The Classic newspaper Volume 15 Issue no. 1 by The Classic

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Vol. 15, No. 1: November, 1998

Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

aSSlC 149-11 Melbourne Avenue. Flushing, NY 11367

Democrats dominate ·mock election '

by Christina Lesica should cover alternate treatments, .by About 83% of students registered to The Democratic ticket triumphed in 717 votes to 85. The third question, vote, a new requirement set this year. the third annual election simulation last which would allow state residents to Out of the entire student body, about week as Senate candidate Charles receive tax credits for private schools, 78% voted. Of registered voters, about Shumer and gubernatorial candidate Pe- · lost 244 votes for it and 564 against. 95-96% actually voted, compared to ter Vallone won the election. The "real Every senior was assigned to a spe- 36% of registered voters nationally, said election" produced somewhat different cific role in the simulation through the Mr. Scarnati. results as Governor George Pataki PD classes. The gubernatorial candiA survey by the social science reshared the victory · · search class given to night with Schumer. a random sampling Voter turnout was of 22% of students "very good," said An- · on the Wednesday thony Scarnati, Parbefore the ·ele-ction ticipatory Democracy found positive re(PD) teacher who, sponses about the along with PD te~ch simulation. (Those ers Nancy Leib and directly involved in Myron Moskowitz the simulation and Assistant Princiwere not surveyed.) pal of Humanities "An overwhelming Lynne Greenfield, ran majority, 75%," bethe simulation. lieved that the seVallone won with the niors were doing a biggest margin of vicgood job playing tory: 524 votes comout their roles, acpared to Pataki's 175, cording to Mr. the-next highest. The Scamati. Senate race was Students also closer Schumer won Stirring up support: Seniors Eugene Nirenberg, Diana Raab, and Antonella Comella cheer had to finish the . ' . on ,Peter Vallone outside Colden Center on Founders' Day. Peter Venech played the With 415 votes while gubernatorial candidate. sentence "The Alfonse D' Amato mock election is came in with 358. dates, George Pataki, Peter Vallone, _."'Fifty percent chose "interesting," Voters also voiced their opinions on Betsy McCaughey-Ross,- and Tom prompting Mr. Scarnati to challenge three ballot questions, which appeared Golisano, were portrayed by Doug anybody to find an educational program on the simulated (but not the real) bal- Cordova, Peter Venech, Taneka Will- that 50% of students find interesting, lots. The first one, which would ~How iams, and John Premus, respectively. though he admitted such a possibility. religious holiday decorations io be dis- Senate candidates includc;d Alfonse Concerning the .different outcomes of played in public schools, passed 507 .D' Amato portrayed by David Wong and the gub~rnatorial race in the mock and votes to 366. Voters also passed the sec- Charles Schumer played by Sean real elections, Mr. Scarnati pointed out ond ballot question, saying that Health . McGinley. This was the first election that in the real election, Vallone carried Maintenance Organizations (HMO's) simulation to have six campaigns. Continued on p. 5

~argman· n learns from .China's classrooms by Alan Fu Japan. Principal Malcolm Largmann reVisiting various schools in China, Dr. turned on Thursday, October 29, from a Largmann observed, "The children were two-week trip to China, his first ex- ~ happy and smiling, and they seemed to tended leave of ~bsence in 14 years. Dr. have a great relationship with their Largmann, Queens Superintendent John teachers .... We noticed that there was Lee, and the principals of Forest Hills, . a respect between teachers and students John Bowne, and Bayside High Schools because the students realize that the went to China to observe educational . teachers have an investment in them." practices and changes in the country and He added, "Students are taught from an to establish sister-school relationships early age about focus, concentration, for those high schools represented on the and discipline.. .. Education is much . trip, similar to Harris' relationship with more regimented in China .... Even Shimoda Kita Senior High School in teachers wear _uniforms in some

Ranking for College p.2

schools." When ·asked about which Chinese educatiQnal practices he would like to implement at Harris, Dr. Largmann express~d hi~ appreciation of Chinese "staff development facilities for teachers [in school libraries], in which they are able to be set off in carrels." In these facilities, teachers can watch videotapes of pre-recorded lessons by masterful teachers. "One of the interesting things in every school we visited was that there was ·Continued on p. 13

East M·eets West: The Harris - Asia Connection pp. 7, 10,11,13

SWim Champs · p.16 -

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The Classic November 1998

Election, Simu·lation: a 'real' success · If experience truly is the best teacher, then the 1998 gubernatorial and senatorial election simulation was by far one of the best educational strategies. · Incorporated into the seniors' Participatory Democracy (PD) curriculum, it gave them a chance to be active participants in this year's race rather than passive observers. As in an actual campaign, seniors needed to persuade the ."voting public" to support a certain candidate or to vote a certain way on a bal-lot question. The simulation exposed the entire student body to the issues that . were being addressed, the platforms that candidates were running on in the actual dection, and other aspects of the race that would have been over-looked by the typical high school student. Much of America's youth feels little connection to politics. Trying to define one's political identity as either a Democrat or a Republican most often takes second place to the average teen's quest to identify him or herself in a par.ticular peer group. What made the simulation successful was its accessibility to . - students. Roles in the simulation,

whether they required assuming t.he than Vallone, paralleling the fiscal situ- many an attack on Vallone by the popuidentity of a candidate, becoming part ation in the actual race. To compare the lar T.V. show. Tension between the of an interest group, imitating the print millions that Governor Pataki burned to Democratic and Republican candidates or broadcast media, or fulfilling an ob- assure his re-election to the much less heated up when Vallone insisted on takligation as a voter, were taken seriously then one million Vallone was left with ing swings atPataki's character. Pataki, and students did a laudable job in get- toward the end of the race and had to who chose not to publicly exchange . stretch to November 2, would be like blows with Vallone, came off as the ting their messages across. Seniors did not merely accept their equating the prince and the pauper. In ·more passive candidate. Looking back roles, but went one step further and the simulation, however, the monetary at the actual senatorial race, the fierce brought them to life. Organizations that advantage proved not to be decisive, mudslinging that AI D' Amato and otherwise wouldhave.gone unknown to even though it was a key factor in the Chuck Schumer did was a major part of niost students, such as NYPIRG (New . real campaign. their debates and public advertising . . In the simulation, Vallone's whop- This very "real" aspect of an Ameriean York Public Interest Research Group) and the ACLU. (American Civil Liber- ping victory (524 votes to 175) over political campaign seemed to have ties Union) are no longer obscure names. Pataki seemed to run counter to the real worked well for the simulated Vallone, The realism of the simulation was race's results. After all, the real Gover- helping him come across as the more impressive. Money, the life-blood of any nor Pataki did defeat the real Peter aggressive and assertive candidate. political campaign, was naturally an Vallone by almost 20 percent. A closer Students subjected to the American important factor.· The limitations on look at the statistics, though, reveals that political machine know that these types units, which acted as the campaign's Vallone actually defeated Pataki in the of tactics, fair or not, constitute a large funds, were meant to establish a realis- predominantly Democratic New York part of real-life politics. And honestly, tic monetary framework. A common City area. The results of the simulation, aren't these.the things which make simucomplaint made by students was that the then, did closely parallel the results of lated elections, if not the real ones, financial resources allocated ·to them the real gubernatorial race. fun? Comparing our election simulation Mud-slinging, one of America's fa- to the actual campaigns waged in were insufficient. According to PD teachers, the funding was meant to re- vorite pastimes, figured prominently in America, you would have to agree that flect the actual limitations on the real the simulation. Friction between Peter aU-in-all, it was quite beautifully put campaign. Pataki re~eived more units · Vallone andSaturday Night Live led to together.

OPPOSI·NG VIEWPOINTS: to rank or not to rank? ·Current policy benefits all

Eliminate all ranking

. by Alan Fu ·by Annette Orzechowski The distribution of college transcripts last month sparked controversy within What's.in a rank? What is it about that numerical system and the coveted ~ingle the senior class over the school's official policy of ranking graduating classes.' A digit identity it can grant only a select few? Is it the prestige that accompanies letter, which is sent with college applications explaining Harris' ranking policy, being known as number one or in the top ten percent most students find so appealaccompanied each transcript and informed most seniors of the little-known policy ing? In our society, being placed into a numerical category is far from a new for the first _time. Many questioned the merits of the policy, contemplating its concept. Income ranges and IQ's are categories that separate the haves from the advantages and disadvantages. Seniors of this year and years to come should put have-nots .. But how accurately can a number define a student? Can it honestly their minds at rest: The current and·long-held ranking policy benefits every stu- sum up four yeais of growth and learning, community service and extra-curricular dent and therefore should remain in force. activities? Since the re-establishment of Townsend Harris, it has been the school's policy Townsend Harris has always ranked only the top ten percent"of its senior class. not to rank a graduating class, except those students in the top 10 percent. One of ·The reason for this is quite simple. Consider this: if a senior's average this year is ·the intentions in creating this policy was to benefit top-ranking students by allow- an 89, he or she would be ranked in the bottom half of the class since this year's ing them to take advantage of many opportunities, such as scholarships, which median average is a 90. In any of the loc~l schools, that 89 would boost a student require students' ranks; this policy also enables these highest-achieving students well into a higher position in the class. The ranking policy letter which is sent with to report their ranks on the niany college applications that ask for them. In fact; a college applications explains that our classes do not have base grades, our school representative from Bard College told college advisor Marilyn Blier last Wednes- day is longer, college classes are taken in senior year, and that Hams' "demanding day that, should they attend, our top 10 graduates would only have to pay state high school experience" is one that "far exceeds the New York State Regents tuition instead of the private college's tuition, saving each student almost $20,000 diploma requirements." If anything, the letter itself presents more than adequate a year. Should these students be denied such opportunities? Of course not. grounds for eliminating ranking in its entirety: Meanwhile, since so many students earn high grade point averages, the framers • College Advisor Marilyn Blier said that the top ten ranking policy is "an honor . of the ranking policy did not want to penalize those whose numerical ranks would for truly outstanding students." Assistant Principal Shiela Orner explained that appear to diminish their actual achievement. Thus, the ranking policy is followed the.school ranks students in the top ten percent because this makes them eligible in order to benefit all students, no matter where they ran~ in their class. for scholarships and other special opportunities. These may seem to be justifiable Although students who do not get ranked have one less detail to show to col- . reasons, but a student who is ranked number 30 this year - the last number in the leges, what they can show is remarkable. For example, according to _the letter top ten percent - and the student with the 31st ranking, could be just one tenth of regarding the ranking policy, all courses at Harris are considered honor courses, a point away from each other. It seems ironic that mere tenths of points create and all graduates have "stud[ied] a challenging curriculum, attend[ed] a longer such huge gaps between placements. That one tenth could very well be attributed school day than the average school requires, and take[n] college courses in the to how hard a grader a teacher was, or the fact -that student 31 took those AP senior year.:' These elements constitute an altogether ''demanding high school exContinued on p. 3 perience," a fact which is well-known to those admissions offices who have alAlan Fu Townsend Harris High School at Queens College' · ready encountered applicants from Harris. Editor-in-Chief 149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, N.Y. 11367 It is true that a Harris student who obtains the considerably high average of 90 Christina Lesica Annette Orzechowski will rank in a low percentile of his class. In fact, the median average of this year's News Editor Readers are invited to submit letters to the Andrew Goldberg editor. Letters should be placed in Ms. Cowen's· Co-Feature Editors · senior class is 90. However, this fact is of no importance nor of any harm·to him, Brian Griffing mailbox in the general office. The Classic reAthena Ledakis Sports Editor for the current policy makes sure not to rank him and, in effect, not to punish him. serves the right to edit all letters. Letters must Photography Editor include name and· official class. Nam.es will be It is also true that such a student with this average would most likely have ranked Julia Kohen Lucy Hong withheld upon request. Busine.s.s and Circulation higher in his local district school. However, this is also insignificant when the Manacer Art Editor student is able to report that he achieved his 90 average at a renowned honors News Staff: Bosede.Adenekan, Afton Baff, Noreen Bukhari. Stefan Muehlbauer, Lauren Paley. Maggie Yuan school such as Townsend Harris. . . . . feature Staff: Lauren Amarillo. Jennifer Bartlett, Jonathan Cofsky. Karen DeVita. Emmy faviUa. Surabhi Jain, Lorraine Kapovich, Alice Lee, Irene Lew, Danielle Lord, Rebecca MunoZ, Aliza Nadi, Rachel ·Nobel, ChriStina Pagan, Ramsey Achieving a top 10 percent ranking in our school is an outstanding accomplishPeele, Julia Pemtore, Michele Potofsky, Carol Pruss. Emily Rubinstein, Steven Seidenfeld, Allison Slotnick ment. After four long, torturous years of collaterals, TIMOTs, and weekends at Sports Staff: Tabitha Hsi, Eric Trager, Mark Von Ohlen, Sara Yun home for extra study, top-ranking students deserve to know, and to have others Photo~:raphy Staff: Laura Bassolino. Stephanie Bakirtzis, Venu Dhanaraj, Alice Jofescu, Karen Parada, Joseph P!IS'loa. Lisha Perez, Lisa Shapiro. Kendra Thompson, Eric Trager, Tristan YISConde, Yvette Warenarn, Audley learn, of their success. Ms. Blier is absolutely right when she said, "As the median Wilson, Dawn Wing. Hye-Kyung Yang, Young Yoon grade point average of this year's class reaches 90, it is certainly wise to have an ~Raymond Baro. Vivian Chang. Lucy Hong, DoriS Onega. Kelly Punell, Emily Rivlin-Nldler unranked policy. On the other end of the spectrum; our policy allows us to salute Principal - Dr. Malcolm Largmann Advisor - lisa Cowen those seniors who have achieved at the very highest level."

The Classic

First e·ver Christian club granted conditional O.K. by Alan Fu agreed to permit a Christian club in orThe establishment of U!e first Chris- der to comply with Fedenll law. The tian club in this school may soon be- threat of legal action, he said, did not lty Lauren PateJ who ·s:,.nl eo.otitl-ess hours at come a reality, provided that a faculty determine his consent, nor did it alter One of Jason Koo's greatest pas- Dunkiti' Donuts eaU. Fteneb e.~ membe~can be found to supervise it. A his long-held opposition to having aresi8tlS was drawi:ng. Even at the ito.rst leFS, Jason llad various o4obames. group of students had challenged a long- ligious club in Harris. He commented, of times, those whe knew llim. l.lest !M~st woWI ealt IWn ''.fay." Senior standing school policy that discouraged "It would be unwise to have clubs prowould agree that he was even more Athena Leda!kis says that only. when the formation of any extracurricular ac- moting specific ethnicities or religions animated than his art. she was angey would she actua:My . tivity that would attract only ~limited to divide _an already extremely small Jason,. who was graEktated only cal:lbimlasoalK~ flllenit w:as .,-agroup of students. This group will be school. .High .school is a time to work, _ ._ June. bad been si~ for most of son Miekaei Koo." ftarey Ratti~ allowed to form the club if, in addition to live, and to play together with people his life. With his heart condition came Assistant JMn,cipa'l of Mathematics to getting an advisor, they agree to open of all different backgrounds." This rea- - a p~aker. d.pctors. and sometimes Md afOfB'ler·matb. teaet. of Jason·~. the club to all students, not only Chris- soning has justified his approval of a an ovemiglic stay at New York ttm- preferred "Koo-k0o-ka-choo." tians. multicultural club, such as E II E (Edutersity ~ Tisch Hospital. &m M'atly memories aboQt Jason in,. Acquiring the aid of David. C. Y. cate. to Elevate). most of, tile Um.e Jason could be ftilutid voJ:ve a eompnter in. some s'hape or Cheung of the Law Offices of Daniel By law, however, Dr. Largmann ~s · working on artwoik fotlhe Qumimm fomn. Anoflh.cr oumate of Jason's, D. Kim, this group of students, includ- obliged to approve a Christian club in Cat, playkig computer games, or Mtclmei Marchione, tales. ef a!tling senior Ji Sun Park and juniors Anna the school.The Equal Access Act of spending time with tieWis at a l~ niP:tehats and esped.aHy ~es onKim, Jason Kim, Josephine Park, 1984 states, "It shall be unlawful for any testaunmt. Jason had a reputation tor be. Athena recalls that the lam tbne Somina Park,. and Elizabeth Yoon, public secondary school which receives being ()ptiimistic and keeping his side~ she spoke to Jason w.a:s also ~-line. spearheaded the effort to organize the - Federal financial assistance and which ness in the \laeqround-. He appar· ''Reltad been on [David] utterman religious club last term and ultimately has a limited open forum, to deny equal entt/<lid agood job af it too, up unti!1 and was getting ready -to watCh hfmreceived permission from botl1 the access or fair opportunity to, or discrimiA:nguilt 7, 19!!)8-,·wben news came that self on television," slte sai-d. Board of Education and Principal nate against, any students who wish to · be bad passed away, .bson ~ to study CGm:puter Malcolm Largmann. However, the stu- conduct a meeting within that limited Gu1dano-e counseio-r James art and· web page desiBn. and was dents have yet to find an advisor or even ~en forum on the basis of the religious, Mumty describes Jason as a "won- . re~ to attend Queens Cotlege - follow up on the matter with the princi- political, philosophical, or other content detful. quiet. pleasant young this Se~r. pal this term. Elizabeth, who would be 6f the speech at such meetings." [who-] didn't pnbieize his ilttess."'' ~absent for ~t two president of the Christian club, stated, Townsend Harris does receive Federal Most ,.,.. asked aoout Jason~~ weeks at one point last yea'i;, Jason "I felt I needed and wanted to do it. .. to funding and, according to a 1990 Suto eall hUn "<Jltiet."ht Jason's class- ~~tinued drawing antl ltesisned tile reach out to Christians and non-Chris- preme Court ruling, is considered to mate and best fmend, Acitrim Kulpa. senior T-Shirt f0t the Clbss of "98. tians." She added, "Wr; decided to wait have a "limited open forum," meaning rewals a more open side of IHm: •• I 'Fomake hitnfeel Wtter When be w-as until we got an advisor to go to Dr. that it "grants an offering to or oppottu-__ found t:Jasan.:J to toe very blunt ••• , I in tile hospital, Adrian and other Largmann." • nity for one or more noncurriculum-re:t: V!:tUlsc4 -~ spend frlen-fi ~~~ b'uying 'Jitson the • D&ltitS"::tanifwe ''''~'Ctdl'fromtllii'*oon sliOW At one point, the school had been lated student groups to meet on school just_talked about _ Our eon'.: : ·South Park. For someone who .al1threatened by a possible lawsuit. In one premises during noninstructional time." versations ranged iiom colntluters to . w:aJS loved to create ani:matien, it of a series of letters last May between In 1990, the Supreme Court upheld school to how fie~pie . on Heraee . ·~y. seemed fitting. On AUJUSt 14, the lawyers of the students and the the constitutionality of the Act in the lilardmg coultln't 'drive. We didn't l~S. the''last d0lof t.ne c0llectmn Board of Education, Mr. Cheung stated, landmark case of Westside Community want to go home because we .knew . was pleseuted t0 Jason's father at the "[U]nless this matter is resolved by May Board of Education V. Mergens (1990}, that meartt doing homewerk.,; Jason · ~., · 8; 1998, we will commence an action in in which students of Westside High andbisfriendsoften~thereuntil "What was remarkaWe,'' said Federal. Court to hold the school respon- School in Omaha, Nebraska, sued the lll8lt in the winter. Odie~ tile Coordinalor0f.Stusible for damages, attorneys fees and school and the community's board of . Rese~ed or not. thing Jas0n detit Aetivi'ties. who· ·a:ls0 littended costs." The 'matter was, however, re- education for denying their right to form \Vas lwdly'e'Ver calted was "Jason." · Jason's funeral. 't>is·tbat he . ~Jiway;s their own Christian club. The Court held solved before that date. Am0ag the same pup of friends- bad goad spirit;" Dr. Largmann stated that he had Continued on p. 14

man

anytliiug.

Eliminate ranking Continued from p. 2 courses and student 30 decided to drop math after the three required years. This then becomes a simple game of arithmetic, ignoring the fact that number 31 - by Steven Seidenfeld all the students.'I'he survey asked if they might be as deserving of that scholar"I will never bring a gun to school; I had ever seen, used, or been the victim ship as is number 30. will never use a gun to settle a dispute; of a gun. Results of the survey are not - Not ranking students is a big trend I will use my influence with my friends avaib1ble. right now," said Jane Crowley, a repre- to keep them from us.ing guns to settle Jason Prasso, a sophomore peet nesentative from Boston University. "We disputes. " gotiator, based his presentation on rnado not hold it against a student if they . On October 8, the third annual Day terials he received from the day's naare not ranked. In fact, if our admissions of National Concern about Young tional sponsors, which ranged from the office rejected all non-ranked students, People and Gun Violence, the student League of Women Voters to the Amenwe would be rejecting 50 percent of our body of Townsend Harris joined thou- can Federation of Teachers. He ob·applicants." sands of schools in taking the Student served that the program was "good for Townsend Harris should make Pledge Against ·Gun Violence to help .Townsend Hllrris stUdents who, despite point to join in on this trend. The minute eliminate. the proliferation of guns their feeling of security at our school, disparities in GPA's are not substantial throughout our nation. . might have contact with guns outside of enough to honestly reflect a fair sense Under the l~adership of dean Wanda the school environment." of who deserves to be counted in that Nix and Coordinator of Student Activi· Originating from Bipartisan legisla"GPA elite." We as a school should ac- . ties Odile Garcia, the Peer Negotiation tton introduced by former New Jersey knowledge this fact and stand together Club and the student leadership class Senator Bill Bradley, the Ullited States in a rejection of this flawed policy. joined forces to address every third band Senate called for the distribution of the Ranking has no place in a school where, class. They made presentations on gun -- Student Pledge Against Gun Violence. as the ranking policy states, "students violence, distributed a survey, and so- Proclaiming this a day of national condetermine their own goals _and standards licited participation in the Student cern, President Bill (:linton addressed for success." Pledge, which was signed by virtually the great benefits of gun education and

Hundreds sign anti-gun violence pledge

the need to create "safe havens," where children can go after school. The event's national sponsors believe that there is strength in unity. They say that students "need to know that there will be millions of other young people making the same decisions they · are at. the same time." The national sponsors feel that gun violence is a significant cause of death among the nation's youth, and are calling for a partnership between students, th~ir peers, families, schools, and the government to win the war against guns in our nation's schools and neighborhoods. Tenth grader Keith Ng said that participation in the program "sent the right message to students everywhere." Sophomore Eric Trager, however, disagreed. "It did no~ effectively cover an important is~ue which Townsend Harris students have to deal with," he said.

The Class1c November 1

ditors·· Adve·ntures:

La Pineta by Annette Orzechowski Waiting by the brick service counter for your slice, as your server, a big, happy rrian with a pleasant accent, serenades you with the wrong words to "Run Away," a techno tune from the group Real McCoy, the mouth-watering smells emana_ting from the oven tease your growling stomach. "Fly away, fly away," sings the server, as you bite down on your tongue to stifle .a chuckle. Finally, an orange plastic tray is extended toward you, adorned with the New Yorker's food staple, the famous slice .. The atmosphere, as you walk toward your seat, could best be described as cozy. As you settle down comfortably, you notiCe the Queens .College crowd of 20-somethings chatting over th~ir steaming plates. A mirror covers one . entire wall, giving the place an illusion of being larger than i~ actually is. An- · other is composed of bricks, with a large arc containing the depiction of a pleasant pine forest in the center, a visual representation of the pizzeria's name. .After settling down in your pleasant niche, you take the initial bite. What greets your mouth is disappoin.ting. The excess of cheese so consumes your taste r,uds that for ten seconds of chewing, you taste nothing else. The sauce - that is if you can find any - is quite bland, lacking any trace of spices. The only saving grace is the crust, fresh, not too · thin, nor too thick, it folds over perfectly and crunches pleasantly. There is a condiment table to which you must run, not walk. Grab the oregano, garlic, Parmesan, or any other flavoring that catches your fancy. On a happier note, the garlic knots happen to be spectacular. Fresh and perfectly seasoned, they are definitely among the best in New York City. They are not drowned in oil, nor are tbey more garlic than actual knot. In addition, the salad bar is surprisingly fresh, and the hero sandwiches are mouth-watering. A variety' of Italian specialties; including antipasto, ~oups such as minestrone and lentil, veal, meat balls, pizza Napoletana, pizza Siciliana, stuffed pizza, calzones, and sinful deserts, such as a very rich and creamy canoli, all offer tasty alternatives to your ba.sic slice. La Pineta caters and offers giant party heroes three feet and up-in length.

Pizzerias in·the TH Neighborhood cleaned, and unremarkable, but rather, the piace was packed with impatient patrons, all of whom were forced to point at their preferred pizza. The menu board was missing, which made ordering understandably more difficult, but was far from the only disappointment ' in this mediocre pizza place . . The food, as displeasing to the stomach as the drab decor to the eye, was by Christina Lesica overpriced and underspiced. Though "Location, location!" As for the piznot quite as tasteless as the uncouth zeria in the Student Union Building on server who carried heroes ($5.00 each) the Queens College campus, how much from the kitchen with one hand stuffed better and closer can its location be for in her pants, the blackened pizza, at a starving Harrisite after a long, hard day $1.40 a slice (I learned after paying), and atwo-mile jog? Unfortunately, you was plain and unmemorable. The better head over to the other area pizzecrunchy crust, however, compensated rias -if you want great quality pizza. for the gluttonous globs of cheese which At $1.55! a slice of regular pizza is came with every-bite, and the satisfying decently priced and decently made. It · service and soft drinks almost made up is okay, but too greasy. its crunc,hy crust for the garlic knots (toast?), which were saves it, however, from total failure. If hard, dry, disgusting, and, unlike my you're looking for a less wet pizza, try stomach, unknotted. Still, the grease the Sicilian for $1.65. It is also covered which soaked each slice covered my with thick cheese, so cheese lovers can . hands and food in a fatty film, leaving rejoice. The best food was the garlic my stomach in a nauseous state of acidic knots (6 for $1.00), which were not too. confusion. .oily or too dry - just perfect. There is Attached to an Italian restaurant, also a variety of rolls, from chicken to Angelo's offers a plethora of other possausage, for $3.00 each. sibilities on its menu (ask for one at the As for the atmosphere for this colcounter), ranging from heroes to salads lege eatery, it is definitely no-frills (plain and pasta, so if you're going there, pass blue chairs and tables) and the lighting on the pizza. Despite its fast, friendly is dim. The walls, however, are the service and convenient location, just worst; they are dirty and painted a dreary three blocks down Main Street toward and unappetizing deep red. The day we Jewel Avenue from Melbourne Avenue, visited, there was loud music with a DJ; this pizza place is desirable only geowhich helped improve the ambiance. graphically. Do not expect this every time; they were · setting up for a party and there were many friendly college students milling around. . The service was great; there was not along wa~t, and they quickly heat up all by Brian Griffing When I went to this pizzeria, I found the food when you order, so you do not it to be different from the pizzerias in have to eat cold pizza. If you are in a rush, the pizza at the my neighborhood. For one thing, its SU building will suffice, but otherwise appearance was much better than I am , accustomed .to. It's very cleari and newmove on. looking. They also have a pizza display behind glass, so you can see what you're about to eat. As far as service goes, I ordered, got my pizza, and paid for it all within a by andrew Goldberg Plates of palette-pleasing pizza, minute. I never experienced that before. stacked in transparent display cases and The pizza places that I usually go to covered with globs of cheese, ancho- make you wait so long. And the people vies, vegetables, and all the typical top- are ~eally nice. I did pay more there than I usually pings, should have been enough to make any mouth water. But as my eyes wid- do for pizza, but I felt I got more for my ened, I looked down at the delicious dis- money. For $1.50 a slice, the pizza was play, and then up at the worn walls of pretty good. The drinks are expensive, the jumping joint, only to realize that but the cups they use are enormous. The something was missing. It wasn't cashier actually asked me ifl was sure I the atmosphere at.Angelo's, wanted a large soda; I almost couldn't which was, predict- finish it; that's how large it really was. Pizza isn't the only thing they make. ably, noisy, under- They have all kinds of Italian food . It's the kind of food you can get at an Italian restaurant, but instead it is inside a pizzeria. That's the best quality of the place. It is able to combine fine Italian cuisine with the informal setting of a A five-minute walk from Harris, the "schlep," even with a 20-pound schoolbag, is well worth the trouble, if not for the pizza, then for the delectable chicken calzone and canoli.

S.U. Pizzeria

Napoli

Angelo's

Where to find them ... La Pin-eta 65-o1 Kissena Blvd. (718~ 358-1349

S.U. Building Pizzeria

on the Q.C~ Campus (718) 997-5411

·Angelo's 69-26 Main St. (718) 544-7205 Napoli Pizza & Restaurant 164·02 69th Ave. (ns) 380-1112 Regina's Go-as K~ssena Blvd. (718) 461 - 0065

pizzeria. The people at Napoli go out of their way to serve the customer in the best way they can. By this I mean they serve high quality food at affordable · prices, with fast and friendly service.

Regina's by Athena Ledakis Conveniently located for ;1ll Q88, Q 17 and Q25/34 bus riders on Kissena Boulevard and Horace Harding Expressway, Regina's .Pizzeria Restaurant . would ideally need more than just the four booths it has for seating, but it appears that ' other factors make even the four booths excessive. The menu· offers all the basics you.. would expect of a· pizzeria, but unless . you are ordering a regular slice ($1.45) or a Sicili~n slice ($1.50), be prepared to wait 10 to 15 minutes for your food~ whic·h is actually good if you prefer the. food to be freshly made. The quality of · the fresh food, however, isn't necessarily the best; after anxiously waiting for a newly made cheese calzone ($3.00), I was upset to find that the bread was soft and undercooked. During the wait for my food, I was able to take a look at the simple yet di- verse decorations of the well-lit pizzeria. Fake flowers and orange bootqs give it an old-fashioned feel, while photographs o,f the New York City skyline, sports cars, and a frame commemorat. ing the Yankees' 1996 World Series victory indicate some of the interests of those who run the restaurant. The regular slice of pizza at Regina's . comes on thin bread without too ·much tomato sauce and not a lot of cheese. It is rather bland, without anything special that would make anyone want to go out specifically to eat at Regina's. The food seems to go along with the decorations; it's nothing you haven't tried before and not something that's worth going out of your way.

The Classic

November1998

Democrats ·dom.inate mo·ck ,election the Taft Institute at Queens College, whose goal is .to raise political aware'ness, especially among young people. Analyzing Awareness . The political awareness of students throughout the city will be analyzed by Mr. Sc;lffiati's social sciem.:e class, Dr. Krasner, and a recent addition, Dr. Dean Savage, Associate Professor of sociology at Queens College. The original survey for the rese~ch was developed by

eration of Teachers (UFT), the Board of Beastie Boys into ''Chuck" by the Elections, the Conservative Political Ac- Schumer campaign, and a fashion show tion Committee (CPAC), th~ Citizen's from the Vallone campaign. Budget Commission (CBC), the AmeriAt the kick-offrally,"there was a lot can Federation .of Labor and Congress of positive :Uergy," said senior Nicole oflndustrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), Zuchelli. Ms. Leib "inspired history" by and the New York Public Interest Re- we~ng a blue dress with white stars and search Group (NYPIRG), the New York a red hat with political buttons depictState Medial Association (NYSMA) and ing past presidents. "I thought it was a the Health Maintenance Coalition. Also ·great history outfit,': she said. represented were the'New York State Spreading the Word Democratic imd Republican .parties. · In an effort to spread the idea of mock elections, workshops were given last Reflecting the Real Election The mockelection mirrored the real year to teachers of other schools. "They election; only one female senior por- were receptive ... but there is a general .. . trayed a candidate because there was re- reluctance to take a chance; we were ally only one female candidate running. willing to fail,'' Mr. Scarnati said. £ Last year, some students complained Gender switches were not allowed be- . "' B cause they w'ould "take away from the that the media publications were not do·seriousness," as Mr.Scarnati put·it, adding a good job informing the public (see · ing, "Society is gender-biased." He also Classic 12/97). This yeu"the radio and said that since there are more girls than TV broadcasts were really good and they boys in the school, girls are more likely gave great information (much better to be in other high positions, like cam- than last year). And, the people in the paign manager. Ms. Leib also hopes that campaign were really funny," said the mock election ''will spur women on in our school to become active in poli.,. tics." . 'Shining~ Students "I like it [the simulation] because stuAI D' Amato and Chuck Schumer square off in .the Senatorial Debate in October. dents like it," says Mr. Scarnati, who Schumer, played by Sean McGinly (right) came out on top, defeating D' Amato, played added' as another reason, "There's no by David Wong, in the election simulation 415 votes to 3~8. ' one in my classroom!" Seniors were alcourt cases (political groups could, and Harris' first social science class in the lowed to go to the broadcasting studio, did, sue each other), and checked that fall of 199.6. Data has been collected for library, etc., as long as the visit was dithree years and this year will be evalu- rectly related to their simulation role . posters were signed. Fewer units (money) were allocated . ated. The simulation "gives students an opTh(\Rest of the Crowd to· each campaign compared to previportunity to shine and they really do ... Candidates for Lieutenant Governor, and it gives seniors a reason to be nice ous years. This, Mr. Scarnati explained, was done to create pressure on the cam- spouses, and in one case, a child, were to the freshmen,'' said Mr. Scarnati. Ms. paigns to use their money wisely. Cam- also portrayed in the mock election. Leib agreed, saying that the simulation paigns could advertise through televi- Libby Pataki was played by Erin "enables me to see students in a differsion, radio, print media, or posters. Kormann and Sara Samplawska was the ent light: creatively." "Money is the most important thing in Republican candidate for Lieutenant Activities a campaign," said Mr. Scarnati, citing Governor, Mary Donohue. Leticha Special events of the mock election the example of Schumer, who in "real Fraserplayed Teila Marie Vallone, while included the interest group rally on Senior David Abraham enthusiastically life" began raising money since 1992 Laurie Kalinowski was the Democratic Thursday, October 22, which allowed displays his support for George Patliki during for this year's race."All the changes candidate for Lieutenant Governor, the interest groups to spread their views, the Kick-Off Rally. .· Sandra Frankel. In the senatorial race, a debate on October 20 and the kick-off were for the better," he said. Andrea Martin played D' Amato's rally on September 29, the official start. sophomore Hye-Kyung Yang. Mr. · . Help from Newsday A grant from Newsday covered the daughter Lisa, and Annie Yan played Iris Television was a recurring theme at Scarnati agreed, "Technically it [this price of the mock publications and Shumer. the interest group rally as The Judy year's simulation] was stronger... HavThe simulation consisted of more · Springer Show: People whose lives. ing Jeff Spurgeon throughout the entire. broadcasts, with broadcast journalism . teacher Jeff Spurgeon supervising the than just candidates. Two classes repre- have been ruined by HMOs, was por- process was a hl)ge plus." As for the organizers of the simularadio and TV productions. this was the , sented the media, including both "hard" trayed by NYSMA, and a mock Rosie second year that the simulation received media (NYJ, Meet the Press, 1010 Wins, O'Doimell Show aired with , guests tion, "We'll catc_h our breath for a week the grant. Michael Krasner, political sci- Newsday) and "soft" m~dia (SaturdaY Jackie Chan, Dennis Rodmen, Ray or so," said Mr. Scarnati, but theQ work ence professor at Queens College, Night Live, MIV News, On the Line With Charles, and a special perfomiance by on a documentary of the '98 mock elec_"identified Newsday as a potential Erin, Parade Magazine, and the Howard Michael Jackson, sponsored by the CBC tion and the inaugural ball will start. Information on the mock election can source of funding," said Mr. S<;arnati; Stern Show). Mock special interest and UFT. Other presentations included adding that the grant is "an enormous groups included the American Civil Lib- a game show from the Pataki campaign, be found on the school's homepage: help." Dr. Krasner is the-Co-Director of erties Union (ACLU), the United Fed- a parody of the song "Girls" by the . www.thhs.qc.edu.

Continued from p.l New York City and Harris is .a city school. "In that sense, it was really the same," said Mr. Scarn;lti. Changes in '98 Along with the addition of voter registration, a Board o(Elections was created. The Board was responsible for getting students registered to vote. The Board also audited the books of the campaigns, set fines, acted as a jury for

·~ ...

The Classic

6 Getting acclimated: New teachers, safety officer join staff. November -1 998

two totally different people. I just have by Danielle Lord and Carol Pruss Those nameless faces of new faculty to live up to my own standards." Leroy noticed around the bustling halls in be- Howard, the security guard Ms. Gatling tween bands is a sight tha~very new is replacing, retired last ytfar. school year brings. Replacing retired Global studies teacher Susan Getting grew up with an faculty members or extensive backexpanding on deground in Enpartments as new glish, history, editions are safety and the arts. "It's patrol member Alice so great to have a Gatling, global studschool which ies teachers Susan specializes in Getting and Michael [all) that," said B. Troccoli, and ·counselor of the new Ms. Getting, whose previous anti-drug SPARK experience as a teacher includes six program, Stephanie Epstein. "My whole life is based OJI kids," years at Franklin K. Lane High School. said Alice Gatling. This member of the Ms. Getting said she is very impressed Division of School Safety Officers-and by Harris' commitment to serving the the Mobile Task Force of District 25, community. She believes "it's our job began her long history .of working at . to give back to the community and if [a schools with a part-time crossing-guard student] finds pleasure in [his/her work, job, which she held for eight years. A he/she] should contiime doing it for a mother of three who helps care for her lifetime." nieces and nephews, her job, she says, "' "doesn't end once [she] leaves the ~ building." Ms. Gatling believes that <U "Townsend Harris is ...terrific. [It is a] -s5 < great building, [with a] great faculty ~ and great kids." But she admits that she ] was very nervous in the beginning of c:~. the school year. "I don't want the students to be scared of me," she said. "It was just nervousness if I came off gruff the first Sus an Getting few days. I was especially nervous beAn avid-reader who speedwalks, cause I was taking over for Leroy. One student came up to me and told me that knits, and has an interest in photograI had some big shoes to fill. I felt like I phy, Ms. Getting spent a month this past had to live up to his standards, but we're summer in China with Assistant Princi-

pal of Humanities, Lynne Greenfield sures. · Stephanie Epstein, the counselor in (see "Teachers," p.7.) She also spent a week in Japan charge of the new SPARK program, describes her office as a and visited Italy with her "student hang out/counseling ofhusband and fice." This graduate of Townsend Harris, earned her Masters degree three children. "Having to in mental health counseling at Long Island University and has communicate with adoles- · worked with the criminally insane and also with mentally ill cents every day adults and children. and helping Even though the size ·of the them shape school, as compared to the old their future," is building where she spent·her high what Global school years, astounded. her, Ms Studies teacher ~,_ Michael · B. .... . Epstein said that "it was like comMichael B. Troccoli ing home." Having her former Troccoli says is his favorite patt about teaching. Mr. teachers as colleagues was a bit awkTroccoli, who believes.himself to be a ward at first, as was getting used to callhard but fair teacher, came to Townsend ing them by their first names, she said. Harris because "it's ~very good school · "I want· students to realize that this with really good students." [her office, A graduate of Long Island Uni. ~ room 116] is a versity, his previous experiences safe place for ~ them," said Ms. include teaching English as a sec<) • ond language and substitute , ~ Epstem . She · £urges students teaching on Long Island. ~r. Troccoli's first impression ofthe ~to come in with · S: any sort of. isschool was that the classes. were sues, including large compared to Long Island's relationship, 25-person maximum. As a drug, or alcoteacher, Mr. Troccoli "want[s] to . hoi- related make a difference and influence problems. All students' lives," but his initial cain.fo rma ti on reer choice. was not his current given to her is one. held in strict Originally, Mr. Troccoli .-... !- : \ ,..; Stephanie Epstein confidence unwanted to be a drummer. Listening to music, playing the piano as well less it involves someone potentially as the drums, reading, watching TV, are hurting himself or others. "I'm here to this ardent Yanke(fs fan's greatest plea- help," she said.

Five new elective -courses broaden cu.rriculum by Bosede Adenekan · This school year has opened with the addition of five riew elective courses: Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Programming, taught by mathematics teacher Joseph Horn, Photography with Project Arts Coordinator Lois Polansky, Aerobics with physical education teacher Robin Figelman, Broadcast Journalism with broadcast studio supervisor Jeff Spurgeon, and Astronomy · with Brendan Curran, Assistant Principal of the Science Department. The sound of fast-pace~ dance music echoes from the gym as students try to master a new step they've learned. This is the aerobics class. "Aerobics lets kids experience a different endurance act instead of running around the track," said Ms. Figelmari. By doing a series' of steps, students strengthen their heart while toning their legs; achieving a better overal fitness level. They also learn to monitor their own hearts. At one point, Ms. Figelman challeng~d them to create their own step routine. "It's awesome," said [junior] Veronica Castillo · as she wiped the sweat off her face. There are only five boys in the class . of 50 students. "Boys think aerobics isn't macho; it's a stereotype. If you go into any health club, you will see guys

leading the aerobics class," said Ms. Figelman, who taught an aerobics class in another school before coming to Townsend Harris. Although computer programming is not new to students enrolled in Mr. Horn's new AP course, the language being taught - C++;- is .. In Computer Programming 1, they learned the programming language Pascal, but for the first time throughout the nation, C++ will be the language tested on the AP Computet Programming exam. "C++ creates an object composed of a set of steps with the purpose to solve a particular type of problem independent of any other object, while Pascal is a step-by-step program," said Mr. Horn. "There is a large interest in computer programming in the school.. .. Programming cuts across many fields, from science to social science," said Mr. Horn. The phqtography class meets in 511, the graphic arts studio. Passing by, you might not see a soul, which probably means the students are working in the state-of~the-art darkroom. They are learning to use a camera and develop their own pictures, and they will refine · their work byfocusing on the aesthetics of photographs. Ms. Polansky encourages all students to take the course

because it enhances visual learning and - astronomy, the elective is open only to teaches students "to see with the cam- juniors and seniors who have passed physics or are currently taking _it. era as an artist and a human being." · Mr. Curran assures students that the The photography elective is funded by the Project Arts program, which en- elective is not only for sCience majors abled the school to hire a second li- but also for others who may want to "encensed art teacher. Initiated last year, hance [their] appreciation oqhe beauty Project Arts reestablishes some of the and h~ony of the universe." The juniors and select seniors who art curriculum taken way during previare taking the new Broadcast Journalous years' budget cuts. The PTA also donated $1 ,000 to the art department to ism elective are learning to use the statebuy supplies, including rolls of black · of-the-art equipment in the broadcast • and white film and cameras for any stu- studio, room 515. Broadcast Journal. ism is the "study of news story telling dents who don't have one. Another new elective that encourages on radio and TV," said Mr. Spurgeon., students to see more and appreciate Studet'tts will learn to create editorials more is Astronomy. Students will be- and develop leads for their story on ragin with a historical look at the human dio imd television, to watch and listen explanations for the stars, sky, and earth to news keenly and "understand how the from the ancient Egyptian to the Greeks way the story is told affects the way we and the Copernican revolution terminat- perceive the story," according to Mr. ing in Isaac Newton's universal theory Spurgeon. The only· criteria for the elective is . of gravitation.,. In the spring term, students will discuss stellar astronomy, in- that participants "must be willing to apcluding birth, life, evolution, and death P.ear on camera, speak on microphone, of stars, and cosmology, which is the l>?criticized by classmates and willing to interview others," explained Mr. structure and fate of the universe. Spurgeon. Students will be learning the There is "no better way of underbasic techniques for working with the standing the enterprise of science in genequipment, which includes audio mixeral and its progression" than through ers, portable and in-studio cameras, auastronomy, according to Mr. Curran. diotapes and microphones. Since laws Of physics are the basis of

The Classic

November 1998

Teachers traverse three continents to enrich cultural understandi-ng - /

by Noreen Bukhari ing comparisons between China and What do getting lost in Isreal's West' othe~ countries in her global studies Bank, visiting one of the Seven Won- classes. ders of the World, and reading the corMs. Greenfield, who participated in . respondence of an American patriarch ·the Bridges to Beijing Program last year, have in common? They were all part of had not planned to return to China so sumrrier vacation for five me~bers of soon, but when a last minute cancellathe Humanities and Fine Arts Depart- tion left the teachers group without an ments this year. _ assistant, she agreed to assume the poAssistant Principal of Humanities, sition. _ - The Chinese, according to Ms. Lynne Greenfield, Global Studies teacher Susan Oetting, Project Arts Coordinator Lois Polansky, :9 and English teachers Debra ~ Michlewitz and - Harriette , _, Blechman assumed the roles of .~ ~ students as they spent time enriching their knowledge of a for· ~ eign culture and even adding to -...._ •~ - the understanding of their own, ... ~ ] Getting and Greenfield 'J:T W] P.

Ms : Getting and Ms. Greenfield, along with-20 other Sampling the tastes of China: Lynne Greenfield teachers from a variety of and Susan Getting eat com from a street vendor in Tai schools in New York City, toured Yuan. China as part of the Bridges to Beijing Program. Funded by the Free- Greenfield, are a warm, friendly, and man Foundation and the American Fo- incredibly dynamic people who are rum for Global Education, they met up making enormous changes in their with a student group, including lives due to increased modernization. Townsend Harris juniors Paul Bruno and . Polansky Rebecca Munoz ·a nd senior David Wong; who were traveling under the Ms. Polansky enjoyed a journey same auspices (see "Great Ball in that took her to the "Cradle of CiviChina;'' page 10). Fo_r over 25 days, the teacher group lization." She and her husband drove toured the country. They attended Beijing University, visited the Terra-cotta Warrior in Chen Gdu ·and the Hanging Monastery, located off a cliff in Taiyuan. The Great Wall of China and Tiananmen Square, the location of the infamous 1989 student protest for democracy, were also on their itineraries. More modern Making a new friend: Lois Polansky establishes ties with a sights, such as the preJordanian studerit dominant American fast food chains McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, through Israel and took a three-day tour Pizza Hut, and Baskin Robbins, along -o f Jordan. A trip to the ancient world of with_a booming American Pop Culture, the Nabataeans, the inhabitants of the seemed to be very much a part of Chi- Red Rose City which is carved from solid rock and is now located in modnese society. Entering Chinese society with an em-day .Petra, was one of the highlights American outlook on gpvernment, Ms. of their tour. Ms. Polansky's vacation was not en. Getting noticed the effects of the Western World on the nation. "I thought tirely free from problems. On her way Comrimnism would be much mote evi- to Jerusalem, she and her husband were dent than it was," she said, "but capi- lost in the West Bank, a politically tense talism is alive and living well in China." area with a history of fighting between Growing up in an age when American its Jewish. and Palestinian inhabitants. knowledge of China was often limited "I wasn't as upset as I was supposed to to textbooks and toys with Chinese be," said Ms. Polansky. "All the while I trademarks, Ms. Getting said it was cu- was like, 'I can't believe this is happenriosity that led her to visit this nation. ing to me,' but I wasn't frightened. I She hope~ to use her experience in mak- have a dark sense of humor [that comes

out] during these situations." Ironically, Ms. Polansky's problem was resolved when she r~ceived directions from a Palestinian using a Hebrew map. Upon leaving another city, Madaba, Ms. Polansky became pen pals with a young Jordanian woman involved in doing research on British English. Her memories, in the forms of pictures, scrapbooks, and a journal, are things that Ms. Polansky uses in her art. Ms. Polansky says the main thing she learned is that people are more alike than they are different. "The quickest way to bring people together," she said, "is for them to taste each other's food."

past four years they have studied Thomas Jefferson at the University of Virginia, Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg College, and New World slavery at Yale, among other programs. A three-week trip to Africa continued Ms. Blechman's vacation. The trip covered Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi, at Victoria Falls, known as "the Mist that Thunders" in the African Ianguage, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Ms. Blechman watched as 500 · cape buffaloes waited on an orderly line to drink water. There is an order in nature, Ms. Blechman said, unlike the Western culture's idea that wilderness equals danger. Blechman and Michlewitz Traveling with . friends, Ms . . Blechman stayed at a water lodge on the Another summer experience that Zambeze River. A ride in a canoe from took place closer to home involved the . her p1ain ship to houseboats, which . served as Ms. Blechman's and a her companion's suites, all§ lowed her to observe some of ] the river's wildlife, including ~ crocodiles and hippopota- · ~0 muses. ~ African .society, Ms. ~ Blechman' noted, is still ~ plagued by colonialism. Even ] though black Africans have reP. ceived political rights, social attitudes have not changed much. The wealthy remain the ones in power. Ms. Blechman Observing nature up close, Harriette Blechman is rowed past wildlife on the Zambeze River. also noted that nothing is very sure in Africa. She cited her Great American forefather, George eight-hour delay on the Malawi airlines Washington. Through a one-weekpro- as an example. The delay was due the gram funded by the Gilder-Lehrmann president's decision to use the airplane Institute for American Histories, Ms. - for his personal travel. People interested in traveling to AfBlechman and _Ms. Michlewitz participated in a course of study on George rica should be physically fit forthe great Washington held at Brown University. deal of walking the trip requires, Ms. The class chronicled Washington's life Blechman said. It is an expensive trip in the context of the history of the time. if one wants to travel in a comfortable Using letters, personal notebooks and - manner. contemporary artwork as primary sources, they examined his life from birth to death. .~ ' George Washington, said Ms. Michlewitz, was a perlect example of a thinking 18th century man who em~ braced the new ideals of freedom and ~ .....0 independence. Ms. Blechman and Ms. >. Michlewitz took the course because "' ~ :I it provided a clear understanding -of 0 u United States history. Prior to the initiation of the course, students were required to read two books and write a lesson with their group on an assigned topic from United States history, such as the Whiskey Rebellion. Pulitzer Prize winner Gordon · Wood, ~ught the class and was highly lauded by both teachers. The Gilder-Lehrmann Institute allows teachers to take free courses on American History at a designated university each summer in exchange for teaching at a junior high for one sePlaying hooky: Debra Michlewitz and mester. Ms. Michlewitz and Ms. Harriette Blechman break from classes to enjoy Brown University's campus. Blechman fulfill this duty at Middle School 74 in Bayside, Queens. In the

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8 N~~:m~:;~-~98 - - - -

In or out: Who's going where an by Annette Orzechowski "Have you decided on where you're going to college yet?" After hearing that question ad nauseam from countless relatives for the last year and a half, it hits you that, yes, you actually have to start thinking about where you want to spend the next phase of your education. Since junior year, seniors have been working on maintaining their GPA's (grade po~nt av~rages ), paying hundreds of dollars on SAT prep courses, and trying to master the art of the perfect

essay to win over the college of their ~boice. lowest average accepted, the lowest verbal Now that reality has set in and, more likely and math SAT scores accepted, the highest than not, dreams of Harvard do no .appear average rejected, and the highest verbal and to be materializing any time soon, it's.time math SAT scores rejected. These numbers to take a careful look at what college is right are a likely indication of the chances the applicant has, but are in no way set in stone. for and accessible to you. Institutions that ~ere clearly "HarrisTo aid the student in this process, College Advisor Marilyn Blier and staff have . friendly" in the 1998 admissions year inissued a profile documenting certain admis- cluded Boston University, which accepted sions information. It includes the college 40 of the 46 applicants; Cornell University, or university applied to, the number of stu- which took 21 out of 44; Fordham Univerdents who applied, the number accepted, the sity, which accepted 31 of the 35 applicants;

PRIVATE

LOWAVERACC

ACCEPTED

APPLIED

PRIVATE

V/MSAT HIGH AVER REJ V/MSAT

APPLIED

ADELPHI UNIVERSITY

79.64 570/500

LAFAYETTE COLLEGE

ALFRED UNIV. (PRESIDENTIAL SCHOL)

92:14 670/710

LASALLE UNIVERSITY.

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

86.09 580/630

85.75 570/500

LEHIGH UNIVERSITY

AMHERST COLLEGE

91.67 730/690

LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY

ART INSTITUTE OF BOSTON

88.42 6401570

LOYOLA OF MARYLAND

ART INSTITUTE OF PHILADELPHIA

89.66 640/530

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE

92 6901730

94.15 640/590

MANHATTAN COLLEGE

BARNARD COLLEGE

BOSTQN COLLEGE

90.9 700/630

93.91 650/620

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

88.7 670/720

86.2 580/660

BOWDOIN

96.1 750/800

BRANDEIS

89.3 670/650

93.93 660/630

95.4 760/730

95.3 760/730

BROWN UNIVERSITY

(SA)

BROWN UNIVERSITY

MARIST COLLEGE MARYLAND INST.OF ART

MARYMOUNT-TARRYTOWN

MASSACHUSETTS, UNIV. OF

MASS. INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY MIAMI, UNIVERSITY OF

88.7 640/590

BUCKNELL

88.5 680/710

90.4 560/620 95 690/710

MARYLAND, UNIVERSITY OF

93.8 670/640

BRYN MAWR

3 1 19

MICHIGAN, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, UNIVERSITY OF

CALIFORNIA INST. OF TEC'HNOLOGY

U.C.LA

95.3 760/730

MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE

CALIFORNIA, UNIV. OF-BERKLEY

95.3 760/730

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

CALIFORNIA, UNIV. OF-DAVIS

90.9 610/670 ·.

CARNEGIE MELLON

89.5 600/530

CHICAGO, UNIV. OF

COLGATE UNIVERSITY

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

CONNECTICUT, UNIV. OF

MOREHOUSE COLLEGE

89 640/590

MT. HOLYOKE COLLEGE

87.6 640/550

MUHLENBERG COLLEGE

91.5 710/720

86.3 560/620

McGILL UNIVERISTY

93 630/710

.· 97 780/720

95 690/710 .

3 (SA) 2

94 710/730

93.2 670/720

91.6 710/720

95 690/710

83 560/530

91.7 730/690

83.76 590/570

85.6 550/540

DREW UNIVERSITY

93.9 660/630

DREXEL UNIVERSITY

86.9 530/590

DUKE UNIVERSITY

CORNELL UNIVERSITY CULINARY IN ST. OF AMERICA DARTMOUTH COLLEGE DAVIDSON COLLEGE

. ..

DELAWARE, UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE VALLEY COLLEGE

. NEW YORK INST. OF TECHNOLOGY

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

86.9 530/590

COOPER UNION

94 680/670 85.5 570/530 82.5 460/540

101

N.CAROLINA, UNI OF-CHAPEL HILL

N.CAROLINA, UNI OF-GREENSBORO

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY . NOTRE DAME, UNIVERSITY OF

OBERLIN COLLEGE

PACE UNIVERSITY

H 1

PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN 95.3 760/730

PENN STATE- UNIVERSITY PARK

PENNSYLVANIA, UNIV. OF

EDINBORO UNIVERSITY (PA)

89.7 640/530

EMERSON COLLEGE

86.1 700/610

79.4 560/520

PHILADELPHIA COLL OF PHARMACY

EMORY UNIVERSITY

87.7 670/700

92 .7 640/590

PITTSBURGH, UNIV. OF

86 700/610

~ POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY

84 600/630

P-RINCETON UNIVERSITY

FLORIDA AGRIC. & MEDICAL

84 550/540

QUINNIPIAC (Physical Therapy)

FLORIDA, UNIV. OF-GAINESVILLE

84.8 620n20

RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC

UNIV_ OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

84.8 620/720

RHODE ISLAND UNIVERSITY

EUGENE LANG COLLEGE FAIRLEIGH DICKENSON UNIV.

FLORIDA IN ST. OF TECHNOLOGY FORDHAM UNIVER-SITY GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY

81.6 590/710

82.72 650/580

RICE UNIVERSITY

83 530/610

R.I.T. ROCHESTER INST. OF TECH

RICHMOND, UNIVERSITY OF

95.7 7601770

96 620/720

88.9 650/630

86 .5 640/590

ROCHESTER, UNIVERSITY OF

GEORGIA INST. OF TECHNOLOGY

93.2 670/720

81 .6 590/710

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

GETTYSBURG COLLEGE

·4

84 570/570

GRINNELL COLLEGE

91.3 700/690

GUILFORD COLLEGE

89.42 590/630

HAMILTON COLLEGE

HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE

HAMPTON COLLEGE

GEORGE WASHINGTON UN IV.

Hofstra University, which accepted all 32 applicants; the University of Maryland, which accepted all 16 applicants; New York University, which accepted 52 of 101 applicants; and St. John's University, which accepted all 41 applicants. Aside from Cornell, the Ivy League schools either accepted a handful of students, or rejected all. Brown University took three out of nine applicants; Colum·bia University took three out of31 applicants; Harvard and Radcliffe did not ac-

- ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY.

1 ~

ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY 90.4 590/600

SAN FRANCISCO, UNIV. OF

79.4 "560/520

SARAH LAWRENCE

82.3 580/530

SKIDMORE

92.6 680/580

I I

-~ 1

HARTWICK COLLEGE

HARVARD & RADCLIFFE

HAWAII PACIFIC UNIVERSITY

HAVERFORD COLLEGE

HOBART & SMITH

86.6 570/670

STANFORD UNIVERSITY STEVENSINST.OFTECHNOLOGY

SMITH COLLEG!O 97.2 730n20

83.8 620/510 94.2 660/650

SOUTHAMPTON COLLEGE

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, UNIV. OF

SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE

HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY

76.8 500/500

HOWARD UNIVERSITY

84 500/540

SWARTHMORE COLLEGE

INDIANA UNIVERSITY

91 610/630

SUFFOLK UNIVER. - BOSTON

IONA COLL!;:GE

89 520/580

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

ITHACA COLLEGE

84 600/630

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY

JAMES MADISON

90.3 750/670

82.3 580/530

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

JOHN'S HOPKINS

93.8 670/740

96.3 650/690

TUFTS UNIVERSITY

KENYON COLLEGE

·1

87.6 640/550

" /

UNION COLLEGE

- The Classic _ November 1998

t1 what it means for you cept any of the six students applying; the University of Pennsylvania accpeted four out of 17 applicants; Princeton rejected the two students who applied; 'and Yale accepted one from eight students applying. Catagories that SA (Special Admit) applicants fell under included gender, ethnicity, special talents, such as musical or athletic ability, and family "legacy." These characteristics, as the profile states, are "deemed advantageous

by the university." The profile also gives the approximate cut-offs of certain SUNYs' and CUNY's. SUNY schools, such as Albany, :Suffalo, arid Stony Brook, require a minimum GPA of 83; Geneseo asks for a 90; and Binghamton requires a 91.5. An SAT score -above 1200 is needed for all the SUNY schools, excludjng Binghamton, which asks for a 1250. Queens College, the single CUNY school listed, requests an 82 average. The profile mentions that app~icants applying with lower averages must have "corre-

:E PTED · LOW AVER ACC

spondingly higher" SAT scores. a verbal score of 760 and a math scqre of Though the academic record is one of the 700. The student who was accepted had a most vital factors a college or univ~rsity lower GPA and SAT score than the highest looks at when admitting the student, a high rejected student, but the SA factor played a GPA is not a guarantee ·of acceptance. part in this person's acceptance . .For example, the lowest GPA and SAT Of course grade point averages and SAT ·scores accepted by Yale University were the · sc9res are only two components of the overones belonging to the only student who Was all package that you will present to colleges accepted. The student's GPA was a 94.1 and afid universities. Community service, school he or she had a verbal score of 640 and a teams, internships; among other activities, math score of 710. The highest average and are usually the factors, beside your grades, _ SAT sc()res rejected happened to be 95.7 and that clinch an acceptance.

PRIVATE

HIGH AVER REJ VIM SAT

VANDERBiLT UNIVERSITY

86.1 700/610

90.4 610/630

J, n< "v, " 0/630

VASSAR

90.6 670/660

86.5 700/570

87.5 610/610

84 570/570

86.9 690/720

84.9 730/600

87.9 530/610

94.5 7801730

95.8 640/690

84.2 610/610

VIRGINIA, UNIVERSITY OF

79.7 570/500

VISUAL ARTS, SCHOOL OF

83 .8 620/510

WAKE FOREST UNIVERS.ITY

. . 83.8 590/570

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

WASHINGTON & LEE

- 88.4 640/570 .76 560/560

WEBB INSTITUTE

80 630/610

WELLESLEY COLLEGE WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

0 1

94.1 640/580

90.6 6701660

WESTERN MARYLAND 92.61580/590

I !WILLIAM & MARY, COLLEGE OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE

80 630/610

(SA)

94 .3t8oo/71 o

79.8 550/480

87.7 670/700 . 83 660/600 88.5 680/710 91.6 710/720

90.4 560/620

93.41640/670

. 84.8 6201720

91.6 710/720

94.2 660/650

90.3 750/670

95 690/710

89.4 590/630

95.1 720/690

88.5 680/710

94.5 780/730

94-A 800/710

. r

WILLIAMS COLLEGE

(SA)

92.6 700/660

WILLIAMS COLLEGE

(SA)

92.6 70il/660

1 (SA)

94.1 6401710

. YALE UNIVERSITY

-87.7 6701700

(SA)

95.71760/700

-94.2 660/650 0

NOTE: SA= SPECIAL ADMIT

93.7 800/660

79.9 520/570

WL =WAIT LISTED

91 610/670

91.81670/630

96.113 750/800

95.831640/690

841600/630 87.86 530/610 97.2 730/720 SA)

961620/720

A Special Admit (SA) refers to an individual possessing one or more of the following characteristics deemed advantageous by the university: gender, ethnicity, special talents (musical, athletic), family "legacy." ,

88.3. 630/660

APPROXIMATE CUT-OFFS,

91.1610/63()-c 91.3 700/690 --·---

. SUNY:

CUNY:

· Albany : 83 Binghamton : 91.5 Buffalo : 83 Stony Brook : 83 Geneseo : .90

Queens College

81.4 520/520 _ __,_ _ _......::.83::.:·.;.:16=+6:..:6:.;;0/:.;;6-=:oo~ ·· 85.5 610/660

86.3 570/540 .

95.3 650/710

96.1 6!101710

93.9 650/620 79.9 630/610

82Average

79.89 520/570 93.81670/740 89.3 640/530 3

81.58 590/710

89.3 580/540

841570/570

81 .6 590/710

90.31750/670

0 9

86.14 650/630

85.5 610/660

82 590/580

82.2 630/450

84.621600/630

84. 570/570

83.8 620/510 94.Z 660/650

89.21650/590

90 .4 590/600

86.51700/570

86.1 580/630

89.3 580/540

88.3 630/660

84 570/570 95.31760/730

0 93.2 6701720

94.21720/690

0 76.8 500/500 89.4 520/650

81 (SA)

83.8 620/510 86.3 520/520 96.31650/690

0 31

It average is lower, a correspondingly higher SAT is needed. -

96.31650/690

(Good SAT's Above 1200) (Binghamton: Above 1250)

86.9 690/720

---- .JI ..

....,_,

The Classic November 1998 --;

Exchange student~ expand.horizons in 'land of rising ~un' America and Japan, afforded us the op- datory and extra-curricular classes by Andrew Goldberg As we walked through Ichikawa Ancient temples towered over portunity to witness first-hand the mix stressing traditional Japanese practices, Higashi High School, a rather plain Tokyo's modern slate-grey buildings in of modern methods and timeless tradi- we were taught everythi~g from the ba~ building made brilliant by magnificent a cluttered city skyline of contrastudent paintings decorating diction. Sushi sold on scorching the otherwise yellowed_, street corners fried along with e,o white walls, we witnessed ir" -, crowds of polite pedestrians, who ~ students wielding mops and 0 ' • waited patiently with fans and o cleaning classrooms, and recphones in-hand to cross the city's -~ ognized immediately that it · sizzling streets. Although it was ~ wasn't just the curriculum the rainy season in the "land ofthe 'Cl that was different in Japanese rising sun," and the natural nem~ schools; it was the student esis to any tourist, rain, reigned su~ work ethic and values, which u preme, nothing could dampen the seemed to reflect the spirits of six tough Townsend Harcountry's own world view. ris tourists. "Everything is neat in school Seniors Candice Chiu, Diana and every student strives forRaab, and Raquel Look, and junperfection," said Raquel. "I iors Elizabeth Mo, Ralph Marquez, think that's what makes Japaand I, along with Japanese teacher nese schools a lot more comHiroko Muchnicki, spent the, sumpetitive than most American mer touring Tokyo, visiting schools." Townsend Harris' Temple, and obIn a country where school serving classes in · Japanese custodians are unheard of, . schools, all as part of Passport to students wipe windows Japan, a fi ve-week cultural and themselves and switch shoes educational exchange program before entering school, leavsponsored by the Japan Society. ing thei'r soiled "outside" Residing with Japanese famisneakers in lockers. They at- _ Bridging a cultural gap: Harrisites Andrew Goldberg, Candice Chiu, Diana Raab, Elizabeth Mo, and Raquel Look lies in the rural riceland commutend school longer than most stop to admire an ancient, golden shrine in Kyoto. Acting as ambassadors, they, along with Ralph Marquez (not shown}, spent the summer in Japan as part of the Passport to Japan exchange program. nities surrounding Tokyo from American students, until mid June 25 - July 28, we were hosted July, including classes every by six Japanese students from other Saturday, and extra-curIchikawa Higashi High School, includ~ tions which have combined to create a sics of book binding by hand to master- ricular clubs which often last well into ing Daisuke Kichiya_, Masashi Ohtake, unique culture and system of education ing expert maneuvers on the kendama, the evening. Mitsuyo Komiya, and Aki Watabe, the in Japan. Daily activities included writing a traditional Japanese toy. "School in four exchange students who visited School System Japan was definitely a memorable ex- Chinese characters, called Kanji, in calTownsend Harris last March. Our free Just as gardens of granite and ancient perience. It seemed very structured and ligraphy classes at a local elementary Japanese journey, sponsored by the Ja- art are still visible today in contempo- focused on a high order of discipline," school, participating in discussions pan Society, a non-profit organization . rary Japan, so too are the enduring sub- said Elizabeth. "But, since it was sum- about American pop-culture in English which works toward greater cultural and - jects of centuries past still prevalent in mer vacation, my favorite classes were" classes and taking trips with our host economic · understa,pding between Japanese schools. With plenty of man- usually the extra-curricular activities." Continued on page 12

:;;!•

Great Ball in,C-hi·na: 3·spend 'awesome' sum·mer in Asia

•

by Maggie Yuan Many people will never get a chance to visit the Great Wall of China in their lifetime, but three Harris students saw this and more in an unforgettable trip to China from June 30 - July 28. Senior David Wong and juniors Paul Bruno and Rebecca Munoz participated in an American Forum for Global Education program, that was designed for students to experience a foreign culture. The three students lived on the campus of Peking University from July -1 July 16. During the day, Rebecca and Paul learned the basics of the _Chinese language. "We learned everyday words like direction words and shopping words. It was really helpful because when we went shopping, we would use . the vocabulary we learned, like 'tai gue la,' meaning 'it's too expensive,"' said ·Rebecca. "The classes were helpful in that before we would go out and sightsee, the lessons would have something to do with that, so we would have a better understanding of what we're seeing," said Paul. Since David is familiar with Chinese, he took a calligraphy class instead. After the lessons, the students had lectures on different topics of Chinese culture such as opera, government re-

forms, and modern women in China. committing a faux pas while they were They also got a chance to speak with at Tiananmen Square. "We took apicChinese youth, exchanging ideas and ture standing in front of a statue of Mao interests. "They were very curious about Zedong, the founder of the People's ReAmerican culture," said Rebecca. public of China. A tourist came up to "They would ask us about Michael Jor- · us and was shocked to see us smiling. dan and the Backstreet Boys." The atmosphere was supposed to be Sightseeing .included a tour of , very somber," Paul said. David almost Tiananmen Square, the largest public lost the group while he was on top of a square in the world where government mountain overlooking the Forbidden tanks ended a student protest for democ- City. "I was buying a turtle and I didn't racy in 1989; the Great Wall, built dur- realize that they had left without me," ing the Ch'in Dynasty under the ruler, he remembered. Shih Huang Ti, to bar northern invadThe group also took a train ride into ers; Sum· mer Palace, where the 'They would ask us about Michael emperors had spent Jordan and the Backstreet Boys.' their summers; BeiHai Park, where the famous 1500-year-old White Xi-an and stayed there for four days. Pegoda is located; and the Forbidden Among the highlights were seeing the City, where the emperors resided. The life-size terra-cotta soldiers which were tours were led by graduate students of soldiers built by the Ch'in Dynasty and Peking University. David thought the spending a day in the Han Cun He vilGreat Wall was "awesome." He re- lage. Rebecca was surprised to see the called, "Just being there was inspiring." poor conditions of the village. "There There were some embarrassing mo- was ,no running water in some homes. ments while the group was touring in We saw a lot of crumbling buildings, Beijing. Paul and Rebecca admitted to and this was all just five minutes away

- -- - - -- - - -

-- ·

-- ---- ------ --

from the city," she said. However, the group found the people to be very hospitable. "The people there were very generous. Whatever we wanted to eat, they would provide it for us," said Rebecca. · Being Chinese-American, David couldn't help but feel that he received some strange glances from the Chinese people. "When I was with the group, people would look at me strangely, like I was a foreigner, but when I went out alone, they didn't treat me differently," said David. "But then there [was] always the way I dress[ed] that appear[ed] different." . · ,. The 22 students in tbegroup had been selected from New York City high schools including Brooklyn Tech, Forest Hills, and Midwood High School, among others, to participate in the program. Qualifying for this trip included writing a mock journal entry simulating the journey as well as writing a paragraph about why they wanted to go on this trip. The students were then interviewed by a faculty committee including Principal Malcolm Largmann, Assistimct Principal of Humanities Lynne Greenfield, COSA Odile Garcia, College Advisor Marilyn Blier, and guidance counselor James MUilay.

--·-

,The Classic November 1998

Paralyzed gymnast works to pull herself up by Alice Lee toring from ~:10 to 11:30. The subjects regained the use of his legs. He is a true college. Th~y are wonderfuL They are "It was like a dream .. .! couldn't be- are Chinese, Mathematics, History, and gentleman, and he came to visit me at the most understanding and patient boys lieve it," said Sang Lan, the 17-year-old Science. After 12, we undergo training Nassau County Medical ~enter to en- ever. They visit me almost every day, Gold Medal gymnast from China, - re- again. _ courage me, since his injury was simi- and they always try to make me laugh. ferring to the recent accident which left Q: Have you ever thought of quit- lar t_o mine. Now, I am using GM~ 1 as They are my .god-brothers, and I must . her fighting to stay alive. ting gymnastics to follow some other well. My doctor~ say that it will not do thank them as welL It was the night of July 21, around goals .during the course of your train- me any harm. It is in my best interest to Q: As you know, I am from six o'clock. All the gymnasts had gath- ing? try: Miracles may occur. Townsend Harris High School.. .. Would A: Well, yes, sometimes. The motto ered in New York City to warm-up for · Q: Your accident has caused very you like to visit my school? the-1998 Goodwill Games. And that is I follow is, "Practice makes perfect.'' wide concern. President Clinton sent A: YES! I have never attended reguwhen it happened. Sang Lan's grip Many times in the past, those practices you a letter. Jimmy Carter, Leonardo lar schools, so I always want to know slipped during a vault and she lost her were very hard. I envied my coach, who DiCaprio, Celine Dion, and Jackie Chan how schools operate. It must be excitbalance. She fell down, head first. Sang demonstrated perfect gymnastic skills, all have visited you personally. How do. ing to have so many kids in classes with · was rushed to Nassau County Hospital, but seemed to suffer very little compared . you feel about them? you. I heard many nice things about the where an X-ray sqowed that the sixth to me. So at times, I thought of attend- · . A: WOW! I love all of them! Presi- United Statesin China, and I often wondent Clinton was not able to come, but dered how it feels to be a student in and seventh sections of her spine were ing regular schools. t . broken, and she was paralyzed from her Q: So what made you stay the he wrote me encouraging letters. Presi- America. chest down. course? , • -dent Reagan and Vice President Gore Q: What are your plans for the fu-, In 1990, Sang won five gold medals A: I love gymnastics. If I cannot be did so as well. President Carter came in ture? _at Jie Jian province's annual competi- a professional gymnast, i want to bea person! And he gave me a teddy bear! A: I want to walk again. I have contion. In 1996, she was the champion of coach(giggles). You can see that I can- They were all very kind to me. I will fidence in my recovery, and I will never women's gymnastics in the Chinese Na- not leave gymnastics .. all my life, it's never forget their generosity. Out of all give up. I also want to learn -English. I tional competition. With accomplish- been my passim!. the celebrities, I think Celine.Dion's currently have an English tutor, Arthur, ments, and skills like Sang's, ma~y who comes to teach me English every thought the accident must have shatday. I want to become the personal ":,::,.:;_,._,._?•-~;~ tered this star gymnast. "No, I don;t secretary of Mrs. Xie, the vice presi. . . . ·. · o u dent of the Chinese Gymnastic Assothink about the past, only the future." ;:I < ciation. I also would like to learn how .... said Sang, "I am getting better every 0 to use the computer. day." Q: In appreciation of your outAnd it is true. Sang is now using standing achievement, and persisGM-1, an experimental drug which tence, many people helped you has helped former Jet Dennis Byrd get through this· difficult time. How do back onto his feet. Chinese acupunctun~ experts and specialists are also you feel about this? treating Sang, and she can now move A: Oh, definitely, I could not sur~ vive without their kind help. In addiher arms, and is capable of feeding tion to people I mentioned earlier, I herself, as well as writing her name. "My doctors were so amazed. They . have to thank Dr. Vincent Leone, from Nassau County Medical Center, for are very proud of me. I feel stronger saving my lik I also must thank the every day," she said. ·superb medical team at Mount Sinai: "I know I might not be able to walk Dr. K. Ragnarsson, Dr. R. Marino; Dr. again," said Sang, "but 1 believe in Mo, and all my nurses and special care myself. I can make miracles come true.'~ attendants. I want to thank the AmeriReaching for the high bar: Champion Chinese gymnast Sang Lan recovers at Mount Sinai Hospital can public for being so friendly and after an accident in practice which left her paraly~d. She was released from the hospital on October 30. car~ng. Their warm hospitality makes * * * Interview * * * me feel at home. Q: What was your goal for this year's visit was most memorable. She gave ine Q: Why did you decide to become a her lucky charm, the frog doll, and she *************** GoodWill games? professional gymnast? sang a solo of "My Heart Will Go On.'' A: To win the goid medal!'! wanted A: When I was in kindergarten, Sang Lan was released from Mount around the age of 6, my gym teacher rec- another one to add to my It was very speciaL I thank her very much. Leonardo was very nice, too; he Sinai Hospital in Manhattan on Octocollection .. (laughs ) .. ommended to my parents that I learn spent an hour with me, gave me m~ny her 30, but will remain in New York for . Q: How did the accident happen? gymnastics, and also encouraged me to gifts, and he was very humorous. further rehabilitation. She has received · A: Um .. .It was during practice, I do so. Because of my native-talent, pe- . E:veryone ·who has encountered thousands offan letters, encouragement, ·Q: made a perfect jump first, and when it tite size and light weight, my teacher you was agreeably surprised by your donations, and TV interviews. Not at all was my second tt1;rn. I hesitated because said that I was a "born gymnast.'' I loved courage, ·determination, and optimism. depressed, Sang Lan loves the U. S, and I saw the rug underneath ht::ing moving around and making jumps, so I · Can ·you tell us how you acquired and hopes to see more of this nation someshifted .. and my grip slipped. was really excited to be on the school maintain this Herculean strength? day. When asked what sjle wants to do I guess my accident astonished evgymnastic team. A: (grins) Th~n~ you for the comwhen she is able to travel, she replied, eryone; because I never made this kind Q: Can you describe your training? . pliment. My parents are here, and I am "I want to go back to China! I miss my ·of fall. I fell a lot of times before, but A: Well, after being accepted to the , very glad to be with them. -I moved friends, relatives, and my people.\l this time, I do not really recall how it national team [age 11], I moved from away at 11 for extensive training and Sang Lan is a 17 -yearold chamhappened .. .I think I SI}W the shlfting rug, Jie Jian to Beijing for formal and extenonly met them o«.casionally s~nce then. pion gymnast who never gives up. so I was distracted. sive training. We wake up on a daily So I am very happy to be with them now. Q: Another important issue that rebasis at 6:30A.M., and have breakfast till 7:30A.M., followed by a one-hour - volves around you is the drug, GM-1, In addition, I have to thank my guardIn mid-August, sophomore Alice Lee break. From 8:30 to 12:30, we exercise; or Sagen. The_ drug has not been ap- ians, Mrs. Xie and Mr. Liu; without read about Sang's accident in World them, I don't know where I would be. I proved by the FDA but it can be adminit's ·not formal training, but more of a Journal, a Chinese newspaper. The aralso believe my training has much to do istered bya physician with the permiswarm-up preparation. From 12:30 to · ticle asked for bilingual volunteers with my personality. Frequently I fail, sion of the hospital's review board. Can 2:30, there comes an afternoon m\p, around Sang's age to keep Sq,ng combut I know that next time, I will do betyou· tell me, as the patient using this leading to extensive and formal trainpcmy. Alice faxed a resu~e to Sang's ter, and I do. drug, your experience? ing from 3 till 6:30. Dinner begins at guardians and was , i nvited to visit. Alice Q: Do you have a boy friend? What A: As you said, GM-1 is more of an 7:00, and at 9:00 it is bed time. is now Sang s friend, and visits her about do you think ofboysi "experimental" medicine. The former · Q: How do you and other gymnasts A: (laughs) ... No, I was too busy; I once a week. Jet Dennis Byrd suffered a spinal injury on the National team receive academic The interview was conducted and in a football collision in 1992, and was · didn't have tinie for a boy friend._Boys? schooling? translated by Alice at Mount Sinai HosUh .. they are fine creatures. Mrs. Xie's partially paralyzed as a result. Then, he A: We_ have half days two times -a pital, September /9, /998. two sons, Edward and Winston, are in was treated with"GM-1,_ and now, he week, during which time we have tu-

12 N~~;r:~:;~•v ery first Class reunites Fest marks 15th year by Annette Orzechowski . mellowed. "One thing that students at On June 23, 1988, a ceremony held Townsend Harris have the class of 1988 _at Queen's College's Colden Center to thank for is no longer having to take awillcened a legacy that had been dor- written exams in gym," she said. Ms. mant for almost 50 years. A class of Gruber-Hoclihauser explained that stu199 young women and men was gradu- dents purposely tried to score as low ated and Townsend Harris let out into as possible on the exams in an eff~rt to the world its first crop of fertile young rebel against them. According to Ms. minds -since the school's closure in Gruber-Hochhauser, in a school used 1942. One decade and four days later, to seeing ·everyone with 95's, .the low the members of the pioneering class re- · scores on exams dealing with such united as Harrisites on June 27, 1998. things as the history of volleyball The reunion, held in the Heisman . caused the exams to be promptly nix'ed. Room ofManhattan's DowntownAthIt's always a wonder to see Ms. letic Club, was made possible through . Nix," said Kevin Kim. "She never the efforts Of Class of '8? members seems to age." Mara Gruber-Hochhauser, Tanya - Mr. Kim,athirdyearlawstudentat Odem, Tania Titel, Kevin Kim, and Columbia University, traveled from Michael McDermont. Hong Kong to attend the reunion. "No We're just like a family," said Ms. one at the reunion had really changed Odem. "We can get together and have a lot and I still keep in touch with sevfun." Friendships which had faped over eral friends," said Mr. Kim. "In fact the. years were rekindled. as people [many] friends from my Townsend • traded e-mail addresses and phone Harris days are still among my best numbers. According to Ms. Odem, the friends." fact that the class of 1988 was the first "It's very interesting that people I graduating class and had overcome didn't say two words toduring high many hurdles explains the sense of school ended up having two-hour concloseness still present between the yersations with me," said Ms. Titel. She .members. described the atmosphere of the reCoordinator of Student Activities union as very friendly and relaxed, with Odile Garcia found special sentimen- a lot of mingling, tal meaning in the reunion. The 10-year Door prizes included a pocket diecelebration commemorated the anni- tionary, a copy of the Odyssey, and finversary of her first teaching job in the ger splints, which, according to Ms. United States. "It was nice to see them Titel, were given out because "around · as lawyers and doctors, looking formal · 30 people broke their fingers in gym," in their suits," she said. with herself counted among the WandaNix, Dean and physical edu- wounded. cation teacher of the Class of 1988, said Old yearbooks were circulated and - · that she had a connection to this class the photographs provided many a of graduates and was interested to see - shared laugh. "It was strange seeing us what they are currently involved in. · all as adults and~ little scary to be havWhen asked if gym was as painful ing discussions about weddings and in 1988 as students in 1998 believe it childrenasopposedtocollaterals,"said to be, Ms. Gruber-Hochhauser stated Ms. Odem. "But it was great and I'm that the gym curriculum had in fact looking forward to future reunions."

Continued from p.l creative representations of school life, began with a parody of "Summer Nights,"~ song from the 1970's musical and film Grease. English teach~ ers Debra Michlewitz and Judy . Beiner selected and organized . this year's musical numbers under much time pressure. Last year's production of Guys and Dolls once again came alive in numtJers sung by returning cast members, including senior Leslie Rosa, and junior Nicole Steinberg. "Stand by Me," made popular by sing<!r Ben E. _King and YMCA, the The Village People's 1970's hit, were (lmong the songs satirized by students. Senior Nick Calabro provided the piano accompaniment to many of the musical numbers. The lyrics~ imparted advice to freshmen and aired grievances about collatetals, gym, and other "hardships" of ' Soothsayer Danielle Davis t_ells junior Hari Kondabolu, v.:hat lies in his future during the Founders' Day Challenge. student-life. Humorous Townsend Harris bumper stickers, such as "I Break for the spoofs. Founder's Day" and "Honk IfYou Need The ceremony concluded with all A Grammar Tip," were presented in the new students taking the Ephebic Oath, second part of the Challenge, directed an ancient Greek pledge to "leave my by Assistant Principal of Humanities, city greater than I found it." Ly-nne Greenfield. Since the ceremony - Project Arts Coordinator Lois fell just a day shy of Halloween, a Polansky's classes created the giant silHarrisite Halloween Party skit satirized ·- houettes adorning the main lobby, while the constant influence of school in a second band classes contributed pictures student's life. A top ten list relating and brief biographies of "giants," his"Ways You Know That You Are At a torical figures exemplifying the underHarrisite Halloween Party," a game of lining principle~ of the Ephebic Oath. The annual food drive, which, ac"Name That Teacher," where students imitated the well-known habits of cer- cording to Coordinator of Student Actain teachers, and an appearance by tivities Odile Garcia, "relate[d] to the "Ephebia the Soothsayer," who pre- Ephebic Oath's [principle] of giving dieted the academic and social futures . back to the city," yielded a fruitful col-of all four grades, were included among lection of baskets for the homeless.

Teens tour .Tokyo, expan_d cultural horizons Sightseeing sang our usual songs for the last time temple and maintained by a 26th gen~ . Continued from page 10 As our hosts tried to balance our en- after ab.out eight or nine trips to eration monk, was well worth explorstudents to such tourist attractions as Tokyo Disneyworld, the Edo Museum, and . tertainment with their academics and karaoke," said Raquel. "It was our htst ing. Led through this "must see" expreparation for the "exam season," a se- hurrah, arid we sang our hearts out. It's hibit of Townsend Harris' personal posTokyo Tower. sessions, which includeq his room, his "The home stays truly gave me a rious test-taking time which determines something I'll never forget," she said. · As gorgeous gardens and placid writings, as well as paintings from the sense of Japanese culture," said Diana. promotion in Japan, we departed on an "They [the host family], like most of the eventful one~ week exctJrsion to Kyoto, ponds gav~ way to Shimoda's seashore, period, and the graveyard where AmeriJapanese people) met, were respectful ltoh, and Shimoda, to allow them time we enjoyed an afternoon swim with can sailors bound for Japan were reand courteous, and always made sure I. to study. With an unlimited Shinkansen, Shimoda Kita H!gh School students, membered, we were given a personal or bullet train, ticket, we -traveled from before meeting the mayor of Shimoda, tour of the Temple by a distant ancestor · was happy and comfortabl«?." Candice, who spent time discussing the Kinkaku-ji Temple, a glorious and posing for pictures at City Hall. of the family which housed Harris. "TheAmerican colleges with her host student, golden structure in a serene Kyoto set- There, the media broadcast our arrival museum was very comforting and welDaisuke, agreed. "I felt comfortable be- . ting, to the Ryoanji Temple, where inTowdsend Harris' sister city on local coming," s~d Diana. "It gave me a cause my host familywas so American- Ralph took time out to meditate before television, the same place where the sense of pride in our school." With American diplomatfirst made his home green tea and cake prepared for'our ized, and because I knew who they [the a garden of raked rocks. After playing a traditional Japanese in Japan. The mayor discussed our cit- rival, we sat and spoke with the monk, host students] were before we went to Japan," she said. "The most memorable gambling game, pachinko, one night like ies' cultural connection, and welcomed much like' distant relatives brought topart of my trip," said Elizabeth, "was amaster, Ms. Muchnicki convinced me us "lf6me." Though small, Shimoda gether by a common ancestor at a fam· probably all the friendsjlips I made, as . to sing alone at a karaoke bar, a discor- Kita High School was by no means the ily reunion. . "The trip opened me up and allowed well as the experience oflearning a new dant disaster. ·Social singing at karaoke Townsend Harris High School ofJapa'n, culture, rather than being a tourist liv- bars, small, often smoke-laden rooms·, . and was much older, stricter, and dras- me to see how people in other parts of reserved by the hour, is as popular in 'tjcally different from its sister school in · the world live, and I'm seriously coningin a hotel." sidering spending a year abroad during As the guest of a Japanese family, I Japan as movie~going in America, and New York college," said Candice. "I loved Japan," · was treated more as an A{Jlerican am- as the group continued to be lured by Townsend Harris Museum said Elizabeth. "It was the best sum.bassador than a tourist. Ralph, who also this cheap diversion, it stuck to its farelished the attention, said, "I liked just vorite English songs. "I think the most Although well off the beaten track, mer lever had, and I want to go back. spending time talking_with the students, memorable moment of the trip came on the Townsend Harris Temple, a make- Nihon-wa wasuremasen! -I will never . the last day in 'Kawaguchi, when we . shift museum preserved in a Buddhist forget Japan!" especially the Japanese girls."

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13 B~loved portrays slavery -with _brutal -honeSty Novembw 1998

irony of the plantation's name is made by Julia Perratore Arriving just in time for Halloween, shockingly clear. Her husband never Johnathan Denme's spooky new movie, makes it. On her run North, ·Sethe gives Beloved, which is based on Toni birth to-a daughter, Denver. She makesMorrison's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1988 it to Ohio despite all of the pain she has novel, serves up an eerie mixture of endured on the way, but finds that ghosts, secrets, and history. The film is freedom's price is high when her cru~l a deeply moving, often upsetting ac- . slave master comes to reclaim her and -her children. count of the life of ex-slaves. _ Eighteen years later, Sethe and DenBeloved is about a see-mingly indestructable wornan named Sethe and ver Jive alone in }3aby Suggs' house, her children. Born into ·slavery, Sethe which is haunted by the ghost ofSethe's has lived a life of toil and misery. She · other daughter, who died 18 years earhas never known a father and has only lier, and is a powerful and violent spirit. one memory of her mother. -In her late The spiri,t appears to have been driven teens, she is sold to Sweet Home, farm but of the house by the arrival of Paul in Kentucky, where her owners treat her D, a friend from Sweet Home, who soon well , and there she marries and has three becomes a part of the tiny family. The children. Then Sweet Home changes ghcist, however, is eventually replaced O\Yners, subjecting all the slaves to a by a secretive house guest who calls ·cruel man who tortures them. Sethe herself Beloved. There is much mo~e to the movie sends her children to Ohio to live with . }ler mother-in~law, the legally freed than this summary can offer. The story Baby Suggs. She and her husband prom- is completely unpredictable, with many ise to follow. · conflicts that could go any-which-way, Sethe does manage to escape from as Beioved weaves together, through a Sweet Home, but only ·after the true series of flashbacks, Sethe dealing with

Larg01ann leaves China with-new lessons Continued from p. 1 exotic and -serene ambience," he regreat focus on music and the arts ... to called. remind students that the harmony of life Encountering any new land involves was to be appreciated," noted Dr. tasting new foods . "The food in China Largmann. was excellent, although I'm not a devoAs they traveled from school to _ tee of Chinese food in New York," said school in China, Dr. Largmann and his Dr. Largmann. He particularly appre- . colleagues "were greeted with great fan- ciated the healthfulness of Chinese food. fare," according to the principal. Stu- "I don't think I've ever felt better on any dents welcomed the American educators other trip," he said. "There .were no rich with waving streamers and ente~ined desserts, but the fruit in China is marthem with interactive performances of velous." Latin dances and a production of The Queens Superintendent John Lee had Merchant in Venice . "You felt as if you invited Dr. Largmann to join him on this were really an important dignitary.... visit to China, sponsored by the Chi. The people treated us so royally and gra- nese-Ameri9an Parents Association. _-ciously,'.' said Dr. Largmann. The principal has beeri asked on many In the sinall city of Yantai, Dr. previous occasions to go on such trips, Largmann was able to initiate a sister- but he said, "I have tried to avoid leav,s<;hool relationship with No. 2 Shandong ing [the school] for extended periods of Middle School, which is equivalent to · time in the past." ~ an American high schooL According to Dr. Largmann decided to participate Dr. Largmann, "Students [at this school] in this particular trip because he felt that , are tested for admission and often stay -the school's needs at the beginning of until 9:00 P.M., especially during the _ the year were "mostly guidance-related testing season for universities. Students issues,'' which are primarily handled by must take at least one year of vocational Sheila Orner, Assistant Principal of Pustudy. · Four-hundred to 500 kids are pil Personnel Servicesi therefore, Dr. boarders on the school campus." Dr. Largmann appointed Ms. Orner to take Largmann expects the school's princ!- his place during his absence. Dr. Largmann's trip to China; and the pal to visit Harris in the coming spring. "We're going 'to exchange governance establishnient of another sister-school in ideas," he said. the Orient, has further developed BarAside from his pedagogical duties on ris' international relations, which have this trip, Dr. Lai'gmann was also able to , included exchange programs with the sightsee. "I climbed up the Great Wall; Denmark and Japan and a visit from a that was cooL ... I also walked up to the Japanese ambassador last term, as well seventh floor of the Six Harmonies Pa- as stu-dent trips to China and Japan this goda," he said. He found a sight called past summer (see related articles on page the Garden of the Soul's Retre~t most 10). Dr. Largmann commented that this memorable. "Inside [the garden], there cultural intecaction "is wonderful for the is a large mountain composed of inter- students. It's a reflection of how the connected caves. There Is a fissure at world works, how we must understand the top of the mountain, called the and recognize many different points of 'thread of heaven.' , There was a very view." ·

her life as a slave and her life as a free woman. Each of the actors in tbts film gives exceptional performances. Oprah Winfrey as Sethe and Danny GJover as Paul D play their characters with truth and emotion. Thandie Newton's por- _ trayal-of the bizarre young woman Beloved is haunting and disturbing, but the most memorable performances in Be~ loved are delivered by Kimberly Elise, in the part of Denver; and by Beah Richards, in the part of Baby Suggs. The film gives an account of slavery that is ·unflinchingly honest, sometimes brutally so. The lives of slaves and the horrors they endured are shown as they were, with the characte_rs trying to make sense of the past, but also forget it. Sethe and Paul D often discuss their experiences in Kentucky, not nostalgically, but perhaps to assure themselves that they are ovet. · -Many of the scenes in this movie are very upsetting, with their raw and frank content, so those who believe they cannot handle watching the_severe,ordeals

of slavery should think twice about seeing Beloved on the big screen. Although Beloved, the movie, is very faithful to Toni Morrison's book, there is definitely something missing from the film. Morrison's rich descriptions are poetic arid beautiful, and prepare the reader for what is to come, whereas the movie, with its surprising images, is merely upsetting. The viewer has to rely on the images on the screen and on the dialogue, and while that does not lack meaning, reading Morrison's 'words helps the audience understand the characters and the situations so much more. Reading the novel as a companion to the movie is recommended for those who want to fully experience Beloved. Beloved is a powerful movie with a potent message. In addition to showing slavery as it was, the movie delves into how it affected former slaves and what life was like in its aftermath, when people bad to rebuild their lives. It is an important film that teaches and makes an impact.

Overh,e ard -In Class••• featuring LstlrniGree:k teacher Richard Russo ~'The seniors ... they're the ones with aU the facial bam.. and then there are die boys." ''My friends BrooklYJt askecl me what I thought abont •Flush· .... ·.,. from ..... ·. .

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The Classic

14 Bow-ling season rolls into playof_ f picture November 1998 - -

Big Mac at the Bat (With apologies to Ernest Lawrence Thayer~ authnr of "Casey at the Bat.")

by Brian Griffing

by Rachel Nobel

Boys

,Girls

For the second year in a row, the Boys' Varsity Bowling team has won the division _and is headed to the playoffs. The team opened the season with a victory over Martin Van Buren, boosted by a superb effort by senior Mark Von Ohlen, who bowled a 202. From there on in it has been smooth sailing for the team that needed just six wins to clinching a playoff spot. The goal this year is to advance further into the playoffs. In doing this, the team will look to seniors Chris Chu and Mark. The team will carry a 9-1 record in their division (11-1 overall) into the playoffs, and according - to coach Lawrence Ceraulo, it should improve off last year's playoff run. "I have my en- · tire team coming back. I expect us to go further in the playoffs," he said .

According to coach Ellen Schwartz, her Girls' Varsity Bowling team has improved "enormously" over the long off-season. Last year the team finished with a record of 4-6, and this year they · have far surpassed thatfeat. The team, now 8-1, has already shattered last season's win total. A turnaround like this wasn't ex-pected. For a team to go from a losing record to a nearly undefeated season, demonstrates the importance of experience. Last season, the team was hurt by inexperience, but Schwartz feels that the members still gained a lot. "Many of the players frofu last year are more experienced from having a year under their belts," said Schwartz. Seniors Lisa Tschemkowitsch, Maria Cando, and Kelly Sabbagh will be key down the stretch of this bowling season.

Hard work on defense key for Girls' Volleyba_ll by Tabitha Hsi The Girls' Varsity Volleyball team may lack the experience of last year's team, but it definitely does not lack tal-

teams in the tough but friendly division: Francis Lewis and Benjamin A, Cardozo High Schools. bl)

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The outlook was just brilliant for Then from forty thousand throats the Harrisville frosh that day; _ there rose a lusty yell; · He'd come all the way from Flush~ It rumbled in the mountaintops, it ing, Queens to see the Cardinals play. . rattled in the dell; He had his hundred-dollar seat It knocked upon the hillside andreright by the left-field wall, coiled upon the flat, · And everything he'd need to catch For McGwire, Big Mac McGwire, a Mark McGwire ball. was advancing to the bat. A bag of Mr. Sweetin's bagels fueled his energy. ("Who needed ballpark . hot dogs when you bact a schmear?" thought he.) He'd learned his lesson well in gym on how to catch a ball, And the crowd of fans could not compare to traffic in the hall.

Harry sat up straighter, and away his collaterals went. · (He'd been translating Plato from ancient Greek - it .had been a brave attempt.) He focused his eyes on home plate with all the mighthe could; He thought, "If anyone can catch this ball, a Harrisville student should."

So at the big game Harry knew that he could beat the rest, Clinging -to eternal hope which springs in the human breast; He thought, "If only Mark McGwire got a whack at thatI'd impress even Dr. Largmann with a ball from McGwire's bat."

And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go, And now the air is shattered by the force ofMcGwire's blow; And now the leather-covered sphere comes hurtling through the air, And hopeful Harry raises his glove _ as he leaps up from ~is chair.

"Fraud," dismissed his unimThe rising tumult surrounded him pressed friends- "He takes drugs!" as they all dove for the ball; they cried, Eyes were bright and muscles Or, "I prefer to root for Sosa, ' cause . strained as the spheroid cleared the I have ethnic pride." wall. But Harry was determined, to the Harry felt the prize within his glove as he tussled with the fray ·· · wonderment of all, For he'd come to see MeG wire tear Hugging the million-dollar ball, he the cover off the ball. finally broke away. From the seats surrounding Harry there went up a muffled roar, Like the beating of the stormwaves on a stern and distant shore. They'd come to see McGwire play; they'd settle for no less. They, too, had plans to catch the ball, so.Harry got distressed.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright; The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light, And somewhere seniors are laughing, and there is happiness for an: But there is no joy in Harrisville klutzy Harry dropped the ball.

s.eason, and hopefully, a playoff run.

ent. Their 3-3 record speaks for itself. "We have _a lot of potential on this young team, and we have to put in the maximum effort to get the most [out] of our talent," said coach Wanda Nix. "We know we are going !O have to work hard, but we will fight our way to · the playoffs," -said junior Chin-Chin Chang. Sophomore Cathy Lin, who has moved up from the Junior Varsity team, is encouraged by the team's work ethic. "We all work together and we enjoy the game," she said. To compensate for the lack of experience as well as offensive players, Nix has been concentrating on improving the team's defensive skills and making sure no room is left for error. We have a good mixture of athletes who are willing to work hard, but it takes time to develop a strong team," she said. The team hopes to make it to the playoffs this year, though this may seem a high goal to set. In order to reach it, Townsend Harris must defeat the two top

Christian club granted conditiOnal O.K. Continued from p. 1 not direct, conduct, control, or regularly that the school had indeed violated the attend activities of student groups.'~ Hitting closer to home in Hsu V. Equal Access Act. Dr. Largmann commented, "When Roslyn Union Free School District you have an extracurricular activity, if (1996), brother and sister Timothy and should be curriculum-related. It has Emily Hsu sued their school district in been my belief that every [extracurricu- Roslyn, Long Island after it denied their lar activity] in our school has been cur- request for "Walking on Water," their riculum-related." Westside High proposed Christian club whose main School had held this same belief about officers would have to be "professed all of their extracurricular activities, and · Christians either through baptism or had so argued in court. However, the confirmation.~· A Federal appeals court court rejected the argument and, in fact, in Manhattan ultimately ruled in favor broadened- the definition of the of the siblings, thus allowing Christian"noncurriculum-related" requirement in only leadership in such religious clubs. the Equal Access Act so that it would Moreover, the Supreme Court later refused to address this case. be applicable to most ariy school. The outcome of the Hsu case has not The Equal Access Act also provides_ that no staff member may be compelled received wholehearted support in the to monitor such a club as a Christian legal world. In an article in The Naclub and that "nonschool persons may . tional Law Journal, Debbie N. Kaminer,

assistant director of legal affairs at New York City's Anti-Defamation League, expressed her view that this case in fact allows discrimination against students seeking to join religious clubs. She also stated that such "a student club whose purpose and identity is dependent on the right to violate a school's anti-discrimination policy simply does not belong in the public schools." ·

Tabitha Hsi contributed to this article. Sources: Kaminer; D.N. "Yo~tr School and the Law." The National Law Journal, 1120197. <http://web.lexis- nexis.com>. "A Guide to the Equal Access Act." National Legal Resource Center; 1993. <http://www.nlrc.com>. _ Pines, Debarah. "Student Bible Club Wins Ruling." New York Law Journal. 5116196. <http://web.le:iis-nexis.com>.

Girls' Cross-Country runners Triumph at ·City Champions.h ips by Brian Griffing After last season's second place bor- ing to Mr. Hom, the finish line will be onships, they showed what we were ough finish, the Girls' Cross-Country -approximately at 250th St. and Broad- really capable of." Track team was eager to regain the · way. Winning the fourth place finish at the T~am co-captain Tabitha Hsi said, City Championsl)ip, as well as the first Queens title won in 1996. They surpassed this goal on place finish at the Saturday, Novem- .. Queens Champiher 14, as they ~ onship on Octoachieved a fourth ~ her 28, was not !:l easy, considering place finish iii t4e New York City ~ the losses of two Championships, :;:, of the top runners .r> qualifying the g from the 1996 team for the State borough championship team, Championships for the first time. Vicki Realmuto ""This is an and Lara Rios. With these se~ honor for all of our niors having kids to run at such be.en graduated, a high level of the team needed championship. the other runners This culminates Look! It's the Girls' Cross-Country track team and they're headed straight toward the city to step up, and our best season of championships. ·Here they·get ready for their upcoming meets at Queens College track. they did. cross-country The firls have track. The girls worked very hard for this," said coach "All of us are really excited. This cham- finished in the top 10 in the City ChamJoseph Hom. pionship shows how we really worked pionships for six consecutive years. The seven Varsity runners on the hard as a team this year. Our main goat Individual runners on the team have team will compete in the State Champi- this Saturday is to do our personal best· qualified for the State Championships onships, to be held at 1:00 P.M. this Sat- The girls have been improving the in the past, but this year is the first time urday at Van: Courtland Park. Accord- whole ·season, and at the City Champi- the team has qualified as a whole.

Boys' Cross- . Country track

focuses-· on rebuil4.ing by Erie 'ti:*get After ~ 'A~b ~pJ.ae~ fini~JI in Queen~ m.nt wittt'tll¢.cit;y gJ:tam,ionsW,s of lite S91s', Cross~CQWl· try Track ~n. f.ast aPProaclling, the team is lOOking to ~rDve on t;~St year's twemietn. plitce finish

am-o•g New YO:rk City ·liigh. sdloels. However.·ttte hof)e ();{any dimmer as ttte ~epatiture &f star pllqers to eollege.. injur)', and loss

of interesf!tas left dl.e ~ad Slim~ ply f~ing oa .remaining. a Diviso:n A team. Te cea"Cb .Keith HtnS:e:a, the· team'smam focu~ bas l:leen ~estly on self~pwem.~~ra~tlum en. a Utle. While tean1 captain Anthony Prince iS ill sbape.to run ttte SK in tile·respeetal;le 1'?~minute ·ra~JF, and wllite 0 .i:l.oni·e~1Y ootect~ih ' .• : ·• ;· ,· · -··.ir)~efti •

by Brian Griffing According to coach James Murray, a niors that includes Ian Kilpatrick, Sakis can forget last year's rookie of the year, .500 record is a realistic goal for the Grammenos, Richie Lopez, Eric Welby, Michael Giacopelli? Juniors James Boys' Varsity Soccer team and so far the andAnte Mustak. "The strengths oftlie Sarkis and goal keeper Anthony McCoy team has lived up to it this season with team will be the experience of the se- have also been key components. In fact, a record of 6-4-1. "This current senior nior class and the leadership of the se- McCoy has set a single-season team record for shutclass is better than I ever outs with 5. If had. I fully expect us to you put all this be better than last year," talent together, said Murray. it can make for Over the past two one dangerous years, the Boys' Varsity team. Soccer team has made Last season big strides towards creatthe team ing a winning organiza~ played stellar . tion . . The first step was defense, but its winning a game and they lack of scoring did that in the 1996 seahurt them . son. The second step was against offenbuiiding off that win, and sive powerthey certainly did that last houses. This season when they finyear, if the deished with a record of 3fense plays as 8-3. This season the fo~ wen ·as it did cus will be on reaching . Sakis Grainmenlis, just one of seven· seniors playing for coach Murray this season, fights for last year, control of a loose ball in a game against Far Rockaway. .500, and possibly makMurray feels ing the playoffs. that it might only take two ·goals to win If the team can win at least half of its nior class," said Murray. games, it would be a huge accomplishThe talent on this team doesn't stop a game. "We are a defensive-oriented there. Youth complements experience team,"said Murray. "If we can score a ment. This year's team is stacked with tal- with the return of sophomores Sal couple of goals a game, that will"help ent, starting with an abundance of se- Marino and Angelo Marino. And who us."

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current si<ttlation is. no dil.ferent. Prince "is p-~cular,: concerned 'over .'"i1iulners .e·~am had. . .tile. man~· . . . .,, . lost from fast yfir's t~ to gr~d.!t~ .atro~t. ~·w-e'v'ft. lOst too maay JU;YS;' lie &aid. Pwhats lite mos:t dau-ntiag pt.ehlem tllat bas faced ttte team is ·'"

Boys' Soccer tries to take success·to next leve-l in '98

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sea· soned sophomores wllo bave left dl.e:t-eam is troubling. However, Sotne fteslunc;n \\the came to tf..l'~ o"uts seeme<l to· ruive promi-se•. Among me freshmen wh0 oaucgtlt Han:s-on 's' eye was: Alejcantlro Oenzata. Who is al~eatty dQing Varsity wotdi:outs in pta~ As ibe team focuses on rebml.d~

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. is p~bat>ly noi ·~ . year. the Bo}rs' CrOss-CoUntry team Wit win" a title, bu-t by mattiag self..imprc&ve-ment ..e "soai; "the .t{il&ffi 00 "taking a stej ttte dgbt

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Rising Stars Girls'· Swim team m~·kes playoffs of Fall .despite late start in practices Season ~

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~ Freshm~n bowler Anton DePasqtJale has impressed both his teammates and coach Larry · C~raulo . He has bowled with a consistent 120 average on the ' B Team. "He's going to be our - 'future bowler," said Ceraulo.

by Mark Von Ohlen The Girls' Varsity Swim team put Through the help of their pool troubles behind them and cap- Dean Wanda Nix and tured their eigth straight Queens title on coach Jim Jordan, the November 9. The girls now face the team secured a spot at same situation they faced last year at this Queens College on Sattime - the playoffs. urdays, as well. Last year, the team lost to Fort This year!·according Hamilton High School in the to Ms. Nix, is the worst quarterfinals. This season, they hope to · "pool shortage" ever beovercome the losses of eight graduat- cause John Adams High ing seniors, to advance further into the School's pool is also out playoffs. of order. Scheduling is Despite the girls' success this fall, a tight, and the Turtles big problem confronted the team in the were lucky to find a pool beginning of the season. It wasn't a in Queens at all. shortage of players or even a new team Just ':1 few weeks ago, entering their division, but something many of the girls were quite necessary for a swim team. They looking at local YMCAs didn't have a pool to s.wim in! and other private pools The news came to the Townsend to see if they could pracHarris Turtles on Monday, September tice there. 14, the day of their first scheduled pracHowever, it's very tice, that the pool at Franklin K. Lane expensive to go outside High School needed to be regrouted. the school system. Some · The girls had been using the pool at places charge up to $100 Lane for some time now, but this year, · to $500 per hour. _ the girls were left cold and dry. 'o/ith Queens College ·agreed nearly the entire swimming season over, to waive its activities fee, the repairs on Lane's pool are expected giving the girls one exto be complete sometime this month. tra day of free practice. -With the Bayside pool as their new home base, the Turtles make After weeks of searching for another Ms. Nix spoke to the , up for lost time at a practice session. pool, the girls found a haven at Bayside PSAL and was told that High School. Though their first prac- the league was not responsible for fi.nd- schools are in this same situation. Bentice was canceled, the team has permis- ing the school a pool to practice in. Ms. jamin Cardozo High School has been sion to use the pool on Wednesdays and Nix also said they can't make an excep- pool-sharing for years. Thursdays from 5:00P.M. to 7:00P.M. tion for Townsend Harris, since other

Freshman runner Alejandro Gonzalez has shown a lot of promise for the Boys' CrossCountry team. His best time of the season for a 5K run is an impressive 19:11. In addition, he is already running varsity workouts in practice.

Fencers vow to defend the·ir title

by Tabitha Hsi "We will defend-our title" is the motto being coined by the returning members oflast year's City Championship Fencing team. They are off to a good start with a 3-0 record in their division, and 4-0 overall, including a 9-3 decision ov~r Cardozo, November 5. Despite all the expectations surrounding the team, coach Anthony . Scarnati is undaunted and confidently ~ said, "We have some excellent poten:g tial on this team, and we also have outstanding leadership, and both will help · ~>. us defend our title." .&> This year, the leadership of the very young team has been passed down into the hands of two of its best fencers: seniors Michael Pasinkoff, one of the best in the city, and Michael Inwald. This . ~:_·.'}\ co-captainship is supported by the only other senior, Nicole Zuchelli. "I am blessed with these three seFormer track runner Ralph niors," said Scarnati. "They provide Marquez, junior, has found a new outstanding leadership and are excellent home on the Fencing team. . So models of what I expect a Townsend far, he has won 3 out of 4 Harris athlete to be. I could not have a matches. "When !first started, I better group." didn't have much skill," admits In response, Inwald said, "We could Ralph. "But running track helped not have any coach better than Mr. my conditioning." Scarnati. This year will be as great as all the other years that we have had un-

der his leadership." · Fencing is a sport that involves quickness, agility, the ability to concentrate and to focus, and most importantly, hand speed. "This sport is a combination of athleticism and intellect. The strategies are subtle but extremely important. A fencer needs to adjust to the opponent's weaknesses by picking them

'We are very strong and we are prepared to win .'

out and then going after them," explained Scarnati. Of the 25 students who tried out the second week of the school year, 11 ex. hibited these skills. Although there are only a few returning fencers, this young and fresh group has not diminished the prospects of success. "Everyone gives each other pointers and we help each

other improve,'' said freshman Amanda Blancke. One particular new member has caught the eye of the coach. According to Mr. Scarnati, junior Ralph Marquez has "tremendous potential and may even ·be in the starting line-up this year." Two members from last year's practice team, sophomores Larry Manis _and Dena Shumacher, are also strong additions to the varsity team. Even last year's team technician, sophomore Jarvis Lagman, has gone from repairing the electrical wiring in the foils to fencing for the squad. •· This yeru;'s team is marked by an air of confidence. "We are going to win. · We are very strong and we are· prepared to win," said Pasinkoff. Sophomore Jon a than Landesman shares his ·captain's sentiments: "We have a lot of spirit. This time, we are the ones to beat." The . strategy, according to Mr. Scarnati, is to ''take it step by step. We first beat Cardozo in our division, and see how far we can go in the playoffs," . "It is true that we have a tough act to follow .and big shoes to fill. But, we have wonderful teammates and WE WILL - DEFEND byR TITLE,'' said Zuchelli.