instead of AIDS/ mv educators being forced to stress abstinence, they should

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the.school. H0.we~er, there are no occasions wh.en~e Asian culture ISeither promoted or celebrated m this school, while a large percentage of the school population of and students.

A few ~lan students.mcludmg ~yselfhave sugg~ted the Idea of an Asian club. It ISto promote the Asian culture throug~ut the whole sc~ool and to educate those who are Ignorant of the Asian culture.

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philosophy saymg that there should not be any clubs .:.:.:.:.:.:.:.;.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.'.:.'.:.:.:.:;:.:.:.:.:-

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that are discriminatory or exclusive to a certain population of the whole student body.

First of all, the club will not be exclusive. NonAsians are more than welcome to join. Second, the club will not be used to create.racial divergence in the school. In fact, the club will be used to diminish the racial prejudice existing because of student's ignorance of Asian culture. Also, other schools in New York City have Asian clubs that have operated very well for a long time. I don't see why we should not have an ethnic club that is open to everyone and is very determined to promote its ethnicity.

I know that it is hard to go against the school philosophy. I am sure there was a good reason behind this philosophy. I think it is time we examine this philosophy and wonder if we are not missing out on anything in our high school life. After all, all other schools have supported the ethnic clubs and they have grown wonderfully well!

Daniel Wong

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Senior Editor: Randi Korobelnik T"""..nd Harris High School at Queen. CoII..e of AIDS prevention, and the speakers should convey this information to young 75-48 Paroon. Blvd. F1U1hlna. NowYork 113U Editor-in-Chief: Jennifer Sorowltz audiences, but teenagers do not want to hear adults constantly preaching to them Diana Tuite Stacey Gluck, Sally Magdi about abstinence, so they will respond by tuning out to the whole discussion.

News EdItor F..ture Edlton Discouraging the students from learning the known facts about the disease is the Francine Rich Kristina Olson Timothy Nolan Sports EdItor Computer c..orclllUltor Art EdItor .

Readers are invitedto submkletters to the worst possible scenario you can imagine in an AIDS awareness program. The entire ed~or. Lettersshould beplacedinMs.Cowen's Joanna Drescher, LinaKim Ann Carroll Seth Cohen learning process will be lost amidst this unrealistic idea of harping on abstinence. , mailbox in the general office. The CIa.c Pholotlraplty Editors B.... n... Manall"r EKhanll" Editor reserves the right to edk all letters. Letters As part of "Resolution 33," any guests speaking about AIDS/HlV prevention must includenameand officialclass. Names Rishona Fleishman, Neftali Serrano will be withheldupon request. must sign a provider's agreement in which they promise to stress abstinence as the Senior ContrIbuting EdItors safest method. Also the Board of Education says that schools cannot use materials or resources such as pamphlets and videos that don't comply with their requirement Writers: Aleema Bacchus, Massandje Bamba, Stephanie Bernstein, Erik BlOCh, Jennifer Chau, Jennifer Chin , This is in fact censorship. Students are not only deprived of valuable information Seth Cohen, Erika DiSanzo, Nada Elkhashab, Johanna Fausto, Alison Gabriele, Luiza Girlea, Latasha Greene, that could save their lives, but also of enriching dramatizations that not only Laura Hummel, Veronica Lee, Andrea Levine, Olga Mazyuk, Beth Mellow, Shalene Moodie, Michael Munoz, entertain, but educate. Ms. Schwartz has already encountered several speakers who Eleni Passias, Phyllis Pei, Jesse Robinson, Sarah Tremrnl, Gina Tufaro, Stacey Winkler, Anna Zwierz refuse to compromise their beliefs and principles by signing the contract.

Photographers: Dionne Frasier, Alison Gabriele, Ki Yun Park, Vicki Soffer, Kristen Zinerel, Anna Zwierz When the Board of Education signed a resolution that forces educators to stress Artists: Erik Bloch, Jeshurun Breach, Ruby Chan. Karen Chang, Cannon Chu, Daniel Gingerich, David , the importance ofabstinence, it publicly insulted theirprofessional integrity. Surely Iankelevich, James Kim, Bikkei Law, Vinh Nguyen, Lizabeth Nolan, Maria Skrepetos, Jennifer Tam, Teresa Tse, people who are experts on AIDS and know its dangers firsthand can be trusted to Ritzel Tuazon, Rena Varghese, Cynthia Wong, Amy Yan, Stephanie Yee offer balanced advice about abstinence and other preventative methods.

Business Staff: Tara Balabushka, Erika DiSanzo. Lorena Edwards, Alison Gabriele, Laura Hummel, Themes Resolution 33 looks flawless on paper, but when the members of the Board of Karalis, Phyllis Pei, Jennifer Rockwety, Roxanne Ryan, Akiba Smith, Dustin Suri, Gina Tufaro, Sarah Tremml Education wake up, they will realize it is an unrealistic attempt to control the Typing Staff: Tara Balabushka, Massandje Bamba, Jennifer Chan, Nada Elkhashab, Johanna Fausto, Aimee Shih, prevalent AIDS/HlV disease among teenagers. Knowledge is the power to change Felicia Vinci . and make a difference. How are we going to make a difference if the knowledge we Principal: Dr. Malcolm Largmann Advisor: Usa Cowen SO urgently need is locked up behind bureaucratic guidelines?

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The Classic January 1993

3

Opposing ·Views on Fernandez

Joe must go

Warrior for change

by Neftali Serrano . When he arrived in 1989, he was the big slugger. The free agent who was going to tum things around with one big swing. They gave him the lucrative contract with incentives to boot They even gave him a rent-free house and a car complete with driver. And he was a native of New York, born and raised in Harlem. It was a per fect fit.

Three years later, Board of Education Chancellor Joseph A. Fern andez has proven only one thing - that all the hype that came with him from Miami was alotofhotair. Hot air that's not needed in a city with enough hot air beauracrats and politicians. So in this new year, New York should do itselfa big favor and let Fern andez go when his contract runs out in June of 1993 .

The president-elect Bill Clinton should do us all a favor and not make the mistake of appointing Fernandez the Secretary of Education . There are definitely enough hot air beauracrats and politicians up there.

As Chancellor, Fern andez made two bas ic errors. First of all he failed to work within the present system, overstepping his bounds and producing more controversy than resu lts. Secondly and perhaps most importantly, he forgot that the students in his class rooms had parents. Parents, like George Bush during Iran-Contra, were left out of the loop.

The first signs that Fernandez wanted more pow er than his office gave him came in July of 1990 when Fernandez squabbled with a Queens school board over the selection of a superintendent Fern andez said the candidate had a mediocre record as a principal.

The school board said that it was their right to make that decision.

The courts ruled in favor of the schoo l board. Interestingly enough, before coming to New York, Fernandez was hailed as champion of decentralization, the distribution of power away from central boards to local schools and school boards. Fernandez's struggles with local school boards continue to this day . Clearly his actions belie his reputation.

by Rishona Fleishman Change. That is a very scary word to many people. It seems that the only thing Schools Chancellor Joseph A. Fernandez could have done to please the people of this city would have been to promote the status quo when dealing with policies and the curriculum of New York schools. Fernandez was not brought here from Miami in 1989 to be a "yes" man to the Board ofEducation. He came as amanwithamissiontotumthis school system around He carne to bring change.

However, his changes are being railroaded by people like Mary A. Cummins, the president of School District 24. She as well as other prejudiced people, look at Fernandez's "Children of the Rainbow" curriculum and see it as promoting homosexuality. Thecurriculum does not promote homosexual behavior, but rather fosters acceptance of homosexual families. Yet Ms. Cummins doesn't even "want her [District's] elementary schoolstudents taught to accept homosexual famil ies" (Newsday 12/1/92). The whole

purpose of the Rainbow curriculum is just that: to teach students that lifestyles other than their owndeserve acknowledgement and respect Much of the controversy dealing with homosexual families has focused on the first grade edition of the curriculum. The only thing the curriculum suggests for first grade in particular is that teachers help students become aware of the lifestyles ofsome oftheir ownclassmates.

Teachers are given suggested reading lists that could supplementtheir social studies lessons dealing with families. These books are not mandatory. The teacher has total discretion. If her class is not mature enough, then this particular section of the curriculum may be altered or omitted. Books like Heather Has Two Mommies and Gloria Goes to Gay Pride (about the Gay Pride Parade) can serve as tools for discussions that show how some students live. They are equivalent to books involv.ing step-families or single family households. They serve as instruments to teach tolerance.

Students are able to see them-

Then Fernandez made his biggest error by overstepping the rights ofparents who entrusted him with their children. Obviously Fernandez misunderstood the word •entrust', since he felt he had the power to make educational decis ions without parental consultation; hence, the Children of the Rainbow curriculum and the exclusion of parents in the condom distribution plan. What he by Susan Stewart failed to realize is that without parents, no school system in the Schools Chancellor Joseph Fernandez is fit to lead our children worl d can function properly . They are the catalysts of the system .and youth, despite his recent confessions that he was kicked out of and when a ridiculous attempt to teach first grade rs tolerance of school and used drugs as a teen-ager. homosexuality is included in the curriculum, parents deserve to These confessions are a plus to his qualifications. He can relate fmd out about it, and to vote to keep it or throw it out to teens because of his experience. He came from Spanish As humorous as it may sound. Fernandez actually used the words Harlem, growing up "in the streets" as a child. He knows what it's "parental consultation" in an op edpiece he wrotefortheNew York like to live as a teen in today's society. He's aware of teens ' Times (July 10,1990) defending his attempt to gain a larger role concerns because he has had beyond-Oyour-average hands-on . in the hiring of superintendents. He wrote that he believed it to be experience. the "bare minimum" that local school boards provide for "paren- In his new autobiography, Tales Out ofSchool , he tells of the tal consultation" in the selection of superintendents. As if parents impact that heroin and marijuana use had on his life . He said that were more concerned about hiring superintendents than knowing drugs "appealed" to him, but that he had to drop out ofhigh school that their kids are reading a book called Heather Has Two Mom- 'bec ause he knew he "was too heavily into drugs to last" (New York mies. ;Newsday , 12/5/92).

There is no better way to sum up the Chll,!lcellor's tenure in New ' In 1953, he joined the Air Force, hoping that he could put his life York and why it should end than by quoting a passage from the back together. During his four years in the Force, he earned a high Chancellor's own op-ed piece. He wrote; "I am determined to rid school equivalency degree and then went to Columbia University oursystem ofineffective and incompetentindividuals....The public (New York N'ewsday , 12/5/92). wants good schools and deserves good schoo ls, but they won't be Our generation can only benefit from being led by a person who given to us." In short, Joe must go. ' has "been there," and Fernandez is just the man who has. Cons idLetters (continued) eringthechildhoodheexperienced,hisachievements laterongive To the Editor: hope to youth who are in trouble or involved in drugs now .

I was very disappointed in the article printed on the Girls ' Varsity Some people think that Fernandez serves as a negative role Volleyball team . After completing an undefeated season, and model for kids and should be fired, However, it is obvious

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selves or their friends in these books. The books send a message to kids with homosexual parents that they are not alone .

It also sends a message to kids with more traditional families that other kinds of famil ies do exist and deserve respect. . Critics of Fernandez say that parent involvement is also an issue when talking about school curriculum. They say Fernandez is a hypocrite because he claimed to be in favor of decentralization, which gives more power to local school boards like the misguided one for District 24. It is true parents and community members should have a say in the curriculum of the students, but not when their views are clouded by prejudiced views. What if a community school board that was homogeneous prohibited the teaching of other cultures because they felt their culture was the only "natural" one? This is similar to the present situation, but instead we are dealing with sexuality. If we let District 24 prohibit teaching tolerance of gays , what will the next district ohibit? Fernandez was cor-

rec t when he suspended District 24 . He was not going back on his belief in decentralization, but rather he' showed there is a limit to local school boards' power. Fernandez's message here is clear: major policies of the central Board cannot be disregarded, especially those involving tolerance and mul ticulturalism.

This battle over the "Rainbow Curriculum"isjust another fight for Fernandez, who over the past few years has become a gre at warrior in a battle to change the system. Fernandez has fough t for other programs like condom distribution with much strength and determination. His policies aim to benefit the youth of New York City in every aspect of their lives . He wants to protect their bodies from diseases like AIDS, but he also wants to teach them respect, tolerance, and acceptance. To many, these are frightening concepts.

'The city needs Chancellor Fernandez. He is full of great ideas. The central Board must support Fernandeznow in order to persuade him to stay when his contract exoires in June.

Fernandez's past: an asset.

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excuse the incorrect spelling of the names of two of our starting Corrections: seniors. In addition, I don't understand why whoever included the _ It was incorrectly reported in the Novemberissue of The Classic that the Parent Teachers Assoc iation raised a net of $17,000 from caption to the picture could not go through the trouble of finding the welcoming breakfast. In actuality, they collected $7,000 in funds. out the name of "Number 21." The Volleyball team had succeeded - The names of players Vikki Buza and Terez Czapp were spelled incorrectly in the Girls ' Volleyball article . in every game played. Its members deserve more recognition than - Junior Peter Vays was incorrectly identi fied as a sophomore in the Boys' Soccer article.

Th e Classi« apologizes for these errors. an eleven-line misprinted article. .

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January 1993

Puglisi, Sweetin nominated for Reliance Awards

by Anna Zwierz and Jennifer Chin "Mr. Sweetin is probably one of the as sponsors the senior party every year, Thomas Sweetin, English teacher, most giving people on the entire staff; also attends the Parent Teacher Assoand Charles Puglisi, Co-President of he never says no," said Dr. Largmann, ciation (PTA) meetings regularly. the PTA, are this year's school nomi- who has known Mr. Sweetin for apChristin~Trilivas, junior and former nees for the Reliance Award proximately 16 years. Mr. Sweetin Latin student of Mr. Sweetin's,said for Excellence in Education. that "his style of teaching involves The award is sponsored by attainable goals. This is his way of "E business people who honor ' treating you as an adult and I like ~ outstanding contributors to that As for the Reliance Award, I <Il '5 education. hope that he wins.'~ .3 Mr. Puglisi and Mr. Mr. Puglisi has been a Townsend ~ Sweetin will next enter a Harris parent for six years. He ao borough-wide competition started out as aPTA member, help'§. and, if chosen, be considered ing to run school functions such as PTA CO-PRESIDENT CHARLESPUGUSI greetsnewstudents,l and parentsat welcoming breakfast. for the city-wide award . Dean the Winter Carnival. He soon became the editor of the newsletter of Students Wanda Nix was a Queens winner in the 1991 Reliance "always wan ts to do special things for and held that pos ition for four years. the students; he never wants to cut He was elected to his current position compe tition.

In order to be eligible for this award, comers," he added. as Co-President in the fall of 1988. He Mr. Sweetin had to have a recommenShe ila Orner, chairperson of the now is in charge of the Winter Carnidatio n written from the committee Townsend Harris High School Faculty val, " thank you" functions for teachers which selected him, as well as answer Awards Committee, said Mr. Sweetin and also serves on theBoardof Alumni. six ques tions pert aining to his teaching was nom inated "not only for his expert He feels he was nominated because of philo sophy. In add ition, Mr. Swee tin teaching ability, but for his unfl agging his six ye ars of work. Having three rec eived lette rs of recommendation ene rgy in sponsoring extra -curricular chi ldr en who were accep ted to from princ ipal Malcolm Largmann, his activities and his limitl ess donation of Townsend Harris (two have graduated, colle ague Arthur Bo ulanger , and his personal time." one is attending), and getting parents Mr. Sweetin, who organizes as well to suppo rt the school ares-in his opinform er student Julie Ch an.

Winter

ion, his greatest contributions. "I'm doing.what every parent should do," said Mr. Puglisi.

"For us, Mr . Puglisi represents com-

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ENGUSH TEACHER THOMAS SWEETIN Iwasrecentlynomlnatedlor aRellianceAward for Excellence in Education.

said Dr. Largmann.

In 1985, when Townsend Harris reopened, Mr. Puglisi was excited and supportive, and to this day , is pleased with all aspects of the school. "I have nothing but the highest feeling [for the schoo1]...It's a special place in terms of education," he says. ''Townsend Harris is more family than facu lty."

As for his feelings regarding current public education, he said, "Public education is a victim ofthe press." He feels that the press only dwells on the bad side of schools . He admits that there are problem schools andproblem children, ye t he ~so says he has seen some be 3!!tifu1 and ingenious work coming out of those schools. ' ' • • • • ¥T. Puglisi IS a teacher of remedial

/ . reading in the public school system in Brooklyn.

He feels that parents need to become plete parent al commitment 'to all students andstaffof'F ownsend Harris. He more involved in their children's is a mod el o( the kind of conc ern and schools. :'Good relationships between monil ~bligation which school com- parents and schools make good munities depend on for the success of school s," said Mr. Puglisi. "Itis ashar ed their pro grams ....He is extraordinary," respo nsibility."

Conc~rt ~evokes ,warm ' response ac . .. . .

by Phyllis Pel The annual Winter Concert, held jn a packed cafetorium Thursday evening, Dece mber 17, featured performances by ~e-cOncert and lab bands, conducted by Ada;;;, Alter, and the chorus, direc~~rothy Sav itch. Other special perfo rmances included a"Grand Finale"bymembers of the faculty. Juniors Jennifer Nitka and Christopher Musarra acted as masters ofceremonies.

The musical selections varied widely, ranging from "Sleigh Ride," a traditional Christmas song

by Leroy Anderson played by the Concert Band, to "I Still Believe," from the current Broadway hit, Miss Saigon, sung by the Chorus.. Other chor3J. pieces included ''The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by S. Linda and P, Campbell, and "Jingle Bell Rock " by 1. Beal, J. Boothe. Jesse Lieberman, junior; sang the Townsend Harr is parody

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basedcrrBilly Joel's "Piano M an" that Jeremy Sage, sophomore, wrote for , Founders'Day. (See Founders' Day Challenge, p. 5.)

Latin and Greek teacher Richard

men tal ists , performed two pieces: "Skaters ' Waltz" and .. "Carnival of Venice." , ..

Fifteen faculty members provided theGrandFinale''The Fifteen Days

dents] did a beautiful jo b!"

Besides experiencing Townsend Harris ' musi, ~ cal talents, members ofthe audience got a taste of iG Townsend Harris art as well . Anthony Morales' g' fifth band Creative Art class assisted. him in designing the " Win ter Concert" banner hung on >. ~ top ofthe stage. Paintings ofcolorful snowflakes, trees, and snowmen decorated the stage. M r. : a.

Morales painted the snowmen and Christmas Russo performed "THREE HOURS HOMEWORK, TWO ENGLISH of Townsend Har - trees with the help of freshman Wendy Chen and "Vi Ravviso" from CLASSES, AND A LIST OF VOCABULARY," sing fac- ris," accompanied others.

Act I of Bellini's ulty members at the Winter Concert. bythechorus.Prin''This year's chorus is the best yet - we had a operaLaSonnambula, accompanied on the piano cipal Malcolm Largmann received loud applause great time at the concert," said Ms. Savitch. by sophomore Emily Wong. His performance re- from the audience and members of the chorus and Christine Han, a piano accompanist for the choceived a standing ovation .from students , facu lty , band for his animated line, "On my fifth day at rus , took a different view," I think we could have and parents. ''The standing ov ation took my Townsend, my teachers gave to me, ;..five collat- done be tter; but overall, it was an okay concert." breath away until I realized it was for the short- erals!" Biology teacher Odile Garcia, a partici- Mr. Alter was happy with the performances and ness of my Performance," said Mr. Russo. pant in the Grand Finale, commented," It was added,' 1 was very proud of all who participa ted The lab band, which features be ginning instru- fun . It was great, Tb.ey [faculty members and stu- - ~cluding the faculty."

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Virtuoso Feltsman kicks 'off performance -serie~

by J oha nn a Fa us to Immersed in a pale blue light, a solitary black grand piano dominated center stage. People milled in the'foreground carrying their programs, while an usher helped them to their seats. A buzz ruled Colden Auditorium at Queens College as the audience, ineluding many students from Townsend Harris, waited for world-renowned Russian pianist Vladimir Feltsman to ' perform on December 12. Feltsman played Mozart's Sonata in C major, Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition and, Bach's Partitia No.2 in c

a Queens College grant. For the first time, Queens College is collaborating with Townsend Harris in a program that allows students to attend various cultural performancesduring the school year. ThiS collaboration is to continue for the next three years. "It gives students the opportunity to .attend wonderful professional performances for a change. We think it's great that we were approached by Queens College because it brings us closer to them; they were also interested in taking a chance with us for three years. They wanted to create an audience for the minor. future so that the kids, when they are Two free tickets were provided for on their own, would develop a love of each student who requested them on a these performances," said Lynne first come, first serv~ basis as part of Greenfield, Assistant Principal of •

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Humanities and a coordinator of this event.

Feltsman's concert was the first of three performances at Colden Auditorium to which the students are invited.

The second one is on January 30, at 8 PM, featuring a classical recital by pianist Yefim Bronfman and violinist Lynn Harrell. For the third, the New York City Ballet will stage a tribute to dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers on Sunday, March 2 1 at 2 PM. Five hundred tickets were originally reserved for the Feltsmanperformance.

However, because of the large student demand, the administration requested and obtained 100 more. Despite the severe weather conditions that evening, there was still a large tum-outofpeople,

"I've been playing the piano fOr five grand and gave you a spectacular feelyears .and I thought this was a good ing at the end." ,. opportunity to hear a world-class pian_After Feltsman's performance, he ist," said junior Shimin Zheng. Other was given a bouquet of flowers by a students attended out of curiosity and member of the audience. Some gave many decided to come in order to ful- him a standing ovation, while the rest fill one stipulation of Culture Vulture, continued to clap. The audience clapped a school-wide English class activity for such a long period of time that that requires them to see, eat and do Feltsman returned on stage to play an something unfamiliar. "I went because encore. of Culture Vulture and because it was Sophomore Emily Wong decided she free. I enjoyed it, especially during the wou ld go to a future performance second half," said sophomore Ian because "I can learn something about Katz. the music and it would reflect on my "Overall I liked it," said Shimin, piano playing." Shiminwould also.like "because he was very emotional and to go again because of the good imvery absorbed into the music. I felt as pression she got from this performif I were a part of it. I particularly liked ance. "I come for the joy of listening the piece by Mussorgsky. It was very and watching," she said .

The Classic

5 Multi-faceted Founders' Day generates enthusiasm January 1993

by Gina Tufaro Music from Africa and Brazil played by the 0 Samba Dance Theater resonated throughout the building on Founders' Day, November 13. While upperclassmen viewed this performance, incoming students watched aspe~ cial program at Parsons Junior High ~ LL School. Everyone participated in a seCI1 c: ries of student-conducted workshops. c: o At the end of the day, all turned out for i5 >. ~ .D a dance in the gymnasium. s: o so This year, Founders' Day coordina'"~ s: c. o tors sought to showcase student talent ell c: and to stress multiculturalism in the c: A NEW TUNE FOR AN OLD SONG: Junior Jesse Ueberman enterell workshops. Everything from food and o tains audience memberswith a "Piano Man" parody at the Founders' -, Day ceremony . games of Asia, to ethnic dancing was ~ offered. Depending on their homeroom, ao s: students attended a different workshop c. in the morning and afternoon. other how to fight. One other dance place," he said. " The workshops gave us a chance to performed by the troupe was traditionMaster of Ceremonies Malcolm experience a taste of many different ally a means of stress reduction for Rossman, Assistant Principal, introDANCE TO THE RHYTHM : O! samba DanceTheatermember cultures," said junior Lemonia Strom- slaves who had worked in the sugar duced some of the winners of the leads students in African/ Brazilian dance. . bus . fields all day.

Founders' Day Challenge, a schoolIn one instructional class, juniors "It 's great to see how different cul- wide creative contest (see article on Daniel Hwang, Bikkei Law, Patrick tures ' history related to the dance. The this page). Alumnus Paul Jannicola, Look, Angela Mui and Mary Tsai Africandancesresembledsome Ameri- class of 1989, shared anecdotes from il taught Korean cooking. Students can modem dances," observed sopho- his high school days. Junior Christine Ramos playedLudwig vonBeethoven's learned to make wontons and Califor- more Danny Rossler.

While this was happening, freshmen "M oonlight Sonata" on the piano. Pro- ' niarolls, which the demostrators termed "Korean sushi." As part of the story- and incoming sophomores rec ited the viding another musical interlude, telling workshop, run by juniors Jen- Ephebic Oath, an ancientGreekpledge Choral Director Dorothy Saviteh con- . created by English teachers Helen nifer Nitka and Carrie Silverstein, stu- to better the community, at Parsons ductedthechorusinrenditionsof"How by Eleni Passias Of the calendars, proverbs, rules, Rizzuto and RaquelChung, with input dents dramatized fairy tales as some- Junior High School. During the cere- Merrily We Live" by Michael Wast mony, Principal Malcolm Largmann and "Steppin' Out With My Baby" by songs and , advertisements submitted from other members of the staff, inone narrated. for the Founders' 'Day Challenge, a eluding English teacher Judy Biener, The focus was also on multicultural- addressed the audience. 'There are tons Irving Berlin.

Though many activities differed from contest entered by all English classes, librarian Valerie Billy, Assistant Prinism as members ofthe 0 Samba Dance of books, bone-crushing walks in the Theater, who have entertained for hallway and sweaty jogs. We love to those of previous Founders' Days, one many were designated winners. Se- , cipal of Mathematics Harry Rattien, twelve years, performed African dances complain and joke about the school, aspect remained constant. At the con- lected projects were recited at the and a student committee.

A committee comprised of Lynne transplanted to Brazil by slaves. The but it is a caring, secure and nurturing elusion of the day, all grades attended Founders' Day Ceremony, which took a dance in the gym- place at Parsons Junior High School on Greenfield, Judy Biener, and Raquel show began with a fastChung determined the winners. Acnasium JudyBiener's November 13. paced number in which Student Leadership The students cited for their outstand- cording to Ms.Greenfield, 'The reaudience members parclass organized the ing entries were awarded many differ- sponse was exceptional, as it proved to ticipated. "I enjoyed taking part in this cultural event. Even though it dealt with a certain type of ethnic culture, everyone was able to share in the celebrations," said sophomore Joy Warren, one of the participants.

A dance of martial arts and acrobatic feats, HIP-HOPDANCERSDONNAASHE,TERITAMURPHYAND JOY Kaputaprovided a guise WARREN (left to right) display their talents while leadinga Foundas slaves taught each ers' Day Workshop.

Founders' Day Challenge forges creative tradition

by Andrea S. Levine The Founders' Week Olympics, a new tradition at Townsend Harris, was won by juniors with 800 points. The freshmen trailed with 700 points, and the sophomores were third with 600 points. Organized by the faculty-student Founders' Day planning Committee, the Founders' Week Olympic Challenge was marked by such ~vents as a canned food drive, a spirit day, and a Halloween costume contest. These activities were presented as Olympic events, with the grade levels as competitors. Points were awatdedbasedon the amo unt of participation in each grade.

Hoping to establish new traditions, the Founders' Day Planning Commit-

tee organized Founders' Week. The

week was marked by such events as a canned food drive, a spirit day, and a Halloween costume contest, These activities were organized as Olympic events, with the grade levels as compe titors. Points were awarded basedon the amount of participation in each grade.

"We definitely got a lot of positive feedback from the students.t' <said Assistant Principal of Humanities and Founders'Weekco-CoordinatorLynne Greenfield. "We were somewhat disappointed with the canned. food dr ive because we co llected less thanip the past years, so we hope that the clothing drive will be more successful," said Ms. Greenfield.

out. It's like some of the students are lazy."

Some events, however, did seem to bring more success than in past years.

"Dressing UP' for Founders ' Day seemed to reach ahigh point," saidMs. Greenfield. "Maybe people participated because they began to feel it was worth doing, in class honor."

The overall positive student reaction to the Founders' WeekChallengemight .suggest that this even t could become a n ew tradi tion ; " Yes,'! said Ms. Green field, "based on the reaction this.year, the Founders' Week Challenge definitely has a future."

ent prizes. Natalie Krauser, junior, re . be perceptive but good-natured." ceived a Mexican sombrero from Joan Some of the other entries which were Walsh, Assistant Principal of Foreign no t presented at the Founders' Day Language, for her parody of the song , ceremony were exhibited in the ca"Mary Had a Little Lamb." Another fetorium. David Iankelevitch, sophoprii.e ~as the opportunity to choose a more, sketched a s(;ries ~f drawings teacher for next semester. The recipi- depicting everyday life at Townsend ent of this prize was Kelly Jones, jun- Harris which will be featured in a calior, for her myth on 'The Origin of the endar that will be sold to the school Collateral." community.

-Tlie idea for havirig a Founders' Day , In the future, the' Founder's Day Challenge originated with Lynne Challenge is expected to become an Greenfield,' Assistant Principal of the ' annual event "We all enjoyed it very Humanities. The actual assignment was much," said Ms. Greenfield.

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The Classic

6

January 1993

Press Day focuses on reporting school violence

by Sarah Tremml Violence in schools and how the press deals with it was the main topic discussed at the Fourth Annual High School Press Day at Queens College on December 4. Editors and writers from high schools in Queens and Brooklyn as well as professional journalists gathered in the Student Union building to share their knowledge in the field of journalism.

Sponsored jointly by the Board of Education, Queens College and The Tablet, a Catholic newspaper serving Brooklyn and Queens, the event also featured a display of newspapers.literary magazines, yearbooks and departmental publications from the participating public and parochial schools.

Classic reporters Seth Cohen, Laura

Hummel.BethMellow,SarahTremml ,planation. You have to decide what's "There's more to our communities Gina Tufaro and Stacey Winkler. rep- the sub-text, the real reason." Sub-text than just the violence you see in the resented Townsend Harris. is the meaning that is found between newspapers and on television." said Betty Liu Ebron, a columnist for The the lines - the hidden meaning. "Not Ms. Ebron, who grew up in ChinaDaily News, and Margaret R. Harring- everybody knows everyone else's cul- town . She said that the only time she ton. Superintendent of Queens High ture," she cont inued. "You have to saw her neighborhood in the news Schools, delivered the keynote ad- figure out what people are really say- was when there was violence indresses. Ms . Ebron spoke on "Vio- ing to you all the time....Useyournews- volved.

Following the keynote speeches, lence in the Schools: Who Can Write paper as a chance to get answers to the Real Story?" and Dr. Harrington things you care about. " workshops were held to integrate the talked about "SAVINGS" (Students Dr. Harrington stated, ' The most morning 's topic of discussion with the Agains t Violence, Injustice 'N Guns). important of all the poin ts that we are basics of good journalism. A few of the program she instituted in each of trying to get across is that there is never these workshops included "News Rethe 26 publichighschools in Queens to one side to any story . The journalist's porting and Writing ," ,"Feature Writgive students a voice in solving the job is to fmd out the facts." She said ing Like a Pro." and "Sports Reporting problems of violence. (See article on ' that by reporting the facts . the student that Really Scores ."

SAVINGS below.) ' , journalist can help change people's E.R. Shipp. a journalist from The "Reporting violence in the schools attitudes., "You not only write the New York Times who conducted the is not an easy thing." said Ms. Ebron. story, but you make 'the news." she workshop on news reporting. spoke "In school, you're going to get an ex- said. about a school as a community inside

a larger community. "You can't separate the schools from the community.

Whatever problems are outside, this will be reflected in what happens in schools. If guns are easily accessible on the street, and in general if there is less value placed on life, all of that will be reflected in what happens in schools," she said. "I am also hopeful because schools are where we can experiment, trynewprograrns.

Joann Lee, Co-Director of Journalism at Queens College. said, "It's important that students ~derstand that violence is an act that affects everybody. Students should have a voice to say. 'We don't like it [violence}, and we don't want it here . Get it out!"

Times reporter makes news at Queens College

by Stacey W inkler "Maybe I'm arrogant but I think I can help to explain it [the world], especially intimidating topics like law or race relations," commented noted New York Times reporter E.R . Shipp on why she wanted to be a journalist. Ms. Shipp conducted a workshop on news reporting and writing at the annual High School Press Day at Queens College on December 4, and granted an interview to The C lassie during the lunch break .

Ms. Shipp was one of several professional journalists attending this conference. She explained that although it was her first time at this particular event, she has participated in ajournalism program for minority students for the past few years. Ms. Shipp donates much time to teaching and appreciates its rewards.

In describing her part-time job of teaching graduate students at Columbia University. she said she "liked the idea of passing on skills that I've acquired to the next .generation of journalists....[and] also to future consumers of news." Above all, she stressed the importance of her students knowing how to read the papers more critically.

This is a credo Ms. Shipp herself follows.

When reading the published work of other reporters, she criticizes their writing style and also the content of their articles. "When I find something very upsetting, I sit down and write letters to the editor and to the reporter who wrote it and that 's something I encourage all readers to do," she said.

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'When I find something very upsetting, I sit down and write letters to the editor and to the reporter who wrote it and that's something I encourage all readers to do.'

How does it feel when the tables are turned and the objective author becomes the subject of the article? Ms. Shipp has been interv iewed quite a few times by both professional and school journalists. "I guess I'm more nervous when I'm being interviewed by professional and magazine reporters because the whole world might read

what I said." she stated. ''but I'm also nervous that school reporters might misinterpret what I've said ."

Ms. Shipp grew up in a small suburb of Atlanta, Georgia called Conyers. She first came to New York in 1976 to attend Columbia University. She earned a Masters degree in journalism and a degree in law as well. "I've always liked writing and talking and I always thought that sounded like a journalist to me when I was growing up." she explained. After graduating from Columbia in 1980, she received a job at The New York Times.

As a journalist, she doesn't focus on the fact that she is a woman and a member of a minority group. There was. however. some reluctance of her own that she experienced when she first started writing. 'There were certain kinds of stories when I first started my career that I would never volunteer for. That was because I was afraid I would be limited to writing just about women and minorities. so I just concentrated on my speciality which is law. That way my editors would only deal with my speciality." she explained. Sometimes people she interviews don't want to deal either with a black person. a woman

or both. She handles this problem by reminding them that if they want to appear in the New York Times, they haveto deal with her.

Despite these obstacles. the most challenging reporting she has done in nearly 13 years Wasthe TawanaBrawley story. The case involved a teenage black girl who claimed she was kidnapped and raped by a group of white men in Dutchess County in upstate New 'York. Ms. Shipp explained that the case was so difficult because there were so many conflicting stories and so much racial conflict. She was part of a team of reporters who investigated the story for ten months. She collaborated with some of them on a book entitled Outrage: The Story Behind the Tawana Brawley Hoax . She recognizes its importance because "the issues that arose from that case are still with us. A lot ofthe questions raised there remain relevant."

Ms. Shipp has started working toward her Ph.D . in American History this fall. She will also be teaching one course in journalism during the spring term of 1993 at Queens College.

"Eventually I hope to write history books and biographies that your children will be reading in school one day." she said.

SAVINGS chapter heightens awareness of violence

by Michae l M u noz Students Against Violence, Injustice, And Guns (SAVINGS), a new organization whose formation was mandated in all Queens high schools by Queens Superintendent Margaret Harrington. distributed white ribbons as a symbolic act against violence on December 2 in the cafetorium.

SAVINGS groups throughout the borough participated in some symbolic act of their choice that day. The Townsned Harris group also made a brief announcement over the loudspeaker, followed by a moment of silence.

The SAVINGS groups were organized in answer to the recent outbreaks of violence and increase in racial tensions in schools throughout ,the city. Townsend Harris' chapterofSAVINGS' -

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immediate goal is to make the rest of the school aware of the organization's existence.

"We need more publicity," said Dionne Fraser. sophomore. "A lot of people don't know what this [group] is."

Only seven students attended the first meeting on October 27. Judy Biener, advisor. thinks that this might have been because there are so many similar groups to SAVINGS here at Townsend Harris. In fact, there was a suggestion for this group to merge with the Council of Unity. which works to promote unity in our mulicultural environment, or at leasthave a coordination ofefforts between the two g.roups.

Most of the students attended the meeting for the same reason: SAVINGS o' ant1~iolence me s-

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sage. Junior Betty Chu said,"Violence is everywhere, and it affects everybody - maybe not directly, but it affects everybody." Teresa Tse, junior. who lives in Brooklyn. said, "You hear gunshots and sirens at night. You see the wreckage of [stripped] cars. About half of my family members have been mugged." Sophomore Jennifer Chau believes that although violence is not a real problem at Townsend,'This is a real problem for our friends who go to other schools."

Jesse Strauss. sophomore. feels that promoting anti-violence awareness is very important. "We have to make people aware before taking such precautions as installing metal detectors, which make the schoo l look like a fort," said Jesse . Ms .

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Many students feel that Townsend doesn't really need a group like SAVINGS. Evan Avdoulos. freshman, said, "Within the two months I've been here, I've seen that the students do not have a need for an anti-violence program because there does not seem to be a violence problem within theschool.l'Kelly'Olino, freshman, agrees .

"I don't feel there's a need for it here," she said.

However, freshman Gilad Ozeri thinks. "It is necessary to have this group. so that kids here will be aware of the violence going on today."

SAVINGS does not meet on aregular schedule as of yet. Anyone interested in joining should contact Ms. Biener . " t · , '"f ' .,..'. ...\ .. • J." .' " .." ) . ':' f . !~ . r: ~I....;. ;> . ~~

The Classic January 1993

_7

Condoms bring message: 'Safe sex' and they didn ' t have to go to a store to buy them . But now I think

by Ste phanie Bernstein Ears were perked up throughoutTownsend Harris last year as the that most people would be too emb arrassed to ask a teach er for a word "condom" raced through the student body. Condom availa- con dom because then the teacher would know they were sexually bility, however, has not attracted as much respo nse as some had active. " anticipated when the program was implemented last spring.

Schools Chancellor Joseph A. Fernandez introduced the controOf the 2,000 condoms donated by Trojan and Ram ses and sent versial condom availability plan last fall in an attempt to control by the Board of Education to this school, only 50 have been dis- the spread of the deadly AIDS virus among teens . There are tributed, Students have different views as to why this is so. currently 116 New York City high schools which provide conAccording to Alexandra Laifer, sophomore, "It was a good idea doms to students on request, and the remainder are scheduled to when it [condom distribution] started because it allowed for easy join the program this month. "It's not that the [city-wide] program access to protection. I guess people feel uncomfortable about isn't working," said Ellen Schwartz, Team Leader of the condom approaching their teachers and they would rather have the ano- availability program. 'The student s aren't coming because this is nymity of just going to a store and buying a condom." Monica such a small school and everyone knows everyo ne else. The Bilboul,junior, agreed, saying, "I think that students would rather students don't want to expose their priv ate activities to us." Ms. purchase a condom in a drugstore than have their teachers know Schwartz stre ssed the fact that the program goes beyo nd the about their private lives," Allison Feldman, junior, said, "I thought distribution of condoms . Adults are there to answer any sexual or it was agood way for people to get condoms bec ause they were free health ques tions , and can also refer students to outside agencies,

AIDS awareness awakens teens

by Sa rah T rem ml cuss statistics concerning the AIDS Red shirts and red ribbons dotted the virus . She explained that out of the halls on Tuesday, December 8, signi- 230,000 people who are documented fying AIDS awareness. Students Pro- to have the disease, 50% are already mo ting AIDS Awareness (SPAA) dead, and the number is increasing sponsored a special Enrichment de- every minute. She pointed out that the voted to the discussion of the deadly focus has moved away from homodisease by Dr. Debra Brennessell, the sexuals and drug abusers. Heterosexuphys ician in charge of infectious dis- als are now mos t at risk for what has eases at Queens Hospital. been labeled as a "family disease," she Dr. Brennessell arrived in the library said . ,without the AIDS patient who was also -; "Having unprotected sex,is like playscheduled to speak; Advisor of SPAA, ing Russian Roulette: one mistake and Ilene Marcus, explained, "We had you're dead," said Dr. Brennessell. hoped to have an AIDS victim speak However, Dr. Brennessell tried to here to you today, but unfortunately he dispell the myth that those people is no t able to. His wife also has the . , who wear condoms during sex can't disease, and she is dying. He didn' t acquire AIDS, saying that condoms feel that he coul d leave her, becausehe are not a fooi-proof form of proteconly haslimited time withher left." Dr. tion . She stresses abstinence because Brennessell added that two of the pa- that's the only sure way to avoid tient's three children were mv posi- contracting the disease.''Take advice tive, and that he was scared to explain from someone who knows better. It to his third daughter why everyone but [abstinence] could save your life," she her was dying. added.

After setting the stage with this tragic While medicine has been found that story, Dr . Brennessell went on to dis- prolongs the "healthy" phase of the

disease, Dr. Brennessell expresses almost no hope for a cute. "We will Probably never have a cure for AIDS, because it changes too fast," she said.

Dr. Brennessell focused on the many places where someone can get tested for the AIDS virus, including health: care centers, doctors' offices, the hospital, or the new upcoming "anonymous" centers. At each place there is pre-testingcounselling.The results take at leas t a week, and then there are po~ t- ' counselling sessions to help people deal with the results.

After the presentation was over, sophomore Florence Wasserman said, "It' was very moving, but very scary and shocking to think abou t what is going on." AsDr.Brennessellpointed out, in one month, six million people are diagnosed with AIDS . Every fifteen to twenty seconds, somebody is dying from it.

As for people who have the disease, she says, "G ive them compassion:They are people. They need a lot of support, and they need a lot of love."

such as mental health centers.

There are six staff members who are distributing condoms in the high school building . Judy Biener, the Coord inator of Student Affairs and a condom dis tributor, said 'There hasn't been as much of aresponse as we had hoped for, Hopefully the message- 'safer sex' - is out" Health Aide Marie Barone, who is also distributing condoms, commented, 'The message is there but the students just aren't coming."

Theother staffmembers distributing condoms are health teacher Keith Hanson, English teacher George tte Wallace, and guidance counselor MarilynBlier. Condoms are available zero band, as well as dur ing vari ous lunch bands on Mondays, Tuesday s, and Wednesd ays, and on Thursdays and Fridays, during all three lunch bands. Thomas Sweetin, Senior Advisor, and Joan Starr, secretary to the College Office, are distrib uting the condoms at Que ens College. Condom availabili ty sched ules are posted up all over the school for easy access ibility .

Smoke-Out stresses Habit's fatal effects

by Massandje Bamba Arsenic, formaldehyde, cyanide, and ammonia. What do these words mean to you? Maybe nothing, but to asmoker these are just some of the chemicals inhaled with each puff of a cigarette.

On Thursday November 19, the Great American _Smoke-out swept through the school trying to extinguish cigarettes for the day.

"I think that it [the Smoke-out] is very important...because the bes t time to get people to stop is when they 're young," stated its coordinator Ellen Schwartz.

During the special Enrichment held seventh band, Sarah Kaufman of the American Lung Association ofQueens showed students the deadly effects of smoking. She especially stressed the rising threat of second-hand smoke. In a short filmnarrated by Jack Klugman,

it was said "a smoker may smoke for only 24 seconds but a non-smoker can inhale up to twelve minutes worth of excess smoke."

The Smoke-out is aimed at young people because 16.6% of all teens smoke and 3,000 start a day . The .smoking industry also tries to appeal to children with such characters as Joe Camel.

Yet, some students mind any challenge to their right to smoke. "I think it's a slap to my integrity because I should be able to smoke when I want to," said sophomore Oscar Castillo.

While the Smoke-out apparently does help more people stop smoking per year, there is still much work to be done. One thousand people a day die of smoking and the #3 killer in the U.S. is lung disease related to smoking.

Suicide statistics spark concern

by Luiza Gir lea To impart information about suicide, the Teens' Real Prob lems, Real Issues Enrichment, supervised by Judy Biener, Coordinator of Student Affairs organized a special prog ram in the library on November 24. Guest speaker MichaelBuscemi, who works on a suicide helpline, cited recent statistics, warning signs and methods of coping with this problem .

"The speaker was very informative and I think a lot of us learned some things we didn't expect to be true," said sophomore Eleni Bardis.

Students were presented with current statistics which illustrate that suicideisamajorconcemforyoungpeople today. According to Mr. Buscemi, the suicide rate for young people has increased by 300% since the 1960's, making it the second most common

cause of death for teenagers. Most suicides take place when the person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Mr. Buscemi also described the many warning signs that people contemplating suicide disp lay. Low self-esteem, depression and feelings of hopelessness may indicate a dangerous situation. Other possible symptoms include a drop in school grades, pronounced change in eating or sleeping habits, lack of interest in prized possessions and an extreme withdrawal from others. Stressing that suicide attempts are not to be taken lightly, Mr. Buscemi pointed out that four out of every five people who kill themselves have made previous attempts .

"As life progresses, it gets harder, but we learn to cope with our prob-'

Ierns,' said Mr. Buscemi .

Par t of the Enrichment focused on coping with potential suicides. People who commit suicide are usually not certain they wan t to die, and, as Mr .Buscemi said, in eight of 10 cases, they tell someone about their plans beforehand. T alking with the person about alienation and pain can ease suicidal feelings, and therefore pre vent this "cry for help" from resulting in a tragedy, he said . ''It [suicide] just shows that people are so insecure abou t themselves that they don't think they have the ability to rise from their problems and conquer them....You won't feel the satisfaction ofmaking your life follow the path you wish it to . You're letting your problems take over your life," said sophomore Dorothy Orlowski after the Enrichment

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The Classic January 1993 ;:

Balancing sports, studies: ath Gymnast vaults to success

by Stacey Gluck andVeronic a Lee Whether it be a 98 in biology or a 9.8 on beam, freshm an Vanessa Krau ser has leamed that working hard is the key to a successful career in gymnas tics and academics.

Vanessa trains at the Flushing YMCA with her coach, Damon Albert, five days a week, four hours each day. ....

She has been competing since she was nine el ::::l years old and has participated in the national, l!! :ll:: regional, and state competitions. In the 1992 Na~ tional Gymnastics Competition, held last month (/) Q) in Toledo, Ohio. Vanessa won fifth place on c ~ bars. At the 1992Northeastern Regionals, she was '0 awarded third place on bars and second place on ~ vault. She also received first place on bars in the ~ ::::l 1992 New York State Competition. "I've worked a c really hard and I'm glad it paid off," she said.

Saturday mornings' are reserved for teaching classes at the YMCA. "Gymnastics is the love of my life. I also lov e working with ch ildren, which is why I teach classes every day ," said Vanes sa.

Accordin g to Vanessa, gymnastics has POISED FOR PERFECTION, VANESSA KRAUSER, fre shma n, performs a handstand on the uneven paralstrengthened her con centration sk ills , enabling . lei bars. her to per form well in schoo l. "I love the thrill of I

I

achieving and the sense of accomplishment," she said.

Gymnastics is not a dangerous sport but accidents do occ ur. She broke her left foot in January, 1992. She also injured her right . foo t in January, 1989 and in the follo wing June, she broke her left wrist T o succeed in both gymnastics and school, Vanessa has leamed to prioritize. "Gymnastics is the love of my life but education comes first," she explained.

Support from her parents has helped Vanessa achieve success. "They have always been very supportive and they encourage me to do my best in school and gymnstics," she said.

Vanessa hopes to receive a gymnastics scholarship for college. Reflecting on future endeavors, Vanessa said, "I would certainly like to coach gymnastics and I want to co ntinue the sport in college.". As for the Olympics, Vanessa does not plan to participate in them for several reasons."I'm too tall, I'm not flex ible enough and I'mjust too old," she said.

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Skater sacrifices time for sport

by Anna Zwierz

year-old sister, Randi. The team does var ious rou- with her, since they support Stacey all 'the way. tines on the ice and is judged on their uniformity and "My parents support all of my skating, and in compe tition they don't care how I,place, as long team work.

However, Stacey's primary love is figure ska t- as I do my bes t," she said. "But they like when I ing , for which she has a separate win."

Although Stacey has no intention ofgoing into the coach, Linda Belger. "Every jump, every spin I can do, I give Olympics for figure skating , she notes tha t she plans c all the credit to Linda for teach- to ge t furth er with her precision team. "Most people ',Ej ing me," she said. in precision know that they have a better chance of E In fact, one of Stacey's great- going further in precision than in singles [skating] eB est skating achievements came - for example, the World Championships ," she in figure skating: passin g her said. She plans to make a career out of "coaching if) thir d test. You only have to pass and teaching kids how to skate."

'0 four to go to the Olympics. >.

With such opportunities lying ahead of her, one The Ice Sk ating Institute of might expect Stacey to feel a lot of pressure. "No~ ::::l a America (ISlA) also has differ- body pressures me to do well in skating, and Linda o ent levels for ranking skaters, just wants me to perform my best. As for the sport, AROUND AND AROUND GOES SOPHOMORE STAC EY with the highest level being 10. itself, I love it," she said.

BORNSTEIN as she performs a sit spin at practice.

I I. "Very few 路r------------------------,.

Stacey Borns tein , sophomore, is a member of the highly accl aim ed Senior Precis ion Ice Ska ting Team, Ice Im ages, that will perform in the Ice Ca-

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pades on opening night, January 21, and in two subsequent shows. The team came in seventh in the US at the Skating Nationals in Portland, Maine last April. This year, the team is back on track and is hoping to repeat its performance. They are going to Easterns this year in De laware and are hoping to cont inue in N ationals in Michigan.

While most of us are asleep, this five-year ska ting veteran spends her time practicing figure and free skating at 5:30 on Saturday mornings at Murray 's Ice Skating Center in Yonkers, as well as four days after school and one day before school each week .

"This is the first time that a precision team from Murray's has gone to Nationals," said Stacey ,who thanks her precision coach, Sylvia Muccio, for the team's success.

Stacey described her Precision team as a rendition of "Rockettes On Ice ." There are a total of 24 girls , ranging from ages 13-17, among them, her 13-

people have passed level 9," said Stacey. She herselfranks on level 8.

While she has a lot of joy from all of her skating achievements, Stac ey admi ts that she finds squee zing in schoo lwork diffi cult.

"It's very hard keeping up with schoolwork , but I do my best and am happy with the results," she said.

Also affected by the long hours of prac tice that ice skating demands is Stacey's soc ial life. "Although I miss going out with my school friends , my best friends are skating with me . Because of skating, I know I miss out on a lot of ' teenage ' things, butI think it 's worth it," she'explained.

Her parents apparently agree

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by Sarah Tremml "I love to do gymnastics bec ause it give s me a sense of accomplishment," said Betsy Colucci, an incoming sopho more who aspires to compete in the World Championships and perhaps enter the 1996 Olympics. She is now in what is known as the "elite" level of gymnastics, which is the highest you can 'achieve, and is able to balance the large amount of homework given to her at ISOPHOMORE BCi Townsend H.arris with her lengthy practice.

Betsy has been dedicating Ii part of her life to gymnastics for 13 years. She pr actices at Nina's Gymnastics in Ozone Park six days a week, Monday - Friday , 5:00 - 9:00 0 ' clock every evening, and 10 :30 AM -2:30 PM on Saturdays . How does she manage? Betsy said, "W hen you have no extra time, you learn to make the most of the time you have." . Apparently, Betsy does just that. She tries to complete her homework during her lunch band, but she doesn't always get to fmish. Then she goes to practice and fmishes her homework afterwards. Not wasting time also helps. '1fI have to study, I study.

I don' t waste time procrastinating,' she says. "I don'n get much sleep, but the gymnastics is worth it, no matter how long it takes."

Betsy basically likes Townsend Harris. '1 like the

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The Cl assic January 1993

9

.etes leap from books to gym Gymnast takes it one day at a time "There are different levels of competiby Johanna Fausto You're probably complaining about how tion for USGF [United States Gymnastics Federamuch homework Townsend Harris teach- tion]," explained Natalie. 'The lower levels have a ers give or how your social life quickly dis- defmite routine to do, while in levels seven to ten, sipated as you began your high school years here.

You are always pressed for time and you never seem to get to fmish your home~ work. Day after day, you ~ come into school sleepy :.::: Ql and stressed. ~tll This is what many Z Townsend Harris students' '0 ~ lives are like. However, 16~ year-old junior Natalie :> 8 Krauser can fmish all her work, go to the gym for four and a half hours, and still manage to get high NATALIE KRAUSER, JUNIOR, does an arabesque on the balance beam. grades on her report card.

Natalie follows the same tight schedule every day of the week except you can make up your own routine. Level ten is for Wednesdays and Saturdays. She is a considered the elite. I' m in level nine right now and gymnast and has studied the sport ever hopefully I can move up to ten." She must accumusince she was two years old. She partici- late a certain number of points for the four events pates in a mini Olympics and other com- she competes in, in order to rise one level. These petitive games. Her team, the Flushing Ban- four events are the floor exercise , balance beam, dits, competes with .other teams locally, uneven parallel bars, and vault.

"My parents are there at every meet to watch me state-Wide, and na tionally. and support me," said Natalie. "My parents are great" Other boosters for Natalie 's self-confidence in-

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elude the many trophies and ribbons lining her shelf and the medals adorning her bedroom wall.

On Decembe r 6, Natal ie found out that she won Second Place in Miss Teen New York, a state-wide leauty pageant held in Westchester, New York."I vas excited and nervous becau se it was my first ime to do something like this. I have never been a nofessicnal model or actress, but I have always

's

Betsy has already had some injuries: a few bro>짜J ken toes; once a mild con~ cussion; and once Sever's '0 disease, which is when the >Cf.l Achilles tendon pulls on ~ :> your heel bone and it swells 8 up. Although these injuries kept her out of gymnastics for a while, they haveSEY COLUCCI perform s on the uneven p818lel bers. n't stopped her permanen tly. peo ple but not the work," she said. "It takes so long Betsy does feel that all this for me to finish, which leaves me not a lot of time hard work has taken its toll.

Ito work out at the gym."

"Gymnastics adds a lot more Her long hours of practice have earned her many stress, but I' ve been doing it honors, Last year, in the National Competition for for so long, thai I love it, she IGymnastics, she placed 11th all-around, and sec- said." ond in die floor and vaul t exercises. This year, she Gymnastics leaves Betsy secured third place on the floor exercise and the little time for anything else. On vault She said both the floor and the vault are her some occasions, usually on the lbest routines, while she admits the bars give her . weekends, she can be found Itrouble. going shopping, drawing carWith these achievements under her belt, Betsy toons, or just hanging out with hopes to move onto better things. "111 probably her friends. She said, "I have to compete in the WorId Championships, which is the have some time to be a normal same level as the Olympics. Itjustoccurs every year teenager, and that's when I ~ instead of every four years," she said. She plans to can." :>

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10

The Classic

January 1993

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Animal, vegetable costumes flavor Spirit Day

by Susan St ewart A huge black and white hat bounced up and down in the hallways above the heads of Towns end Harris students on Friday, October 3D, when the school celebrated its annual Halloween Spirit Day .The hat, hand-made by Elisa beth Kirsch, junior, was part of the "Mad Hatter" costume she wore, participating in the theme of Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland along with nine of her friends, who represented other characters from the novel.

The Student Governm ent conducted a survey to find outwhat grades showed the most school spirit that day. Student Senate representatives tallied the number of students who wore costumes or orange and black in their homerooms, and submitted the resul ts to Judy Biener, Coordinator of Student Affairs . Juniors gained 500 points , freshmen received 400 points, and sophomores added 300 points to their score in the school -wide Olympics. TheSe Olympics, which culminated on Founders' Day, November 13, encouraged student participation in school activities (see artiicle ,page 5) .

"I think the outco me was great. I liked seeing everyone dressed up as something different from what they are every other day," said Ruth Garcia,

junior.

"Participation in this activity definitel y sho ws school spirit," said sophomore Danis a Colic.

Adrian Muzich, junior, stated that she "gets mad when people don't dress up."

A lot of the school faculty showed their spirit by wearin g costumes as well . Harriette Blechman, Attendance Coor dinator, in a long blue dress and pointed Medieval hat, was the "magical attendance princess" who was "turning all the absentees into frogs," she said.

Biology teacher Odile Garcia was a com cob for Spirit Day , while lIsa Cowen, journalism teacher, dres sed up as a hi gh school student, wearing a stone-washed jacket, jeans, and a pair of "Converse All-Stars."

Ron Carroll, junior, came to schoo l as chem- , istry teacher Adel Kadamani. "He's my hero," said Ron. Mr. Kadamani said he found this a compliment, IN SHAMAN SPIRIT, HISTORY TEACHEI Meanwhile, a freshman boy said, "It's hysteri- I~TEPHEN ECKERD joins Harris Hallowee adition. cal to see the teachers look like goofs. I'd wear anything just to see my teachers look like idiots ."

Some Harrisites who did not come in costume Oliver Block. "I wish I had, though, becausenow felt some remorse. "I didn't think that anyone I feel dumb." would dress up, so I didn't either," said junior Another junior, Eric Handler, came to school

Bowlers hope to strike it up next season seniors this year who are more experienced," commented Mr.

by L atasha Greene "Next year should be better," said the coach of the Boys' Varisty Ceraulo on the team 's record.

Senior Jonathon Strongin, who bowls a 166, "is the best player Bowling team, Larry Ceraulo. The team record is 4-6 . "Our toughest opponent is Van Buren," saidMr. Ceraulo, when asked on the team and has the best average," said roach Ceraulo, "and sophomore Ron Zaidman and junior Mike Bergman are the stars about the strength of other teams.

Van Buren defeated Harris in two games and went on to the on the team. " They bowl a 155 and 159, respectively.

Newcomer to the team, junior Frank Wong, said, "If we'd won Semi-finals, The team, which consistsof mostly juniors and sophomores, is a couple more games, we could have made it to the play-offs a young one. "We lost five seniors last year and had only two because there were a lot of close games."

on Spiri t Day in his every-day clothes. "When I saw that everyone was in costume, I just told them I was a serial killer . Serial killers wear common street clothes, you know, so it worked," he explained.

Sophomore Rebecca Parker wore a cow costume, with pink plastic udders in the front. "I got milked about 50 times and heard 'moo' about a hundred."A cow can only take so much," she stated.

Jon Janni cola, a junior, masqueraded as a gangster in a black hat. "I've always had a hidden desire to lead a dange rous life . Halloween is the only day I can fulfill it," said Jon, Junior Angela Mui dressed up as Sherlock Holmes because she had always wanted to try her father's pipe. She said, " Finally he let me use it on Spir it Day." Students had 11 rapid dismissal from school that day because the school wanted to avoid "trouble from othe r schools," said Malcolm Rossman, Assistant Principal of Organization.

On the Wednesday and Thursday before, vari ous students were hit with eggs prior to and after school. (See article, page I.) Despi te the spirit shown in school, according to David Eber, junior , "It disappears once you get outside."

Recycling program continued/rom page 1

will soon be assisting the high schools with recycling.

'The Environmental Action Commitee is working alongside with the Division of School Facilities to develop a recycling program for the schools.The Board of Education will soon be distributing the plastic bags to the schools. In the meantime, many individual school environmental groups are holding fund raisers to purchase the bags . The schools can also use the pails if they still have them from last year," said Ms. Sweatt.

Two different kinds of bags must be supplied. Clear plastic bags must be used for paper recycling, and blue plastic bags are to be used for metal, glass, and plastic recycling. The bags mus t hold from 13 to 15 gallons, be made of linear, low densitypolyetylene, and contain no heavy metals, toxic dyes or pigments. The bags

by Shalene Moodie must be closed with linear,low density po lyetylene ties, if any ties The Girls' Bowling team concluded a successful season with a because the people on the team make you laugh when you're in a are used. record of 6-2 under the leadership of coach Ellen Schwartz. As in bad mood. It [bowling] is a way to relax after a hard day," Jennifer A debate over who will bring these plastic bags to the curb also previous years, the team has made it to the play-offs. said. exists. Ifthe custodians are to be involved in recycling, thismatter Freshman Christine Grant had the highest average in matches High scorers include sophomore JenniferConlisk, junior Racine will have to be brought up with the Custodial Union. bow led outside the league.

Sinkler, and senior Temika Wamer.

"The topic of recycling has not even been brought up yet in The A and B team players were usually interchangeable, and Jennifer made one of the most outstanding plays of the season, contract negotiation. However, once the new recycling program is scoring 246 in a regular match with only one frame open in the most games were close. The team haslost by as few as six points. developed, the custodial union must see if any additional work is entire game . "It was just an incredible score," coach Schwartz said. All losses were to Forest Hills High School, their toughest oppogoing to be added to the custodian's requirements. If the custodiJennifer followed this triumph by bowling over 200 in a play-off nent. ans must take on the extra task ofrecycling, then their unions want Coach Schwartz said, "I was pleased with the team 's results. It's game . their salaries to be compensated.

"It was probably luck. I never bowled that well. It was fun a wonderful sport and it never gets r ained out."

According to Townsend Harris custodian Robert Hattenrath, custodians have received no notification from anyone tegarding recycling.

To the Editor : "I just have to wait to hear from my union on the matter, and then One afternoon, struggling to be comfortable in a packed 25/34 Harris....[She] inquired as to why they were so agains t the school comply with whatever they tell me," said Mr. Hattem'ath . bus on my way home from school, I happened to overhear a being built [on the college campus]. She asked if Harrisites were In order to give the schools a clearer picture of what is actually conversation between two female Queens College students. The destructive in any way or disrupted their routine and the college required of them , the Board of Education, with the help of EAC, topic was the fact that the new Townsend Harris building was students ' response was "no," but that the college students were has developed a manual entitled Road to Recycling. under construction on "their" property and the two girls couldn't going to protes t against the building. They stated quite simply that "''Distributing the manual to the schools is the first step in possibly fathom why 13- and 14-year-olds, in the near future, they didn' t want younger kids on college grounds . starting schools offon recycling. We are also runing workshops in I would like to see an article in The Classic addressing the would be on a college campus. The two girls went on and on about Manbattan," said Ms.Sweatt. high school kids "ro aming" about the college. Fortunately, there problems and opposition, if there are any at the present moment, These workshops are designed to inform representatives from were two fellow [Townsend Harris] students right next to me and that face the construction of the new building. 1 can 't understand high schools of what is required in recycling. Custodians are also they started singing the Alma Mater; need less to say, I joined in why it is that Townsend Harris, since its re-establishment, is invited to attend . legally connected to Queens College, [and] has problems with the song.

The workshops take place in two schools in each district, and, in The girls looked up but continued their conversation. Another college concerning the location of the new building. Please shed addition, there is another one for representatives of all the schools person who was nearby stated that she attended Queens College some light on the situation. Thank you. of that borough. These workshops will be coming to Queens in and apparently knew students who attended Townsend either February or March.

Name Withheld Upon Request , ,

Girls'Bowl ing continues play-off tradition

Letters (continued)

The Classic January 1993

11

Dutch teen crosses ocean for challenge .

.

by Nada Elkhashab As you walk: through the crowded corridors of school, you may have noticed a tall boy with a pink bookbag in the crowd. This new juni or is Nico Luiten, a foreign exchange student from Nieuwegein, Holland. Nico came to New York last summer through the Student Travel Schools (STS) exchange program and is staying un til June of 1993.

He is currently living with jun ior Jamie Price and sophomore Laurel Price, whose famil y got involved in the program when they saw an advertisement for it in the newspaper. They met with representatives from STS and chose Nico from a number of other foreign students.

The hos t family discussed the program with guidance counselor Sheila Orner. Before making ar-

the Price family thatNico could attend the school in the fall semester of1992.

The school's staff believes that it is a good experienceforTownsend Harris' students to take classes and become friends with a student who was going

said He has taken advantage of the . society. He says he likes the fact that courses and activities that the school "the people are all different [in New offers, and is doing well in all his York]." classes. ''They are not too hard or too He has visited Manhattan several easy," he explained. His courses in- times and loves the city. This is where elude German, Computer Program- . he can really see the difference beming, and Advanced Algebra. He ' tween New York and his native land. has noticed that the steps taken to Nico has visited all of Manhattan's acsolve a mathematical problem are claimed sights such as the Empire State different in Holland. He also finds . Building and the T win Towers. "Showhis gym class different from the ing Nico around New York and exoneshehastakenbackhome."Here plaining American ways to him has .... it is not entertaining," Nico said. made me more aware of my feelings of The conceptofan Enrichment class •pride in my country, especially during . was also something new for Nico , this presidential election year. Nico who is enrolled in Bowling. "We ' has also taught me a great deal. I've ~ have no Enrichment in Holland," never realized how interested Europe~ he said. ans are in American fashions, cus~ According to Nico, our school is toms, sports, music, etc . He always ~ . more strict than his high school in gets orders from his friends in the "5.. Holland. "Some days, if students Netherlands for Levis, Nike sneakers don't want to go to school, then and t-shirts, and American team shirts," they don't have to," he explained. said Jamie.

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rangements for Nico 's attendance, ACROSS THE SEAS TO A NEW LAND: Nico A new school is not the only thing . Nico was on the soccer team earlier Ms.Orner made sure that the STS Luiten attends classes here as an exchange that Nico has had to get used to. this year. He was not bothered by the "Everything is big here," Nico fact that the team has not won a game program was reputable. Her main student from Holland. concernwas that there wouldbe enough to return to his native land. "He is an stated, referring to New York. He has in two years. "I don't care. I still had room in the school for another student assetto our school and aspecial young to adapt to the hustle and bustle of city fun!" he said. Nice's soccer coach, life . ''There are farmers and grass in James Murray, was pleased with Nico ,s with 'all the new arrivals. She also had man," Ms. Orner commented.

Nico came all the way from Holland Holland," he said. Although he misses performance and thinks that Nico was to get the school board's permission to accept a junior into the school. After in order to get a better education. the country-like atmosphere of Hol- a wonderful person to have on the all these technicalities, Ms .Orner told "America is a challenge for me," he land, he is fond of our multicultural ' team.

Attending school at Townsend Harris has been an enjoyable experience for Nico so far. ''The people and teachers are very nice," he said with a smile.

Among Nico ' s new friends are juniors KristenZitterell and Elizabeth Johnso n.

When asked about their new foreign buddy, both girls said that he was po lite and accepted by everyone. " He' s really coo}!" Elizabeth said.

Although Nico has made new friends, he occasionally misses his friends back horne, His father is a film develo per and his mother is a doc tor's assistant.

He has a seventeen-year-old sister named Mariska, who visited him in New York last month.

When Nico is not busy at school, he enjoys swimming, playing tennis, and watching television. He frequently makes use of the swimming pool at Hofstra University, Once in a while, he even goes for a work-out at the Jack LaLane Health Spa. He says that American television does not differ much from Dutch television. According to Nico,the only difference is "there are more channels here."

Nico came to America in pursuit of a challenge and that's what he feels Townsend Harris and New York have proven to be so far.

Alumnus Focus: West reflects on lifetime of Entertainment

by Jesse Robinson Bernie West, writer and producer of such hit . shows as All in the Family and Three's Company, was a graduate ofthe old TownsendHarris, Class of '34. Last June, he visited the new Townsend Harris to give a talk for graduation.

"I was impressed by the maturity of the students. Also, I was very touched by the affection that existed between the students and Dr. Largmann and all the instructors. And having prepared a comic talk which they laughed at, I was thrilled by their intelligence and good taste!" said Mr. West in a recent interview with The Classic. Although he didn't playa part in establishing the new Townsend Harris, he was ecs tatic about the school re-opening. He said it gave . people who desired a good education a placeto go.

When asked what he found particularly special about his high school experience, Mr. Wes t replied, "I admired the old school because we were treated more like adults than children."

"Townsend Harris taught me immediately that I couldn't coast. Iflhad to be a genius to get into the school, I soon found out what kind of genius I was - a stupid one," he said.

Mr. West studied acting at City College's dramatic soc iety, Theatron. That is where he met Ross Martin and Mickey Ross, the alliance that launched his career and sustained it long after.

He began his career as a stand-up comic, touring most of New York, including the Borsht Circuit. He was successful, but he wasn't a star, andstardomwastheonlygoalforthisambitious man. He found his calling in 1940, when he and his partner, Mr. Ross .joined a Vaudeville troupe.

Comedy was definitely one of his favorite aspects of show -biz, "When the audience laughs , I feel so very, very good and warm" he said.

They then went professional and travelled to all sor ts ofexciting places . ''Our tour took us to little & '

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Probably one of the most exciting events in his pull the rope which opened the curtain on cue. life was when he broke into the TV business. He The time came and he was told to pull. He then Mr. Ross, unable to fmd regular employand turned and said, 'Which way?'" ment, were still performing in whatever came As the saying goes, "all good things must come along.

They started writing scripts on speculato an end," and so did Vaudeville. Mr. West tion, (meaning that they weren't ordered by anyrealized this one night at a show in New York. one), and mailed them to various TV producers, "The thing I remember most vividly was coming hoping that one onstage to M.C. the would interest show and saying, them.

One eventu'G ood evening lad ies ally did, and it and gentlemen. It's struck gold. showtime. ' And a They had mailed voice from the bala script to Norman cony yelled out, 'This Lear, famousforAll guy is dead!' I think In The Family. By that's when I decided now the show was to move on to other in its second season th in gs. Vaudeville and was very hot. was dying and I didn ' t Norman loved it and wan t to die with it," offeredthemjobsas he said. staff writers.

Another thing that They were very heenjoyedverymuch close to Mr. Lear; was acting. It seems Mr . West feels he thatallhislife,hewas was a very underconnectedwith acting ;FROM HARRIS HALLS TO HALL OF FAME, standing man. in some way . He was Alumnus Bernie West recounts his various ~c­ Once, when Mr. featuredinBroadway complishments.

West and Mr. Ross plays such as Bells wrote a bomb, NorAre Ringing, All American, Poor Bisos, The Beauty Part, Chil- man rushed to their office to tell them that their dren Form Their Games, and The Front Page . jobs were still intact. He wanted to spend less "Bells are Ringing w!iS my one hit. All the other time w ith the writing staff and encourage them to shows that I was in ran three days, a week, a few work alone. They did and after shows like Good months. And then I was starring in Unemploy- Times were created, they became sole writers for mentagain," saidMr. West. He also starred in the All in the Family , and eventually became promovie version of Bells are Ringing; the movie is ducers . "It was a very exc iting and inspirational ~ ,.. '

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experience as new ground was broken in the sitcom field and boundaries were extended," he said.

This sensational team created the award-winning series, The Ieffersons, a spin-offofAll in the Family, and also Three's Company. When asked what it feels like to see re-runs of these shows, he answered , "It feels great! And very often, after all these years, there's the thrill of recognition as you say to yourself, 'Oh yeah, I remember that one. Gee It's still fumy! '" All of this aside, he still favors writing over producing . "I mus t say that I have a very warm spot in my heart for writing, which has given me the big bucks. Aside from the money, it's a great feeling to write something thatyou think is funny, and see a fme actor deliver it beautifully and get even more of a reaction from the audience then you had expected," he said .

Mr. Wes t is adamant about the need to improve publ ic education. He feels that more money should be spent on the system and on teacher's salaries.

He also has a belief, which he calls "o ld fashioned": higher grade expectations. All in all, he said that if all public schools were like T ownsend Harris, the school system would be much better.

There has been a lot of controversy over the pas t few years about the content and quality of television programming. Mr . West feels strongly on this matter. ''Today's television is expanding its horizons and pushing the boundaries back," he said. As with anything new, there is probably much overdoing and abuse of the expanded free dom. I think things will settle down, though. As my partner wou ld say, 'Yes there is bad television. But there are also bad books, bad plays, and bad movies.' If examined closely, and you look at the fact that the screen has to be filled constantly, day after day, week after week, the percentage of bad televis ion is not as bad as most people seem to think."

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The Classic January 1993

Diverse cultures celebrate different new years

by Jennifer Chin, Wendy Kemp, and Olga Mazyuk The approach of an old year's end and a new year's birth mark the bustle of holiday exc itement for families from culturally diverse backgrounds. A holiday survey conducted by The Classic in December has revealed a mosaic of ethnic backgrounds and a colorful variety ofNew Year's traditions amongst the student body.

Students celebrated the advent of 1993 in vari ous ways. Sophomore Wendy Cartegena spent the last few minutes of 1992 "watching the ball drop [and] eat ing 12 grapes in the.last ten seconds before the New Year." Sophomore KhaalidGeter "wen t to church because my mother felt that it wou ld be nice to start the New Year off religiously." Florence Wasserman, sophomore, went to a party. "We went outside and we made noise with pots and pans," she said.

Not all cultures celebrate the new year on January 1. Chinese families began celebrating their new year the year of the rooster, 4691 on the Chinese calen:i'" /' dar-last week. ....... ~ ~-_/ - r7 ,??, "/::: Usually the famt .·/b / <r :r ily gets together / for a traditional dinner. The next day is filled with festivities. Many go to Chinatown to watch the Dragon dances which are performed to the beat ofdrumsandcymbals . Firecrackers are traditionally lit by children to scare away evil spirits. The streets ofChinatown are blanketed by a thick red carpet of firecraker papers. Red envelopes filled with money are exchanged for good luck and children must bow before their elders in order to receive them. "Often you have to say flattering things," said Karen I. Chang, "It's the best holiday after Christmas in the world."

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Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, is usu- New Year, Diwali; in October during the last four ally celebrated in September. The term means days of the Indian calendar year. This Hindu "head of the year" in Hebrew and marks the be- celebration includes special ceremonies from ginning of a ten-day period of penitence culmi- DiwalieveuntilNewYear'smorning. The name nating in a day offasting, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Rosh Hashana is aholiday celebrating God's covenant with Israel, remembering the creation of the world, and of man's deeds in the previous ye ar. People pr ay for forgiveness of their sins in hopes of being written down for a good year in the Book ofLife.The blowing ofthe shofar. aram's hom, calls worshippers to repent and is an important par tof the synagogue service.

App les and honey and a round challah bread instead of the regular braided one are par t of the special meal. "I like eating the apples and honey because they symbolize a sweet new year," said Monica Bilboul, junior.

For Mus lims , the New Year is a time to break a month-long fast. They fast from dawn to sunset every day during Ramadan, the ninth month on the Muslim calendar, The fast is one of the five pillars of Islam along with recitation of the Creed, prayer, pilgrimage, and almsgiving.

Eid (also Idal-Fitr] is the originated from the Sanskirt word diplavi, meanFeast of theing "garland of light." The Festival of IllirninaBreaking of tion welcomes the souls of the dead who are extheFast.Itmay pected to honor the festival with their-presence. lastforseveral It is also a day of thanksgiving for the harvest, a days. Gifts are day devoted to the memory of the dead, and first . . exchanged, day ofwinter). "The frrstdayoftheholiday is the much fOO<11S consumed, and relatives are visited. biggest, and everyone gathers in the temple toThe holiday arrives at a different time every year. gether,"saidJagdish."WhenIaminIndiadul.'ing "It is determined differently each year by the this time, I celebrate with fireworks and water moon." reported sophomore Ivory Gleaton. "Ba- balloons. The last time I was there was in ' 89 and sically, [it is celebrated] the same way as January I stayed for a week and visited relatives in Bomfirst, This year, Ramadan will start near the end bay ." of February and be over in late March.

Kwanzaa is a holiday which pays tribute to the Junior Jagdish Bijalani celebrates the Indian cultural roots of African Americans; It is cele-

brated from Dec. 261Dltil New Year's Day, and was founded in 1966 by Dr. M aulana Karenga, a professor of Black Studies. According to junior Donna Ash , the holiday is " a way of re-uni ting the family unit to end and start the year."

Kwanzaa,which means "number, ".is based on the seven fundamental principles referred to as Nguzo Saba.: Unity, Self-Determination, Co llec tive Work and Responsibility, Coop erative Economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith. A candle is lit on each day of the holiday with a recitation of one of the principles. " My family and friends get together for Kwanzaa and each of my relatives and their families have to speak on a principleofKwanzaa," said Siriboa Monro, junior.

The communal Unity Cup, called Kikombe

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Cha_Umoja; symbolizes Unity, which is the mos t important principle of Kwanzaa.

"My family passes around a unity cup filled with fruit juice, which is passed from the eldest member to the youngest, and a sip or sipping motion is made," explained Siriboa. On the last day of the ho liday, parents give children gifts called 7..awatJi. which has to be something handmade or educational. "I usually get books by or about Africans or African-Americans," said Siriboa. The Educate toElevate Club(EIIE) created a booklet about Kwanzaa and distributed it to the student body last month. s"""'..: McCIa1Icr. Cedric, ICWdIfUJd,EYUJIJWc, YOM

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Girl Scouts concerned with more than cookie sales

by Siriboa A. Monroe themselves tellingjokes because they don't know Girl Scout Cookies are the last things on the what being a Girl Scout is all about. The usual minds of Senior Girl Scouts Tracey Legat and jokes are about brown uniforms with little beanNicole Reid. These eleventh graders are but two ies. of the thousands of Girl Scouts in New York and Girl Scouting offers numerous opportunirepresentative of the few here atTownsend Harris. ties. Some include chances to travel to places While members are known for selling cookies, such as India, Mexico, Australia, and even Zimthe organization offers much more to girls rang- babwe. This year, the Girl Scout Council of ing in age from five to adult.

Greater New York is sponsoring an exclusive Tracey said that there is only one disadvantage program entitled "Borough to Bush." This into being a Girl Scout: Other people ask abou t volves monthly workshops, which include zoolcookies! The people usually say, 'So you're a ogy, photography and museum discovery. The Girl Scout- Where areyourcookies?' or 'When program will conclude with a two week photoare you coming to ring my bell?'''Nicole agreed, Safari to East Africa in June of 1993.

New York Girl Scouts are offered the chance to adding that "most Girl Scouts are stereotyped as being the 'girls who sell cookies door to door.' sleep over in places such as the Empire State This misconception upsets many Girl Scouts and Building, the New York Hall of Science, and the "has forced them to hide their true identity," she Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Tracey has said. slept in both the Hall of Science and the Franklin "I do not hide my involvement-in Girl Scouts - Institute. Nico le has been on a scout-sponsored - because! am no t embarrassed or ashamed.lfeeltourofBlackcoHeges andattendedseveral Broadthere are many benefits -to being a Girl Scout," . way plays. said Nicole. Tracey feels that when people find Through Girl Scouting, they both have many out that she is ta Girl Scout, they make fools of chances to help in their own communities.

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Tracey's troop started with a simple gift ex- Doors, World of People: World of Today and change within the troop. This activity hasgrown Tom0!I0w, and the Worl<¥>fWell-Being.Tracey into an annual donation of holiday audio and has received each of the five bars, including her video tapes to a local home for mentally retarded Leader-in-Training (UT) pin. Along with these adults. badges, she has earned her Silver Award, which Earning patches and badges is another impor- is the second highest award in Girl Scouting, surtant scout activity. These are usually acquired by passed only by the highly distinguished-Gold completing eight given activities dealing with a Award.

Since March 12, 1912, when Girl Scouts was certain subject. The subjects range from child care and women's history to space exploration founded by Juliette Gordon-Low in Savanna, and auto maintenance. For example, to receive Georgia, their motto, "Beprepared,"has been the the Women's History badge, one of the eight same, in compliance with the Boy Scouts. There needed activities could ent~l compiling ahistory is also a slogan for the World Association ofGirl of the last 30 years from a woman's perspective Scouts and Girl Guides (W AGGGS): "Do a good and interviewing at least six women of different tum daily." ages . The Auto Maintenance badge requires that Tracey received the prestigous 10-Year pin at a girl check the engine oil, automatic transmis- the end of the Gir l Scout year in June 1992, and sion fluid, brake fluid, and powersteering fluid in Nicole hasbeen a dedicated member for six years.

Both Nicole and Tracey are in the Girl Scouts several vehicles, ~~ell as sevenother activities.

Along.with these-are service training bars that - because they enjoy it. They agree that meeting cover,fiVe areas of volunteer work. A minimum new people, experiencing new things, and havof 25llours of service is required to eam one bar. -, .ing fun 11.11contribute to-their continuing dedicaThe volunteer hours are rendered in the Girl tion to the Girl Scouts. "All that," Tracey said, Scout World of the Arts, World of the Out-of- "and you get to sell cookies!"

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14

The ClassIc January 1993

Am I not the seme singer?

Sinead switches style on-latest album

by Kristina Olson Okay, music fans. Which of these singers is not like the others: Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, or Sinead O'Connor?

Undoubtedly, pop-music vixen Sinead would not be grouped with jazz greats Vaughan, Fitzgerald, or Holiday . However, in her latest album Am I Not Your Girl, the "baby, baby" guitar whines ofrock-'n-roll are substituted with wailing trumpets and quite a few bars of "boo-boobe-doo," In the album, Sinead's moody voice brings a twist of familiarity to the music which once

topped your grandparents' charts. ''Why Don't You DO Right?" and "How Insensitive" are toetapping, energetic tunes which seem anything but awkward with her accompaniment. Also included are "night-club ballads," such as "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" and ''Black Coffee," which reveal a passionate, sensuous side of Sinead's singing.

When artists produce albums which are revo lutionary departures from their previous creations, they risk alienating devoted fans who look forward to more of the same style. In Am I Not Your Girl, Sinead, for the most part, avoids this

pitfall except for two tracks. These were both renditions of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," orginally from the musical Evita!, one sung by Sinead and the other, an instrumental version.

The vocal version strays too far away from classical Sinead to be readily tolerated by her admirers, and the orchestral rendition, . without Sinead's voice, sounds like fast-paced elevator music.

Despite these two disappointments, Am I Not Your Girl should satisfy her fans. With all its innovations, the album is still the Sinead with whom they fell in love. Her unique, unreserved

singing most remembered from her previous albums, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got and T1IÂŁLionand thÂŁ Cobra, was evident in the angry "Success Has Made a Failure of Our Home ."

Sinead's famous ability to "cry" into the microphone, heard previously in the tear-jerking hitsingle Nothing Compares to You, is shown in the song "Scarlet Ribbons."

AmI Not Your Girl has proven Sinead's ability to satisfy the standards of two very different styles. The album is the perfec t break from the extremely predictable world of contemporary music.

Drecute bites: movie misses mark

by Er ik Bloch Since late August, when you could begin seeing the trailers popping up in the subways, movie theaters, and on buses, I had been anxiously awaiting the release ofBram Stoker's Dracula , the tremendously hyped epic film by famed director Francis Ford Coppola. So when the open- . ing day came, I, along with millions of other Coppola fans, braved the long lines anticipating to see one of the best films of the year. We were sadly disappointed. Dracula, although visually breath-taking, is neither scary nor even mildly engrossing.

The first scene of Dracula seems to promise a successful movie. The opening scene before the credits, which tells the origin of the Count's ordeal as a centuries-old darklord, is a cinematic triumph. Readers are presented with a silhouet-

ted fifteenth-century crusade battle, after which Dracula, a soldier at the time. . returns home victorious, only to find that his love had taken her own life while he was gone. The anger and confusion that overwhelms him causes him to denounceGodforhis lover's death, thus beginning his saga. I could only hope that this beautiful combination of violence and sheer fantasy was a sign ofthings to come, but unfortunately it wasn't.

Soon after this scene, the movie quickly runs out of steam.

After the opening cred its roll, we leap four centuries into nineteenth century England, where real estate lawyer Jonathon Harker, played surprisingly well by Keanu Reeves, fmds himself prisonerintheancientCount'scastlewhiletrying to close a real estate deal. This is where the plot begins and also where the movie starts its down-

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hill journey.

The story trudges on, never picking upits pace , as a younger-looking Dracula, unconvincingly played by the poorly casted Gary Oldman, proceeds to woo Mina (WinonaRyder), the apparent reincarnation of the Count's fiance and current fiance of Haker, while her sweetheart takes his forced leave of absence. We are nearly halfway through the mov ie before we get to meet Van Helsing, the movie's only clear hero (played exi traordinarily well by Anthony Hopkins), and we must wait even longer before he becomes actively involved in the plot.

With the all-star cast and powerhouse director ! Coppo la, many were also expecting a fme array I of acting. But with the movie's slow pace and overly profound dialogue, the acting is lost in a sea ofboring mish-mash. The only breakwe have from this entrapment is Hopkins' performance.

I He is the most energetic and least serious of the

characters, and steals just about every scene he is in.

As bad as the main substance of the movie is, it still delivers one of the most beautiful visual and teclmical masterpieces I have ever seen in a movie. It combines classical effects and backround paintings with advanced camera teclmiques and never misses a chance to show them off.

Many people will fmd themselves in awe as the camera takes them on a ride through the bloodred skies of Transylvania, wisking them over landscapes which seem too fantsatic to exist In all. there is simply too much lacking in the plot and in the movie's drive to make this film a success. People will walk out of the theater feeling as if they 'vemissed something, if not cheated and even confused. The gorgeous effects and Hopkins' bubbly performance are not nearly enough to carry this uneven, uninvolving movie.

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'Broken' tough as nails

by Alison Gabriele Fans of the industrial band Nine Inch Nails were beginning to lose hope.

The great success of Pretty Hate Machine back in 1989 left fans inpatiently awaiting the arrival of their second album. Anticipation grew until the extended play EP Broken was released in September.

Once again the lyrics on Broken are about depression, downfall and lost love sung by the everpowerful voice of Trent Remor: Broken's sound is consistent Its songs entitled .

"Wish," "Last," "Help Me, I'm in Hell." "Happi' ness in Slavery," and "Gave Up" have the same

hard hitting industrial sound that was so successful on their first album.

The album is organized in such a manner that the songs build up slowly to a climax as heard in "Help Me, I'm in Hell." At the end of the album, the intensity decreases with the fmal song, "Gave Up." A great disappointment for fans of Broken is that it only consists of five songs. With the additionofabout four more songs, Broken would have been a hit album.

Even though ''Broken'"s length was a let-down, Nine Inch Nails' new album was defmitely worth the wait.

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16

The Classic January 1993

Intramurals Basketball Girls' Basketball Team off to shooting start blows away competition

by LaTas ha Greene As Townsend Harris started a new year, so did . Intramurals program. On Wednesday , De-: Its cember 16 77 students entered the gym after school for ~e annualIntramuralsBasketball Draft.

These students were put onto different teams and played scrimmage games versus eac~ ~~er as the 11 team captains assessed their abilities, . . so phomore who was Jason Capone, an mcommg icked b Wand a Nix , the head of the Intramup program, y . Salid, "I rals as one of the team captams, feel that In tramurals is very important to all

Townsend Harris students; it's a time where ,;n~~ ~.~ Bft..l 'Bll .. ..lQft'~ AQ' seniors, juniors, ~. n,l.Q~ ~~.:. ~, ~:~~~ .. ~ ~Bft ~~. O~. toge ther and playas a team . , said Ms . NIX. f Intramurals is an in-school . program 0 de "It activities bet ween Townsend Hams s~. nts. allows a large number of boys to~7cIPa: :~ it'~ a progr:un that everyone 100 orwar , said Ms. NIX. .

"If any student would like to attend the basketG ball games, they are more than welcome. ~es usuall y take placeat7:00 before school or 5. oo " 6:00 after school, she added.

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Girls' Volleyball Team strides into play-ofts

by Shalene Moodie The Girls' Varisty Volleyball team made it to their division championship last season, with a record of 10 wins and zero losses in division games.

Despite a "small team," coach Wanda Nix said success was due in part to "some non-skilled players who stepped up and improved their level."

Additional help came from team leaders captain Vikki Buza, senior; Terez Czapp and Jennifer Wong, also seniors; Lina Kim and Mary Martin, juniors; and Jennifer Tam, sophomore.

Coach Nix foun d some aspects of this season different from the pas t."We didn ' tknow our first line-u p. We usually go in set," she said. Also,

"we played some really exciting games. Usually we win pretty easily. This year we had some really clos e games."

Of the first and last games against Francis Lewis High School and Cardozo High School, respetively, Coach Nix said, "It was really 'nip and tuck' all the way to the end." She recalls, however, the toughest game being againstBryant High School, who made it to the semi-finals, Though the team played well, she conceded Bryant was simply a "better team."

Junior Sandi Katalivic said,"I think we did really well. Even though we didn't win the championships, we got to the play- offs and are division champs ."

Girls' Cross Country Track enjoys best season ever

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by LaTas h a Greene

by Seth Cohen The Varsity, Sophomore and Freshman Girls' Cross-Country Track teams finished at the top of their divisions this season, and went on to place well in the Queens and New York City Championships. 'The hard work and dedication of the girls paid off," said Coach Joseph Hom. "Weare extremely pleased with the results." , ' The Vars ity team placed 14th in the New York City Championships - a competition agains t over 70 schools. "All I remember is the excitement," said Varsity star Andrea Levine "We knew we ran well, but we were dying to receive the results.They make it all official." Two weeks earlier, the vars ity team placed third in the Queens Championships. "Nobody thought we could do it," said Andrea. Harris girls had overheard players from other local high schools saying that Townsend Harris couldn'tbeat them - it wasn't possible. "I wasextremelyproudofthegirls'performance," said Coach Hom . "We were presented with a tremendous trophy."

'The Townsend Harris. girls obviously worked hard this season," said Charles Vessely, coach of Flushing High School's Outdoor Track team.

"Their efforts were recognized throughout the city . They did a great job."

"We all rooted for each other," said senior V ar. sity starClaudiaBusto. "T eamwork is what made this all happen."

The sophomore team placed fifth in Queens and 14th in the city championships.

The freshman team finished the bes t ever , placing second in the Queens Championships and fifth in the city. The freshman team earned a â&#x20AC;˘ I plaque for their performance.

"Each team was extremely successful," said coachHom. "We did as well as, ifnot better than, expected."

Individual trophies for outstanding performances wen t tofreshmen Emily Haisley, Tracy Sanford, Patricia Salinas, and Zoe Gordon. On the sophomore team, Wendy Cartagena won a trophy for her performances. Individual trophies were also presented to varsity members Claudia Bu sto, Ingrid Lemmey, Carrie Hess, Iris William s, and Wendy Cartagena.

"I think we had an amazing season," said senior Claudia Busto. ''Track is wha t I'll remember the best about Townsend Harris. I was sad because it was my last year, but was hap py it ended in such a great way."

Two highlights of the season were Iris Williams'5,OOOM run in 22:55, (the second fastest in Townsend Harris history) and Andrea Levine's second place finish in Queens and fifth overall in New York City. "Our outlook is extremely optimistic for nex t year," said Coach Hom. "We have young runners who have shown they are runners to be reckoned with. We have incredible promise. I fully expect to fight for first place in the Sophomore Championships next year."

The Girls' Junior Varsity Basketball team beat Wag ner High Schoo l on December 16,31 -26.

"The 1-3-1 offense and the 1-3-1 defense that we're using is relatively new but it works," said coach Keith Hanson."We're starting to look like a team." The team also won their game agains t Bryant High School, 35 -8. "We usually win by a greater margin because the team isn'tvery strong," said coach Hanson .

In the game versus Beach Channel, the team won 50-11. Sophomores M ariell a Martinez and Ibeyemi Blijder scored 12 points each. "We hav e a lot of talent on the team ," said Blijder, who also had seven steals. The team scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, whil e Beach Channel's Score was zero.

Coach Hanson said, "We worked on turnovers after the game against St. John's Prepartory."

The team lost their second scrimage 25-16 and had 34 turnovers. 'The team didn't have enough time to practice because Varsity has been in the gym every day," he said.

The second starting guar ds, Mariella and fresh man Elisha Ramos, fouled out in the second quarter and "there was no one who knew the plays well left on the team," said Co ach Hanson.

'The substitutes are ninth graders and they are not very familiar with the plays."

The leading scorer was Ibeyemi with six points.

QUICK TO THE CHASE: FRESHMAN KELLY OUNO fends off opon ents as she runs down the court.

"It was hard to get the team working together," she commented. She scored nine points in the scrimage against Midwood High School. The team won 29-23. "We dominated rebounds," said coach Hanson, "and even though we've been winning games, the ball playing can be improved."

Sophomore Fatima Chatfield thinks that "the team will do well this year." Coach Hanson's forecast for the season is many wins and few losses "if we work our defense to perfection and get the lay-ups."

Swimmers stroke to success

by Rishona Fleishman The Girls' Swim team ended their 1992 seas on with a big splas h . Besides coming in first in the Queens Individual Championship and coming in second in the Queens division, they took 4th place in the City Individual Championships.

Their record for the year was 9 and 1. The only defeat the swim team faced was against Bayside High School, Townsend Harris' biggestrival . "It was -a very close meet and we only lost by a few points, " said Kalen Tubridy, senior.

The team was led by senior captain Jennifer

Ches wick, senior Nicol e Kissag, and junior Anna Zwierz. Despite the loss of five seniors, many expectthe team to have continued success. Adrian Mu zich and Ann Carroll, juniors, along with Anna will lead next year's team.

Members feel the team has a stro ng futur e.

"Many freshmen joined the team this year, " said Jennifer. According to Kalen, the freshman wi th the greatest potential is Alicia Ramos.

Their 1992 season has ended, but the swim team will be diving into the 1993 season with great expectations.

Boys' Soccer suffers losing streak petitive." The match against Martin Van Buren

by Shalene Moodie "Competition on the whole was good right to resulted in a 2-2 tie . Other games were lost by the very end" stated the coach ofthe soccer team , margins of one or two. He credi ts this improveJim Murray. He disclosed that the reco rd of 0- 10 ment to " a deeper team with more experiences ," whil e the losses were due to "not having such a didn't reflect the success of the season.

Coach Murray felt every game was "very com - team as Van Buren" and hav ing to go to a gr assless public park.

Key players this season included seniors Sasha Cekada, Neftali Serrano. Tom Gazsy, Tom .~ Karagianni s (team goal ie) and junior Nico Lu~ iten. Other members who m ade up the backbone ~ of the team were sophomores David Iankel~ evich, Cono r Kilpatrick and Brett Zuckerman. ~ Coach MurrayJeels next year's prospects for (5 success could be different, "butyou nev er kno w 1J the returning players are experienced." He noted ~ the loss of four starting seniors and foreign exchange student Luiten who returns to Holland.

Coach Murray fully appreciates "the complexities of the game and the abilities of the players" after playing goal ie in practices.

"I realized its tougher than it looks," he said.

ON THE DEFENSIVE, JUNIOR NICO LUITEN 'The players think I have good hands, however AND FRESHMAN ARIS TSOUPROS try to my ball control with my fee t is typically Ameriblock a goal in a ga me against Aviation High can."

School.

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