The Classic newspaper Volume 11 Issue no. 2

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Vol.ll, No.2, February 1995.

ass1c____ . __ 75-40 Parsons Boulevard. Flushing, NY 11366

Townsend Harris High School at Queens College .

'WE'RE.MOVIN' OUT' - ·BUTWHEN? Postponement stuns Harris community

by Seth Cohen February 16. With boxes piled to the ceiling, new schedules in tact, and expectations sky-high for a February 28 move to the Queens College campus, Principal Malcolm Largmann announced today that Townsend Harris would be staying put for the time being.

The decision came following a tour of the building on February 15 by the High School Division which determined that incomplete areas posed serious safety hazards.

According to Dr. Largmann, the school could move at any time.

"We will make every effort to undo as little as we can. Roll with the punches and make lemonade if you're handed a lemon," he said.

When the move finally occurs, it will mark the first time in city history a school has attempted to relocate mid-year.

"We're flying blind," said Principal Malcolm Largmann. "We make decisions based on our best guesses," he said."I think they make about 74 decisions a day," said senior Ian Katz.

"And that's just ap average, according to inside sources," he said.

The building, which is four times the size of the present one, will be · under construction even after the move for at least another year. Still, the facility is "gorgeous, and so much more than what we are used to," said senior Hollie Pena.

"Awesome!"exclaimed Assistant Principal ofGuidance Sheila Orner.

"I have been in a lot ofhigh schools, but I haven't been in one as brilliant as this one."

What Lies Ahead Students and staff will once more have to await the enjoyment of seven floors, an atrium off the art room, a teleVision and radio studio, a separate auditorium and cafe-

teria; two gymnasiums, three computer labs, and an intricate fiber optics network. But there is much more to anticipate.

laboratories overlook the Man hat- ready installed. Each bathroom tan skyline, Shea Stadium, and . throughout the building has apthe campus. The "Dining Hall" proximately three to four sinks, opens into an outdoor courtyard two mirrors, a soap and paper

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as an entrance and an exit. Just above the state-of-the-art library is a piece of granite with the words "Ad Astra Per Aspera" (through

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THE PARADE STOPS HERE. Plans to march to the new Queens College Building on February 28 were abruptly halted when the Board of Education postponed the move. No "new date has yet been set.

First, each student will have his or her own locker. The days of sharing space and crowded hallways will soon be over. In fact, the width of each hallway is almost twice the size of a present one.

The new building will be equipped with full-blown air conditioning and heating systems. The science

Teen s ·u icide p.7

with a small amphitheater, which will be accessible to students on warm days to eat lunch, relax, and perform. In addition, the marblefloor dining hall has three separate eating facilities for those with varied culinary desires: a cold-lunch area, a hot-lunch area, and a snack section with a popcorn maker al-

Smoking pp.B-9

towel dispenser, and yes, even difficulty to the stars). The library doors on the stalls. The school is is well-lit, with its huge skylight equipped with a loudspeaker sys- and 76 spotlights. The Student tem that enables teachers to verUnion will have a store where tbally communicate with the main shirts,jackets, and school supplies office by operating a device near will be sold. Moreover; many clubs the qoor. Each classroom has two · and all publications will have blackboards at opposite sides of "suites" with glass enclosures and the room, and two doors that serve large rooms. The gymnasium, Continued on p. 15

Biener's Foot p. 10

Girls' B-Ba/1 p. 16

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Halt the horrific hack -

Sighs of relief streamed throughout New York City schools last month as Mayor Giuliani removed the axe that wa~ millime.ters away from slashing into education's budget for yet another round of cuts which have totaled over $1 billion in four years. Realizing that a mid-term cut would be devastating to schools, our magnanimous mayor announced he would instead borrow money this spring to help reduce the city's budget gap. Now we can rejoice - we have been saved! .

Don't be fooled. Looming ahead in the fall months is another implement of butchery- honed, and ready to make a pernicious chop that will result in a further loss of faculty, supplies, electives, tutoring programs, and before and after-school activities. The next hack is sure to shatter many aspects of Townsend Harris life, including school publications, PSAL, intramural basketball, evening performances, and even our exclusive "Bridge Year" program on the Queens College campus. Our school will lose the uniqueness that makes st~dents prime candidates for. national scholarships and college admissions.

The axe is staring us in the face. Let's put on some" armor and fight back.

The Student Union is planning to organize a letter-writing campaign during the first week of the spring term. All history class students will be urged to bring to class three envelopes and stamps and copy a form letter written by several student leaders to be sent to the mayor, city council representatives, and state legislators. When these powerful people receive a thousand letters in the mail one day, they. may thirik twice about making cuts. Students should ask their parents to write le~ters also. (lnformation about where to send the letters will be disseminated in history classes.) In addition, the 'Student Union should consider organizing a rally at City Hall. Our students should contact leaders from other schools in New York City and plan this event.

Don't" tlnderestimate the power of youth. People aren't accustomed to hearing our voice, and our eloquent cry in support of education should be so loud that it echoes from Parsons Boulevard, to City Hall, to Albiiny.

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Letters to. the· Editor

Truly AT Queens College- Budg9t cuts hit hOme To the Editor: I enjoyed the November issue of The Classic. The articles were well-written, and some As the move to the Queens College campus looms ah.ead of us, excitewere even funny. I especially liked "Newcomers Contend With Life in Shoebox." I just ment builds as we realize that our long-standing dream is finally coming have one suggestion for an article on a topic which I think is of great importance. true. Though some·question the wisdom of a mid-year move, the moment much talk about the cutbacks in New York City school programs, some of There's been we step inside the beautiful new Townsend Harris High School (now truthwhich have already taken place, and some which are yet to come. I think that an article on fully located at Queens College), the feelings of doubt will disappear. this topic would serve not only to open some people's eyes, but also to show that our school For those feeling sentimental about leaving this small building behind, and willing to take astand against the cutbacks. A lot of students don't is concerned about let us take a moment to recall some of the unique aspects of our present how they might affect us. Besides clubs, sports, and other extra-curricular activities realize home. We will always fondly remember the windows that fell out when there is also talk about getting rid of our unique "senior year at Queens College" being cut, they were opened, causing teachers to have heart attacks, worried that progtam.

I strongly urge you to print an article concerning th~ cutbacks, and what students someone had just lost an arm or two. We will never forget how well we do to help. can learned the art of sharing, especially evident when the annual Townsend Kathryn Rube Harris cold was passed along in the crowded halls during ·flu season.

Finally, everyone will surely miss the one and qnly "cafetorium" where one · Editor's Note: PleaSe see editorial. could eat lunch whi1e happily watching an empty stage.

Although we are going to miss the little quirks and oddities of this building, there are many wonderful .aspects of the new school that will surely mend our broken hearts. For example, instead of wrestling with our r::r::=::I:t:::IIIIIII:II:I\\:\:::\::III::::::\\~~\I::~~r~I ~~ =~:\I:I\:\:t:~IIII:IIH:\\\:I::\Ift::tt::tr:::\:! lockers, trying to shove two winter coats and an armload of books inside, Townsend Harris High School at Queens Colleae Editor-In-Chief: Seth Cohen we'll have our own individual lockers. Instead oflooking out the window 75-40 Parsons Blvd. Flush In& New York :tl366 Junior Editor: Veronica Lee at a partially demolished house, we'll have a view of the campus and the ' Manhattan skyline. We .will no longer listen to speeches over the loudPhyllis Pei Readers are invited to submh let· speaker which sound like foreign languages. A clear, audible system has Erik Bloch Michael Munoz ters to the editor. Letters s~ould be Sports Editor Feature Editor placed In Ms. Cowen's maibox ln;lhe News Editor· been installed throughout the school. Bathrooms on every floor, two general office. The Claaaic reserves Tara Balabushka the right to edit all letters. Letters must Lay-out Editor gymnasiums, and spacious gym locker rooms are also awaiting our arrival. include name and official class. Names It is understandable that many Harrisites fear a possible loss in intimacy will be withheld upon request.

Desiree Oemente & Sarah Kim David Iankelevich Art Edllor Photography Editors in the new school, which has more than twice the number of floors than we Michael Garber have right now. However, it is important to remember that it's not the actual Buslneu Manager building itself, but the students, faculty and parents that make Townsend Dio!Ule Fraser, Wendy Kemp, Beth Mellow, Violetta Ostafm, Kelly Villella Harris so special. Despite the increase in building size, the student populaSenior Contributing Editors . tion will remain about the same, and with a little effort and a lot of exercise News Staff. Nicole Bruno. Michael Garber, Beth Mattucci. Cory McCrudcn. Fernando Moreno, JCIDlifcr Puc. (running up and down seven floors), we will be able to keep in touch with Heather Patcroon. Ellen Schnabel. Amanda Schoenberg. Lauren Sharett, Rena Vargbci!C. Marei Wolber. Jcmifcr Wolf. Boonic Yee everyone all around the school.

Feature Staff · Dominika Bcdnanka, Demetrio• Bcr1Zikis. Jessica Gazsy, Deana Lmgobucco, Natalka Palozynski.

It will be a great challenge to get everything organized and under control, Romina Perrone. Scot Scher. Jennifer Silverman, Irina Tsytsylin, Doona Vuic, Michael Weiss but this school is filled with innovative, intelligent minds and together, we Sports Staff· Justin Fax, Heather Paterson, Cory Polonetsky. Scot Scher, Oain: Schnabel, Jennifer Silverman. can make this move a success. As the pioneers of the new and improved Photographer - DioiDlC Frucr Artists- Erik Bloch, Alvaro lbargw::n. Otto Petersen; Rena Varghese Townsend Harris High School, it is our job to establish rules, traditions, and Typists· Dccpti Ambookcn, Robert Ambalu, Betty a.m, Tanuny Fang. Nannta Kapoor, Leslie Offenbach, a moral tone for others yet to come. We are at the beginning of a new Jcraida Fc~<:z. Shanti Radkar. Mau=n Sheen, Susanne Shivickas, Jamie Tong adventure, and by maintaining open minds, a sense of humor and a willingness to deal with what lies ahead, some day we will be able to laugh and Advisor • Dsa Cowen Principal • Dr. Malcoirn I..argmann affectionately recall out memories of 1995-The Year We Moved.

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3 Letters to the Editor {continued)

Saga in day-dreaming:

Female fencers slighted

Dozing_off can. lead to big things

by Rena Varghese .

There I was, sitting in class, dozing off, wondering what my place in human existence was, when a horrible, terrible, really, really bad thing happened. The teacher called on me and I had no idea what the question was. I thought of saying, "Uh, could you repeat the question?" but·I opted against it because she would probably get angry. Then I'd have to explain why I hadn't heard the question and the whole class would find out that I'd been sitting there thinking about ~uman existence. My. cover would be blown and they would all think I was weird or something. I could take a stab at answering the question and hope that I'd get it right, but considering my luck, I wouldn't. I'd just end up confirming the fact that I hadn't been p~ying attention and, moreover, I'd probably get laughed at. So I did the next logical thing (and the only other thing I could think of) and said in my most grownup, intellectual voice, "Huh?" Now, I know I can't be the only person to whom this has happened. Why is it that teachers have the gift of calling on you when you have no idea what they're talking about? Maybe the look you get on your face when you're blanking out resembles that of someone who's paying attention. If teachers think that you're paying attention whenever you're daydreaming, that's great, but then the inevitable happens·and you get called on the day Dr. To the Editor: Largmann is observing the class. Then for the rest of the year the teacher will hold a grudge In regards to the new school, first let me say that I am ecstatic that we are FINALLY against you for making it look as if she can't keep the interest of her students, and then moving. Our school is too small and there are too many of us .... you're doomed. Word will be spread around and in a short time you'll be known as the I want to know how much longer we are going to have to stay in school when we "rebel." When you get to college, you'll forever carry the label. When you have kids, move? Since the school is seven floors, we obviously need more time to get from room they'll be known as "rebel's kids." Then, when you finally run for president, a big scandal to room. How are we going to balance out the difference of minutes?

• will ~rupt and on the front cover of every major newspaper it'll say, "Presidential Candidiate was Big Rebel," all because you couldn't answer one little question.

School is so long already that longer hours would be intolerable. Who wants to stay I'm sure that teachers would like to spare us this grief and misery, so I have a request for in school any longer than absolutely necessary? I don't. Something has to be done so that we're not stuck in a classroom until4:00 P.M. every day. them. Before you ask a question, we would appreciate it if you would do something really Name withheld upon request innovative, like ring a little silver bell, or hop on one foot. That way you would not only Editor's Note: According to Dr. Largmann, there will be three minutes between bands. ensure that we were paying attention to you, but you'd also help to nurture our creativity Since the hallways are wide, and most classrooms are locat~d on the third ,fourth, andfifth as well as sharpen your own sense of humor. We would actually look toward tow hen you ask the class questions. I feel that if this method of teaching were instituted, America's floors, students will be able to move promptly. · education crisis would end. Kids would stay in school, they'd learn more and life would in tum be better for all. This would eventually lead to world peace.

So, next time you're asked to give an a~swer to a question .that you haven't heard, te11 your teacher about this idea. At first he may think it's totally stupid, but in time, he'll begin To the Editor: reali~ejt~ I.!:U~ y<lJu_e. He'll be so grateful to you for telling him about it that he may even to "THIS IS YOUR'PRINCIPAL. S.TUDENTS ... static, static:.. THERE. WILL BE A ... ' pass you. But don't worry; you don't have to thank me for anything. static ... ON ... static ... iN OUR SCHOOL·. THANK YOU.:~ static, static." ~ .• ' . ' Many messages like these and other poor attempts at communication leave Townsend Harri~ students uninformed, missing the important things going on in their school. It seems that students Rever find out about certain activities until the day of the event, What Townsend Harris High School needs is better communication between the student body, teachers and the principal.

O.K., many would a'Fgue that the Student Senate is Townsend Harris' idea of commu.: nication between students imd the staff. However, the students really are not aware of what goes on in these Student Senate meetings. If the students were notified by the senate members just exactly how the senate·is run, then maybe students would try to alter their demands in order to agree with the prohibitions of the school. The Student Senators never explain what students are allowed to demand and what this school is able to change. It's as if we students were born knowing the rules and regulations of Townsend Harris and itS senate. And then there's no understanding between students and authority.

Adding to the misunderstandings of uninformed students, the so-called "bulletins" that are supposedly put up in the hallways are never seen. Is it really that hard to make bigger signs in order for everyone to see them? These signs would have td be big enough to be seen by those with strained eyes from staying up late hours doing Townsend Harris homework. It is easy to pass by an -important notice and to be uninformed.

Townsend Harris really would not be a bad school if information circulated around more.

Perhaps more student~ would enjoy school if they just knew what was going on.

Loretta Edwards Editor's Note: The Student Union distributed newsletters last year to the student body to inform everyone ofevents. The majority ofthem ended upon the floor. Perhaps the students should make a better effort to be informed.

To the Editor: We have just read through the latest issue of The Classic (November, 1994), and were impressed with its intelligent format and reporting of school events. Yet we were also very upset by a severe omission you made in regard to the fencing team's success this season.

The exact wording of it in the paper was: "LATE-BREAKING NEWS: The Boys' Fencing team captured the Queens Championships, but lost for the city. Details in the next issue."

It is not a Boys' Fencing team! It is a Co-ed Fencing team. Girls are a major part of the Townsend Harris Fencing team. Not only do girls make up the managers of the team, but girls are also included in its top ten fencers. This lack of attribution made it seem like they did not play any role in the team getting the Queens Championships.

We hope that you will clear this up in your next issue.

The Fencing Team The Classic regrets this error and apologizes for any mental trauma it may have caused.

Span between bands

Communication ·breakdown

Bagels: finger-lickin'· good To the Editor: I am writing this in regard to our school's bagels. The famous Bagels "R" Us is a big hit around school. Everyone enjoys them except for the fact that they put the butter on . one side, so then you have half a bagel with butter. They also put butter everywhere else but the bagel. It's all around the outside and in the hole.

I've also seen some of the people working there lick butter or cream cheese off their fingers and then handle another person's bagels.

There are a few changes that can be made.

Shawn Sweeney Editor's Note: To be fair, we should mention that the bagel staff has been instructed in sanitary practices and thoroughly cleans the bagel tables with cleansers.

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Senio·r .named Westing house

by Violetta Ostafin sday. .

"When I picked up the phone, I For the past year and a half, had no idea that it would be Ms. Veronica had been going to the Appel [Assistant Principal of Sci- laboratory of Dr. Richard Lockence] at the other end telling me shin at St. John's University. Dr. that I had been chosen as a semi- Lockshin, who was already workfinalist," said Veronica Tom, sen- ing on a project of his own, helped Veronica set up and rese'arch her ior. · Wjth that January 17 call, Ve- winning project - protein syntheronica learned that her research sis during programmed cell death: project had impressed the judges "Dr. Lockshin was very helpful. of the 54th Annual Westinghouse When we had problems with one Talent Search and that she had of the machines, he moved the beenchosenasoneof300semi-fi- project to another device," said nalists from around the country. Veronica, who will continue going The purpose of the national con- to the St.John's laboratory to work test is to discover talented youn~ · on another experiment with the biology professor. The experiments scientists.

"I kept telling Ms. Appel that are funded by a government grant. she was joking. I didn't believe ''I'm very proud of Veronica. that I had won," said Veronica, Her project was wonderful," said who was photographed and inter- Susan Appel.

Ms. Appel is in charge of the viewed by many local newspa~ pers, including New York New- Westinghouse class and the sci-

semi-fih~list

ence research and -independent us were qualified;' study classes, all of which prepare said Veronica. students to organize, experiment, Ms. Appel agreed. and submit Westinghouse science ·:we encourage the reports. brightest students to "Ms. Appel gave me the idea for get involved in a projthe project when she mentioned . ect. Those who are a Dr. Lockshin's work in class. She little weird and see talked to the professor for me and things from different helped me work my way into the angles are the ones experiment," commented Veronwho make good scienica. tists," she said.

The lack of available space was Veronica learned that why eight of the nine students who she had· not been chosubmitted Westinghouse projects sen as one of the 40 fihad worked on their experiments nalists after the judges' outside of the school, in 'hospitals second evaluation. and universities. The only project ~ "I was surprised and which was completed in the school ~ happy enough being a was funded by the Student Union.

9. semi-finalist. That's "I was so surprised that I was the ~., enough for me," said only winner. There definitely ~ Veronica. "It's nice should have been more tlian one Sitting on the steps of Remsen Hall, Westing- ~ for my college applisemi-finalist because so many of hou~e semi-finalist Veronica Tom peruses the cations," she added. textbook for herQ!Jeens College biology class.

Residency Program brings jazz pros to share musical talents

by Beth Mattucci Renowned Jazz mus1crans, Jimmy Heath, saxaphonist, and Tony Purrone, guitarist, visited the Jazz Ensemble on January 9 during Enrichment Their appearance was part of the Jazz Reside~cy, a pilot program that brings Queens College professors and alumni to Townsend Harris to give students lectures, demos, and the opportunity to a~tend concerts at LeFrak Concert Hall on the Queens College campus.

Mr. Heath and Mr. Purrone, who have played together for 15 years, demonstrated the way in which they blend their music through an improvisional version of the song, "Whispers." They also gave jazz ensemble members a chance to improvise with them and gain professional feedback. · The Jazz Residency began on November 15 with "The History ofJazz," a lecture/demo conducted

by Queens College professor and jazz pianist Sir Roland Hanna. . Professor Hanna introduced students to jazz history from its beginnings until the 1930's. The program is a collaboration of Colden Center for the Performing Arts, Queens College/CUNY, the Jazz Division af the Aaron Copland School of Music, and the Louis Armstrong House and Archives. It will run. through May. The success of performances by classical guitarist, Sharon lsbin, and Jimmy Heath at Townsend Harris last fall and spring led to the formation of the program. Peter Lustig, music teacher and jazz ensemble instructor, said, "I was contacted by the people at Colden Center sometime last year and they

were impressed with our students and the interest they showed. Then they started putting this program together."

Dedi Firestone, the Director of Arts Education, and Vivian Charlop, the Executive Director, at the Colden Center for the Performing

jazz music on a college level, and .our own Jazz Ensemble." to provide young musicians with The first concert took place on positive role models. · November 16 under the direction The program is funded in part by of Professor Heath. The Queens theNew York City Department of CollegeJazzEnsemble performed Cultural Affairs, the 1994/95 six compositions, mostly original Cultural Challenge Initiative (a songs written by Heath. Soloists project of the New York State and a jazz vocalist were also featured. After the performance, members of Townsend Harris' Jazz Ensemble met the jazz players. Many students gravitated to the player who shared their own instrument. .

"The concert by the Queens College Jazz Ensemble was lively and a lot of fun. The music was good and it was interesting ·to watch a more experienced group with similar goals to our own Jazz ~ Ensemble. ·The question and an~ swer period following the concert ~ was very insightful," said sopho~ ~·

more Annie Socci.

Mirella de Rose, sophomore, agreed. "I really enjoyed the concert given by the Queens College Jazz Ensemble. I noticed a iot of things I could learn from, and the members were willing and enthusiastic to help us and answer our questions. It was fun," she said.

The third residency event, conducted by the director of The Louis Armstrong House and Archives, Michael Cogswell, informed studentsof Armstrong'sachievements as a jazz artist for more than 50 years during a lecture/demo on December 1 in the cafetorium.

For the end of the program, Mr. Lustig has made tentative plans for the Townsend Harris Jazz Ensemble to take part in a joint performance with the Queens College professionals and Professor Heath.

I Jazz artists Jimmy Heath, saxophonist, and Tony Purrone, guitarist, entertain and educate students.

Arts, primarily arranged the residency. They represent Colden Center, and serve as liaisons between . the · coliaborators and Townsend Harris. ~·1 think that the ideas were probably born ·out of our feeling that jazz is one of the least known types of music that is given a lot of widespread attention,"'said Ms. Charlop. "We want to educate the kids on., not only the music itself, but also the lives of the musicians." .

The object of the program is to expose young people to jazz (including its musicians, development, and history), to encourage students to pursue their interest in

Department of Cultural Affairs), the Aaran Diamond Foundation, the Kupferberg Foundation, and donations from patrons of Colden Center. This will allow students to attend most performances for free.

Residency events are not exclusively for members of the Jazz Ensemble. Evening concerts are open to a general public audience as welJ as students selected by Mr: Lustig. He tries to invite students who may be interested in a particular performer. According to Mr. Lustig, his main goal is "to expose as many of our music students as possible to different aspects of jazz, hopefully to improve

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5· Cu$todian Enginee·r cond.ucts pri.vate tour:

New building chock-full of ·surprises

by Kelly Villella After wandering through halffinished halls and mobs of construction men, I came upon room 312 in the ne~ building. The Custodian Engineer, Joseph Di Giacomo, and I had arranged to meet here. I planned to get the inside scoop on the new building forTheClassic. Room312,barely furnished, had desks for two secre~ies and a.giant wooden table '

Farther down, the library (room 305), an impressive display of woodenbookshelves,countersand tables, possesses special features.

These include offices for two librarians, a skylight and an outdoor terrace. The room is larger and much more elegant than my publie library. I stood staring through the windows. I could hardly believe that our school had a terrace, but I later found out that the art room has• one too. .

1 1 Principal Mal~1 \ ; c o I m \ ' ·· Largmann 's of'fice suite is located in room 306, directly across from the library. A spacious conference room contains a wall-to\ >vall bookshelf andnewlydelivered chairs. Dr. Largmann'sprivate offic~. furnished in elegant mahogany, hasanadjoining barhroom. Even the toilet is of ; the highest quality, having cost "'l $800. ,. ~ ft While we Joseph Di Giacomo, Custodian Engineer, re- were walking, a views instructions with fireman Angel Suez. bell went off.

Mr. DiGiacomo that held the blueprints for the said thatthesystemofbellsallows school. Doorwaysledintoadjoin- them to ring in separate areas of ing offices. Mr. Di Giacomo es- the building. He added that the cortedmeintoanotherofficewhich elevators, which will be available will soon belong to Assistant Prin- to students who cannot handle the stairs as well as to· the staff, are cipal Sheila Orner. also completed. For students who Mr. DiGiacomo, who officially will be using the stairs, he exbecame Custodian Engineer on plained that although the walk from September 23, said ihat most of the sub-level to the sixth floor is a the building has been completed, nice hike, mobility is quite easy. but construction continues and "Thehallsandstaircasesarepretty ma~1y safety factors still need attention before Townsend Harris wide. There are three staircases will be allowed to move in. He A, B and C. Access is not a big said that the third through sixth deal," he said.

Administrative .offices cover floors, where many offices and all classrooms are located, are pretty most ofthe second floor. There is much finished except for a large even an Alumni Office. A few science and elective room located doors down, I entered a room on the fifth floor, but that the lower labeled SPtff Infirmary: Mr. Di Giacomo then led me levels are not in a good s.tate.

From room 312, which will hold across the catwalk above. the all the guidance offices including enormousstageintheauditorium, the College Office, we proceeded which he preferred to refer to as . to the general office, room 313. It the "production theater," since it contains rooms for each secretary, looks so professional. Both the as ·well as a room for the P.A. stage and scenery drops appear system. The P.A. system, was equivalent to those found in a covered with disconnected wires Broadway theater. When comthat were strewn in every direc- pleted, the fully air-conditioned tion. The offices for Assistant Prin- auditorium will seat 500 people. cipal Malcolm Rossman and his Mr. DiGiacomo pointed out the secretary, Diane Tregerman, VCR control room in the back and a ticket booth standing in a far (room 311) were down the hall.

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comer. He showed me to·the stage cially impressive, and includes a dressing rooms that are on the video room and a room for radio same level as the catwalk. These broadcasting. The giant lights for rooms, which included make-up filming cover the ceiling. This is stations, bathrooms and lockers, the room for the school's televiwere cluttered by the contractors' sian station. The room for the radio belongings. He said that optimis- station already had the IN USE ticallyspeaking,constructioQwork signs installed, but it is doubtful on the auditorium should take that these broadcasting rooms will another two to three months. be used this coming term.

Mr. Di Giacomo estimated that The art rooms are also nicely the building could be completed laid out. The art studio, room 543, by. April or May if unoccupied; with its adjoining terrace surhowever, he said the presence of rounded by brick walls, offers a students and teachers will slow nice view of the Manhattan skydown the work. Much of the re- line for sketching. quireo work, he explained, will Other rooms I saw included the have to be done during school suit~ofstudentgovemmentrooms hours,andstudentswillhavetobe (115), the medical infirmary for relocated. He commented, "In my students (114), the publications opinion, the timing for the move is office (139), and the health office · too early." He feels thatthe move .(110). These, and the large gymwill cause "a large degree of dis- nasium with professional hoops comfortandinconvenienceforev- andstadium-likebleachers,areall eryoneconcemed."PrincipalMal- onthefrrstbasementfloor.Amusic colm Largmann explained that · room containing sound-proof while the school had no choice booths can be found on the subabou.t moving in February, every level floor. , effort has been·made to minimize The final places we visited inany disruptions to the academic elude a room that students will program. ''I've made arrangements · truly appreciate- the dining room. for a lot ofthis [construction work] There is an entrance and exit to the t0 be done after school and on longlunchbar.Adessertbarstands weekends," he said. Dr. Largmann off to the right. The whole area added that areas still under con- offers plenty of room for student struction~ such as the auditorium, dining. Large windows provide a will be off-limits to students. view of the outdoor patio. The Large classrooms and computer patio, having both seating and rooms fill the fourth floor. Most of lighting, look as if it will be a main them were still unfurnished, but attraction. Thefacultydiningroom some had computer desks and contains its own lunch bar and will outlets. The suite of communic'a- house a telephone, television and tion graphics rooms (511) isespe- water cooler. ·

The great facilities in the kitchen, including a giant steam kettle, a deep frier, and a walk-in freezer, raised the question of how many people would be needed to run such an extensive area. According to Mr. Rossman, the Office of School Food and Nutrition will hire 12-14 employees.

Mr. DiGiacomo said that both the students and the faculty were well-provided for, but that there were a couple of oversights in the construction of the building. A major one was that no workshop or storage space was given to the custodians. He said that they were expected to operate from cubbyholes.

Another problem is the distance · from the loading doors to the cafeteria. This will increase the difficulty of delivering supplies. ''I'll make it work because I'm a professional," Mr. DiGiacomo said.

According fo Mr. DiGiacomo, thebuildinghasthebestofeverything, including heating, cooling and security. It also has its own power generatOr in case of power failure. Mr. Di Giacomo saidJ.hat we have much for which to thank Assistant to Superintendent of High Schools Sandy Kliner. Mr. Kliner has visited the building often to ensure that it conforms to the needs ofthe students and staff.

"I've never seen a more dedicated and intense man," he said.

Joseph DiGiacomo summed up what we have to look forward to by saying that the sctiool is "state of the art" in every area.

Two schools to share 'shoebox'

by Demetrios Bertzi~is and Romina Perrone After Townsend Harris packs its bags and moves onto the Queens College campus, the building it leaves behind will be inhabited by some new tenants. The"shoebox" will then house not one, but two schools, Collaborative High School and Collaborative Middle School. In an exclusive intervi~w. the schools' principals, Ann Organistiak (high school) and Jeff Ratner(middleschool),expressed their thoughts about moving into the Townsend Harris building.

Collaborative High School is one year old; and currently situated on the top floor of J.H.S. 194. Col~aborative Middle School is three years old and is sharing a building with P.S. 219.

The two schools plan on taking . advantageoftheirsharedquarters . by' creating a close relationship. · Ms. Organisciak said, "The stu· dents in the middle school will . havethesamekindofeducationas the high school students and might desiretoattendCollaborativeHigh

School more than those coming from traditional junior high . schools." Mr. Ratner said that his students will have a choice of what high school to go to. Currently, though, 26ofhis 28 eighth graders will go to Collaborative High.

The 225 students attending the high school are accepted by application. It provides for a heterogeneous student body. Sixteen percent must be above grade level; 68 · percent must either be on or above grade level, and 16 percent of the students are ~low grade level.

The establishment of the new schools is a collaboration between District 25 and the Queens High School office. The schools spe- · cialize in the liberal, visual, and performing arts along with an emphasis on community service.

Mr. Ratner believes that joining the two schools will work well.

"Both schools are small," he said.

"Together we are still smaller than . Townsend Harris. We are about .

700. All children in the high and middle schools do community service. They understand how

important it is to live in a community."· The high school students are dismissed at ':45P.M. to perform community service. They have duties all over the Flushing area.

The middle school students' community service is done during the school day. Once a week for an hour, they are taken to nursery schools, spec·ial education preschools and senior centers as a group. Each homeroom is assigned to one site for the year. •· Ms. Organisciak said that her students "can't wait to have their own building," even if it is a previously used one. "We have very little space; our school is very crowded," stated Ms. Organisciak.

Only six classrooms in J .H.S. 194 can currently be used by the high schooL The staff has begun planning for the move, which will take place later this term. Ms. Organisciak and Mr. Ratner have made several visits to Townsend Harr~s. looking out especially for storage space and specialized classrooms.

Continued on p. 15

6

Senior serVes on Board of Education

by Jennifer Pare and Fernando Moreno . Until she was selected as the Alternate Student Advisory Member of the Board of Education, senior Mariella Martinez lived like any other Harrisite. She concentrated on her school work, played on the basketball team, was involved in student government, and hung out with friends. Since then, she's had to give some of that up.

Mariella discussed her official position and the way it's changed her life at a November 10 press conference held in the library. Members of the journalism class, The Classic, and the College Choices Enrichment posed questions focusing not only on her job but also on other facets of her life, including school, family, and social life.

Mariella admitted that she's had forego all other extracurricular activities and often finds herself' formally scheduling get-togethers with friends.

The Board of Education established the positions of'Student Advisory Member and AlterhateStuden(Advisory Member in 1991 in order to consider student input prior to making decisions that affect the school system. Both teen members can present student viewpoints at all non-executive meetings of the Board, but they are not allowed to vote.

"I think we have a pretty strong presence," said Mariella.

"Schoolwork is still my first priority," she said, adding that Dr. Largmann constantly reminds her. "Don't let vour schoolwork

slip!" boroughs to talk wiili students and find out Mariella was selected as the alternate their views on important issues. "My job is through a series of nominations and elec- basically to serve as a liaison between the tions. It began with her being named to the Board and the students of the city and vice Queens Student Advisory Council by the versa," she said.

Townsend Harris Student Senate. From Mariella also spoke about her involvethere she was m e n t nominated by w i t h Go a 1 s the Council to 2000,the the Chancellor's High recently School Advip _a s sed sory Council, Educawhere she was tion Reagain nomiform Act nated and whichaleventually ·chosen as the AlternateStugoverndentAdvisory a ment to Member of ~ allocatea n ~ certain the Board of Education.

Alternate Student Advisory member Marie II a Martinez, am 0 u n t Along with senior, talks about her experiencesatthe Board of Education of money senior Tiffany during a question and answer session in the library. solely for Raspberry, educawho attenas John Dewey High School and tional purposes. She is on the New York is the regularS tudent Advisory Member on State Committee that will apply for this the Board; Mariella attends meetings of the funding. • Chancellor's High School Student Advi· Because the media usually portrays the sory Council. Being called the "alternate," school system in a negative light, Mariella says Mariella, is basically· for distinction is proud to report that she and Tiffany came purposes. She has the ~e responsibilities out with a newsletter focusing on the posias Tiffany. Aside from attending meetings, tive things happening in the schools ..The Mariella also visits high schools newsletter features updates on events occurring at the Board of Education, and recognizes the students who contribute to their school and community. Mariella and Tiffany have also devised a Student Plan, which among other things is calling for a town hall meeting with MayorGuilianiand two or three representatives per high school.

Mariella encourages students to get in contact with her if they have any problems,

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questions, or comments. The number for the Board of Education Headquarters .is 9353300. The address is 110 Livingston St., Interoffice 1118, Brooklyn, N.Y. When asked how the job has affected her home life, Mariella replied with a laugh." At home my family keeps me in check. I still have to do my chores," she said. Mariella doesn't bring Board of Education matters into her home. "What happens at the Board happens at the Board," she said.

Mariella is undecided about her future.

Her college of choice at th~ moment 'is Georgetown University. She plans to major in Political Science or International Relations, which makes Georgetown's School of Foreign Affairs ideal. As for a career, Mariella is debating between international law, foreign diplomacy, or politics. "Because of my position now, I'll be a little more knowledgeable ifl should take a position in politics," she said. She has also had some experience in foreign diplomacy. As a junior last year she was chosen as one of twelve students from New York to travel to Israel as a youth ambassador. She spent three an a half weeks there meeting and talking with Israeli students.

Mariella's advice for a budding young community activist like herself is to ,b e involved. Pick up the newspaper and be aware of how students feel, she says.

Mariella knows she's doing something positive, and although her job can be tough at times, she is pleased with her decision to accept it. "I know that my job is important, and I take it seriously, but I realize that I'm still a teenager, and I can't solve everyone's problems," she said. When she visits other high school students, she wants to act not only as a liaison but as a role-model as well.

As she puts it, "I want them to think, 'This is what I can achieve if I try.' Students have to realize they can empower themselves."

Council relays student concerns This year's council is made up of student

by Jennifer Wolf Metal detectors in schools, budget cuts, advisors from about 23 high schools. Their and overcrowding represent some of the newest agenda aims to ban random, singleissues senior Dionne Fraser and junior day metal detections. "It won't work.''

Allison Brandt wish to address this year. As Dionne said, "and it will create more danger electedrepresentativesoftheQueensSuper- in the war-zoned schools." Dionne also intendent's Student Advisory Council began a petition protesting budget cuts which (QSAC), .they meet once a month with went to City H~ll. "We try to change things representatives from the entire borough to and make ourselves understood as schooldiscuss the concerns of high school stu- wide representatives, via the Board of Ed.," deJ1tS and relay them to Queens S~perinten­ said Dionne. dent Margaret Harrington and the Board of The advisory board meets at Bown,~ High School, requiring Dionne and Allison to Education.

Both Dionne and Allison stressed the miss two afternoons of school each month. need for a student voice in ihe issues surAllison said that "the best part of the jqb rounding the educational system. "Defi- · is the ability to hear what all the officials nitely try to get involved. It is up to us," said say." She also participates in Students Promoting AIDS Awareness.

Allison.

Dionne pointed out that in comparison to Dionne noted that "many people do this other high schools, "we don't have any job for college references or for the status," problems. Allison and I thank our lucky yet to her and Allison, it serves as an act of stars for that and try to participate in the representation. "It is fun and I like doing it,"she said. She also holds the position of discussions ~s best we can."

"Many schools experienced cuts in their Co-president of Amnesty International, is athletic teams, their extracurricular activi- the Senior Editor of Photography for The ties, and worst of all their teachers," added Classic and the yearbook, and is a member Dionne. "The school that will occupy our of Archon and the concert band. She was current building is so crowded that they got accepted early decision to Harvard Univerexcited that we have a real gymnasium." sity and wants to pursue pre-med studies.

7

Teen suicide attempts on the rise; Counselors answer 'cry for ·help'

by Amanda Schoenberg The boy walks purposefully down the hallway toward the open bathroom door.

He opens the medicine cabinet, and takes · out a bottle of pills. One by one he swallows the pills, hoping his feelings of insecurity will go away with each gulp. Just a few hours later, after being found by his aunt, this same insecure boy is in the hospital, having his stomach pumped. He survives.

He is one of the lucky ones ..

This kind of story is all too common in our society, but not many people believe that it can, or will, happen to anyone they know.

Surprisingly enough, the preceding story was about a boy who attends Townsend Harris.

The anonymous teenager claims his suicide attempt changed his outlook on life, making him value it much more. When asked about the reasons for his attempt, he became hesitant and would only say, "I felt alienated and unwanted." He advises those considering suicide that "you always have someone to talk to, whether you know it or not. There is always someone who can help

drugs,. they would probably think a little more about what they were doing.;, In fact, alcohol and drug abuse are involved in half of all suicides.

Firearms are the most used suicide weapon, especially among males. "Boys use much more violent weapons, but girls attempt unsuccessful suicides more," said Townsend Harris guidance counselorS us an Rotter.

Among those suicides that are successful, causes vary. Depression is a common one, and it has been shown that about 90% of teenage suicides are committed by those

there are almost always clues to their next enough time. course of action. Mr. Hanson says simply, J;:ducating students against the pos"All attempted suicides are a cry for help." sibility qf te~n suicide is only one way Therefore, it is logical that the loudest cries of reducing its rate. Ms. Shaw says may come right before the attempt. that while schools should discuss it, Mr. Hanson advises that if a friend comes they shouldn't"keep talking abOut it to you with thoughts of suicide, the first over and over again" or it may give thing to do is find out if it is all planned out. students the idea that it is acceptable If so, the situation is very serious and an behavior. Shesuggestsofferingcounadult should be told as soon as possible. seling at schools because "sometimes "They [friends] should realize they're not problems feel unsolvable when you're professionals, but should express their struggling with them alone, but when concern and willingness to listen. TheY' will you have someone with compassion have to assess how imminent the danger is," . to talk to, you realize that almost

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you, and if you get that help, you'll realize how stupid it is to take your life."

The percentage of teens who don't "realize how stupid it is" is high. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teens aged 15-19 and has been on the rise in the last 30 years. Every year in the U.S.,,about 5,000 15-24 year olds die from suicides (Lifesavers, Newsletter of the American Suicide Foundation).

Although suicide on the whole has increased, the rates of suicide for girls are about the same in 1991 as they were 15 years before. Rates for teenage boys, on the other hand, have tripled. Suicides are most common among white males, but nonwhite males are the fastest growing group (Lifesavers).

It is difficult to know the exact re<Jsons for the increase in teen suicides because so many are un~eported. However, drug and alcohol abuse are often cited.

Holly Shaw, Clinical Coordinator of Adolescent Medicine at Schneider Children's Hospital, claims that suicide and drug or alcohol abuse often go hand and hand. If someone is already depressed and begins to take drugs or alcohol, they have more of a risk of attempting suicide. She says, "If they weren't drinking or doing

with psychological problems. Ms. Rotter thinks that the most common reasons for teenage suicide are stress-related, such as peer pressure, parents, and school. . Keith Hanson, health and physical education teacher, agrees, adding, "They [suicidal teens] tend to think of things as black and white, but there's a Jot of gray in there."

"Most people just want to solve their problems," said Ms. Shaw. "They're just notable to think clearly about how to do it."

She claims that people don't really think about dying; they think more about not being in pain and feeling a little better.

Suicide attempters are not only running the risk of death, but also of causing themselves incredible damage. For those who use pills like Tylenol, there is a great possibility that they will end up with irreparable liver problems and constant trouble breathing. Ms. Shaw says, "A kid who just wants tomakeapointcanoftenendupinintensive care with life-long disabilities."

Even before a teenager attempts suicide,

he said.

One should also never challenge the suicidal person, and should never keep the · pr~blem to himself or herself, Mr. Hanson wains. It is important .to remember that what may seem like no big deal to you might be crucial to the suicidal person.

Sophomore Ilana Galin realized this after taking Health class this year. She states, "I've been noticing how often people say tliings like, 'I want to kill myself' without meaning it. Our society definitely takes suicide too lightly."

In Health class, which is taken during tenth grade, the subject of teen suicide is discussed for about three days. Students are taught how to recognize warning signs and some of the underlying factors of teen suicide are brought up. Reasons fqr the increase in suicides ·are also talked about.

Health teacher Ellen Schwartz says she wishes she could spend more time onit, especially on showing videos of how to handle teen suicides, but there just isn'.t

nothing is unsolvable." Ms. Shaw also says that identifying high risk kids is cruicial, and should be the only time when confidentiality is disregarded.

Continued on p. 15

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8 Coping with ·smoking:

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by Nicole Bruno and Heather Paterson "Our mission is to save 12 million lives, " stated B_arbara C. Meagher, nurse and chairman of Youth Health Issues. Impossible? Not if cigarette smoking is stopped. This was the message given to journalists representing 14 high schools in Queens at the Youth Clean the Air press conference sponsored by The American Cancer Society, Queens Division, on November 16. The day marked theeveofthe 18th annual Great American Smokeout.

.

Representatives from the Queens Tobacco Control Task Force spoke at this meeting in Borough President Claire Shulman's office to express their goal of a smoke-free environment. According to literature handed out at the event, they hope to "reduce tobacco use to less than 15% of the population by the year 2000, and to eliminate environmental tobacco smoke in all public places."

Right now, by law, no smoking is permitted in the vicinity ofNew York City public schools.

Howeyer, smoking in such areas still exists.

Dr. Shashi Patel, a lung specialist at Parkway Hospital ih Forest Hills, thought non-smokers could help those who smoke through peer groups." As peers you have a lot of power; they will listen to you before they listen to the administration," said Michael Michael, a student at New York Institute of Technology.

Panelists suggested that in order to reach the goal of a smoke-free environment, children should be taught at an early age about the harms of smoking. They also thought people's

values, feelings, attitudes, and behaviors which cause them to smoke must change.

"Eighty-five percent of males who smoke said it helps reduce stress, and 30% of the females said they smoke to control their weight," stated Dr. Patricia Colsher, Research Director for Project Management and'coordinator of the Gallop organization, frbm which these poll results came.

Claire Shulm~n made an appearance to discuss her past experience with smoking.

"I was a heavy smoker for about 30 years, and then one day, I quit When I was a kid, it was a very sophisticated thing to do, but it really isn't healthy for you," she said.

"If you don't smoke, don't stait, and if you do, try to stop," she added.

Dr. Patel stressed that smoking's negative effects at~ preventable.

"This country spends $250 million dollars a year in health care for smoking-related illnesses. It affects all of us," be said.

Florence Colburn, an area representative of The American Cancer Society, spoke about passive smoke. "It's your right to smoke," she said , "but, we say that a one~ year-old baby shouldn't start smoking because ... [his] parents smoke."

Deborah Quinones Permell, Field Coordinator of New York City Project Assist, told her young audience, "You may not be able to vote right now, but you do have a voice."

She encouraged students to set up phone blitzes to their representatives, getting them to support the bill proposed by City Council Speaker Peter Vallone banning smoking in public places. She also suggested students start letter-writ-: ing campaigns and report stores that illegally sell cigarettes to mi- · nors.

An ~merican Cancer Society petition handed out at the conference, asking Congress to ensure the regulation of tobacco products by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), met with a positive result at Townsend Harris, where it was circula~d in three classes and received close to 100 signatures. Such regulation would include the way cigarettes are manufactured, sold, labeled, and advertised. The panelists felt this was extremely important to their cause, since the new chairman of the House Environmental Committee is from Virginia, a tobacco state. As of now, no agency can regulate the amount of chemicals that are put into cigarettes.

Surveys show a large percentage of smokers want to quit, but don't because it's difficult to break the addiction. A substantial number of people who participate in the .annual Great American Smokeout, however, find that after a day of no smoking, they can kick the habit's butt.

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by Chris Libby 'The City Council voted in favor of the Smoke- or not prohibit smoking at all."

The bill includes sections which would afFree Air Act on December 21 and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani signed the bill on January 10. fect all public transportation, retail stores, liThe law, which goes into effect in April, will braries, museums and galleries, movie thealimit smoking in restaurants, workplaces, and ters, concert halls, auditoriums, convention outdoor arenas, as well as virtually all public halls, sports arenas and recreational faciliplaces;to "smoking lounges." One of the bill's ties. Smoking is allowed in places of emprimary supporters, Council Speaker Peter ployment qnly in se~arate smoking rooms or Vallone, presented the bill as a means of protecting non-smokers, saying, "Second-hand ' smoke represents a serious health risk, and we must provide a smoke-free environment for those who want one. This is not a civil liberties issue. This is a health issue" (New York Newsday, Dec. 22, 1994).

According to the bill, smoking will be allowed, but only in "contiguous smokjng rooms," which nonsmokers would never have to enter. However, businesses and restaurants might opt to prohibit smoking instead of building these enclosed rooms. Many owners of local restaurants had opposed the law, arguing that its passage would in private offices of up to three people who destroy their business if they had to ban smok- all agree to permit smoking. There are no reing, because they couldn't afford the expense of strictions on bars, hotel and motel rooms or building an enclos.e d smoking room. lobbies, tobacco businesses or stores, bilIn a non-scientific sampling of one Townsend liard parlors, or restaurants with an indoor Harris class' opinions on this new law, the ma- seating capacity of thirty-five patrons or jority said they were in favor of it less. · Townsend Harris Health teacher Keith HanSmoking is prohibited in all pre-primary, . son said, "Thank God. It'sabout time," while a primary, and secondary schools . male 11th grader said, "Smoking infringes on The Smoke-Free Air Act was prompte<J in other people's health as well [as the smoker's part by the results of a study from the United . health]."

States Environmental Protection Agency Sophomore Jose Melendez expressed dissa- (EPA) which concluded that "the health tisfication with the law, saying, ''The govern- risks attributable to exposure to second-

hand smoke are well established." The EPA has found that second-hand smoke is responsible for the lung cancer deaths of approximately 3,000non-smokersin the United States each year. The EPA found that second-hand smoke is the cause of an extra 150,000 to 300,000 respiratory infections a year among the nations 5.5 million children under the age of 18 months, according to a Consumer Reports (January, 1995) article, ''The Truth About Secondhand Smoke". Consumer Reports _ .J also notes that the EPA attributes between 8,000and26,000 new cases of childhood asthma a year, and the aggravation of asthma in about 200,000 children, to second-hand smoke.

The states of California and Maryland, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Ad- · ministration (OSHA), and the American Heart Assosiation, and the American College of Cardiology have all declared second-hand smoke a risk factorforheartdisease(Consumer Reports, January, 1995).

The tobacco industry has been trying to counter and cast doubt on this type of research for years. It has spent millions of dollars funding resea.rch which would show opposite results, but even the reaserchers funded by the tobacco industry have all eventually come out with the same results: second-hand smoke is harmful (Consumer Reportf. January, 1995). The tobacco industry has attempted to foster the public's disbelief in such studies. However, the EPA has given enough reason for many cities and states, now including New York City, to pass legislation against smoking in public places.

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by Demetrios Bertzikis and Veronica Lee In attempt to boost the slumping tobacco industry, RJ. Reynolds Tobacco Company has developed a new cigarette which they claim is "safc." The "Eclipse" cigarette, which will be available some time this year, produces less smoke and little odor, reducing the spread of second-hand smoke. However, it contains the same amount of nicotine, the chemical which makes cigarettes addictive.

The company has spent about $500 million developingthiscigaretteinhopeofrevivingthe tobacco industry, which has suffered from bans prohibiting smoking in public places in 700 U.S. cities and counties. These restrictions resuited mainly from complaints about and concerns over the dangers of second-hand smoke (New York Times, 11/271)4).

Critics worldwide argue that the cigarette will bring negative effects such as a significant increase in smoking everywhere, specifically among youth.

Freshman Steve Spanolios is not looking forward to the arrival of the.Eclipse. "More peoplewillbecomesmokers. Unfortunately, manyofthesepeoplewon'tknowtheconsequences still in effect with this cigarette," he said. However, freshman Danny Fisher looks towards the positive side of the new cigarette. "With the Eclipse, the terrible smell and odor produced by smokers will decline," he said.

According to its manufacturers, the cigarette will look, taste, and smell just like a regular one. It contains about 15% of the cancer-causing tars which make up 75% of the standard cigarette. Despite the decrease in tar, the Eclipse contains the same amount of nicotine, which means it is still addictive ' andisariskforheartdisease. TheEclipse's level of carbon monoxide, the substance which pcomotes lung cancer, is also nearly the same as regular cigarettes. · Presently, there is no scientific evidence to prove

whether or not the Eclipse lowers a smoker's risk towards disease. '.'In my opinion, a cigarette is a cigarette. If it still has nicotine, it's still add!ctive a~d harmful," said junior DianaLee. Preliminary results o.f consumer tests conducted by R). Reynolds indicate that smokers will be satisfied with the new ci&fll"ette.

Many people who have tested it ·say it is a "breakthrough" in the industry. However, the future of the cigarette remains uncertain. The Food and Drug Administration could stop its circulation under drug laws if they find it is simply a "drug delivery device." The Feoeral Trade Commission may also. cause problems in the area of advertising. The commision will not .allow the distributers to claim the cigarette causes less disease withou(evidence.

If the Eclipse does come to the public, the RJ. Reynolds Company believes it has the potential to become a marketing success story (New York Times. 11/27!}4).

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Ebe, Kemp winners Of broken foot contest

by Ellen Schnabel

gram changes" card and a "first choice Remember "Who Killed Dr. Largmann?" elective" certificate.

Participants submitted short stories, radio Well the idea reappeared with this year's contest, "Who broke Ms. Biener' s Foot?," plays, myths and poems. The first prize suba challenge designed to give students a mission told a story about an affair between chance to explain the two-month absence of Ms. Biener and a student. "It was very Judy Biener, the Coordinator of Student funny and a little risque," Ms. Biener saiid.

The contest ran for three weeks and wasn't Activities. The winners, chosen by Ms. as successful as expected. "We received Biener on. the basis of creativity and wit, approximately six to twelve entries, which were announced recently.

First prize was awarded to Lisa Ebe, was not as many as we had hoped," Ms. sophomore, for her radio drama entry. Biener said.

Ms. Biener thought of the contest to laugh Second prize went to senior, Wendy Kemp. at the unusual situation of the COSA' s long Honorable mention awarqs were given to absence.

"At first Seth . [Cohen, senior] Nancy Famm and Monique Wheeler. Lisa suggested 'Decorate Ms. Biener' s Cast,' \-'""' received a gift certificate to The Gap and Wendy received a spot for her winning but we realized it [the cast] would be offby submission in The Classic. The prizes for the time I came back. Who Broke Ms. Bihonorable mention were a "get-out-of-pro- ener'sfoot was a play on the past," she·said.

The truth behind Ms. Biener-'s foot

by Wendy Kemp

As a fog settled over the dark and silent night, a shadow moved. It slinked quietly along the outside walls of the museum, and then disappeared inside a back door. It glided through .the Egyptian rooms and Roman sculptures, and its owner crept stealthily, back pressed against the wall, carefully avoiding the motion detectors. Finally, the shadow and its owner found what they were looking for- the diamond. It lay on a crimson cushion upon a stand, surrounded on all sides by walls of glass.

And then it wasn't. There was the slightest whirring sound, the slightest movement, and a circular hole broke the monotony of the glass case. A hand reached in, snatched the jewel and.began to draw it out. A cry of exclamation in~errupted the silence as the intruder's palm was cut by a shard of glass, and three drops of heavy blood splattered to the floor. The shadow stepped back in surprise, as if moving away would make the injury disappear. Big mistake. A loud wailing filled the air as, one by one, the motion detectors began to scream in anger. Bur it was too late- the shadow and its accomplice had escaped.

With the dawn ofthe new day rose a tumultous wave.of activity. The museum was barred from the public by masses of orange-red tape, and numerous police officers invaded the sanctity of the now empty glass case. Detective Callahan, a tall thin man with a take-charge attitude, was in charge of the investigation. "Uh... detective?" One of the younger officers spoke to him hesitantly. Callahan looked over at him wordlessly and nodded. This young man continued.

"We just got some bad news, sir- the owner of the diamond has hired a private eye, who is on her way over here." Callahan raised his eyebrow at the news, and then shrugged lightly. "That's fine. just so long as it isn't.. ... " It was. His voice broke off as Private Investigator Judy Beiner appeared at the door.

Great, he thought to himself,just great. Of all the P 1.' s,I would wind IJ,p with her! English teacher by weekdays, private eye by summer, weekend and holiday, Beiner had built up q~ite a reputation for herself- and in more ways than one. She had the nasty little habit of trampling all over police regulations whenever it suited her. The methods.she used were also rather unorthodox, but the infuriating part was that P.I. Beiner always got her man.

Detective Callahan quickly shoved his bandaged hand into his pocket, an action which did not escape the private' eye coming towards him.

"So- how'd it happen this time?"he asked1 referring to her broken foot and the crutches she had ambled in on. Really- the woman was entirely accident prone. "Nothing exciting," she answered. "I just fell down the stairs." She dismissed the small talk and got down to business. "What's happening?" she asked, inclining her head at the empty display case.

C~lahan filled her in on the details, being careful to keep his injured hand safely his pocket.

It would not do for her to see it now.

The investigation went on until, during a lull in the search, Beiner and Callahan made small talk once more. "So- our phantom thief cut himself on the glass," she said, amused.

"He finally tripped up." The detective nodded awkwardly and spoke. ·"He must have cut his hand on it when he removed the diamond."

"And how do you know that it was his hand that was cut?'; she. asked, iooking at the detective intently. "Why not a finger, or an arm?" His eyes widened and he tried to look · nonchalant. "I don't! I mean, it's only logical that.. ...." P.I. Beiner pointed a crutch at him -or more precisely, at the hand in his pocket. "Would you mind showing me your hand?" she asked him quietly.

"My...... hand?" the detective stumbled over the words. But he had no choice. He held his hand out, and Beiner saw that it was wrapped with slightly blood-stained gauze. She flipped through her papers and checked something. "Do you remember," she asked him ~ ~-·-·· t' ~- ' •• _, _":

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llHil'tfs conversationally, "when I had to bring you to the hospital after you were shot? You told me your blood type then. Would you like to exp'lain why yours matches the blood by the display case?" The detective was speechless. "Surely you don't think that I .... " She interrupted him.

"I knew that you were having financial trouble, but I never thought you would do such a thing! Where were you last night, Detective Callahan?" He looked around, unable to meet her eyes. He was an uneasy police officer. "I was at home sleeping, of course."

"Alone?" the private eye asked.

"I hardly think that's any of your business! I... ...... well ..... yes, I was alone," he grudgingly admitted. P.I. Judy Beiner turned to the young police officer who had been hanging on their every word. But she didn't need to speak. "Motive, means and opportunity," he ticked off on his fingers. "Maybe you'd better come with me." As the young officer led his superior away, the private investigator felt a wave of satisfication at another job well-done.

After a long and exhausting day, P.I. Beiner went home, took off her coat, her gloves, and collapsed onto her couch. Callahan would be in jail for a long time. Once more, Private Eye Judy Beiner had cracked the case single- handedly. But tomorrow was a school day, and it would soon be time to change back into an English teacher. She picked up a navy blue shirt draped over the couch and hobbled to the kitchen sink. Turning the faucet on, she began to rub at it.

"Out, dammed spot!" She threw the words at the shirt in frustration. "Out, I say!" But nothing happened, no matter how hard she scrubbed. A small puddle of water fell to the ground, dampening the bandage on her foot. Leaving the water running upon the shirt, Ms. Beiner sat down once more and began to undo the bandage. Finally, it was all but stripped away, and Ms. Beiner smiled widely as she removed the sparkling diamond from the bandage, wincing briefly as its sharp point brushed against her palm, w~ich had, until recently, been covered with a glove. The smile returned.

"Not bad for a night's work," she remarked." And I got rid of that insufferable detective, too. No one can ever pin this on me now!" Rising to her feet, she returned to the sink with a spring in her step. Uiifortunatly, the poor jewel thief did not look where she was going.

With a spectacular scream and an even more spectacular acrobatic feat, Ms. Beiner lost her balance by the puddle of water and fell to the floor. The diamond in Ms. Heiner's hand rolled just out of her reach.

And that, my friends, is how Ms. Beiner happened to break her foot.

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Reiter recounts quiz show .exploits Of famous grandfather, Herb Stemp,el

by Erik Bloch In the 1950's, one could watch people in the streets gradually disappear · into their houses as the evening drew nearer. All over the land, they were hurrying home to watch television. It was a new and facinating addition to everyday life and it captured its audience and forever put them under its spell. During these revolutionary times, the most popular form of entertainment on television was the quiz shows, big money trivia games which pitted contestant against contestant in a heated battleofthe brains. They made heroes and villians out of ordinary Johns and Janes, and owned the prime time slot. They were also grand-scale hoaxes.

The critically acclaimed movie Quiz Show, which has recently been nominated for· several Golden Globe awards and is also highly regarded as an Oscar candidate, takes . a hard look at the scandal that brought these often-rigged contests down. At the center of it all was Herb Stempel, a disgruntled former contestant who was suddenly bumped off the hit show 21 when the producers lost interest in him . Stempel brought his story to the press. Soon after, 21 was no more.

Mr. Stempel is also the grandfather of Townsend Harris junior· Lee Reiter, who gave The Classic a more personal view of this central character in the quiz show drama.

As Herb Stempel's appearances and victories on the show became more frequent, the show's ratings climbed. The

thing and can apply his knowledge to many different aspects of life ...Still, he wasn't really that nerdy."

However, Stempel's "nerdy" appearance was a major part of the 21 scam. ''They'[ the producers of 21 ] gave him a real short haircut and made him practice the manner in which he'd act," explained Lee. "He • • ;;;

producers of the program quickly noticed the potential of Stempel to increase the show's popularity. Lee said that "they approached him and asked if he would allow the answers to be fed to him." Stempel accepted, ~nd the producers created a "character" that Stempel would play.

Lee was pleased with his grandfather's

Junior Lee Reiter spends 'quality time' with quiz show whistle blower Herb Stempel, his grandfather. always had to address ...[the show's host, Jack Barry,} as 'Mr. Barry' on the show in attempts to make him seem much more

portrayal in the movie, but said, "The character was somewhat inaccurate. Herb Stempel is a man who knows a lot about every-

humble," said Lee. "Hedidn'treallyseeanythingwrongwith what he was doing," his grandson said. Lee · admits that he too might have been tempted to partcipate in the scandal. "It would have been hard to say no to, but I know it would be wrong. Still, I probably would have done the same thing, being that it wasn'ta crime at that point." · "I think that he could have won the game shows without cheating," Lee said.

For.the most part, the deal was beneficial for Stempel. The ratings soared, and he was winning a significant amount of money, even though the actual sum was less than the show claimed on the air. "He still has little regret about the money that he was winning," said Lee. "In fact, he sees the whole experience as 'his story.' He is neither really proud nor angry about the events that took place. He just sees them as a very important and interesting time in his life."

Stempel enjoyed his new-found fame.

"His fami ly was proud, he was econom ically secure, and his professors were proud," his grandson said.

Still, Lee says that some discontent still exists. "Looking back," he said, "he regrets the factthathe was, in a sense, cheating. He regrets signing the contract. But he mostly regrets the unfulfilled promises. He was to have his own talk show and was going to be one of the writers for 21 after he lost."

However, Stempel didn't get any of these Continued on p. 15.

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THE PRINCETON REVIEW

(800) 995·5565

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Alumnus' dream com·e s true:

Herszenho.rn discusses .Hfe as journalist

t

by Heather Paterson Little children often dream of becoming astronauts, baseball players, doctors, daneers or gymnasts whenthey grow up. But DavidHerszenhorn,agraduateofTownsend Harris in 1990andaformerEditor-in-Chief of The Classic, dreamed of becoming a journalist.

Ever since he was seven years old, David wanted to go into journalism. In the second . grade,hereadabiographyonthefounderof TheNewYorkTimes,andhecurrentlyholds a job~ a reporter for this same paper. At a press conference for the journalism class and The Classic staff, held on December ··~ 13, David spoke about his experience in the field of journalism.

David began working for The New York Times during the summer after his freshman year at Dartmouth College. This paying job lasted all through h"is college career; he worked on and off, often forthree to four months ~t a time, and through spring and Christmas breal<s. After graduating from college last year, David was offered a full- · time position. David's case is a rarity at this paper, where writers usually gain experience elsewhere before being hired by The New York Times.

David works as a news clerk at the Metro section desk. He says he's basically a traffic cop, directing information and stories to

people. He takes calls and helps reporters ered on page three of the paper. On page like the Times, "It's a bureaucracy, where and editors. "It's a combination of report- one was a story on the increasing use of people don't have time to teach you," he ing and desk work," he said. Since David beepers in America and another on the more added. startedworkingfortheTimes,hehasgradu- frequentuseofshocktherapyasatreatment David's main objective is not to make ally begun to move his way up in the paper for mental illness. David thought either money but to continue to enjoy his work. by doing more and more reporting and story could have appeared in the paper on When asked by sophdmore Lori Ruggiero writing.

• any day. "I like a beeper," he said."I carry about his earnings, Davi,d answered, "If you He often does more reporting for stories one, but I would rather have read about want to make money, go into television." A to be written by other people tJtan for .his Pakistan on page one." own articles. Still, David has written on Junior Michael Munoz, such major events as ihe Crown Heights NewsEditorofThe Clasrace riots in 1991 and the US Air crash at sic, askedifthepresscould LaGuardia airport a few years ago. This kill an issue by not coveryear, sev~ral of his stories have appeared in ing it. David answered, the City section of the Sunday Times.

"NewspapersinfluencedeIn a follow up telephone interview, David velopments," and if an said his time on The Classic helped him a event isn't covered,"it lot in college when he wrote for The Dart- could change the focus of mouth. His experiences dealing with ad- the national eye." ministrators and covering people he knew David spoke about a clasin a small community allowed "him to jump sic example of a situation right into working on his college paper. when the Times decided Now that he works for the Times, David not cover a story: the Bay finds it very different reporting on people ofPigs incident. A reporter you don'tknow as opposed to those you do. knew about the planned In resp()nse to a question from sophomore invasion, but the Times deJennifer Wolf; David spoke about how The cided not to run the story New York Times iitself is changing. "One of · because it might jeopardthe things I like least in the Times," he said, izenationalsecurity.Later "is the increase in the number of trend sto- President Kennedy said he ries." He recalled the time the government wished they had published of Pakistan had collapsed and it was cov- the story, for it would have prevented the Bay of Pigs disaster. David commented on the paper's obligation to the . people, saying; "You have to deNew York Times journalist David Herszenhorn shares cide your job is to report some experiences with aspiring writers during a special the news an.d what hapEnrichment. pens a.fterwards - let-othstarting reporter at the Times earns $60,000, ers worry about [it]." · · but has usually worked 4-5 years at another When asked by sophomore Jae Cristobal paper first. For David, sound bite media is how reporting on a personal tragedy affects of no interest.

"Personally I'd rather write," him. David answered, "I guess there's he ~d.

"Newspaper reporters run around undercurrent of cynicism in all of journalin the rain.

TV reporters sit," he added. ism but I'm a lot less jaded" than people When Junior Irina Tsytsylin asked if who have been on the job a long time. "You · David thought his journalism career would Supply extensivecourse have a little more sympathy for people. You conflict with hopes for a family, he replied, materials including-at least seven also have to keep 1iOme distance," he added. actual SATs, manual·, workbooks, An ethical line that reporters sometimes "There's a balance; you make the choice computer software (all included face crossing is between the privacy of an when you have to." David noted that marat no-fee)? individual and the newsworthiness of a ried couple journalists are a new trend. He • Give four diagnostic tests which story. For David, the issue is "What's the mentioned that four pairs of foreign corremonitor improvement; return a news?" but he noted that public officials' spondents for the Times are married and detailed computer report in one privacy is "really limited." One instance have started families in other countries. day (included at. no fee)?

Although David has not been a New York when he had to judge whether a person's Times reporter for that long, his job has privacy should be kept occurred when David Have training from The . wrote for his college newspaper. The Dart- affected his outlook on life. "It makes you Princeton Review, which spends over $1 million a year updating mouth Student Assembly President, who more and more interested, more curious," materials, and does he take every had just been elected, was discovered passed he said, "and more and more baffled ... You SAT? out in a dmm after getting drunk. David's learn not to trust everything you hear and decision to expose this person was based on even what you see." · Charge no travel fee, no David has been involved in writing for consultation fee, no testing fee, the fact that it was a substance-free dorm. If and no material fee? this student had been found anywhere else newspapers since his high school career at Townsend Harris, and said a reporter's ulon campus, "it wasn't a story," he said.

Represent a pool of over orie timate goal is, "To accurately reflect daily At Dartmouth, David majored in Asian hundred great tutors, studies with an emphasis on the Middle events for readers and to convey then to well-trained and closely monitored so _xou can get another East and would love to go there as a foreign people as they are." As far as his personal tutor quickly If she .doesn't meet correspondent. He focused on getting the professional goals go he would like to evenyour needs? best liberal arts education and recommended trually report from a foreign country. But aspiring journalists to do the same. "You said, "Whether you're covering news overGuarantee re~ults? (Call our will learn how to write by doing it," he said. seas or in New York your goal is still the office for details of our guarantee.)

Junior Bonnie Yee then asked whether one same, [that is] to relate to people what you UTORING should start at a small or large paper. David really see." David added, "Newspapers are (212) 685-1500. (718) 935-0091 said there are benefits for each and advised, the eyes and ears for many people; they "Whatever you are, write." At a large paper need to trust you."

The Princeton Review is affiliated with neither Princeton University nor The College Board.

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13 Twelfth Night

Past and p.rese.nt

by Jennifer Pare The Blue Heron Theatre's Production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night is not just about the trials and tribulations in Elizabethan England. The flyer promoting the offBroadway play proclaims it to be a depiction of "Life on the edge; Romance and comedy in the uneasy 90's."

As students from the sophomore English classes and selected juniors found out when they attended Twelfth Night on Wednesday, January 11, this was no dated play.

With its portrayal of Elizabethan England as an unstable society filled with characters unsure of their future, Twelfth Night does bear a close resemblance to the present.

The trip was arranged by Lynne Greenfield, Assistant Principal of the Humanities deparunent, who found out about the production from Gary Bernstein, Chairman of the Blue Heron Theatre. His father is ari alumnus of Townsend Harris, and Mr. Bernstein thought the students would be interested in attending a performance.

The play itself is not as complex as it is fun. It tells the story of a shipwrecked girl, Viola, who lands in Illyria. She is stricken with grief over her brother, who she believes is dead. Viola, dressed as a young man, goes to work for a duke named Orsino.

What follows is a hilarious tale ofmistaken identity culminating in a reunion between Viola and her brother. Along the way, characters fall in love with the wrong people, finally ending up with their peFfrxt match and living happily ever after.

"It was funny and entertaining," said sophomore Christina J uva.

Ardelle Striker, the Artistic Director of the Blue Heron Theatre, always loved Twelfth Night and was waiting for "the right moment to do it." She oversees the

po! rtr~yed

work of the actors and director, in this case apart around you," Ms. Striker said. Twelfth BrianLeahyDoyle.'ForTwelfthNight, she · Night, she feels, takes place in a world that already had two actors in mind for the parts is changing. It's similar to the 1990's in that society is going through a nervous period. of Viola and Feste, the court fool.

The part of Viola was played by Elizabeth "There •s no fixed sense of where our sociStriker, who is also Ms. Striker's daughter. ety is," she said. Another subject of modem Feste was played by Ennis Smith, a singer interest which Ms. Striker feels can befomid and actor who has appeared in five shows in the play is homosexuality, which arises with the Blue Heron Theatre. "Most people in the relationship between Viola's brother will remember Feste very, very well," she Sebastian and Antonio, a sea captain. said. The other actors in the play were Shakespeare, she says, hints at the two men chosen by auditions and call-backs. Ms. being more than just friends. "It's in the Striker looks for actors who "work" and play," said Ms. Striker, "but it's up to the director to emphasize or de-emphasize it. "look" best together. None of the actors are I've seen productions in which their relapaid for their work since the show is already tionship was•strongly homosexual. We ju~t on a tight budget, One play often costs hinted at it.'' · $12,000-$15,000 to produce.

Year round, Ms. Striker is busy raising Next on the agenda for the Blue Heron money for the shows. The theatre in which the plays take place is provided by Playwrights Horizons as a service to companies who do not have their own performance spaces. Blue Heron has also been supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, the Department of Cultural Affairs, Time Warner ._and Consolidated Edison.

Ms. Greenfield found the production to be wonderful. Twelfth Night is one of her favorite works by Shakespeare.

"Shakespeare is one of the greatest writers in the English language and speaks as clearly to u~ today as in the 17th century. Students usually think of Shakespeare's tragedies, and not his comedies. They don't know !Or how much fun he can be,'! she said. · "People want to see Shakespeare," said Ms. Striker. She feels that his "some time, no time" period appeals to audiences, and that with his studies of tmman behavior, love, romance, and , social conflict, Shakespeare has a definite "universality."

"People have to survive as things fall

For AIDS support groups

as

Stewert, and Nona Hendryx. For many dancers, one of the main attractions of the event is the live acts that appear every 45 m_inutes of the five- hour fund raiser_ This year, Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah, The Village Peop]e, and Martha Wash all per- · formed. · Townsend Harris junior Melissa Rosenblatt claims, "The performers were

Theatre are three plays, the first being a documentary drama about slave life, entitled "We Are Your Sisters." The play, in honor of Black History Month, will be performed this month for ten intermediate and high schools in New York. The next play is a fantasy by Edward Sakamoto, entitled "Chikamatsu Forest." Ms. Striker describes it as a "philosophical play about how art affects people's lives." Last on the agenda is a prodnc.tion of "Rescuers," for next season. "Rescuers" tells the story of non-Jewish .people who rescued Jewish children during the Holocaust.

If you'd like to make reservations for a show or just want more information, th~ number for the Blue Heron Theatre is (212) 332-0027 or (212) 787-0422.

/\

oa· nce-a~thon raises funds

by Amanda Schoenberg Gyrating bodies filled the floor of the Javits Center in Manhattan on November 1 26 as the fifth annual AIDS Dance-a-thon began. In the middle of the ~ction were several students from Townsend Harris, helpers and others some volunteering just dancing for the cause.

Many of the students who attended the dance-a-thon are members of Students Promoting AIDS Awareness (S.P.A.A.), a school group which plans various AIDS activities.

The dance-a-thon was held to raise money for the Gay Men's Health Crisis (G .M.H.C.) of New York. G.M.H.C. was .founded in 1981, and through the years has provided various services to those with AIDS, including support groups, meal programs, and legal, financial and health care advocacY: G.H.M.C. has paved the way for other AIDS support groups, and also holds a walk-a-thon in May to raise money.

Many prominent celebrities are involved with -G.H.M.C. and the dance-a-thon, including this year's hosts, Rosie Perez, Jon

in S·hakespeare pl.ay

"'

Actors Dylan Green, Frank Sawyer, and Ennis Smith plot merry mischief through their characters Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek; and Feste in the Blue Heron's production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.

all great this year. I especially enjoyed the 'o1---------------------------~---. songs that Salt-N-Pepa did; they were the dance-a-thonwillprobablynotchangetheir For the first time, Townsend Barris' perfectpeopletohaveatthedance-a-thon." tactics, b!lt will hope for a better turnout chapter of S.P.A.A. planned to go to the This year, 6625 dancers, notincluding next year. · dance~a-thonasagroupthisyear,butplans volunteers, were present at the dance-aEach dancer at the fundraiser had to pre- fell through. Ilene Marcus, the advisor for I ~ thon, down from the almost 10,000 last register,andeveryoneraisedatleast$75in S.P.A.A., believes that only a handful of year. Eric Montrath, a volunteer at the order to enter. Junior Brooke Issacs says, · students went to the dance-a-thon because "I had a little trouble getting the money it was difficult to get to Manhattan, espedance-a-thon . office, surmises that "the response has. gone down,..this year, probaraised, because I go to the walk-a-thon also cially at night. She hopes that next year blybecauseitwasheldontheThanksgivand no one wants to give twice. It was morestudentswillattend,especiallyfreshing Weekend." The money raised this year · definitely worth it, though; I had an incred- men, very few of whom wentthis year.

On December 1, S.P.A.A. commemoalso decreased; $1.4 million was raised this ible time." Food and drinks were served, year, as opposed to 1.7 million last year. and since the dance-a-thon is not a mara- rated Worlds AIDS Day with a moment of Mr. Montrath isn't too worried about this thon, dancers could stop and eat whenever silence and an accompanying speech on year, however.J1e states, "It's [the dancethey wished. Volunteers to serve the food the public address system,and on r>ecema-thon's]growneachyearforfiveyears,up are always needed; as well as people to ber 6, 10 S.P.A.A. member attended a until this year." Those who plan· for the cheerdancersonandtocollectthemoney. seminar on AIDS at Queens Hospital.

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1 The c lassie wenttO print before the final gWJ1~softhe ~oy§' Intf(J)ii}lL ral Basketball Tournaffient. ·.cornplete (2overagd,teamlea.ders; ~pq fi#@ :ati~tips•• will. appet1fill•the•ny){t •.issl1§ .•• J3§fore•• the•grunes • §fF¢9!]licy 14; :ni8r Ron :Zaidrriail's zr and sertiotDavid Iarikeievich's cnot6Iaie (Continued from p. 1) ·.

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which can safely hold 600 people, has six basketball hoops, six rows ofbleachers, and eight speakers hanging from the ceiling.

The locker rooms house six showers, soap (2~11),Ied H)' $~~it.·· .· .· · . · . dishes, three stalls, and even a separate ''(Jul1iliefi' • :K3.tz, ·• .Tas~n•• •'Nisbett,·•• and<·sl1irodk. Faison,·· • · respeGif¥¢ty: Ms. section for visiting teams. The unfinished Nix, wb.9.refereedth¢ ll13.jorityof gai11es•played.this•s~as9P• auditorium will contain a catwalk, back1 1 0 6 drops, and a high-tech light system. Finally, where else can you go to find two basement rooms labeled 'BOOA' and 'BOOB?' ("ProQerat~l() \vithotitthem,• I·H••B~· sdhif'I~t~ly nounce them," Assistant Principal Malcolm Rossman says with a mischievous smile.)

While the new building has reeeived great praise from those who have been ort tours sertqih~§~··lett~r~ · \vill·· be. po~ted On.theinttaffillfai··Bulietih]36atci. • >(>··· •· · . some people have expressed concern abou~ the building's degree of readiness.

"The auditorium will not be completed until mid-to-late April," said Constuction (Continued from page 7) · Manager Sam Gordon. "Your school is a At Townsend Harris, the guidance de- numbness at first, but then very intense pain nice place, but it still has a ways to go," he partment has also had to deal with the and anger, both at the victim and them- said. According to Ms. Orner, construction will continue for another year, and there occasional suicidal student. Sheila Omert selves. often will be several areas that will be off-limits.

The emotions after a suicide are Assistant Principal of the dep~ment, says much more overwhelming than a "regular" Moreover, planning team member Richard that if the school finds out about a suicidal death because sun:ivors often don't get to Tiffen doesn't expect the fiber optics sysstudent, personnel are obligated by law to say goodbye.

They may also be unsure of · tern to be ready until next year. "I would tell the parents. why the suicide happened, since only 10% think that during the summer we will re"When students come to guidance, they of all people · who commit suicide lea~e ceive our computers," he said. can be assured they will be helped. We will 'They paved paradise ••• • notes (Samaritans Booklet). work with them to try to help them underFor many, like an anonymous Townsend A more serious problem, according to Mr. stand their problems and that they are solvthreat of drastic budget Harris student, suicide is something one Rossman, is the able by less drastic s.olutions. Also, we will see that they are referred to appropriate thinks about occasionally. He says, "AI- cuts, which could leave Townsend Harris outside professionals. Over the years, stu- though I've thought about it, I realized that without the resources to utilize the state-ofdents have come or been referred to guid- it's a rash and stupid ~ecision. If you weigh t~e-art- facility to its potential. (See editoance who.have had suicidal thoughts. Very the facts, things will always look better than rial, p.2.) few have ever actually attempted it," said they do then." For all too many teenagers, ~·ournewschoolhasatremendous.amount though, suicide is a ~arsh reality. Whether of resources, butiffunding is cut, we won't Ms.Omer.

"I'd like to hope it's a reflection on the crying out for attention or some other rea- ·. have the money to teach the staff and stuschool," she continued. "Kids are familiar son, too many teenagers face the dangers of dents how to. use. the intricate equi~me~t in th~ commumcattons shop and aud1tonum, with the guidance department and with the committing suicide each year.

Hopefully, those who entertain thoughts sald Mr. Rossman. H~ looked further into other adults in the School who can intercede of suicide, or are depressed, will get help th~ future by re~ectmg on a 1970 Joni · and help them." before they attempt this final step.

TeenMuchellsong,"B•gYellowT~i,"inwhich Suicide not only affects the victims, but it leaves many bewildered "survivors." These agers can get help by calling any of the hot- she w~te, They paved paradzse, but put up pa~kmg lot; they took all the trees and put survivors may experience such feelings as lines a:nd support groups listed below. · emma tree museum.' ''I don't think we will tum into that museum, but the budget . cuts will surely change the way we look," he said.

Dr. Largmann also fears that Townsend (Continued from page 11) Harris students will "lose the intimacy we things. There wa8 a slight drop in the ratings The21 scandal, however, was only the tip have here. We willhave to find a way to pull and his popularity was slipping. The pro- of the iceberg. Stempel's confessions led to ourselves together," he said. Senior Sarah ducers began searching for someone.to re- the · in-depth investigations and eventual Tremml agreed. "I thought the building was place him. Finally, He was "defeated" by .cancellation of other popular quiz shows as an enormously popular. contestant named Dotto and The $64,000 Question.

Charles Van Doren; With almost 40 years passed since the "On the night my grandfather lost," Lee orig~nal ?as~o, ~ee s~ys that his grandfasaid, "the question that decided the game ther 1s enJoymg h1s rekmdled fame from the asked for the name of the movie that was movie Quiz Show. "He was a consultant for · The joined schools will share certain named Best Picture in 1958. He knew the the film and was invited to its premiere. He .rooms, such as bathrooms, but will not answer was Marty. It was his favorite movie. has made some television appearances and share academic classrooms. According .to It was hard for him to say the wrong an- is doing college lectures. He appreciates the Mr. Ratner, "The middle school is set up as swer." Stern pel had been ordered to lose the recognition, but tries to keep a low profile," an open school without walls. When we game as the climax to the long battle of the Lee said. In fact, Stempel still works for the move into Townsend Harris' building, we brains with Van Doren.

Transit Authority; the same job he had are going to set up the same way." He said Angry at being dropped, Stern pel would while he was on the show. that his school will use large rooms to go public about his struggles with the game Lee says that he ~d his grandfather have accommodate several classes at a time. For show. As a result of his coming forward, the "a very good relationship." Despite his example, -the current computer room will show was canceled. "In addition to that," grandfather'sintellect,Leeadds, "heknows have the machines removed and be occusaid Lee, "the producers were blacklisted, when to put the books down. We're alike in pied by about four classes.

VanDoren wentintohiding,andthe 'Stem- this aspect I don't really study that much. ·Ms. Organisciak said the building "is pel Laws! were passed. These laws made it There are just so many other things you can very cozy, but it will be perfect for us illegal to rig game shows." be doing." because we will have a personalized envi.:::::::::::::-.::::::::<:>:::::::::::::::-::::::/:::::>_ :>- ':: :::_:·:.:::::<:::::::>.::.·:::::::::<:: ::< :;·_: .,:::-:: :::::<::::::_:;:::::<::::: >::::·.<.: :<::::-::::::::::::::::::::.:<::::·.:::-::. :_:::::::-:::.: .:. ·:. ' .:.< :.:: :···. :::_:::::;:::-:::::::::::::::: .. :::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::: ... ::::<:

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Suicide attempts on the rise

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Reiter recounts quiz show exploits

beautiful when I went on the tour, but I'm afraid we are going to lose our closeness," she said.

ANewEra · When the Townsend Harris family makes its move, it will bring with it a rich history with longstanding traditions such as "bands," "Enrichment," and a "no-bell" system. However, as Dr. Largmann explained, many aspects of student life are bound to change. , A new schedule has already been instituted, with classes beginning at 8 A.M. and ending at 2:20 or 3:00P.M. "Perhaps we.,. will switch to a matrix other than 60 and 40 minute bands," said Dr. Largmann. He discussed the possibility of playing music over the P.A. to signal the end of classes which would replace the present no-signal policy. Classical music and oldies are certainly options, but Dr. Largmann told The Classic that Pearl Jam would not be considered.

"Any 'changes that will be made depend on how we get adjusted," he said.

In the meantime, students and faculty have been preparing for the move. During Regents Week (January. 24-31), over 100 students came hack to school and assisted teachers in emptying closets, clearing out desks, and packing boxes. The Student Union was in the midst of its "Coundown 1 Until We Move" and was forced to stop at Di!Y 4. The actual moving of books, supplies, and other paraphernalia had been scheduled for mid-winter recess (February 20-24).

'It looks like a really great high school, and we are all very excited," said junior Vesna Vasic, Treasurer of the Student Union.

"Certainly we look forward to the move," said Humanities teacher and Attendance Coordinator Harriette Blechman, whose new office happens to be labeled 'LATENESS.' "I am sure there will be problems, but they will be new problems, and one of our best assets is dealing with new problems," she said.

Dr. Largmann smiled and said, "This is a joy for me. The staff and students ofthis . school have always taken pride in themselves and their accomplishments. Now we can take pride in a phenomenal facility." ·

New ·tenants for 'shoebox' ..

(Continued from p. 5)

ronment that will fit into the building .... ,_.

[Right now,] we don't have access to our own libr~y or gym, so being in our own building will allow us to call it home."

Let Your Voice Be Heard <"

Write a Letter to the Editor of The Classic.

.

Put letters in Ms. Cowen's mailbox.

Girls' basketball grabs 2nd place Lunging from last to fitst, Fen· c~r:s duel to victory

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by Phyllis Pei Winning their biggest game of the season against Beach Channel high school on Tuesday, January 31, puts the Ladies' Varsity Basketball team, the Hawks, in second place within Queens Division 2 with a division record of 6-2.

This also qualifies them for the play-offs.

Before Tuesday'·s game, Morton Shein, Beach Channel's coach said, "This is a very important game and I hope to win by.a bigger margin than last time." However, junior Kelly Olino, captain, led the Hawks to victory with a record

high of 28 points. "We must stop Beach Channel's guard, Jill Falcone, senior, who is basically the team because she is always the high scorer," said the Hawks' coach, Lawrence Ceraulo. In their December 15 game, Falcone (11) scored 42 points and led her team to a win against the Hawks, 58-50. Mr. Ceraulo used double-team defense against Falcone who only managed to score a modest 16 points.

The Hawks took an early lead, 21-12 in the first quarter. By half-time, the Hawks led 34-26.

When asked what Beach Channel needed to change in the second-half, Jill Falcone, commented, "I think we need to change our defense that's what we definitely need to do." However, Kelly Olino said," We will continue to double-team against Falcone and maybe try sitting on her." With team effort and Olino "playing her best game of the season,"according to Mr. Ceraulo, Harris won 61-52. .

"I will be very happy if we win one or two games in the play-offs, ... "said Mr. Ceraulo. "The competition, however, is tough in Queens," he explained.

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Larry Ceraulo, coach of the Girls' Varsity Basketball team, plots strategy with Fatima Chatfield, Ibiyemi Blijden, Jennifer Conlisk, Christine-Grant, Kelly Olino, Lisa Phil potts, Sarah Courtney, Debbie Stroumbos, Christina Babian, Pauline Chel) and, not visible, Adrienne Socci.

Turtles shell all competition .

by Jessica Gazsy It may be their name, but these "Turtles" are far from slow. The Ladies' Varsity Swim Team laughed over this name throughout the season.

"I like it for its irony. It sounds better to say the Turtles won when they are supposed to re·really slow," explained Taslim Dhanji, -

junior~

The team achieved the title of Queens Division Champions with their season record of 9-0 in · Queens, but broke their undefeated record in their first game of the playoffs against Midwood High School on November 28.

"We had a really good season," said junior Valerie Fristachi. ."Everyone had a good time at the meets. Even if we didri't win, cheering and writing on ourselves kept our spirit up. We all sup-

ported each other."

To promote team spirit during meets, the team would often use green markers to write messages on each other.

"We did well but I think we could have .done better," commented junior Allison Lewis. But Erica Carroll, sophomore, argued, "No we couldn't. We did our best and we accomplished our. goal as Queens Champs."

Erica swam the 100 meter backstroke in 1.02 minutes against Midwood. · The meet against Midwood proved a challenge to Townse~d Harris swimmers. Elisha Ramos swam her best time for the 50 meter freestyle: 26.5 second.

Rebecca Mandell also did her best time for the season with 7.19 minutes for the 500 meter freestyle swimming event. Jok-

.,

ingly she said, ''I'm really the one who holds the team together. I don't know what they would do without me. Just kidding!"

"We had a great team this year; we sent a strong team to the open championships," said Allison. Erica added, "Our relays placed first and third; and qualified for the New York State Federation Meet."

Thinking ahead, Elisha said, "I hope we reach the final four in the city next year, like we did in '93."

According to Rebecca, "Next year we're hoping to get some really good -freshmen to keep our team strong.

I'm also hoping to swim some new events next year such as the 100 fly."

Swim coach James Jordan commented, "We had an outstanding year and it looks very promising for next year because of the many new swimmers we have."

· by Heather Paterson Jumping from 1993's last-place finish within the Queen's Division, this year's co-ed fencing team ranked as the Queens Champions. Helping the team to this achievement were four of the toplO fencers in Queens who competed in the City Individual Championships.

Finishing the 1994 season with a 7- 2 record, the fencing team had "a lot of firsts this year," commented coach Anthony Scarnati.

One "first" was their winning record, beating schools they had never beaten before. Juniors DerrickKoandEvanAvdulous,along with seniors George Schwartz and Ken Hsu, were invited to the City Individual Championships when previously the team only had one qualifier. Derrick was also the first ever to advance to the semifinal round.

The team's rise to the top can be attributed to several factors, such as better quality practice time and a more experienced team: Mr. Scarnati said, "We didn 'thave to start from scratch."

The team basically had the same core as last year, but the players were no longer novices, having one year of experience. Also the addition of rookie Ken Hsu, who, Mr. Scarnati said, "turned out to be just about the best fencer on the team," was pivotal.

The experienced team not only . had better quality practices, but more of them than in the past.

More money from the Student Union allowed for more equipment and the opportunity for everyone to fence in practice. The fragile equipment did not have to

be preserved so gingerly for matches.

Even though only nine fencers . on the A team compete in competition, another nine on the B team have to be ready to jump in. . "Everyone contributed; even our subs came in and won," said Mr. Scarnati. "In addition to the four that made the individual champs, Jesse Straus won important key matches that put us over the top, and George Patakis won a bout in a key spot as a substitute against Cardozo, a match that won us the Queens Championship," he said.

The girls who contributed to the team's success this year were junio_rs Angela Minivlli and Winnie Look. Winnie started for the first half of the season and helped the team beat Jamaica High School in the opening match. Angela fenced three times in competition, and won ).ler first victory against Van Buren.

"Everyone's really close and when we're losing, we help each other out because everyonedoesn 't win all the time," said Derrick.

"Win or lose we stick together."

Angela added, "We knew we had a shot, so we worked hard."

The fencing team is almost exclusively seniors and Mr. Scarnatti is looking for more people to join even if they lack experience; after all, one year of practice brought this team a lol}g way .

Fencing is "very interesting," said Ken, who really enjoyed his first year in the sport. The team would also welcome greater fan support next season.

Evan commented, "We had a very strong and talented team this year. Hopefully some of that talent will spill over into next year."

f Taking aim during practice, fencer Winnie Look envisions a defeated opponent.

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