The Classic newspaper Volume 15 Issue no. 2

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Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367

Revamped Regents Five. fare well w-ith Intel, reach se·mi-finalist status Re·adie-d for ·2ooo

by Maggie Yuan June 2000 will usher in a new six-hour English Regents exam as a part of the State Board of Regents and State Education Commissioner Richard P. Mills' attempt at raising standards on the examinations. In ad\llition, Regents in mathematics and science win be tested in pilot schools this year and will make their debut in either one or two years, depending on the subject.

The new Engl~sh Regents witl first be given here in June, 2000. Th~ revised exam will be twice as long and will place greatecr emphasis on writing. It will consist of four parts given over two sessions of three hours each. The first part is an assessm~nt o(stu-. dents' listening skills. As in the old Regents, the teacher will read a speech and students will answer multiple choice questions based on the specech. What's new is that the students will then write an essay on the specech. The essay will be gracled on content, organization, and command of English, ·t neludi.n g word choice, grammar, and punctuation.

The second part of the new

.Bnglish Regents wil'l require students to read, and write an ess~ on, a nodctioo text and a related chart or graph. In addition, there will be mul.._ fiple choice questions based on the information given, vo· cabulary and interpretation.

Part three will be reading and writing for literary response.

Students will write an essay on two paired literary texts as well as answe,r multiple choice questions on key ideas, detail and vocabulary. Fiw naHy, the fourth part wil1 con,. sist of reading and writing for analysis. The student will write an essay en two works of literature read in class during the student's high school career.

The old-Boglish....Regents+-!i was administered for the last time on January 2-6 when the current juniors took it. It con,. sis ted of three parts. The first, which was all multiple choice, involved listening compFehension, vocabulary, spelling, and reading comprehension of both prose and poetry. The second part called t:or writing an essay Ctlmparing literary works read in English classes, The third Continued on p.7

by Christina Lesica and Jonathan Cofsky Setting a new school record of accomplishment, seniors Richard Capone, Diana Lewis,

and object identification on that the class has been estab~ January II. . ll.shed. Anthony Scarnati, soThe previous school record · cial science research te-acher, of semi-finalists, four, was bro- was "delighted" and "hope[s] ken this year, as the contest this is the start of a trend."

A new Harris record is born as five seniors-reach the semi-finals of the Intel competition (formerly Westinghouse).

Smiling over this success are Huge Navarro, Richard Capone, Assistant Principal of Science Brendan Curran, Principal Malcolm Largmann, social science tea;her Anthony Scarnati, Diana Lewis, science teacher Odile Garcia, Diana Raab, and Nicole Zuchelli.

Hugo Navarro, Diana Raab, changed sponsorship from and Nicole Zuchelli attained Westinghouse to Intel. The new semi-finalist status in the newly record "is a very wonderful renamed Intel Science Talent thing," said Brendan Curran, Search (STS). The 58'h annual Assistant Principal of Science. competition, formerly the For the first time, a project Westinghouse STS, honored from the social science research their projects on stress, mela~ class (Richard's) reached the noma, pigeons, tree growth, . semi-finals, in the second year

Richard was shocked when he learned about his project's success from Principal Malcolm Largmann. "I didn't expect to be a semi-finalist," he said. For his project, Richard an').lyzed the effects of stress on a person's perceived acaContinued on p. 7

Convention culminates in_new SU .constitution next couple of years," said Dr. ·lines" . article consists of all byAianFu Principal Malcolm Larg- Largmann. The new constitu- election procedures, which mann ratified a new Student - tion was submitted to him last were never written in the old Union (SU) constitution, the month. constitution but had become Changes in the new consti- . law by tradition. These tradiproduct of a fiveomonth Constitutional Convention held tution include: I) the addition tional practices have changed in

by Coordinator of Student Ac- of an "Election Guidelines" ar- the new document with the adtivities Odile Garcia and the ticle; 2) the clarification of gov- dition of primary elections in ernment officers and their ex- January and the elimination .of Executive Board of the SU. "I think it is an improvement - act duties; 3) the revision of a screening committee to over the last document. It has-- impeachment procedures; and choose candidates.

"Primary elections were a more democratic approach to 4) a greater emphasis on deelections. It should satisfy the . mocracy, as the principal noted. formeq so that anyone who The new "Election Guide- wanted to run could run withneeds of the students for the

Winter Carnival p.3

SU Primary Elections p.5

out going through the screening committee," said present SU president Anthony Prince, senior. "People felt that the screening committee was biased." · Qualifications for candidacy in elections are also finally specified in the new elections article. The criteria include having no more than two latenesses, no more than five referral points, and a cumulative grade point average of 80.

Senior Bridge. Year pp. 8-9

The new constitution has updated the roles of different offices in the SU. Three new officers have been created: the Public Relations Officer, the Consultative Council Representative, and the Vice Presi~ dent of the Senior Class. • Impeachment procedures have also been revised in the new SU constitution. Acquiring seven demerits during aterm in office will now Continued on p. 7

New Weight Room p.16

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Marijuana .mars ·~memories of seni~r _weekend Most of the senior ~lass embarked on the trip as well as through hotel rooms ficult." The drug's effects on percepa trip to the Hudson '(alley Resort up- each night. However, she was trusting tion and reaction time often lead to austate on Friday, Janu~j 22, in hopes of enough to waive those rights . In effect, , tomobile crashes and dangerous sexual enjoying a carefree, fun-filled weekend the four offenders abused their privi- behavior. The NIDAreports that "there that could produce the most fond and leges. Hopefully, they have not cost the is a strong link between drug use and long-lasting memories of their high · entire senior class the trust of Ms . -. unsafe ~ex and the spread ofHIV." Furschool careers. Unfortunately, any Schwartz and the administration. thermore, marijuana hinders timing, memqries of the senior trip of 1999 will At the resort, the off<!nders _were movements, and coordination, which be stained by the thoughtless actions of caught, not by school chaperones, but may affect students in their academic four individuals in bringing and using rather hotel security. Therefore, their . · and athletic performance. Particularly marijuana. They have hurt and dishon- drug use has become a public issue and regarding driving, marijuana affects ored everyone involved, from them- refle.cts on the entire student body of alertness and concentration, thus impairselves to fellow seniors to the entire in- . Townsend Harris. In one irresponsible ing the ability to judge distances and to stitution of Townsend Harris. and inconsiderate act, four individuals react to signals and sounds. The aforeThe actions of the four seniors on the tarnished our reputation. mentioned effects of marijuana are only Beyond this, the entire incident has short-term; NIDA findings show that, in trip can be characterized by crime, betrayal, abuse, and disgrace. Possession revealed a dangerous misconception the long run, the drug "may play a role of marijuana by anyone, juvenile or among the senior class. From the cur- in cancer and problems in the respir-aadult, is illegal, for the drug is outlawed _ riculum in health classes to pamphlets tory, immune, and reproductive sysin aU 50 states. The four offenders distributed at the school entrance to tems." The next edition of The Cla-s sic should knoW how fortunate they are that posters plastered in stairwells, one will feature an in-depth look at marithe resort did not bring charges against would assume that Harris students are juana and other harmful Clrugs. them. sufficiently informed of the risks of Marijuana is, in fact, the most freA primar~ victim in this entire inci- marijuana. Nevertheless, based _on quently used illegal .d rug in the United dent was Ellen _Schwartz-, senior advi- many 12th grade reactions, some con- States. Based on a yearly survey by the sor. Bringing marijuana was a direct de- tinue to believe that this drug is harm- NIDA, almost 50 percent of 12th gradfiance of Ms. Schwartz's repeated or- less . The entire student body, not only ers have tried -marijuana at least once, ders to abstain from using any drugs or the senior class, must realize the true and approximately 24 percent have bealcohol during the trip. During senior dangers of marijuana. come regular users . According to the meetings before the trip and even durMarijuana, a!so commonly known as NiDA, common reasons for juveniles to ing the trip, Ms . Schwartz had empha- weed, pot, Mary Jane, and reefer, is a start using the drug include curiosity, sized the ban on drugs and alcohol. The psychoactive (mind-altering) drug. Ac- peer pressure, and the desire to fit into a - four offenders blatantly betrayed Ms. cording to the National Institute of Drug social group. However, the dangers of Schwartz - perhaps the one aspect of . Abuse (NIDA), it "hinders the user's marijuana clearly outweigh its temptathis unfortunate incident for which no _ short-term memory, and he or she may tions. Hopefully, those four seniors, have trouble handling complex tasks. along with the rest of the student body, amends can be made.

In truth, Ms. Schwartz had the legal - With use ofmore potent varieties of -will realize this fact, and the wounds right to search through luggage before marijuana, even simple tasks can be dif- inflicted by this incident will. heal. · CORRECTIONS: In "Teachers traverse three continents ... " (11198, p. 7), it was incorrectly stated that the Gilder- Lehrrpann Institute attended by Ms. Blechman and Ms. Michlewitz last summer required them to teach at a junior high school. Their job at Middle School 74 is tied to the·Institute, but i§ not required.

"Five new elective courses . . ." (11/98, p. 6) was writtewby Noreen Bukhari as well as Bosede Adenekan.

Constitution commended Last June, Student Union (SU) oftticials and volunteers from all grades gathered to reform S4Udent government. Aware that elements of the SU constitution at the time were out of date, insuf;ficient, and even undemocratic, they organized a five-month Constitutional Convention to create arevised document that would better suit the current student body. The efforts of everyone involved in the convention were not in vain. Although the new constitution does not radically change the government, it does bring much needed changes that work in the student body's favor.

The most significant reform in the new constitution is the addition of election procedures, which were never included in the old constitution. It is amazing that the SU had been able to conduct elections each year without written guidelines. The stability of any government depends on a thorough documentation of its laws. The new SU constitution now provides this for the student body.

The new constitution also succeeds in making the SU more democratic, particularly by instituting primary elections, which will take place -each January. This welcome change in the way poteDtial candidates are selected is a vast improvement over the previous undemocratic use of a screening committee.

Harrisites-sltould be pleased, for the revised constitution not only inc.r eases their power in student government but also proves that students possess the initiative and the dedication to work for a cause and see it through to its successful conclusion.

Silence is no relief- let's-do more on Commander-in-Grief

by Steven Seidenfeld Sex, partisanship, a. zealous special prosecutor, and unexpected election results catapulted Ken Starr and Bill Clinton to Time's Men of the Year in 1998. From questions which hiwe surfaced about the applicability of the Constitution's "high crimes and misdemeanors" impeachment standard to President Clinton's alleged actions, to c;oncerns that Congress is ignoring the will of the American people and its role in our representati.ve democracy in prosecuting the President, the controversy _ surrounding the President was certainly the biggest news story of last year.

Whether you're an ardent supporter of the President, or a proponent of the "Wag the Dog" philosophy, his impeachment pmmises to be the defining event of the new year.

Townsend Harris students seem to have taken sides in the impeachment battle.. Yet, our nation's second presidential impeachment has barely l)lade a ripple in school, other than in hallway and cafeteria discussions .

Despite its historic significance, the impeachment has received minimal coverage in our classrooms. A full and demanding curriculum makes it under-

standably difficult for teachers to adequately address issues of the moment.

In addition, some teachers feel that the impeachment issue has received more than enough publicity in the media. Interviews with students of all of the global studies teachers revealed that the only consistency foupd .in classroom treatments-of tl:te event was the haphazard manner in which studying the impeachment had been approached. One teacher has not mentioned the impeachment, while a second devoted only 25 minutes to it during the entire fall term.

A third global studies teacher said that it was difficultto relate ancient history to the_impeachment. However, she in-cluded the subject in two current events sessions. The fourth global studies teacher also utilized the current events approach, while the journalism teacher asked her dass to comment on the handling of the issue by the professional press.

One way of making the impeachment process a relevant educational experience would be to hold a student debate under the auspices of the Humanities department. The pro and con teams could address each component of the impeachment process. By framing the

issues in a coherent manner, we could make our own informed judgments.

Participatory Democracy teache~ Anthony Scarnati called this "an excellent idea" which would heighten student awareness.

The impeachment and subsequent trial of the President is more than a side issue. Even as Constitutional scholars continue to debate the legality of holding a trial in the newly elected Senate Alan Fu Editor-in-Chief Christina Lesica Andrew Goldberg News Editor Annette Orzechowski Brian Griffing

Co·Feature Editors

Spurts Editor

Athena Ledakis ·· Photography Editor

Julia Kohen Business and Circulation Manager

Bosede Adenekan Rebecca Munoz

Lucy Hong Art Editor

based on an impeachment by a lame duck House of Representatives, many historians see it as a defining issue in our nation's history. Relationships between future presidents and congresses could hinge on precedents currently being established. At Townsend Harris, we pride ourselves on being at the cutting edge of public education. An impeachment debate would be a positive step in that direction.

Townsend Harris High School at Queens College 149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, N.Y. 11367 Readers are invited to submit letters to the editor. Letters should be placed in Ms. Cowen's mailbox in the general office. The Clan·ic reserves the right to edit all letters. Letters must include name and official class. Names will-be withheld upon request.

Rachel Nobel Lauren Paley

Assistant Editors

News Staff: Lauren Amorillo, Aflon Baff, Noreen sUkhari, Karen DeVita, Lmraine Kapovich, Danielle Lord, Aliz.a Nadi, . Julia Perratore, Cartil Pruss, Maggie Yuan

Feature Staff: Jonathan Cofsky, Emmy Favilla, Surabhi Jain, Alice Lee, Irene Lew, Christina Pagan, Ramsey

Peele,

Michele Potofsky, Emily Rubinstein, Steven Seidenfeld, Allison Slotnick

Sports Staff: Tahitha Hsi, Eric Trager, 1>1ark Von Ohleh Photo~r:aphy Staff: Laura Bassolino, s~phanie Bakirtzis, Frank Cherena, Venu Dhanaraj, Alice Iofes~u. Kan:n Parado, Joseph Pasaoa,Lisha Perez, Lisa Schapira, Kendra Thompson, Eric Trager, Tristan Viswnde, Yvette Warenam, Audley Wilson, Dawn Wing, William .Yang, Young Yoon ~Raymond Baro, Vivian Chang, Lucy Hong, Doris Ortega, Kelly PuneU, Emily Rivlin-Nadler

Advisor - lisa Cowen

Principal - Dr. Malcolm Largmann

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3 From marriage booths to roach races:

Winter Carnival Features fun, food· •,

Campaign-commences with first ever p~imaries

by Annette Orzechowski and Brian Cooperman are ru.n- primary was in any way lackHeld in the wake of the re- ning for the position of Trea- luster, Damon emphasized the cently revised constitution on surer; junior Angelika Ioannou need for more candidate pubby Lauren }Jaley Preservation of the Earth did a January 28, _the first Student and sophomore Christina Kuo · licity. "It was ... an [efficient] From one corner of the variation on their game from Union (SU) primary election round out the c-qmpetition for campaign, but I think that the room, someone calls, "Feed the last year, calling this year's was! according to SU President Public Relations Officer, and primary speeches should not be hungry model!" Across the game "Fishing for Facts." The Anthony Prince, "very success- vying for SU Secretary are held during lunch bands," he way, another person screams, object of the game was to use ful despite the low voter tum- sophomore Patricia Cabrera said. Damon believes that pre"Pop the condom." Is this what ' magnetic fishing rods to catch out;'' Casting ~ total of 498 and junior Junghee Yoon. senting speeches during lunch Karolina bands is not the best of ideas they're teaching in school these the answers to Jeopardy-like votes during lunch bands, jun- Sophomore of Borawska, who ran unopposed since "people aren't really payiors composed the majority days? trivia questions. The Debate Well, it wasn't exactly ales- team took a break from writing voters, followed by sopho- for Consultative CounciJ Rep- ing -attention." Granting sturesentative, automatically re- dents an opportunity for exson, but for one night, on arguments with the game mores, and then by freshmen.

"It's important that we in- ceives the position, while juri- . panded publicity, Coordinator Wednesday, January 27, it took "Twister," while the Speech over the school. Shakespeare's team put their words to music crease the number of voters," iors Nerfertitf Lovelace and of Student Acti¥ities Odile Sisters' "heroin-chic" model with a Karaoke machine sing- said Anthony. Suggesting that Steven Pavlov campaign for the Garcia alotted students time at cutout game and Students Pro- ing booth, complete with CDs. voting times should include position of Senior Council Li- the Winter Carnival for campaigning, but very few took her - moting AIDS Awareness' con- "The Karaoke rocked," said mornings as well as lunch aison. bands in order to grant potenSenior The competition for up on this offer. "We have to dom dart game were among the junior Ajita Kundaikar, Jr. tial voters efficient time for Council President includes jun- make sure that the candidates casting their ballots, Anthony iors Anclrew Falzon and Tashia ·and students currently filling stressed that an increase in Raymond. Senior Council Sec- the .. .'[SU government] posischool involvement with the retary will be junior Pamela tions are making sure that elections is something to strive Baird artd the position of Con- peQple know what's going on. sultative Council Liaison will They bave to .make an impact for.

Victors of the primary who go to junior Brenda SiCkles, and encourage ... [students] to will move on to participate in since both candidates ran unop- participate more," she said. the May race include SU Presi- posed. The race for Senior Damon cited the humorous dent candidates Elizabeth Mo Council Vice President is be- posters lining hallway walls and Alison Park, and Senior tween juniors Karolyn and the fortune cookies that Vice President . hopefuls Gavilanez and Vanessa Matsis, Elizabeth handed out d!}ring her Veness a Tan and _ Harry and the positions of Senior · campaign as examples of inKondabolu, all juniors. Other Council Representatives at ventive elements that did go offices, including Junior Vice Large will be filled by Ian Katz, into ·the primaries. According -_ President and Freshman/ Christina PQulos, Michael to Anthony, the primaries weFe Sophomore V:ic.e Pte.Sident, are Evelson, and Clare Marks, who publicized in the school calendar and announced during senbeing campaigned for by all ran and won unopposed.

According to SU Vice ate meetings, "so th~re was no ' sophomores Erik Mathes and Eric Trager, and freshmen President Damon Swift, there excuse for a low voter turnout."

Put on a happy .face: Junior Steven Pavlov (left) paints the face ofsophomore Amanda Green and Rio May R. was room for improvement in A higher voter rate is so~ething Anu Agnihotri for the Art Club's booth at the winter carni\lal. del Rosario, resp-ectively. the conduct of the campai~n. that the SU will b~ looking for Sophomores Angelo Marino Though not insinuating that the in the May elections: The athletic teams, includmany booths which spread through the student cafeteria, ing the Bowling team and the into the gym, and up to the Varsity Volleyball team, also lobby at the second annual Win- got involved with interactive demonstrations and games. ter Carnival.

Course approved.by the NYS Dept. of Motor Vehicles & State Education Dept.

Even without some staples The Fencing team once again F~re~t of typical carnivals such as had their sponge throwing For more Information call: 718-268-4667 , merry-go-rounds and circus booth open. This year, victims clowns, there still were painted- included history teacher An....._Dual controlled cars faced people running amuck. thony Scarnati. .-.student completion certificate (Blue Card-MV285) Archon, the school service · The face painting booth, which .-..Eligible for senior license at 17 catered to many of the little kids honor society, and thci Parent last year, returned under the Teachers Association (PTA) .-..studentqualifies for insurance discounts where granted sponsorship of the Art Club this sponsored the event along with by insurance company year. Also hac~ was the Puffles Coordinator of Student Activi.-..Experienced NYS licensed teacliers photo booth, which allowed ties Odile Garcia. All food and students to dress up in costumes drinks were provided by the **STUDENT MUST BE 16 YEARS OLD ON OR BEFORE 2/2/99** and take their funniest Polaroid PTA, including hot dogs, soda, Registration & schedulingwill tak-e place at Kew-Forest School every Wed. & poses, as was the senior class' and the cotton candy for wlrich Thurs: at 3:30PM starting immediately. Tuition for entire course is $390. A\1 many students waited in line up marriage and divOFce booths.check & money orders must be made out to Kew-Forest School at or before · New to the event this year for to 20 minutes. "I waited for registration. was the Student Union-spon- an hour aild I kept missing it," Kew-Forest School [),river Education Application Spring 1999 sored Play station games which said junior Hari Kondabolu, rePRINT YOUR LEGAL FIRST AND LAST NAME occupied the teachers' ·cafete- ferring to the cotton candy maria, renam~d "the fun zone" by chine which kept switching lo(_) --· Name (Last) (First) (Middle) Date of birth Home telephone SU President Anthony Prince. cations.

The number of tickets sold Also, for the first time, publi~ cation-based booths were for the eyening are still being Home Address present. The Phoenix set out for counted by the SU treasurer, seI, give my son/ daughter permission to enroll in flight with their ball toss game nior. Cindy Cortes . . Clubs (Student's name) (parent's name) the Kew-Foresf School Educaton course.

"Make the Phoenix Fly," while which participated will be· nothe Quantum Cat held cock- tified how much money they Name of student's sehool ___________ Parent's name Date roach races. Students for' the earned in coming weeks.

(])river CEcfucati()n K•;::::sr.~ool 119-17 Union Tpke.

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The Classic

February 1999 1

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Sound performance celebrates season

by Ramsey Peele a mix of selections ranging ard Russo, who was also ex- from ·a sonata by Beethoven. _ In a rare Friday night per- from a spiritual to jazz hits pected to perform, fell ill, and The choral selection, "I Believe formance, the concert band, "Blues Machines'' and "Cha- Dr. Ferguson couldn't stand in I Om Fly," featured a dance intermediate band, jazz en- meleon." ' as a soloist, the act had to be solo _by sophomore Asha· semble, and chorus, conAlthough the concert went cancelled. "That's one of the Rhodes, accompanied by solo_ducted by music teacher ists senior Madeline Peter Lustig and chorus Cruz, sophomore teacher Florence Sabrina Gibson, and McKinley, performed junior Seth Oliveras. seasonal songs and pro- _ "Having a dancer was vided "holiday harmosomething we never nies" at the Winter Condid before," said Mr. cert on December 18.

Lustig. "It was one Members of the au_unique item of this dience were first handed concert." a program decorated The recital of the with snowflakes, holly, "Twelve Daze of and bells dangling from Townsend," a parody pine branches, which of a grand finale, insymbolize!i both the Cluded a secret celebseason and.the concerfs rity chorus composed theme of holiday harof members of the mony. In the auditoschool faculty, and rium, decorations inwas an especially cluded two 10-foot well-received highWith holiday sounds floating through the air, music teacher Peter Lustig conducts the Christmas trees covered light which has be· Concert Band at the annual Winter Concert. with fake snow and red come a tradition of the ribbon. Atop the stage, Winter Concert. a snowman wrapped in rib- largely as.. expected, there problems of having a voice as Junior Vanessa Mats is said, bon welcomed the audience. were a few surprises. Latin an instrument," said Ms. "I [went] to get in the ChristA medley of songs, includ- teacher Thaddeus Ferguson McKinley. · , mas spirit." Others, like junior ing "Silent Night," was played was not able to perform his Still, the night was charged Sheila. Raj, said they expected on the piano by senior Nick highly-anticipated solo, "0 with a number of highlights. a lot of variety. "We have the Calabro, and set the tone for paradis," due to laryngitis. "It "Blues Machine" contained Jazz Ensemble, we have clasthe concert. Although there was firstly supposed to be a more than a half dozen soloists. sical music, and we have a Chowere a number of Christmas duet," said Ms. McKinley. A piano solo featured seniQr rus. So, there was no avoiding songs, the music was mainly But, after Latin teacher Rich- Scott Noriega playing a Rondo it," she said.

by Danielle Lord Did you know that more than $200 million is sitting unused in coat pockets, on tal;>le tops, and in empty desk drawers in New York City? According to Common Cents ofNewYork, the charitable public organization which founded the Penny Harvest in 1991, there are "pennies everywhere, in jars arid cars, on floors, . and in drawers.': Recently, Harris students helped to salvage $2,020 of this money through participation in the Penny Harvest.

This year's Penny Harvest, which ran througho1,1t November and was sponsored by the honor society ARISTA, collected approximately $2,020 in change.

The majority of this year's profits • will go to hurricane and flood victims in Honduras and Nicaragua.

The rest of the funds will be used to benefit agencies serving needy New York children, and to provide grants which are awarded for student projects focusing on education and the environment.

Many schools.from the elementary, junior high, and high--school levels citywide participate in the • annual harvest. The goal of each school is to qualify for the "challenge." In order to qualify, the sch<;>ol must collect 25 sacks of pennies, which is approximately $1250. · According to Margaret much about Amnesty, but I feel Landry, ARI~TA coordinator, bad for the prisoners. During "Townsend Harris easily surpasses the holiday season, they defi- the 25 sack challenge every year." nitely need some hope to en- Each sack contains about $50, and courage them to go on," said can weigh up to 30 pounds. . Schools which qualify are enfreshman Stephanie Moy. Posters displayed in stair- titled to send representatives to wells listed the 30 articles from participate in a citywide field day, the Universal Declaration of at which the pennies are sorted and Human Rights, a document ac- bagged again for machine-countcepted on December 10, 1948 ing. Each school which meets the by the General Assembly of the challenge is entitled to decide on United Nations (UN). The first the distribution of $1000 to local article declares: "All humans charities via a ''Rmmdtable," made are born free and equal in dig- up of 8 to 10 student volunteers.

Contributors put their donanity and rights."

At the UN building, various tions in large jars provided at the celebrities aided the celebration front and back entrances to the in promoting the freedom of school or brought pennies and "prisoners ofconscience.'' Ac- other change to their eighth band ,. cording to Amnesty, "a prisoner classes for collection.

In order to reach the go~l, offiof conscience is anyo·ne who is arrested for her or his beliefs, cial penny collector squads were race, ethnic background, or set up, each of which was headed gender." With offices in more by a captain. Each penny collecthan 40 countries, Amnesty In- tor solicited contributions, and ternational boasts over 200,000 was asked to collect at least $10.

Sophomore Karen Law says members around 100 countries that the majority of pennies she worldwide. collected came- from outside . Sources: Townsend Harris. "My efforts Scientific American, December 1998,.pp. 30-31. were concentrated at my parents' Encyclopedia Britannica, .,_ workplace and around my neighborhood·," she said. The more CD-ROM, people Who know about the Penny Amnesty International, Harvest, the better. I wanted to Universal Declaration of reach as many people as possible."

Human Rights.

'Arnnesty'-observes·50th H.u~an RiQhts Day Activities Odile Garcia, Englishteacher:SVictoriaAdler

by Allison Slotnick "All human beings are joined in the annual com- . and Georgette Wallace were born free and equal in dignity _memoration of the fight for handcuffed and "arrested" and rights. They are endowed universal equai rights and the without explanation by a memwith reason and conscience campaign to free political b~r of Amnesty Internatiomtl and "unjustly" led into the din· and should act towards one prison~rs around the world.

Marking its 50th anniver- ing hall, where students preanother in the spirit of brotherhood."- Article One ofthe sary since the adoption ofthe sented _a speech demonstrating Universal Declaration of Hu- Declaration of Human Rights, that in countries disregarding Human Rights Day was eel- the rights of their citizens, anyman Rights Participating in the obser- ebrated with presentations one may be arrested arany time, . vance of Human Rights Day made during lunch bands . - withoutparticularreasonorjust for the third year on Decem- simulating the practice of)n- cause.

Students in the dining hall ber 10, the school chapter of carcerating individuals withAmnesty International, along out due process. History were encouraged to sign cards with Coordinator- cif Student teacher Susan Getting and with holiday messages for political prisoners at a display.

However, the message was restricted to a holiday greeting without any religious or political content.

"Latin is a dead language.

Out of the average 250 stuIt's plain for all to see. dents at each lunch band, 20 per It killed off all the Romans, band signed cards. Freshman So now it's killing me."

Beth Dubin, a member of Am- Richard Russo, Latin teacher nesty International, did not look negatively upon the turnout.

"Since we're learning imaginary numbers, I think you "As long as we got the message should give us an imaginary test.'' out to a few people, we suc- a student to Rachel Ruisi. math teacher ceeded. Some people don't feel that this issue is something they "~oever you a11e, would you kindly defuse yourself." will ever deal with," she com- Margaret Landry, Latin teacher, on a beeping sound mented.

Many students who chose to "This clock is· not broken; it's only right twice a day." participate by filling out greet- Richard Russo, Latin teacher., refe:rring to the clock ing cards had been unaware of in r-Oom43S these abuses. "1. don't know

Overheard in Class...

Arista aids hurricane victims

... -..., > ...... m,~ ...,.,....~

--Consultative Council Briefs

by Anthony CioDi and Rachel Nobel Issues ranging from the Student .Council elections to a soap shortage in the bath~ rooms were discussed at the third and fourth Consultative Council meetings of lille year, held in December and Janu· ary.

The vaLidity of the pri· mary elections for the Student Union was debated, with some attendees suggesting that the elections w,ould be flawed due to the lack of campaigning time - candi· dates were only able to campaign during lunch bands and on their own time - and a 'broad' definition of what constitutes slander in the election guidelines. A debate will be held between the candidates in late ApriL Senior concerns included their limited use of the 'seniors-only' eomputer room in 314, which has remain-ed locked unless a supervisor is pFesent due to recent vandalism; the lack of adequate sitting space in the lobby, a popular senior hangout; and the 'back door rule,' which states that seniors may leave,

but net enter, thtoufh the back door.

The establishment of new buUetin boards pr>()m,pted a discussion on what should be displayed in the hallways, with suggestions including student essays a,n d coHaterals, informative exhibits on elective classes, and two senior bulletin 9oards; a calendar of senior ev,ents and a collage of baby photos and freshman yearbook pictures of the present-day seniors.

On the academic froQnt, Dr. Largmann has suggested that teachers include rubrics (sets of standards or guitlelines) with collateral and homework assignments. On the · subject of electives, the possibility of including student descriptions of electives or having an 'elective fair' similar to the service fair des:cribing clubs and tea_ms was discussed.

Other issues, including the shortage of soap in the bathrooms ancl parking lot saf~ty, were also covered, with Dr. Largmann warning students to be more careful when walking in the parking lot.

Pippin mixes old and. new Auditions began on January

by Surabhi Jain and 13 in the auditorium; and the Rebecca Munoz The cast and crew of Pip- first meeting for the cast was pin '99 will take Harrisites held on February 4. Those inback to the Middle Ages, in- terested in trying out for the side the majestic courts of the leads were required to prepare HolyRomanEmperor, a song and a one to two-minute · Charlemagne, as they present monologue to display their act, the hit comedy and musical, ing skills.

Students interested in joinPippin. The musical, which ~he backstage crew <;>r creing opened 25 years ago on Broadating the backdrops for the play way in New York, is now beare encouraged to talk to Ms. ing revived here, and will be Blechman.

Harrisites can also performed in May. "Pippin is very different . join the technology squad, and from last year's play," said w~ll work with Jeff Spurgeon, drama teacher Harriette graphic studio advisor, on the Blechman, who is directing lighting, sound systems, and the play along with Judy curtain drops. Peter Lustig, Biener, assistant director_ "It music teacher, will work with has a very different flavor to interested musicians. "Dance it, encompassing ideas of the choreographers are also needed past and presenting them in a since Pippin is a very intense . modern style," she said. The musical with a lot of singing play will be performed on and . dancing," said Ms. Thursday, May 13, Friday, Blechman. Ms. Biener hopes to May 14, and Saturday, May 15. find students who will choreo"It is very whimsical, highly graph dances similar to those fictional and mythological," created by Bob Fosse, original _ choreographer of Pippin and All said Ms. Blechman.

Seniors Leslie Rosa, Brian that Jazz.

Pippin illustrates the adolesGruber a'nd Michael Inwald, and juniors Jessica Bynoe and cent life of King Charlemagne's Alice Ahn, all members of last son, Pippin, as he sets off in year's production of Guys and search of his true identity. Its Dolls, will have speaking parts music is written by Steven Schwartz. · in Pippin as well.

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M·o ot courtcom·e s out filrst

by Annette Orzechowski phies that they will keep for one topic of debate was censored. Making school history as year and with a p,arty given by Rebecca and John researched First Amendment issues,_dealthe first Moot Court team to the lawyers . c win the -city-wide championThe Moot Court comP.eli- ing "with this topic, while Julia ship, seniors Julia Kohen, tion was set up in the manner and Scott handled another an is- · Rebecca Silver, Scott Stein, and and style .employed in an ap- sue dealing with the Fourteenth John Zhu placed first at the -peals court. The teams were Amendment, in which the concompetition held at the Su• expected to review certain stitutionality of a statue hold: preme Court of the State of . cases, memorize the facts and ing parents responsible.for the New York, Appellate Division _ legal measures that applied to delinquent acts of their chilFirst Department. They de- each; and then to present their dren, was questioned.

To help prepare the stufeated the High School of En- side of the case in ten miimtes viromnental Sciences on De- to a panel ofjudges. The mem- dents for the eight competitions that were to take cember 3 in the fi&: place in four rounds nal tound of this _§ each, lawyers at the two-month compe~ firm discussed' the tition. , .r> The Annual B case at hand, gave the 0 .

Mentor Metropoliif team old Supreme Court cases to retan Moot Court view, aided in polishCompetition, ing their speaking sponsored . by style, asked po_tential Fordham Univerquestions they besity and the New lieved would pop up York State Bar Asin the rounds, and acsociation was an cording to Rebecca, event into which, The verdict is in: Moot Court members John Zhou, Scott Stein and Julia Kohen smile over their recent win with teammates, tried to be "hard according to the judges" when listenstudents, much ing to the team's practices, time and effort was poured. bers were also taken to an ac''[The team] knew I was very tual appeals court where they "Some of the lawyers wanted serious ... [about the competi- observed real cases argued. more passion in our speeches tion]," said History teacher and Fordham Law School profes- and we were also encouraged Moot Court advisor Nancy sors, third-year law students, to speak slowly, " said Rebecca.

Lieb. "They had experience the Dean of Fordham Law One of the layers in the firm from last year when they took School, and judges from the was a graduate of the original my American History -class." Appellate Division court pre- Townsend Harris, which closed Twice a week the seniors were sided at the competitions. "We in 1942.

"This really is one of the driven to the Law Firm of got a lot of good experience and Rosenman and Colin on Madi- ... insight into the.field oflaw," most outstanding programs that the city has to offer," said Ms. son Avenue in Manhattan to commented Scott. work with the lawyers of the The debate dealt with the Leib. "It is enri,ching for the firm on the presentation oftheir idea of censor,ship, centering students .. . and allows them to case, After their victory, the specifically on a case in which make friends and contacts in the members were ·awarded tro- a high school debate team's law profession."

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The Classic

February 1999

Clothes drive -gets closure by_Julia Perratore Donations made during the Hurricane Mitch clothing drive sponsored by Archon, the school's service honor so-

•

Adding to the pile, sophomore Liana Binns sorts clothes for the Archon clothing drive.

ciety, were handed over to the Salvation Army during the week of January 10.

Tjle collected items were originally to be sent to hurricane victims in the Central American countries of NiCaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala

by a different agent, but the Salvation _Army was ultimately given the donations due to complications with the consulates,of these nations, which had neither the storage to temporarily hold the donations nor the means to transport them.

The_Salvation Army does not have a specific program geared towards aiding those devastated

by Hurricane Mitch, so the clothing donated by Harrisites will be distributed throughout the community. Senior Wendy Sanchez, who helped organize the drive, explained, "There is only a small possibility that the cloth-ing will go where it is supposed to go," but affirmed that "because of the weather, it [the clothing] -will be · appreciated by those who need it, despite the change in plans."

By December 26, stuffed plastic bags of clothing were deposited in Archon advisor Octile Garcia's office. Those who helped out by folding and packing articles of clothing described the drive as "very successful."

Ms. Garcia said Archon collected $186 as well as clothing. , In mid-November, Archon started collecting clothing for the victims of Hurricane Mitch, which hit much of "Central America on October 27. Students left their donations in drop-off boxes at the front entrance.

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Seven writers wax poetic, outshine·competition

by Lauren Amorillo Authors from Townsend Harris dominated the fourth annual Fresh Meadows Poets (FMP) Open Competition for High School Students Contest, winning first; second, and third r place prizes as well as honorable mentions.

This small, half-hour ceremony was held during sixth band in the Townsend Harris"library on November 23.

The poems of all seven Harris winners, as well as the poems of three winners from other public city high schools, were recognized and awarded a certificate of achievement by the Fresh Meadows Poets. Sophomores Diana Escuder, Lauren Amarillo, Emily Randehaul, Ilana Rossein, Rachel Nobel, and first prize wiriner Neel Khanna read their poems to an audience made up of parents, English teacher Judy Biener and her freshman Writing Process class, Principal Malcolm Largmann, and the Fresh Meadows Poets Contest Committee.

The ceremony was led by Teju Vaswani, the Chairperson of Fresh Meadows Poets and the contest coordinator. Lucy Angeleri, FMP president who gives monthly readings at the public library on Austin Street, presented the winners with -their certificates of recognition. Mr. Vaswani said the results of this year's contest were "remarkable"

because it was the first year in the history of the contest that a school had winners across the board.

Several studenis _had written poetry about their neighborhoods as an assignment for some of last year's English 2 classes. The winners' poems were then selected for submission to the contest Neel wrote a poem entitled "My Life in Queens" (below),'' which is filled with vivacious images of playing baseball and running through wet cement. Ilana's poem, "Dusk at the Beach at Far Rockaway," contained colorful descriptions of crying seagulls and crashing waves in the sunset. Literary allusions also adorned the various poems. "If a tree grows in Brooklyn, its roots are in Queens," said Emily, describing her journey on the s-t reets of Queens, through a neighborhood rich with Latin music and crowds of people.

Those who attended the ceremony received a booklet comprised of all the winners' poetry, including those honorable mention winners who didn't read out loud. In "Vendor," Marvin Edmead managed to transform a regular woman into a bird of a "deep magahony shade."

Ms. Angeleri thanked the poets for their participation and urged them and everyone else to "continue doing such fine, wonderful work" just before the warning bell rang for sixth band.

My Life in Queens

by Nee! Khanna Falling Running through the streets Waiting for the mailman to come.

Scraping my knee, but ignoring the pain; Trying to blow the biggest bubble ever.

Chasing buses going to my school With only a stick of gum.

Playing with my friends in the local pool Watching the birds fly on my father's car - Cliimbing the bars and swinging on the swings in the local park Begging mother for a single ice-cream bar.

Mistakenly running through wet Playing a game of baseball on the corner Of the street cement and leaving my mark Sitting on my steps, while I reminisce Competing hard as I can with a friend I can't beat. all these past scenes Bike racing on a day drenched with rain All this and more comes when you live a life in Queens:

Briefly The school literary magazine, The Phoenix, has onc-e again been awarded the Columbia SchoJ:astic Press Gold Medal and has been named All Columbian, the highest rating, for i~s excellence in every category.

Recent Harris graduate Tara Helfman is one of t!his year's winners of the British Marshal Scholarship, awarded to American students who have demonstrated a9ademic excellence and leadership potential. Tara plans to earn a doctorate in history at Cambci<lge.

Junior ~ania Lee won third place and a CD stereo in the Kawamura Cultural Foundation Japanese Speech contest.

Seniors Diana Raab and Raquel Look were each awardecl a $200() scholarship for their winning essays in the Pas-sport to Japan Essay Com-

petition.

Art I science teacher Elizabeth Crawford's article on drawing, pho,. tographirlg, and working with water was publlsherd in a journal, "Building Classroom Community Through the Arts."

The Junior Varsity Gids • Track team finished second in New York City.

The Fencing team finished first in Queens and qualified for the City Championships for the second conseeut1v~e year. Fe-ncers· Michael Pasinkoff and Michael Inwald, se- . niors, placed second and sixth in the city, respectively.

As a t'inalist in the SHOWTIME PENCIL vicleo competiti{)n, sophomore Alice Lee will receive professional instruction on making a short vicleo on a New York theme.

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The Classic

I February1999

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SU constitution changed New -Regents readied .

Confinued from p. 1

constitute a reason f>Or an offlcer•s re~ moval, and a petition for itn~ac.bment now requires the COSA's cenfirming the validity of the charges, signatures by 67% of those students who elected the charged officer, and a 70% vote in the Student Senate for final dismissal.

According to Anthony Prince, an emp,hasis on democracy is evident throughout the new constitution in such new procedures as tile primary elec-t ions. The revised preamble now states that this cGnstitution's, ''goal is to create a democratic government in which aU the ideals of students are rep-

resented." eleven student volunteers of all gratles, along with the curtent SU officers and COSA, formuiated the new constitution. This convention t<:>ok place every morning at 7':00 A.M. dur· ing June of last term from Sep-tember titl December of this tenn. Ms. Gareia commented, "lt was a good learning experience for everyone_, in· eluding myself. ft was amazing because everyone kept their cool even when they disagreed. I was impressed by the dedication of those students who started in the beginning and pursued it to the very end. •-•

ana

Five.reach Intel semi-finals Continued from p. 1 at Williams College, Diana Raab stud, demic achievement and whether or not ied the correlation between tree growth _ social support groups affect this percep- and climate by measuring the distances tion, between the rings of trees and comparAfter _surveying 100 Harrisite jun- ing data with various tree rings. iors, Richard concluded that as stress inThe bulk of Diana's work was percreased, perceived academic achieve- formed at Wiliiams under the guidance ment decreased_ of her m~ntor, Professsor Henry Art. Ms_ A number of teachers helped Rich- Garcia, Mr. Curran, and Mr. Horn also ard: Mr. Scarnati, Joseph Horn, math- _(lssisted her. ematics teacher, and Professor :Dean Diana has been a member of the Savage from Queens Colle_ge.

Swim team for four years and a memBe_sides working on his project, Ri- ber of Archon and Arista, both for two chard has been involved with the Quan- years. She also was part of the Japanesetum Cat, the ind'oor track team and the Harris exchange program last summer.

Cross-Country Track team.

In the future, Diana Raab is considDiana Lewis studied -certain gene ering a career in science.. possibly in variants and their correlation with the medicine_ risk for melanoma, a form of cancer. Her According to Nicole, competing in project found that a combination of ge- the Intel competition has been "one of netic variants result in a seven-fold in- [my] most wonderful experiences. Becrease of developing melandma. Con- ing a semi-finalist is an honor. No one ducting her research at the Memorial _ can take it away from you, ever.''

Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Man- Nicole worked cin her Intel project hattan, Diana worked with Dr. Abul using 32 undergraduates from Queens Elahi and Dr. Marianne Berwick. "I've College. Under the direction of;her menknown people who have died from can- tor, Dr. Nancy Hemmes from Que_ens cer and it has affected me. I wanted to College, and graduate student Carolyn make a difference, and I feel that I have - Ryan, Nicole showed her 32 subjects accomplished that,'~ she said. two different pictures. The first picture Juggling time "was difficult betwee-n was flashed on a screen, and then was the project, my library job, college ap- quickly covered by a pattern oflines and plications, and the Bridge to Medicine dots. The-second picture shown was reprogram [a program in whiCh seniors lated to the first. For example, the first take college classes at YorkCollege in picture might be a kitchen chair and the preparation for science careers], but it second picture might be a director's Was definitely worth it," said Diana. "I chair. - After each picture, the. subjeCts learned so much and I had -fun." had to identify what they saw as quickly Looking to a career in science, Diana and clearly as possible. is leaning toward becoming a doctor, Through her experiments, Nicole found that color does not affect response possibly in the cancer field.

Hugo's project tested pigeons' audi- latency (how long it takes a subject to - tory ability. Using four pigeons, his ex- - identify a stimulus), while shape does pe-r iments with stimuli, such as white affect response latency in humans.

- Ranked among the top 10 in girls' key light and white noise, proved that pigeons can listen and that they do dis- fencing in New York City for the past criminate between stimuli. This pigeon three years, Nicole is a member of the psychology test was conducted by Hugo Varsity Fencing team. She also is on _the , with the help of Dr. Bruce Brown and Varsity Tennis team and Mock Trial Dr_ Nancy Hemmes, both from Queens team, and a member of Archon and Arista, both for three years. Outside of College.

Even though the Intel project was -school, Nicole is the President of the "very time-consuming;:.Hugo remained · Young Performers ScreenActors Guild a member of Students Promoting AIDS Committee and has volunteered for New Awareness (SPAA) and the Varsity York Assemblywoman Ann Margaret Carrozza and at the Alley Pond EnviHandball team.

'Working over the past two summers ronmental Center.

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•

Continued from p. 1 part consisted of an essay on one of several topics. "The new English Regents will prepare the students better in terms of ana-lyzing and understanding what they're reading. I'm pleased to see a new focus on Regents," said Lynl)e Greenfield, Assistant Principal of Humanities. _ Teachers are preparing current sophomores who will take the Regents as juniors by incorporating the four types of essays into the curriculum. "l don't mind the changes in the English Regents because if we prepare for it, it won't really make a difference," said sophomore Richard Wong, Changes occurring in the mathematics Reg~nts as_ well. Instead of three Regents on Sequential I, II, and~ III, there will be two Regents, A and B, taken at year and a half intervals. However, in Townsend Harris, since no Re- gents are administered -in the middle of the year (this year's English Regents is an exception), students will take the A part after two years and take the B j3art a year later. , _ According to Assistant Principal of Mathematics Harry Rattien, there will more analysis in the new Regents.

"It's more of a thinking exam, rather than an exam that tests skills," said Mr. Rattien. Although logic and geometric proofs will not be tested, · Mr. Ratti en

said that they will still be taught because most of the teachers feel that they are important topics in the curricu1um.

While students could omit a certain number ofquestions in the old Regents; this will not be allowed in the new exam.

Changes in the math Regents will take place in Townsend Harris in two years.

"What we'ry going to do is wait and see what the exam looks like. Then we'll have the opportunity to prep~e the students better," said Mr. Rattien.

In the sciences, pilot schools are now testing the new biology curriculum that will prepare students for the new Regents in June. The new biology curriculum will be used here in one or two years. Assistant Principal of Science Brendan Curran said, "It's good to raise _ standards; however, that is not to say the old curriculum was necessarily bad. I hope the new [curriculum] will be an improvement on that." As of now, Mr. C:_urran has not seen the new biology Regents. Changes in the chemistry and physics Regents will take place after those of the biology Regents.

"The new Regents will not make much of a diffeFence,'' said junior Lucy Mo. "Students who want to pass will still pass; students who want to fail will still fail." Freshman Rachel Gershmin disagrees. "I don't think it's a good idea because too much is based on the Regents,'' she sa1d.

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THE TOWNSEND HARRIS I QUEEN Seminar serves as crossroad

by Annette Orzechowski Facilitating a smooth transi· tion into a college environment, tb~ Bridge Year program basalways been one of the most sought after advantages offeree during senior year. For two semesters, seniors are allowed a taste of what lies ahead in their near futures,, both academically and socially, by taking classes directly on the Queens CoHege campus. The centerpiece of this opportunity is the P'reshman Humanities Colloquium.

The Humanities Colloquium, a seminar which explores great literary works, is team-taught by a college and Townsend. Harris teacher and receive.s both high school and Queens CoHege credit. Forming the capstone af the Townsend Harris Humanities experience, the seminar lets students apply their accumulated literary knowledge and skills to some of the most prominent texts

of the Western tradition.

With their chair-s in circle formation, students explore works spanning from ancient times to the twentieth century. Student facilitators lead the discussions in a "non-teacher-directe4 setting,'' according to Assistant Principal of Humanities Lynne Greenfield.

"It's great to•.. hear things from English five come out," said Engl•ish teacher Debra Michlewitz.

While parents and students alike look ferward to this experience as a crossroad in the student's high schoal career, budget cuts at Queens College have at times jeopardized the future of this program.

In June of 1995, substantial cuts made.in Governor Pataki's budget left Queens College with a smaller amount of funding, threatening the Townsend Harris Bridge program in its entirety. In the end, the seminar and two additional Queens College classes that were previously offered each semester to stu-

dents free of charg.e , were trimmed down t'() the s.e mmar and a single extra class. "[The Humanities Seminar] is very successful," sa,id· Ms. GFeenfield. She believes that ''the readings are not materials that the average high school student reads in total [as opposed to excerpts] ... ; the writings [are] more impartant and more intense."

Forming the core of the readings, th:ere is a uniform syllabus that may be modified at the discretion of one of the teaching teams. Teachers meet once a semester to discuss possible changes in the curriculum or any other concerns that they have.

Present at the meetings are the high school teachers, Queens College professors, and Queens College Liaison Marvin Leiner, whose efforts on behalf of the program make the seminars pos~ sible.

'Sin &simulation' debuts at Inauguration

by Christina Lesica Red, white, and blue balloons and streamers graced the ceiling.

Loud music lured guests to the dance floor, while food waited on the tables. Not only was it the night of the inaugural ball; it was also the premiere of "Sin and Simula~ tion," a documentary film.

Though the location of the ball was in a major'city, it was hundreds of miles away from Washington D.C., where multiple balls are celebrated every four years. A new President was not sworn in, since this inaugural ball, held Thursday, January 28,wasthe culmination of the school-wide gubernatorial and senatorial election simulation of '98.

"Sin and Simulation" was shown to seniors and teachers in semi-formal wear. The video, which received its only showing at the inaugural ball, "was a recap of everything that happened in the simulation, with outtakes, funny moments, and a few surpr{ses," said senior Zara Ziff,. who along with 10 other seniors and Jeff Spurgeon; broadcast journalism teacher, worked on the video since the startof January. This is the second year that a documentary has . been made.

The simulation, a study of New York City issues, and community service make up the curriculum of the Participatory Democracy (PD.) class, which seniors take in the fall as their history requirement.

Not everythin·g in the video had been broadcast before during the election simulation. A commercial reminiscent of a Calvin Klein co-

logne ad aired, featuring the 11- to keep the tradition," said PD member documentary crew as teacher Anthony Scarnati. models pondering various quesDuring the election simulation, tions while promoting the new fra- all seniors are given a role based grance, "Election Simulation." on the topic of their PD class. UsuFollowil).g the commercial, the title ally, Nancy Leib's classes are the cards pn tbe video screen asked the campaigns, Myron MoSkowitz's audience, "Where did they find classes portray the special interest these people?" groups; and Mr. Scarnati's classes The video began with Principal play the media.

Makolm Largmann explaining the Queens College professor . whole election simulation process Michael Krasper, who helped orand naming the different groups, ganize the simulation from its infrom special interest groups to can- . , c·eption, will evaiuate the students' didates. Again, the title cards experiences based on school-wide poked fun and asked, "What is he surveys distributed before and aftalking about?" ter the election campaign. . "The film footage shown in the A .granl from Newsday, documentary was the same we saw awarded for the second year, coYthroughout the election, but the ered the expenses of the mock pubtitle cards in betwee;n scenes pro- lications and broadcasts. vided a different spin on things," Participatory Democracy, said senior Lisa Tschernkowitsch. which is mandated by New York "The documentary was great State for high school graduation, because it reminded me of all the "exposes students to the responsifun we had during the simulation," bilities of citizenship and gives stusaid senior Monika Singh. dents the opportunities to particiAft!ir the video premiere, ' se- pate [in democracy] construcniors ~ere treated to music and tiv.ely," said Mr. Scarnati. food covered by the five-dolJar Once the votes are counted on entrance fee. Food consisted ,o f Election Day, PD class becomes a antipasto, chips, pizza, two large · forum on New York City issues.

"Inaugural BaU:' cakes, and soda, The third component of PD, all given out in the lobby by un- community service, allows studerclassmen dressed in white, like dents "to put the Ephebic Oath into waiters. practice," said Mr. Moskowitz. Ten The musica,l entertainment of hours of service in addition to the the tJ:rree-hour ball was provided 40 per year required by the scho.ol by several stude.nts acting as DJs. must be performed. Volunteering ~ · The inaugural ball, which Asfor a real campaign is encouraged sistant Princi.pal Lynne Greenfield and required in some·cases. and the PD teachers organized, . Since there will be no major started with the first simulation, the campaigns next year, most likely presidential election of '96. "It was the election simulation will be a a lot offun [and everyone wanted] recreation of a historical election.

Lecture ;seri.es enri.c

by Annette Orzechowski Expanding on the Townsend Harris-Queens College connection, a four-part Freshman Humanities Colloquium Lecture series taught by Queens College professors accompanied the readings examined in Humanities classrooms during the fall semester. Accounts of social, political, and historical factors underlying the circumstances in which the texts were written, and those found in the books themselves, gave, according to Director of College Preparatory Programs Marvin Leiner, "a richer understanding of the works examined [and] deeper appreciation for th~ir place in our society and history."

The spring semester will continue with the lectures, which have been called a success by teachers and students alike. Ushering in the literary works that will be covered for the next five months, the first lecture, "The Sonnet as Poetic Form," is set for February 10 with George Held of the Queens College English Department sc)leduled to lecture. March 3 brings David Richter of the English Department to speak on "The Age of Enlightenment" (background to readings by Swift, Voltaire and Pope). Ali Ahmed of the <;omparative Literature Department and Hester Eisenstein of the Sociology

Department, specializing Women's Studies, will lecture April 14 about "European Impe alism in the Congo - Conra1 Heart of Darkness" and on Ma: about "Education and the Rigb of Women iri the Late 19 and Ea 20th Century England" (bac ground to Virginia Woolf's A Ro. of One's Own), respectively. _ The lack of background inf· mation on the readings prompt Assistant Principal of Humanit Lynne Greenfield to bring up 1 idea of a lecture series. Accordi to Ms. Greenfield, the idea '-' first suggested around three ye; ago when faculty involved with 1 Humanities seminar convened discuss the program. "It's not li we expected students to have of the information going into I seminar, but we wanted them have some kind of a historical a social basis while reading t work," she explained. Throu active championing of the idea Dr. Leiner, the idea materializ into the lecture series for the fi time this year.

Held once each month fn September to December, all ~ niors were required to attend t four lectures during eighth bar The lecture consisted of a t minute talk followed by a questi and answer period. "It was an i teresting combination of insigl

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9

COLLEGE SENIOR BRIDGE YEAR

,les colloq·uia into the ... [works] and insights into Synchronizing the lectures to the time period," said senior match the times that the readings Georgeta Teodorescu. The first lee- were being done in class was on ture, held on September 23 and en- _ the whole successful, but the Notitled "Socrates and Plato," was vember 4 lecture, "Medieval Pogiven by Lucia Lermond from the etry," presented by Professor Queens College Philosophy De- Michael Sargent, a professor in the partment, who also teaches a Hu- Queens College English Departmanities seminar. Her lecture ·co- ment, gave away the ending of the incided with the colloquium's epic poem Sir Gawain and the reading of some dialogues of Plato Green Knight before some of the relating to Socrates' trial, an event seminars actually concluded the considered by many scholars to be book. "I don't think that the leeone of the most important in West- ture ruined the book," said senior ern history. "One of the reasons I TinaMitsis. "I think it did just the enjoyed this particular lecture was opposite. I read the book with more because of its historical references. understanding and a more open It allowed me to see Socrates' mind."

"Lady Macbeth and Other death not only as ·an isolated event that I read about in a book, but Women in Shakespeare," the culrather something that was minating lecture in the fall series, prompted by many external fac- was presented on December 2 by . tors," said senior Lauren Barbara Bowen, a teacher in the Queens College English DepartO'Connor. · "Conceptions of God in the Old ment. Detailing the views on and Testament," the second lecture in roles of \v01nen in Elizabethan sothe series, was delivered_by Mar- ciety, Professor Bowen presented tin Pine, a professor in the History · the achievements of little known Department of Queens College. feinale writers during this time and Held on October 14, the lecture ac- the common injustices and societal companied the seminar's readings contempt that women endured.

"The lecture really affected of the Books of Samuel in the Bible. "The lectures were informa- me;" said senior Georgeta tive and it seemed that during the Teodorescu. "I couldn't help but question and answer periods, the think how lucky I am to be born in · questions [posed by students] were this century and society where on a college level," said English women have gained so many more rights." teacher Michael Carbone.

Leiner keeps connection runnin.g strong . by Lauren Paley · Stuyvesant, Bushwick and by philosopher and poet Richard It's the "ripple effect.:' For Rockaway. He also had experience Lewis since 1997. Participating Marvin Leiner, the Director of teaching adolescents at the junior Townsend Harris teachers from College Preparatory Programs and high .and high school levels. He vari<ms departments explored Liaison between Queens College .earned his Masters degree in su:- "ways to work the imagination into and Townsend Harris High School, pervision and administration at their particular disciplines," exthose two words describe the heart Queens College, and acquired all plained Dr. Leiner. Last year, 10 of his work and life in education. credentials to become a principal, students also joined the workshop.

The "ripple effect," Elizabeth Crawford, explained Dr. Leiner, an assistant of Mr. ;>-. "is a collaboration" ~ Lewis who attended the C. .

C<l between teachers, proImagination Workshop, 0 ~fessors, principals, and later came here to teach most importantly, stuan elective called "Scidents. For example, £ ence Phenomena when a college profesB Through Art." She· is 0 . . sor and a high school 5:; not the fust faculty ' teacher are given the member to come to · chance to work to· Townsend Harris gether, as they do in through the Queens the senior Bridge year College connection. Enseminars, the fruits of glish teachers Georgette the collaboration can Forging the link: Marvin Leiner, who serVes as the liaison between Wallace and Michael be brought to their Queens <:;allege and Townsed Harris, and his assistant, Edie Balogh, Carbone, history teachclassrooms and di- make final arrangements for this semester's first Humanities lecture ers Chris Hackney and on "The Sonnet as Poetic Form." rectly benefit students Adam Stonehill, and fot years to come. A man who has but when Dr; Leiner was offered a science teacher Odile Garcia all taught on every level of the edu- faculty position at Queens College, · first came here as Queens College · cational spectrum, from elemen- he accepted and rose through the student teachers. tary to graduate school, Di:. Leiner ranks to become a full professor Besides his .work with Town::: feels the benefits of a high school- and chairman of the Elementary send Harris and Queens College, college connection are well illus- · Education Department. Mean- Dr. Leiner has been a practicing trated by the Townsend Harris/ while, he had earned his Ph.D. in psychotherapist, and he is also an .

Queens College partnership he has education at New York University. internationally known scholar on Years after retiring, he would be Cuban education with a number of worked for since 1994.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, asked back as a Professor Emerj- books to his credit. His most reNew York, Dr; Leiner was a fresh- .tus to head what he calls "an am- cent book, Sexual Politics {n Cuba: man ·in the old Townsend Harris bitious connection between two Machismo, Homosexuality and High School in Manhattan during systems."

AIDS, deals with the Cuban policy · This Townsend Harris/Queens of putting in quarantine all people its last year of existence. His undergraduate years were spent at College "connection," which Dr. who were HIV positive, a policy New York University, and after his Leiner facilitates, supports many which Dr. Leiner criticized in his graduation, he taught in elemen- projects, including the senior book. "I tried to use their policy . tary schools in Bedford Bridge Year and its Humanities on AIDS as a barometer· of what 's seminar, the annual election simu- going on in Cuba," he said. For lation, a workshop on the imagi~ his research, Dr. Leiner spent a nation, and many other lectures year living in Cuba,. visiting priano workshops invQlving Harris mary and secondary schools • teachers and Queens Colle~e pro- throughout the country while his · fessors. He works closely with the own children attended Cuban administration of Townsend Har- schools . . ris in coordinating registration for Dr. Leiner offers a list of dreams Queens College courses, and his and "other creative ideas." He involvement with the Humanities hopes that he'll be able to get seminars make him a familiar face Townsend Harris students who are · among-members of the senior not seniors to have more regular contact with the staff at Queens class.

Dr. Leiner speaks well of the College, and he would like to see ongoing election simulation members of the Townsend Harris project, which ~as initiated in faculty teach as adjuncts at Queens 1996. He described it as "a vivid College. Also, he hopes that "the example of collaboration between excellent cooperation" that exists gifted social studies teachers, As- between Dr. Largmann and himself sistant Principal Lynne Greenfield, and the Townsend Harris faculty and Michael Krasner," Professor "will move to higher and new levofPoliti·cal Science at Queens Col- els of collaborative efforts in the QUE~EtoE lege and Co-director of the Taft . next years."

Whatever new plans Dr. Leiner Institute for Government. The simulation is a way to make stu- comes up with, he stresses that the dents '-'less apathetic about poli- learning involved is his foremost tics," according to Dr. Leiner. ~oal. Although he is experienced "There should be some pizzazz in in many types of learning environlearning!" he added. ments, he says one thing never The Imagination Workshop, changes: "Good teaching is good formally called "In Search of the teaching, and that's what it's all Imaginative," has been conducted about."

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ditors' Adventures: ·Food for multi-cultural thought unique eating experience. , Reservations are mandatory and an elastic waistband is strongly advised.

Leave the vegetarians at -home, and take the antacid, and you'll most certainly have a memorable eating adven- · restaurant's location in

by Andrew Goldberg ture, even if you don't get a delicious diverse Jackson Heights; many of the "Where's the beef?" - It's at 316 dinner. _ patrons were not Indian and had quesWest 49'h Street, at least according to tions about the cuisine. The 'servi.ce is Zagat's Restaurant Guide. But, for the friendly and although it may take a few patrons at the Churrascaria Platforma INDIAN FOOD: hand gestures and head nods to get their Brazilian restaurant, the question should attention, the waiters are more than be, rather, where is it not? happy·to explain what you're eatin_g. · Heaps of half-cooked meat carried on long skewers by brusque Brazilian waiters welcome diners to this plush Mid- by Lauren Paley .

PERSIAN Fooo: town rotisserie. The menu at the Glancing at the sign outside the JackChurrascaria Platforma, aside from son Diner restaurant, you might expe.ct drinks and desserts, is rion-exislent, as a typical American meal: huge cheeseall patrons pay an exorbitant $30 ~ini- burg~rs, greasy French fries, and wa. mum for the "blue plate special," and tered down sodas. But prepare to be sur- by Amiette Orzechowski - are entitled to "all the meat they can eat." prised by the smells of corriander, okra, • What do you get when you take th<:: Food flags, which can be turned from curry and mint sauce in a busy room ex- ambiance of the Persian culture, its _green to red, serve as a symbol to the otically colored in red, green, and yel- tastes, smells, music, and art, place it . waiters to start and stop the parade of low which, despite its name, is _an au- into a structure of typical Middle Eastplates. All meats are charred black on . thentic Indian restaurant. ern architecture,. and top it off with a the outside, but vivid red within. Still, After being swiftly seated, I under- modern twist while remaining faithful if you're mad for meat, go for the min- stood why "diner" is part of the name. to tradition? Quite simply a little estabiature potato rolls; they're ideal for soak- · The bright red booths and rus~ing bus lishment off of the Horace Harding Exboys offer the feeling of any New York pressway, aptly named the Persian Tea ing up the blood.

For those who favor fish, however, diner. It's the photographs of mosques Room. there's a catch: salmon is spotted in the in thick frames lining the walls and Walk into the Persian Tea Room at dining room about as rarely as over- meditation music in the background that about 9:30P.M. and you will swear that · cooked meat! Whereas fish followers make you realize this place is different. not only have you stepped into a Perfeel like their favorite animal out of At the buffet table, which despite the si~n (Iranian) restaurant, but that you water in this mecc_a for red-meat mani~ full restaurant was not crowded, the have transported to Iran itself. The'large acs, those who grimace over the parade contrasting textures and smells of the spacious room is dimly lit and an aroma of delectable dead animals, can find less food were so intriguing that I felt I of some delicious spice permeates the intimidating fare at the aesthetically would somehow be cheated if I didn't air: Persian Objects D'~t line the walls, get a taste of everything. After all, the whispering stories of battles, harems, stunning and superior salad bar. · exotic dancers, and brave warriors. SerAlthough the bounty of -erazilian buffet is "all you can eat." _ beef, chicken hearts, turkey, tongue, The basic components in most of the vice is wonderful, with a standing waiter prime ribs, rib eye, sausage, pork chops, dishes are poultry or goat, except for the catering to your utensil, water, and !ieand venison is omnipresent at the s.tart, vegetarian platters, made mostly from licious pita bread needs.

An Iranian cover band, the Wonders, as the hours_wane, so do the number and peas and potatoes. But the herbs and ' size of the slices of meat placed on each -spices are what make the meal. My fa- sings popular songs of today and clasplate. Still, the appeal of this exciting vorite was the Tandoori ehicken. Mari- . sics in languages from French to SpanBrazilian restaurant isn't so much -its nated in yogurt, it tasted like ba!pecue jsh to Iranian. They boast that they can sing in ·any language you request, but carnival of beef, but rather its food flags, chicken with an extra zest.

The best vegetarian specials were as some tourists from Germany found which are fun to flip and make for a the Chole Peshawari, chickpeas and po- out, this was not a valid claim. Though tatoes cooked "Punjabi style," andAloo a bit hokey, the band made an effort to Gobi, or potatoes and cauliflower sea- entertain the customers and their Iranian Where to find them ... soned in masala. The Samosq, which songs d_id truly induce a need for hipChurrascaria Platforma can be described as a variation on a crisp movement.

316 West 49 St. Beginning with the Vegetarian Apdumpling, evens out the more saucy if not savory side dishes. petizers, you can establish the wonderNew York, NY Don't forget to scoop plenty ·ofrice ful essence of the meals to come. Not (212) 245 - 0505 onto your plate to tame the tangy taste. Joo spicy, the secret ofthe food's overJackson Diner Even though Indian cuisine is known whelming delicious taste comes from 34-4 7 74th St. for its heavy, hot flavor, I thought the lime in almost every dish. The Jackson's food was unusually mild. But Kashkeh Bodemjan, sauteed eggplant Jackson Heights, NY for you weak-tongued diners, take the · topped with yogurt sauce and served (718) 672 - 1232 large pitcher of water your waiter brings with pita bread, and the Dolmeh, ·conZula Cafe & Restaurant when you first arrive as a hint, and don't sisting of grape leaves stuffed with veg1260 Amsterdam Ave. rule out the mango juice or the Lass_i etables, yellow peas, ground beef, and rice, can be ,-described as pure perfecyogurt drink before ordering.

New York, NY At $7.50 'tor the entire feast, exclud- tion. Entrees come in the beef, poultry, (212) 663- 1670 ing the paan (bread),which is served lamb, fish, or vegetarian variety. The Persian Tea Room separately for $1-.00, the price is very Lamb Kabab, described as char-broiled 249-38 Horace Harding reasonable. Try to come between 11 .and served with grilled tomatoes and A.M. and 4 P.M., the time ofthe buffet. basmati rice, was a bit under-cooked but Expressway Otherwise you'll spend $20 - $30 to melted in the mouth with a collage of Douglaston, NY get the same food . . The "Jackson" in sultry tastes. The basmati rice was (718) 631-7676 Jackson Diner comes from the heaven on the tongue, a light, fluffy al-

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ternative to Uncle Ben's. The grilled tomato and onions complimented the meal just enough so as not to overwhelm it. Portions are large, so make sure to modify how much you eat in order to enjoy the incredibly rich and sweet Baklava for dessert. Stews, soups, salads, and side dishes are there to tempt as well as to satisfy your palette. Do not even think of leaving the Persian Tea Room without sampling their Persian Tea or -_ Turkish Coffee which truly make the meaL The only way , this Heaven on Earth could get any b~tter would be if it delivered- and (bless the gods!) it does.

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ETHIOPIAN FOOD:

Zula Oaf• &.

by Bosede Adenekan Filled with sounds of laughter and conversation, Zula Cafe & Restaurant in Harlem had a homelike feeling to it: Afro-centric artwork, such as small representations of musical instruments, adorned the walls. The small room was dimly lit. Ethiopian music played faintly. ' With this light, comfortable mood set, I was now ready to order.

As an appetizer, I had Sambusse, a sofftaco-like shell that was square. Inside the shell was beef, green chili, and herbs, with dip on the side. My one complaint was that only four of the deliciously spicy squares were' served.

Next came the main course, Zengenie, arriving on a large pan: Laying flat on the pan were three round pieces of pink "bread," resembling pita bread. The bread was filled with beef stew. Sliced carrots, lettuce, and butter sat on the sides of the pan. There 'was also a small dish with only bread.

"Can I get a fork? Some kind of utensil?'' I asked the waitress. She told me that the food was eaten with the fingers.

So I took a pink bread and dug into the beef stew. It was quite· an experience.

The food tasted _good. The butter was orange and sweet. The Zengenie wasn't too spicy.

I had ginger ale as my beverage. It tasted different from regular ginger ·ale.

It had more ginger in it, but it wasn'tas hot as Jamaican ginger ale. . The meal was filling and I left the · restaurant feeling -very satisfied. Best of all, it cost less than $20.

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The Classic February 1999

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On cloud nine~ Harrisites float along with astronaut· -

and Curtis Brown, had been launched

by Bosede Adenekan Standing on a float alongside Japa- ·· into space from Cape Canaveral on Ocnese astronaut Chiaki Mukai in the tober 29 for a nine-day flight orbiting ticker-tape parade, Odile Garcia, Coordinator of Student Affairs (COSA), and executive board melllbers of the Student Union, Senior Council, and Archon chanted, ''Chiaki! Chiaki! Chiaki!" ~ Townsend was among the spe~ 8 cialized high schools in.vited to participate in the historic event, held on November 16 at City Hall to honor the seven-member crew of the Discovery Shuttle Mission STS-95 .Also honored was John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth in J 962, and now the oldest man to travel in space. ·Seniors Cynthia Cortes, Dorcas Davis, Karen Gluck, Rebecca Silver, and juniors Nancy Kim and Bosede Adenekan, along with sophomore Angelo Marino, were able to meet some of the Discovery astronauts.

"This is awesome," said Rebecca after scrambling to get their autographs.

The Discovery crew, which con- - of Dis~overy Shuttle Missi~n STS-95, senio~s .. sis ted of Mukai Glemi Stephen Cynthia Cortes, Dorcas _Davis ~d Rebecca Stiver, .

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sophomore Al!gelo Manno, semor Karen Gluck, and

Robmson, Scott Parazynski, Pedro _juniors Bosede Adenekan and Nancy Kim; stand on Dunque, and-Pilots Steve Lindsey a float in the historical ticker-tape parade.

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the earth. "It took 8 112 minutes to launch and you could feel the vibrations," said Mukai, the only female astron;mt on_the mission.

While in space, Mukai conducted experiments iri ·SpaceHab, a laboratory in _ the shuttle. These experiments involving the mixing of biological and medical material could not be done on earth due to the effects of the increased gravitational forces. "I am lucky and happy to be part of the team," said Mukai.

"Thanks to John Glenn, I am acelebrity," said Mukai, waving to 'a fan.

Mukai, now living in Houston, Texas, was one of Japan's five astronauts. She went on her first flight, orbiting the earth, four years ago. Although she had been honored in a parade in Japan, she never received such acclaim before in America.

"Chiaki never got tired. She kept waving," said Cynthia, recalling how she herself was ·forced to switch hands · when waving. Mukai gave the thumbsup sign to the cheering public. "If you believe you can do it, gender doesn't matter. Go for it!" she said.

A variety of spectacles at the parade included a man on stilts with his face painted ·white, somewhat resembling Uncle Sam, and young children from an

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elementary school dressed in yellow and blue space suits. "They were adorable," • said Ms. Garcia as she took a picture of them.

Students from Townsend Harris, Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Technical, and Aviation High School mingled with one another. There was a big crowd, definitely .not as large as at thepaiade honoring the Yankees' 1998 Championship, but still large enough to make noise.

Many youthful faces could be seen among the mass of people. "It was so nice because it seemed like the whole world was so happy for these people," said Nancy Kim, ' After the parade, a brief ceremony was held to commemorate the astronauts. Mayor Giuliani awarded the crew members individual keys to the city.

The astronauts heartily cheered for one another, revealing their camaraderie.

Among those who gave speeches were Mayor Giuliani, chancellor Rudy Crew, Curtis Brown, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Administrator Oan Golding, and John Glenn. "I hope this is a history lesson for the kids," said Qlenn, who is 77 years old. "I hope to inspire the young and the elderly [to focus on] not what they cannot do but what they can do."

Left behind by design, lefties strive to make things right hand persists even today. Many Islamic

by Rachel Nobel In Latin it's understood as being 'sin- countrles forbid 'people to use tlYe left ister.' In Portuguese, it's known as hand in public, as it is generally consid'weak.' In French, the word translates ered to be the hand used for "cleaning to 'awkward.' Germans interpret it as the body after defecation"; in fact, "pub'double-crossing.' · lic display of use of the ieft hand" is In English, it's simply left-handed. against the law in Saudi Arabia. In The left hand, which is today favored sophomore Stephanie Kui's home coun- _ ·· by about 10 percent of the population try of China, "they force you to switch and 6.8 percent ofHarrisites, according hands" if you seem to favor your left to a recent poll of four fifths of the stu- hand as a child.

Slowly, however, left-banders are bedent body, has been regarded as unlucky or evil for centuries. In the New Testa- ginning to regard themselves as a spement, part of the LasiJudgement; ac- cial minority. "I like being a lefty," said senior Erin Buscemi. "It makes me cording to Mattliew, reads: 'Then shall the King say unto them unique, becausei'm a minority in this on his right hand, Come ye blessed of world. And maybe," she added with a my Fathers, inherit the Kingdom pre- smile, "I'll get a scholarship because I'm pared for you ... Then shall he say also left-handed!"

T-shirts, coffee mugs, and unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, pre- hats found in card stores claim _ that "leftpared for the devil. ' Both Jewish and Christian traditions banders are the teach that all blessings must be given only people with the right hand only, as benediction in their right with the left hand is "the province of minds"-re'ferring to the conthe devil.''

Many early civilizations and reli- cept that the gions considered left-handedness the _ right half of mark of the unholy. The early Egyp- the brain dominates the tians called the god Set- the equivalent left side of the body and vice versa. of Satan - the left eye of the sun, while Left: handers claim they are more intuiHorus, the god of life, was referred to tive, artistic, and creative than their' as the right eye of the sun. Buddhism right-handed counterparts. But does describes a road that divides into two handedness determine one's thinking paths: the left-hand road; the wrong way - processes and character traits?

A hypotbesis called the Two-Mind of life; and the tight-hand road, the path to enlightenment. The ancient Greeks · Theory posits that the left hemisphere believed that the left side ofthe universe of the brain controls language, science, was intended to be a type of hell, while and mathematics, and is therefore rethe right side was reserved for the gods sponsible for analyzing, counting, verbalizing, timing, and forming rational, of Olympus.

The negativity surrounding the left logical statements. According to psy-

chology professor Stanley Coren, the are designed for use by rightchanded Two-Mind 'Theory hold'S that 'lhe left people. Another-unproven theory e·ven side of the brain "is the objective, dis- suggests that because of the higher risk passionate, analytical mind, capable to a left-bander of operating dangerous of..:reasoning, and little else. It is the machinery, left-banders die younger cotd, har9 mind of the scientist, the law- than their right-handed counterparts. yer, the accountant, and the ~oring "The world does not accommodate -drones of regimented society." left-handed people," observed right· On the other hand- pardon the pun! handed junior Krystal Roopchand, and - the right hemisphere is the source of left-handed students agree with her. visual imagery: dreams, fantasies, and "Everything's madefor right-handed the complex 'whole picture.' It controls people in this world. In gym, everything the artistic and musical abilities, as well starts with your right foot," complained as emotion and empathy. The right freshman Diana Wong. Sophomore hemisphere, according to Coren,"is the Michael Giacopelli joked that "[the soft, empathic, sympathetic, creative, school's] chairs are made for righties, and insightful mind of the artist and mu" . not lefties, and I'm very upset about sician, the intuitive problem solver, the that." Stephanie Kui, sophomore, griped · that "I always have 'to slant my ' binder [when I write]."

Total No. of %LeftGrade But lest left-banders despair Handed Stud~nts Polled' . that their hand preference might 9 241 7.5 cost them an untimely death at the hands of a right-hand-de10 245 5.7 signed can opener, or a failing 11 109 5.5 grade 011 a test due to the slowness ofleft-handed writing'; lefty 12 203 7.9 advocates are quick to point out , .Total 798 6.8 an eclectic list of suctessfullefthanders, among them baseball compassionate educator, the sensitive star Babe Ruth, scientist Albert Einstein, philosopher, and th~ driving force be- artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci, hind all of the people who bring color, emperor Alexander the Great, and enjoy, and innovation to society." tertainer Charlie Chaplin. Once reHowever, most of those who sub- garded as m~fated and unlucky, these scribe to the Two-Mind Theory are famous-lefties prove that being a south"non-scientists," according to Coren, paw is nothing to be ashamed of. and, to date, no definite decision on the Sources: theory has been reached.

Today, left-banders must cope with Brown, Mark. Left-Handed: Right-Handed.

Londgn_: David & Charles, 1979; Coren, living in a right-handed world. Many Stanley. The Left-Hander Syndrome: The everyday items - desks, binders, can Causes an_d Consequences of Left:Handedness. openers, and scissors, to naine a few - New York: Vintage Books, 1992.

The Classic

l j 12 R-enaiss_ance man do.es _i.t all, buit 'to·wh·at extent.'? t.ffil!I~U(!I •-· ... ·

. February 1999

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by-·Lauren Paley Attending both a white primary decided to "lay low" for a while and took ish government wanted to serid him back The chalk-juggling, Afrikaans- school, and later a boarding school run a job in a Johannesburg factory to earn to South Africa. On welfare, wi-thout speaking, Parmalat-drinking, rugby- by the African Methodist Church, Mr. enough money to leave the country. A much hope, he approached Israel and playing energetic South African Hackney saw different sides of a sepa- few months later, he boarded an airplane the then Soviet Union in search of refCristobal Hackney is not your typical rated South Africa. While his early years with the cheapest ticket out of the coun- uge.

However, after meeting Heather history teacher. With the Global History .were influenced by the conservative, try, heading to Holland.

Nash, one of the first graduates of the curriculum that he teaches covering the government-run elementary· school, he new Townsend Harris, and his future great rebirth in Europe, Mr. Hackney describes his high school as very liberal. __ wife, in England, he decided the United himself seems to easily fit the descripWith his father owning the third largStates was a new option. tion of a Renaissance man. He has ex- est pharmacutical and household com- .

Ten years later, he's a citizen of the plored much of the territory he often pany in the country, Mr. Hackney was U.S. and a teacher, two things he never points out on the world map, starting surrounded by a world of products, from predicted for his life. _Originally studywith a childhood in South Africa and ·wrigley's gum and Hall's cough drops ing to be an industrial psychologist at making his way through Holland, Bel- to Alberto hair products, "I had more Wesleyan University, he decided the gium, France and· England to Canada hair gel than I could ever use," he said; profession was not for him, describing and eventually the United States. His de- "it. was dangerous letting me-into my it as a "right wing soul-destroying engrees and studies are almost as diverse · dad's factory." vironment." Instead, he went back to as his travels, with history, psychology, · However, his life in Africa gradually college with a scholarship to a Queens physics, and geology all having been, . began to change. "I [didn't] have all the College teacher's internship program. _at one time or another, a major focus of answers ... but apartheid [had] to go," Almost four years ago, he became a his education. With such an extensive he said. teacher at Townsend Harris.

Ft:om the age of 15, Mr. Hackney, background, many have shggested that One might ask what's next for the ' Mr. Hackney write a book, perhaps an like all male South Africans, was drafted man who has such an unusual past. Mr. alternative world history textbook. into the army. The. agreement with the { Hackney says he'd love to travel more, Any student who has had Mr. Hack- government was that as long as young but for now he's working pn a Ph.D. at ney for either Global History pr Ad- people stayed in school and passed, they Columbia University on the psychology vanced Placement European Hjstory would not be required to serve. Once Mr. Always asking for analysis, Chris Hackney; of comparative and international educamay agree that his classroom sometimes Hackney finished high school and it Was history teacher, poses his favorite question: tion and a second Bachelors degree at feels like a )game of "Six Degrees of apparent that he would not go to col'To what extent...?"

Queens-College in physics and geology. ' South Africa." Much as the Six Degrees lege, h~ no longer had any excuses. Still, He credits his "youth and innocence" Beyond that, there is always the possiof Kevin Bacon game relates the actor he refulsed to join. ..

-· · with other actors in different movies, After rejecting a drafi into the army to helping him ~et past custom guards. bility of joining a rugby team or having Hackney's classes usually end up con- and distributing anti-apartheid pam- These characteristics would also aid him a high school reunion with rocker Dave necting everything and anything with his phlets, he soon found himself in a po- in crossing the borders of Belgium and Matthews, since after all, everything is experfences in South Africa. Mr. Hack- lice station in Jobn Vorster Square, be- France to get to London, where a CO!JSin .connected to South Africa in one way or. another. ney tells stories about what it was like ing questioned about a nearby bombing of his lived.

As for a book anytime soon, that's growing up under apartheid and ulti-' h~ knew nothing about, with at least 16 Once in England; he applied for and still uncertain. mately seeking political asylum. · years of prison time over his head. He was denied politicalasylum. The Brit~ -

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Carbone pun·ctuates. life with grammar tips

by Bosede Adenekan &Surabhi Jain ·. teaching the English language. It's won $50 to $1000 in prize money; variAll that needs to be said is "gram- beautiful, romantic, and easy to learn," ous trips, such as one to Israel; and presmar" and many ·would know exactly said Mr. Carbone. tigious scholarships t_owards college. which teacher the speaker had in mind.

Mr. Carbone has managed to project All the necessary information about Yes, of course, it is Michael Carbone, a particular image to his students. these contests can be found in room the 24-year-old tea~her who enjoys cor- "When I think of Mr. Carbone, I think 405, next door to the English office, in recting grammar books. Mr. Carbone of essays, hand gel, and 60s," said a folder labeled CONTESTS. Mr. Carbone suggests that students started teaching English here just tJlfee Allison Barz, sophomore. look through the contest folder years ago, but his involvement, not only with com- ,_... . and decide which contest is ~ ~ most fitting to their interests. mas, colons, and semi-colons, but also clubs and That poem written during a contests, has made his ~ boring class could bring in a name well-known throughc ~ bundle. Stephanie Mandell, £junior, stated, "I entered a poout the scbool.

Mr. Carbone's fascina:~ etry contest and I [was] glad ..c .

Po. for the opportunity to do [so]. tion with the English language has led him into the [Otherwise] I would have world of teaching. While never known about it." attending Queen's College, Mr. Carbone has a life outhe became the student side of school as well. He is pursuing a second career in teacher of Harriette tennis. He hopes to establish Blechman, English teacher.

This gave him the opportu- Reading over shoulders: Michael Carbone, English teacher, ponders· over himself by entering tournaments. He now plays in the . nity to become a full~ possible correctimis for a student's work during a Writing Process class.

NYC league of the United fledged teacher ' at Townsend Harris. Mr. Carbone de"I like the fact that Carbone's outgo- States Tennis Association at local courts . scribes his first two years of teaching as . ing and really nice about things. He or courts in such places as Westchester. "difficult." "It was hard to adjust to jokes about bei-ng offended, but he re- Mr. Carbone recalled his first injury. He teaching while concentrating on getting ally isn't," sophomore Kawah (Jimmy) was trying out for the Queens College my Masters," he said.

Tennis Team. "I was so arrogant. My Chung said.

"I remember my first day in -Mr. . There is, however, a serious side to clothes were flashy. I was wearing a Carbone's horne room," said Jerry Mr. Carbone. For the past two years, n~on pink grip. I was playing my heart Graciano, senior, with a laugh, "He was he has been getting students involved out but not sweating,:' he , said. Mr. so nervous, he kept t,apping his pencil in many contests, ranging from short Carbone tan to hit a ball but his foot got on the table." story writing to performances to re- stuck in the net. Not only was he em"I like working with kids and I love search papers: Many Harrisites have barrassed but he also cut his finger. "The

3

..

same thing happened Jo me yesterday.

I fell and hurt my knee, but the difference is now I fall with more grace," be said.

Mr. Carbone also engages in other out-of-school activities. "Shopping is probably his favorite hobby," said Chris Hackney, history teacher. Mr. Carbone's · passion for shopping started when' he was a young boy. He would tag along with his aunt and sisters, shopping for hours without food. · "I didn'ttmirid it then. Now, I like to shop alone; there's no one to hold me down," he said. Mr. Carbone loves to collect Tommy Hilfiger and Donna Karan. He won't let his dog, Token, a German Shepherd and terrier mix, come anywhere near his clothes because he fears the dog will shed on them. Needless to say, he enjoys displaying his wardrobe. It is for that reason that he says he doesn't have · a car; only the upper part of his body would be seen. "The world is my runway, and everywhere is my catwalk," he said.

Mr. Carbone also enjoys music .

"When a diva and a rapper are together in the same song, I'm in bliss," herevealed. He prefers Canadian radio because it provjdes a wider variety of dance music. "I can't stand Elliot from ZlOO. He's whiny. I'rn much funnier," _claimed Mr. Carbone with a grin: · "Michael has a corny sense of humor, but who cares? It's funny,'~ said Chris Hackney, social studies teacher.

13 Pres·ident Pri= nce run·s -SU;, keeps life on track The Classic

.~~-~'.t;.: U~.U!l!II\!J

by Rebecca Munoz constitution was outdated and age required to run for president "My main responsibilities a lot of it did _not pertain to should be low, such as a 65, are to represent the students, Townsend Harrisites today," and others felt it should be as raise school spirit and unify the said Anthony. "Every student high as a 95. "I tried to find student' body," said Student and facultyrepresentative had the best. of both worlds," said .

Union (SU) President and se- different views and ideas, Anthony, who proposed that nior Anthony Prince with the· which presented many con- the president's GPA should be ' trademark laugh that many flicts." an80orabove,andwonavote Harrisites find contagious.

Although Anthony some- which favored his choice. His Born in Jamaica, Queens and living in St Alban's, Anthony Prince was elected SU President last year, although he did not originally plan to run for the position.

"I thought other juniors had a better chance of winning, so I decided to run for something lower, like VicePresident," he said.

However, Anthony soon realized that his shot at winning Finishing the Constitution: Anthony Prince sits at the COSA's computer to make last minute was increased by changes. decisions of other candidates not to run. times held the deciding vote, mediation techniques may Since the election and the his policy was always to find a comenaturallyfromAnthony's start of the school year, An- compromise. "I mediated be- good humor and charm. "He is thony has dedicated most of his tween the different views and a very well-liked boy," said Cotime to revising the constitu- tried to find a middle ground," ordinator of Student Activities tion. (See ''Convention culmi- he said. "For example, there (COSA) and SU advisor Octile nates in new SU constitution," wa~ some controversy over the Garcia. · p.l.) Recently completed, the requirements needed to run for "I have to admit that this job constitution has been his most SU President.'' Some students has its frustrations, but there are challenging task thus far. "The felt that the grade point aver- some rewards/' said Anthony.

•

"I have managed to get over my fear of speaking in front of large audiences. Before ihis job, I had been a senator many terms but I always was hesitant to speak up. When I was running for this position, I had to getoverthatfearrightawaybecause I had to participate in debates and present my ideas to the students." When asked If his responsibilities interfere wi.th his academic schedule, Anthony replied, "No, they don't, but I couldn't have done this any other school year."

Besides fulfilling his responsibilities as SU President, Anthony has established himself as one of Harris' track stars.

As a freshman, Anthony had little interest in joining the track team, but he became a member in his sophomore year after much encouragement from former Harrisite Eric· Baez. '·'My father actually paid me to join track sophomore year," Anthony said with a laugh. His experiences on the track team have been stressful at times but the hard work has paid off. Anthony most recently placed fifth in the Queens cross-country championships. He said, "Winning competitions like that one really makes you say 'wow.' I reach the finish line and really am proud of myself." · At his first practict?, An-

·· :

I February 1999

thony had to climb stairs. "I sprinted the first five minutes, trying to show off and I was exhausted 25 minutes later.

That's when the reality of being on the track team hit me," he said.

Anthony learned about Townsend Harris from his parents and the teachers in his juni.o r high school in Far Rockaway. When he first came · here, he found the school very "demanding." Once he settled · in to high school and beganto win some track competitions in his sophomore year, he knew he had the ability to thrive in this -environment.

In an essay written for a college application, Anthony recently described himself as "without limits." He said, "I won't take no for an answer and I realize that through hard work; all things are possible."

Now that the constitution has been completed, Anthony plans to continue running sen- . ate meetings, organizing events like a guest dance, and keeping the students informed of · school-related issues. "My advice to those who are thinking . about running for this position is to make sure you have the ·will power needed to carry out the responsibilities of being president and serving the school community;" he stated.

De.d·icated n.ewcomer fits i_ ;n sw·i!mm·ing;Jy·_.

by Emily Rubinstein and Lauren Amorillo Seven years of practice and dedication to her sport have ·paid off for Lauren Katz, sophomore and newcomer to the Swim team. She finished her first season as . a Turtle by competing in the New York State Finals in the Individual Medley event, a race in which she ·had to swim 50 yards of all four competitive strokes: ·butterfly, freestyle, back, and breaststroke She was the only member of the team to matce it and has won every individual event she swam in this season.

A member of the Flushing Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) Flyers A-team for the past seven years, she is .known for her butterfly stroke but is an all-around swimmer.

She usually swims the Individual Medley. Lauren says ge.tting a swimming scholarship to a Division I .college has "been [her] goal ever since joining the Flyers." So far, her sport has taken her to competitions in places as far as Tennessee and Florida. This summer, · she will compete at the national

level in Maryland. · "One ben- help my teammates with their swimming award two years efit of swimming is that I get to swimming," said Lauren. ago. "I want to be just like her," travel. I also feel very healthy Lauren's swimming apilities Lauren said. "I am friends with and I have made some great have led her teammates to com- her and I admire her greatly for friends on the team," she said. pare her to Erica Carrolle, a re- her swimming skills."

Lauren loves Lauren! like most swimmers, has a favorgoing to the beach, where ite stroke. "Call me weird," she said, "but I she can show off her pierced really like the butter- .· belly button. "I fly." This stroke is (lisgo to the beach liked by many swimevery day in the mers because of its insummer . tense demand on the Maybe I'll lifearms. However, she hates the breaststroke, a guard there this summer;'' she stroke in which the said. arms and legs make ci~­ · For the past cular motions, because three months, it "hurts my breathing Lauren has sometimes." taken classes to "Not only is Lauren obtain her life- · a great swimmer, but guard· certificashe has a loCof team tion.

After spirit," observed passing one sophomore teammate physical and Nicole Arriaga, ex-plaining that Lauren three written tests, she is a often leads the team in certified lifecheers and paints her Lauren Katz, a spirited newcomer to the Girls' Swim team, says her favorite stroke is the butterfly. · guard and can body with crimsonand gold, the school's coluse her swimors, to show support for the· centgraduate ofTownserid Har- ming skills for purposes other team. "I try to cheer a lot and . ri~ and winner of the Pegasus . than competing.

Lauren is also a member of Students Promoting AIDS Awareness (SPAA) . .Her busy ' schedule doesn't leave much time for sleep. "I go straight to practice after schooLevery day and don't get to start my homework until about 7·:30. My schedule is pretty tight," she said. On the weekends, she likes going shopping and "just going out with friends."

As for other sports, Lauren loves playing basketball and was on the basketball team in her elementary school. "I would play basketball if I weren't swimming," she §aid.

She also played volleyball for Louis Pasteur Middle School.

Though the Turtles lost the city championship this year in the -first round of play-offs .against Fori Hamilton, they remained Queens champions tor the tenth year in a row. Lauren said, "Before a meet; I get very nervous but the race always goes by quickly. When it's over, I feel relieved and depending on .whether I win, I have the -best feeling in the world or the motivation to do better next time."

14

The Classic February 1999

Ruisi coaches

by Rebecca Munoz "Ifl know I've changed one studen(s life, I know my job has been worth it," said Rachel Ruisi, math teacher, Townsend Harris alumna and coach of the Boys' Basketball , and Math teams. One of the newest and youn·g est teachers in the school, Ms. Ruisi is familiar with the uniqueness of Harrisites and the pressures of adolescent life, which she feels helps her to achieve "the bonds and closeness I have with some students."

Ms. Ruisi, aged 25, was born in Rochester and grew up in Astoria and Flushing with her mother and grandparents.

"My mother is disabled," she stated right away. "She has multiple sderosis," a disease in which the body attacks its own · nervous system, damaging sites in the brain and spinal chord.

"It made me grow up a lot . faster because I didn't always have everything I wanted," she said. Ms. Ruisi worked at the age of 14 and lived in the Flushing projects from age 16 to 18.

"My mother Worked really hard so I could have a Sweet Sixteen.

In that sense, I learned to appreciate things a lot more," she explained .. Later in her life, Ms. Ruisi said, "I realized that I am stronger because of the ·way I grew up and I am very independent."

Ms. Ruisi attended Louis Arinstrong Junior High School, and its connection to Queens

b~bal· l, ..math

College, plus the fact that her · school's swim coach also coached Townsend Harris' team, helped Ms. Ruisi decide to apply to Townsend Harris.

She'attended high school from 1987-1991, "but don't look up

has always been really good.

I would come back every semester and observe classes for college; there has always been a bond," she sa:id. · After graduating from high school, Ms. Ruisi attended Manhattenville College, . a small school in Westchester County. She stilt played three sports in college and . became actively involved with a program called College Science Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) that helped intelligent students pay for college. "This was my best college experience. The. advisor became like a father to me. Through this program, I interned and taught college level courses like 'Introduction to College Mathematics,"' she said.

Ms. Ruisi lights up when · speaking about teaching. "I always knew I wanted to be a teacher and I was always · Rachael Ruisi teaches a math class; it good at math," she said. wasn't that·Iong ago that she was a student Sh d t h A bin a Townsend Harris math class, as well as · e stu_ en taug tat us a member of the Volleyball, Basketball, ing and Louis Armstrong Swim and Soccer teams. and began her first job at The Salk School of Science, any yearbook photos," she a middle school connected to said with a laugh. An active New York University. . "It was a new school, so we member of the student body, .

Ms. Ruisi was on the Varsity had a wide range of students. I Volleyball, Basketball and wasn't too happy there, so I Swim teams; she was on the called Mr. [Harry] Ratti en [AsSoccer team for a year; she sistant Principal of Math and was part of the Future Physical Education], to see if there'was a job available here," Teacher's Club; and was a peer tutor and mentor. "My she said. She started teaching relationship with the faculty· at this school at the end of

I

Hawks look to make playoffs for first time II

by Erie Trager With the regular season winding down, the Boys' Varsity Basketball team is looking to make the playoffs. The team has abseady bettered last year's win total by two, and currently holds a record of I 1-7, the most rec.e nt of their vict0ries coming in a nonleague game against Holy Cross.

It seems the Hawks have aajusted well to a mid-season coaching change. On Decernb{)lr 7, Keith HanS'{}n, physical education teacher, resi-gned as coa0h and was replaced the next day by Robin Figelman, ph:ysical education teacher, and Rachel Ruisi, math teacher. Mr. Hanson preferred not to discuss his resignation.

On the day the new man-

agement took over,. the basketball team stood with a record of three wins and one loss.

Since, they have compiled an 8-6 record, which bad its ups and downs along the way.

The Hawks' last win came on January 27, w~n they beat Holy Cross by 15 points.

HoweveF,· on February ·t, the team was h,;mded its most devastating loss of 71-41 to LLC. The Hawks are c-urrently in a strong position to make the playoffs. According to starting forward Phillip MarmonHa1m, reac.hing the post-season will require foous on the part of the entire team. ''1t is tnosHy mental," he said.

Phillip added, "The wins will cnme when we make them come. The next few weeks will b~ a testament to how much we want to win."

May,1995.

Settfing back into familiar surroundings was not as easy as she had thought. "I had a hard time calling teach~rs by their first names," she said. "I still felt like I had to live up to their expectations," she added.

It wasn't only the expectations of the faculty she had to meet, but the students' as well.

"I know some of you think we have it easy, but there is a lot of pressure on you as a teacher. I had to worry about 160 kids in-

stead of just myself," she said.

Ms. Ruisi has some new bonds to form as the new coach of the Boys' Varsity Basketball team along with Robin Figelman, gym teacher. After Keith Hanson resigned from the position, Mr. Ratti en asked both teachers to take on the responsibility.

Ms. Ruisi said, "I wasn't sure if I was going to like it at first. As a woman, I felt it was a Jot harder to gain respect from the boys, but now I love it."

Figel man steps into new role as_b-ba·ll cOach

by Afton BatT, Karen DeVita, arid Arielle Frost Just when everyone thought Robin Figelman, physical education teacher, had enough to do, she tackled another mountain. The latest of her adventures is co-coaching the Boys' Varsity Basketball team with math teacher Rachel Ruisi.

This challenge is accompanied by her numerous other obligations to her teaching position, academic studies, and the coaching of other teams.

Ms. Figelman confessed that she did not know ·many of the Basketball team's plays at first, but she has learned all of the defensive plays and picked up a Jot of the offensive ones.

Shl is pleased to see that the team is beginning to respect its new coaches and explained this by saying, "We've proven ourselves to them." In fact, one of . the team's mernbers, sophomore Isaac Acosta, said, "They [Ms. Figelman and Ms. Ruisi] . , learned pretty quickly considering the fact that they were .

Ms. Figelman first arrived at given the job very suddenly." team if she refused the job. is really funny." Ms. Figelman Since she has taken over, the Ms. Figelman's acceptance said that she has learned a lot Harris in 1989, when she taught team has compiled a winning of the fencing coach position about the sport and hopes to PE as a student teacher underrecord. Ms. Figelman has not will force her to leave Girls' JV coach the Girls' Varsity team in . the guidance of Wanda Nix, PE teacher and dean. "Working decided whether she will coach Volleyball, which she has the future.

A new step-aerobics class under Ms. Nix helped me realthe basketball team next year, but she is "' must also be added to the list ize that I should pursue this ca~ thinking about it.

"2 of Ms. Figelman's activities. reer," saiq Ms. Figelman. In ...J Figelman experienced her 1997, she was officially hired Though Ms. "' Ms. 5 Figelman's future as a most embarrassing teaching to work at Harris.

-5 <>. moment during one of her first basketball coach is not Although Ms. Figelman .&J 0 yet definite, her future step-aerobics classes. She fell never played on a sports team as a fencing coach is. ~ on her step, but her sense of hu- as a child, she was always inShe will replace Anmor rescued her as she told her terested in softball, basketball, thony Scarnati as the students that they would have and volleyball. She desaribed herself as a "tomboy." "I used team's coach next fall to learn that new step. becaus.e he has deOn top of all of this, Ms. to flip boys over my shoulder," Figelman coaches Girls' JV she explained, laughing. Her cided to give it up. softball, her favorite sport. · favorite subjects were lunch, Ms: Figelman was introduced to fencing in Lauren Marci, sophomore, said, gym, and recess. "Oh my God, college when she took "Softball is great.

Ms. I hated everything,"_she rea fencing class and Figelman is really nice and we . called.

This busy woman described proceeded to teach it at Robin Figelman demonstrates steps for her consider her one of the girls.'' aerobics class, just one of her many duties.

Ms. Figelman also attends herself as a wall. Why? Ms. Great Neck South High School for three · classes at Que_ens College, Figelman said, "I'm stubborn years. She said, "1 feel that I'm coached for two seasons. where she is finishing up 15 and hard-headed. l don't give pretty qualified to take over the She will miss volleyball, the credits for her Master·S degree . up easily:" Her persistence and team "and help out. I'm keep- fun it brings, and the girls who · Her reasoning behind this quest her desire to ac;hieve are apparing the Fencing. team going." play. Sophomore Debbie for knowledge is that the Board ent in all she does. In fact, the Ms. Figelman explained that no Gopstein said, "JV Volleyball of Education recognizes this ac- "wall" said, "I'm always on the one else would supervise the was a lot of fun. Ms . Figelmim complishment with a raise. run."

The Clas.sic -

February 1999

15

Professional wrestling rules Monday nights

by Brian Griffing Every Monday night, thousands of fans fill arenas all over the country to . watch over three action-packed hours of drama, violence, and obscenity. I'm not talking about Monday Night Footba,ll, but rather what we refer to today as .p rofessional wrestling.

Prof~ssional wrestling is very~differ­ ent from amateur wrestling, and all other sports for that matter: In amateur wrestling, two opponents square off against one another and must pin each other to win. This is true of professional wrestling as well, only the fights are staged prior to the start of the match. It's more like a show rather than a sport. The actual wrestling is accompanied by a scripted . storyline ("plot"), hardcore music, beer, profanity and obscene gestures.

Whether you want to call it a sport or not, there is no question that it has grown in populacity over the last two ' years. Along with its national audience, professional wrestling has gained a vast audience in Townsend Hanis. It has been the highlight TV show of the week for a lot of students in this school.

In the late 1980's to the mid 1990's, wrestling lost a lot of its audience, but recently its ratings have shot up for its Monday night shows. Every Monday, there are two live wrestling shows on.

The World-Wide Wrestling Federation's (WWF) Raw is War is aired on USA Network, while its television rival, World , Championship Wrestling (WCW)/New World Ordet's. (NWO) Monday Night Nitro,is aired on 1NT Network. Monday Night Nitro won the television ratiNgs war for most o(1997

and 1998, but the WWF has surpassed the WCW/NWO in recent months. On theNielson Ratings chart for the week of December 28- January 3, WWF War is Raw scored a 4.1, rating second among cable shows, and bettered only by college football's Holiday Bowl on ESPN. Nitromanaged a 3.7 rating, finishing fifth.

The biggest reason for wrestling,'s reGent success has been the wrestlers themselves. The WCW's success was sparked by Bill Goldberg, a 6' 4", 285pound wrestler {rom Tulsa,·Oklahoma.

Goldberg has attracted a large audience across the country and in this school over the past year. Junior Philip Duss said, "I like Goldberg because of what · he stands for and his beliefs." Philip is referring to his love and enthusiasm for what he does. Goldberg isn't the only . popular wrestler in the WCW. Many former members of the WWF, like Hulk Hogan, who now . goes by the name Hollywood, have switched over to the WCW, and took with them many of their loyal fans.

The recent succe:ss of the WWF can be attribute.d mostly to an overall better plot, which has created rivalries between wrestlers.

The WWF became interesting when a rivalry was started between owner Vince McMahon and Stone Cold Steve

Austin, arguably the most popular wrestier over the last year. As more people tuned in to tbe WWF, the plot got thicker, and now the WWF Raw is War stands alone ~ the most highly rated · wrestling show. One student is a big fan of the WWF "because it always has interesting plots; it's the first program to have employees getting back at their employers." The most popular wrestlers in the WWF include Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin brings an intensity into thedng that has been unmatched. An·other very popular wrestler is The Rock.

The Rock's popularity has come from his famous move called "the people's elbow," where he makes it look like he's elpowing his opponent's head while he'sc · on the floor. He has also made a name for himself with popular catch phrases , such as "Do you smell what the Rock is cooking?" and "Shut your mouth and ·know your role." One student said, , "I like The Rock because he acts funny and I like his moves."

A major problem people haye with the WWF is its opscenity.

The wrestlers make gestures, use bad language, and do things that aren't ' appropriate for a,ll . audiences, and in some cases any audience. One con tF o·v e r s i a 1 scene was when a wrestler was crucified in the ring ..

Many · Christian viewers were offended by this. It seems that

the WCW is a little bftiess obscene than ·the WWF, but it still portrays a viol~nt image. "Ilike the WCW/NW.O because it sets a better example for kids. I know beating up people doesn't do that, but unlike the WWF, the WCW doesn't set people on fire," said Philip.

One major question regarding wrestling is whether it is a sport or not. Technically, by definition, it is. But can you really call it a sport if the outcome is decided even before the event takes place? It is more like a play. Some wrestling fans desc~ibe it as being "a soap-opera for men," though some female fans at Townsend Harris enjoy it as well. It is certainly a form of entertainment, but it is hard to classify itas a real sport, and most wrestling fans agree.

However, they also agree that the wrestiers have to be athletic, and in that sense it is also a sport. One.junior said, ''I consider wrestling more a form of en~ tertaioment because it has a plot and it's all fake. It's just like soap-operas, but it's also a sport because the wrestlers use certain techniques and moves and there is a risk of getting injured.'; Professional wresding, because of its personality and boldness, is on a different level than other sports. Athletic ability defives sports like football, baseball, and basketball. Wrestling, on the other hand, is defined by acting and personality. It is a very entertaining show to watch . .Because of the vielence, rivalry, and revenge involved; it has been one of the most popular things on TV in the past year. Theconclusion to be drawn on professional wrestling is this: It is not really a sport, but it is definitely a lot of fun .

Successful bowling season endS in 2nd round

by Mark Von Ohlen

Guo, and Vanessa Williams. row. Coach Lawrence Ceraulo deThough the loss of so many seniors scribed his boys as ''the best team [he] Crushing last year's record, the· may present a hardship next year, Ms. ever had. They worked hard on making Girls' Varsity Bowling team -finished Schwartz says she is left with a lot of their spares and showing up to practice . their season with a 9-2 record, captur- potential and .could have a pretty good every day." He says the combination of ing second place in their division. Afc team. The big problem may come two ·experienced bowlers who have been ter defeating Brooklyn Tech in the first seasons from nqw when next year's se- with the team for three or four years and · round of the play~ffs, the girls lost a niors leave too. She only has two fresh- · the upcoming stais made for a group tough match to highly-ranked Mid wood men and there are no sophomores. Still, with true talent and potential. ' High School in the next roUnd: The Ms. Schwartz remains confident about The boys' hard work was demonteam took Midwood to a third tie-break- next year. She says she'll have to get strated throughout the season and as ing match, but the anchor bowler on the out and look for some young bowlers early as October. In a match against other team rolled a 200 game against and hope there's a few freshmen ready JohnAdams High School on Octobet 6, them. The loss was disappointing, but to try out. the Ateam, consisting of seniors Orethe silver lining was found in thegolden Boys (9-1) gory Lew and Mark Von Ohlen (team performances the girls had this season.

It was a year to break records. For captain), soph()more Chris Chu, andjunCoach Ellen Schwartz speke ca.sually the first time ever, the Boys' Varsity ior Andrew Franklin scored a 757 seabout her team's strategy. She had a Bowling team advanced to the second ries, their highest ever. The B tea.m also "rotating" A team which ,consisted of round of the playoffs. Though they were broke the record for a high series, totalabout seven girls. Seniors Nora Chan, defeated by Cardozo High School, ing 689. Mark Von Ohlen finished with Lisa Tschernkowitsch, and Kelly which later went on to win the City a 18·6 average, the highest ef any ·· - Sabbagh were the solid three on the A Championship, it was a finish to a ve'ry Townsend Harris bowler. _ team with several other members swing- successful season. · With such a successful season, one ing on up. Fellow senior Christine The fitst round victory over Beach .. can only wonder what's to come next Rivera, and juniors Christina Gawiak, Channel was incredibly intense. Win- year. Losing six se11iors, includi_ng half Maria Cando, and Br.ooke Bergman ning the match by only 12 pins, it came the A team and half the B team, next were essential in carrying the team. All down to the very last frame. Every team year's group will have a tough act to three are expected to bowl on theA team , member marked in the tenth, adding up"· follow. "Next year's team won't be as next year sillce Ms. Schwartz will be to a total score of 723. strong, but there's still a sbot at making losing most of her A team and other B The boys finished with a 9-1 record, it to the playoffs,'·' said Ceraulo. The team seniors, such as Eden Cruz, Mei taking the division title two years in a coach said that what he really needs next

Girls (9-2)

year is a new bowler with a high average to join the team. · That leaves a lot of pressure on next year'sAteam, which will be headed by Andrew and Chris. It also leaves room for up and coming B team bowlers to prove themselves on the A team. Juniors Jason Kyon and Simon Hwang, and sophomore Michael Yirilli will be expected to step up next season and follow in the footsteps of this year's starters.

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16

The Classic_ F-ebruary1999 j

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-In-dividual improvement proves._key in success _ of Girls' Track team byTabitha Hsi to a time of 48.7. In the sprints, Records are made to be bro- seniors Christine Brady and ken~ This phrase seems to hold Kelly Martin are fliing against • , much truth and significance for the tough competition. "The this year's Girls' Track team. · most important thing to me is Despite being plagued by inju- for a girl to improve. That is ries, this unusually small team why I am focusing individuals has broken both personal and to where they can make the team records in many areas, in- greatest contributions," excluding the high jump. pll).ins Horn.

Freshman Nicole Kresse This year's suG·cess in the ·brought a fresh new edge to the field events proves that Horn's _ team early in the season by set- strategy is working. In the high ting the school high jump jump, Kresse and Lopez are record at 5'0" am,l by surpass- joined by more experienced -ing the school record for the jumpers s0phomore Christina 55m hurdles by two tenths of a Kuo and co-captain Tabitha second at 9.8s. Having no P.re-' Hsi, senior. Seniors Tamar vious experience jn either Anolic and Dorcas Davis are · event, she has, according to w0rking to build on last year's coac_h Joseph Horn, "taken to success in the shot put. and devoted herself to the parMuch of the team's progress ticul-ar sport." is attributed to team spirit. JunCo-captain Heather Ibert, ior Nirel Matsil says, "I come senior, is also on her way to yet to practice every day because another year of stardom. Fin- of the people. We have a great ishing the WOOm in 3:19.9 at support system on this team. her first attempt this year, she . We can reafly depend on each later qualified: for the city other." Kfesse agrees, saying, championships for the event. "We root for each other and I This is not her only aim, how- think that is what a team is reever. This being her fourth year ally_about." Brady comments, on the team, Ibert is both senti- "We are all promising in our mental and driven. "We have respective events. But what become a family; I am proud keeps us working hard is our of this team and what we have dedication and unity." accomplished so far. And, since The outdoor season seems this is my last year, I want to far away, but the team is already push mys.e lf as hard as I can." preparing. "The indoor season There has also been a great is a great way of improving amount of individual improve- - ourselves for the outdoor seamen.t among the girls. Fresh- son," says Horn. Still focusing man Vicki Lopez has been run- on the curr(lnt season, however, ning remarkable times in the Horn is confident that the. team middle to short distances. In will finish in the top five in the 400m she has already bro- - Queens. He summed up the atken 1:10; in the 600m she has titude of the entire team: "We broken 2:00 with a 1:58; and in will not go just to run; we will the '3_00m she sprinted her way compet~."

New weightroom open to classes

by Bosede Adenekan Say hello to the new B16 wcightroom and goodbye to the old Japanese classroom. Finally, after four and a half years since it was ordered. it has arrived. This room is equipped with dumbbells ranging from I 0 to 90 pounds and machines, like the t-bar and rigid lat machine which strcngthncn the upper back muscles. There arc also two bench presses and a king adductor and abductor -- inncr and outer thigh muscle toners.

The wcightroom will be used this term by gym classes. Double gym classes

will go to the room twice a week. Robin Figclman, PE teacher, also plans to compliment her aerobics class with weight training. "It will help enhance physical education so students can build strong bodies and strong minds." said Ms. Figclman. Teams will also be able to usc the wcightroom as long as an appropriately licenced teacher supervises them.

Keith Hanson, PE teacher, is excited about this new addition to the physical education department. "Lifting weights is a component of muscle strength and endurance," said Mr. Hanson.

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Girls d'e feat H~unter High., advance to s-e cond round

by Brian Griff'mg . with eight seconds remaining an obstacle f0r the girls, bn:t It wasn't easy, but the in the f<Ytl11lh q.uarter. it hasn't stoppeu them fir0m Oird:s'' VaESity lasketti>al team.

One reason'the team was·in winning. The team, 7-2 in the has advancecl to the second such a tight playoff race is the dlvision and 13-5 G:Ver:all, has round of the playoffs, deftlat- reallgnment of the divisions six returning senit>rs. Three ing Hunter IU;gh School 'J7- this year. Town'Send Harris,, of these seniors, Flannery 3'0' dn Monday.

Stevens, Vanes.sa Though. it wasp't a Wtlliams, and Jen high scoring game, ttl~ Galatioto, are startgirls ' lioogh defense ers. Jun_~o_r point helped cause a lot of :.:= guatrd Knsty Von turnover'S, ancl they Ohlen has returpecl were able te break the ~as a sta-rter i;n ·h er liil fuU court pressur<~ )i>Ut ~ thir~ year. ~e other oo by Hunter .,in th:e stamng po.stuon has fourth, flUarter. be.e n sharetl by t:wo From. there on, in~ very good defens:i ve the g,i;rls maae b:ig pJ;ayer"S, sophomore plays down t'he stretch ChaneHe Pe-a rs,Gn to keep them in front. and ju$ior Roseanne BothJunipr Kristy Von: Antone}li. ''We have Oh'len ami senior Jen a good balance 0f deGalatioto made impo,rfense, sh0oting, and tant jumpers, imd tlhe rebou-nding,'' said clutch free throw Ceraulo. shooting of seni,0:t Who the girls Vanessa Wi-lliams play in the second helped seal the win. round will be de.For this season, just cided by the making the plaxOffs seedings 0£ tlhe 0~er was a big accompUshteams. The team can ment. The girls were probab-l y c,ount on in a seaiSon long f1gh.t playi.ng a hi.gh·qualFlanneey Stevens; senior, makes a layup in a winning for second place in effort against Martin Van Buren Righ School en ity oppe>nent, thei--r division. A Deeember 17. though. toug·n-fougl'rt 32-30 In order for the win ever Jamaica High pr>Oviously a B Division team, team to win, it will have t(i) use School late in the season pro- was m0ved up into tlhe A Divi- ~ts speed and establish a tran,.. pelled the team. into the play- si'Qn to make room · f~r new sition game. According to offs .fur the eleventh consecu- teams. The girls have laced CerauJ.o, the transition game tive year. The girls were led t0ugher competition because of starts with defensive reboundby the 11 points of Junior it. Coach Lawrence Ceraal0 ing. "We have to rebound. p0i.nt guard Kristy Von feels that this change has burt When we rebound, we can Ohlen, but the game was not the better 13 Di·visionteams that run, and when we can run, we decided until junior R0seant;t had to move up. can be ve.r y effective., " he Antone'lli hit two free throws The teatignment has been said.

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Boys' Track te.am keeping morale-high, looking toward to city championships ity. Coach Joseph Horn thinks

by Tabitha Hsi Ali·eady in the middle of the ''this may be his best year ever. indoor season, the Boys' Track He will definitely set some team has much to be proud of - school records." Prince has and much to look forward to. qualified for the city champiMany have maintained their onships in the · 600m and drive to do well from the cross- 1000m events. Senior Marco country season.

Trauzzi is also taking the lead Freshman Alejandro in the one-and two mile events.

Gonzalez is the perfect e,xDespite being part of a disample. He set the school fresh- tance-oriented team, Damon man reco'i-d in the 1.5 mile run Swift has shown remarkable and in the 3.1 mile run last sea- improvement in the 55m high son, · and is now approaching hurdles and in the high jiJmp. record times for the indoot one And, to the team's delight, and two mile events. He also there are more shot-putters than did well jn the Freshman 3200 ever.

Freshman Daniel and 1600 meter run.

Captain Anthony Prince, se- Wallenstein, and sophomores nior, leads his team with both Joon Ho Jang and Michael his morale and his running abil- Yirilli have added a new facet

to the team.

According to Horn, the morale of his team is incredible.

"The boys will do anything for . 'the sport, and for the team," he said: Prince says, "We are small, but hard"working."

Trauzzi agrees. · "We are unified. We are more than just track companions; we are also friends. This helps us to strive to achieve as a' group, not just as individuals," he said. _ "We support each other," said Jonathan Blum, junior. "I feel like we're a family."

Already in one of the top five teams in Queens for the 4 x 800 meter relay, Swift said, ''We are going to the city championships."