The Classic newspaper Volume 15 Issue no. 4

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aoSriiSlC Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367

Kosovo crisis hits home for some

by Rachel Nobel With the outcome of the NATO air strikes on Yugoslavia uncertain and its battles being fought an ocean . away, many students at Townsend Harris find themselves little affected by the crisis in Yugoslavia. In a survey taken midApril by The Classic of approximately 200 students, most - 66% - find themselves only "a little" affected by the situation in Kosovo, with 20% affected "very much," and 5% "not at all affected."

"My life is going on just as it was before Kosovo," wrote a male sophomore.

Citing alleged Serbian atrocities against ethnic Albanians in the Yugoslavian province of Kosovo, the leaders of the nineteen countries that comprise the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), made the decision to begin a series of air strikes in Yugoslavia on March 24. In the weeks since the bombing began, thousands of Albanians have ·c ontinued to flee Kosovo, while Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic has shown no signs of yielding to NATO's demands.

For many students at Townsend Harris, news of the bombing was met overwhelmingly by confusion. While 57% said they had been following the news of the Kosovo crisis, 10% admitted they were "not informed at all" about the situation, and only 7% considered themselves "very informed." Most students-49%-felt they were "slightly" informed, while 39% considered themselves "fairly" informed.

"What is Kosovo? What is going on there? Why is the U.S. involved?" asked a male sophomore. A male senior, one of the 57% of students who said that the topic of Kosovo had never been brought up in his classrooms, said, "There has been no discussion of this topic at school for many of us. I feel that further classroom discussion would be helpful for many of us."

Largely because of this lack of information, many students said they did not feel informed enough to comment on the issues surrounding Kosovo.

Thirty-eight percent were "not sure" whether the United States had a responsibility to intervene in Kosovo; similar percentages (37% and 35%, respectively) were unsure whether NATO should continue to bomb, and send

Drugs pp. 6-7

ground troops to, Yugoslavia.

Students who did respond, however, had strong opinions. Nineteen percent, many of whom argued . that a conflict overseas was "none of the U.S.'s business," believed that the U.S. has no responsibility to intervene in Kosovo.

"The Monroe Doctrine states that Europe can't interfere in the western hemisphere," wrote a female sophomore, "so why should the U.S.A. be allowed to interfere in the eastern hemisphere?" "[The U.S.] is not the world's police force," wrote another female sophomore. "What right do they have to stick their nose in other people's business?"

A female freshman wrote, "They are not gaining anything, and they are only causing more death and devastation.

They aren't helping at all."

But, according to President Bill Clinton, it will take time before the positive effects of NATO's involvement become apparent; soon after the bombing began, President Clinton announced that the offensive on Yugoslavia would take a "sustained effort." Operation Allied Force, as the attack on Kosovo is called, has three goals, according to NATO: to "seriously damage" Yugoslavia's military capabilities; to protect the Albanians of Kosovo; and, to demonstrate the seriousness of NATO's purpose to Yugoslavia.

Thirty-two percent ofHarrisites supported NATO's decision, with 28% (compared with 48% of all Americans, according to the April 5 issue of Newsweek), favoring the additional use of ground troops.

"Something must be done to stop the genocide, and if the bombings work, I'm in favor of them," wrote a male senior.

A female freshman wrote, "Too many innocent victims died and are still dying. NATO has the responsibility to protect those people."

NATO itself justifies its decision by pointing out that, besides its goal of protecting Kosovo's Albanian citizens, it has a responsibility to defend Greece and Turkey, two NATO allies whose "rivalries ... [could be] exacerbated" if the fighting in Kosovo continues. While NATO says it would prefer not to use violence regarding Kosovo, it claims that Milosevic has violated "solemn Continued on p. 7

Cheating pp. 8-9

Cherry blossoms will grace the auditorium stage tonight when Elizabeth Yoon, Elizabeth Mo and Miriam Prince perform the Sakura-Cherry Blossom Dance at the International Festival of Nations. Like many of the performers, they rehearsed in the lobby. The show starts at 7 PM, with tickets costing five dollars. For details, see page 7.

Top ranking earned ih EngHsl1

by Alan Fu Earning Townsend Harris a firstplace ranking, the junior class' performance on this year's English Regents examination proved superior to that of any other public high school in New York State.

Based on the release of annual report cards for the state's public schools last month, Harris achieved the city's highest grade in English Mastery: 77.7, referring to the percentage of students who scored at least 85 on the Regents. The school also achieved a grade of 99 in meeting the English Minimum, referring to the percentage of students who scored at least 55 on the Regents. One absentee on the day of the exam caused the one-point difference of a perfect grade, according to Assistant Principal of Humanities Lynne Greenfield.

Ms. Greenfield credits the ll 1h grade's success to "the combined efforts of an entire community." Moreover, she attributes the success to "our superb English department," specifically its "coordinated curriculum and consistent policy of monitoring and teaching English skills and appreciation." Although Ms. Greenfield and Principal Malcolm

Largmann each joke that credit for the success was mainly due to themselves, the students, who actually achieved the success, were not forgotten: "We are most fortunate to have the best raw material to work with," commented Ms. Greenfield.

In recognizing the importance of issuing report cards to public schools throughout the state, Dr. Largmann stated, "It provides a standard - a common denominator- for education." The school's achievement, Ms. Greenfield adds, "means that our students more than meet the standards in English."

Last month, the New York City Board of Education issued its own report cards for the city's public schools as well. Dr. Latgmann was especially pleased by this year's inclusion of an income rank for each school in the city reports cards. According to the principal, Harrisites are generally stereotyped as being "solid middle class," which the report card proved incorrect by revealing that 19 percent of Harris students receive free lunch because of their low family incomes. "We're really an urban school, and we reflect the social conditions of the city," he said.

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Pippin page 11

Sports page 16

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The

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Classic

April1999

Time to 'turn the beat around' "Turn the beat around Love to hear the percussion Turn it upside down Love to hear the percussion."

So sang Gloria Estefan as smiling Harrisites bustled through the halls, zipped up the infamous stairs, and cheerfully balanced tons of books on their backs while humming along to the music. Unfortunately, this scene is no longer typical.

Ever since the beginning of last year when a "songs without lyrics" requirement was enforced on the threeminute music between bands, this mixture of work and smiles has disappeared. (Actually, a few classical songs with lyrics, such as Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," are allowed.) After a oneand-a-half year absence, however, music with lyrics, such as "Tum the Beat Around," made a special guest appearance on the loudspeaker for two days on February 23 and 24. The occasion for this temporary resurgence was a social science research project conducted by junior Krystal Roopchand, who wanted to test music as an envirnmental factor in high school.

While she carried on her research, upperclassmen began to recall the delights of hearing music with lyrics. Those who had never before experienced school with musical lyrics during bands were given a surprise treat.

Although Krystal has not yet completed her analysis of the experiment, looking through the surveys of approximately 200 students, she found a pattern of positive results. She said that a majority enjoyed the music with words.

Some even wrote her notes on the surveys, such as "the music [with lyrics] made me feel better," "this music brightened my day," and "thank you."

The songs used in the experiment had to

selections played these days, honestly, the majority ofHarrisites are not classical music lovers. Sure, it can be nice to occasionally hear the sounds of Tchaikovsky floating through the halls, but classical music all the time is just too much. Hearing soft, smooth sounds between bands is more likely to make students sleepy compared to the lively and upbeat music with lyrics which can ensure that students stay wide awake.

pass certain criteria. Krystal picked ones that had a quick tempo and were "happy," in her opinion. Also, no references to violence, death, or obscenity could be expressed. As a control, bells were played on March 2 and 3.

The results of the surveys revealed what we all suspected: Harrisites like 路 and miss music with words. Though there is nothing wrong with classical music, which comprises the majority of

Listening to the "advice" of 路Gloria Estefan, turning the beat around would be a good idea. Let's have a mixture of all kinds of music (provided that they pass the no-violence and noobscenity tests). Having music varying from classical to pop to rock to dance (and on and on) would make the greatest number of people happy. Why not brighten up the day for a large number

of people instead of passing up this easy opportunity to make this school more "work friendly"?

The increased grinning of the student body was definitely obvious during the days of the experiment; students were actually laughing, giggling, and smiling, even singing along to the songs. The upbeat music certainly transformed the exhausted, burnt-out students, energizing and delighting them.

During the spring term of 1997, when music with lyrics had its trial run, some students and faculty found the loud music to be noisy and disruptive because students were more likely to get up before teachers finish their sentences.

Since this was the main reason for imposing the no-words policy, why not address this complaint by agreeing to sit tight until a speaker stops speaking? Could it be that hard to stay an extra minute for the sake of hearing lively music with words? I n a school where school spirit is not exactly overflowing (just look at the number of students who dress up on spirit days), expanding the musical bell system to include more than just classical music would be a good way to enhance not only school spirit, but student spirit.

With tests and collaterals galore on a daily basis, having music that appeals to a broader base can brighten our day.

With such wonderful effects from Krystal 's experiment still fresh in mind, why not call the sun and rainbow back and "tum the beat around"?

Vouchers will hurt problem-plagued public schools Last week, Mayor Giuliani presented a proposal to invest $12 million, taken from the Office of the Mayor's budget, into strengthening his voucher program.

The controversial voucher proposal has rightly faced opposition from many, most outspokenly Schools Chancellor Rudy Crew. The Board of Education, which desperately needs these millions, may be required to fund any surplus charges that the $12 million fails to cover. The voucher plan, as proposed by Mayor Rudy Giuliani, is one of the largest threats to the well-being of the public schools system today.lt is the physical manifestation of our public officials' loss of faith in the city's educational system. The simple reality is that the faltering school system must be inundated with funding, not made to suffer any more cuts.

"The whole system should be blown up and a new one should be put in its place," Mayor Giuliani was quoted as saying last week regarding the ailing public school system (New York Times 4/23/99). One can only wonder what type of proposal the mayor has in mind and what tactics he plans to employ to

prevent his proposed "new system" from sliding into the same slump as the current one. Through his voucher plan and other actions that either suck money out of the school system or prevent money from being circulated in, such as the Mayor's decision last week to withhold $6.15 billion in capital funds from initiating the $11 billion school construction proposal, the mayor seems to be doing all that he can to see that the system does in fact fail.

Like a petulant child, the mayor would prefer to see the problem obliterated rather than corrected. What he seems to be ignoring are the examples of the system at its best. Schools such as Townsend Harris, which scored in the 99th percentile on the 1999 English Regents, should serve as models for schools that are failing within the system. Like public schools, parochial and private institutions have not only their share of schools that are excelling academiqlly, but also others that are working under much lower standards. To undermine public schools that have consistently ranked in the top of the New York State educational chain would be

a severe injustice to those students and faculty members who pour their love and devotion into seeing their schools thrive.

Giuliani's claims that his voucher program will stimulate competition that will encourage public schools to raise their standards lacks logic. The only way public schools can effectively raise standards is with a steady stream of funding. New teachers, facilities, smaller classes, after-school programs, computers, clubs, and adequate learning materials, such as up-to-date textbooks, will not materialize when faced with competition. A plethora of innovative ideas for programs and reforms to dramati-

cally raise the level of education in the system is definitely not lacking, but the means to achieve these ends, namely money, seems nowhere to be found.

The students and teachers of New York City cannot afford to walk idly around in the desert of our public officials' plans toward some distant "promised system" that will finally provide the education that all New York City students deserve. It is time for the mayor to stop searching for a way around the system, and to begin concentrating on how he can work within the current framework to bring New York public education back on track.

Alan Fu Editor-in-Chief Christina Lesica News Editor

Andrew Goldberg Annette Orzechowski

Brian Griffing

Co-Feature Editors

Sports Editor

Athena Ledakis Photography Editor

Julia Kohen Business and Circulation Manager

Bosede Adenekan Rebecca Munoz

Lucy Hong Art Editor

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 Classic reserves the right to edit all letters. Letters must include name and official class. Names will be. withheld upon request.

Rachel Nobel Lauren Paley

Assistaat Editors

News Staff: Lauren Amorillu, Afton Balf, Noreen Bukhari, Karen DeVita. Lorraine Kapovich, Danielle Lord, Julia Perrature, Carol Pruss

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

CORRECTIONS: In "Figelman steps into new role as b-ball coach" (2/99, p. 14), it was incorrectly stated that Ms. Figelman is finishing up 15 credits for her Masters degree. She is, in fact, working on 30 credits above her Masters. Also, Ms. Figelman has coached at Townsend Harris for eight years, a fact which was omitted.

Emily Rubinstein, Steven Seidenfeld, Allison Slotnick

Sports Staff: Tabitha Hsi, Eric Trager, Mark Von Ohlen PhotOjlraphy Staff: Laura Bassolino, Stephanie Bakirtzis, Frank Cherena. Venu Dhanaraj, Alice lofescu, Karen Parado, Lisha Perez, Lisa Schapira, Kendra Thompson, Eric Tntger, Trislan Visconde, Yvette Warenam, Audley Wilson, Dawn Wing, William Yang, Young Yoon ~ Raymond Baro, Vivian Chang, Locy Hong, Doris Ortega, Kelly ~rtell, Emily Rivlin-Nadler

Advisor - Ilsa,Cowen

Principal - Dr. Malcolm Largmann

The Classic

April1999

3

Letters to the Editor Senior Trip Editorial Elicits Strong Qpinions To the Editor: You have probably received a lot of letters concerning the editorial entitled "Marijuana mars memories of senior weekend." Personally, I thought it was overdoing the whole "just say no" cliche. With health classes, special schedules, and signs all over the school, who needs another thousand-word reminder? Enough is enough. It has been drilled into students' heads. I am sure most Harrisites realize that you mean well. However, no matter how much you drill us, the decision to use drugs belongs solely to the individual.

Also, to make examples of the students (anonymously or not) and say that the incident has "tarnished" the school's reputation is almost laughable. It was stupid to bring marijuana to a school function. But, do you honestly think four pot smokers in a school of our status can do so much as to stain its immaculate reputation?

Lisha Perez, 906 To the Editor: Upon reading "Marijuana mars memories of senior weekend," I felt that the subject was dealt with in a very respectful manner. The paper maintained the anonymity of the students and only presented necessary information; however, I also felt that the issue was a little blown out of proportion. While doing drugs is illegal, morally wrong, and extremely hazardous to one's health, I do not feel that this one incident damages our school's reputation as fully as the paper implied. Other schools would have been happy if that were their largest concern when taking seniors on a weekend trip. I am, though, glad that the school is taking this matter seriously.

I was also happy to read the intention of a follow-up article on drug risks, and am looking forward to reading it. I believe that one cannot be told enough about the dangers of drugs.

Amanda Blancke, 901 To the Editor: The editorial that I read in The Classic, entitled "Marijuana mars memories of senior weekend," was a well-written editorial; however, I feel that it should not have been published. Heel that the editorial only brought more attention to the entire incident. Not many people knew about the incident, but when the editorial was published, everyone found out. This wiii cause the kids路 in the school to tell their parents, and so on.

Instead of writing about the bad thing that happened on the trip, you could have written about how nice the trip was.

Tania Pavsic, 906 路 To the Edjtor: I anticipate that the upcoming edition of The Classic wiii .include information concerning the detrimental effects of marijuana and wiii promote the opinion that marijuana ought to remain illegal in the United States. However,

as a proponent of marijuana legalization, I feel that the other side of the issue needs to be exposed as well.

America's intense war on marijuana has proven to be ineffective, irrational, and hypocritical. If the purpose of the prohibition was to eliminate marijuana use in the United States, it has failed miserably, as I am sure that this newspaper's survey will indicate. If the purpose of prohibition was to protect the American people from health hazards of marijuana use, then the laws have irrationally focused on the wrong drug.

Lancet, Great Britain's leading medical journal, printed an article last November which stated that "moderate indulgence in cannabis has little ill effect on health" and that marijuana "is less of a threat to health than alcohol or tobacco, products that in [the United States] are tolerated and advertised." In the United States alone, tobacco and alcohol cause more than 400,000 deaths every year, while marijuana has never been credibly linked to a single death through overdose or acute toxicity in over 5000 years of recorded use. Furthermore, marijuana does not cause physical addiction, unlike tobacco and alcohol. Of course, marijuana is not a "safe" drug, but the health risks involved are nowhere nearly as dangerous as those associated with alcohol and tobacco.

Despite these statistics, the federal and state governments have only increased their war on marijuana. Total spending for the war on drugs this year is expected to reach $17 billion, and an FBI report last year revealed that nearly 700,000 people were arrested for pot in 1997.

The true reason that the government has started this war is that marijuana represents the American counter-culture.

Carlton Turner, President Reagan's drug czar, believed that the war on marijuana was necessary because the drug is responsible for young people's involvement in anti-big-business and anti-authority demonstrations, and that it could tum young men into homosexuals. If these are the r~asons for the prohibition of marijuana, then the civil liberties cif the American people have obviously been impinged upon too long.

The most shocking and frustratingaspect of the war on marijuana is the extreme hypocrisy that it entails. The Drug-Free Student Loan Act denies student loans to any students caught with any amount of marijuana. However, the act makes no provisions denying the loans to students convicted of drunk driving, rape, and murder. In 1990, Republican Representative Dan Burton of .Indiana introduced legislation that would require the death penalty for drug dealers. Four years later, his son was arrested for transporting nearly eight pounds of marijuana and growing 30 marijuana plants in his apartment. However, he received a punishment of only community service, probation, and house arrest. In September of 1996,

Representative Randy Cunningham of California attacked President Clinton for being too "soft" on illegal drugs. Four months later, his son was arrested by the DEA for helping to transport more than 400 pounds of marijuana. The prosecutor in his case recommended a sentence of 14 months at a boot camp and a halfway house.

Even with all of the evidence opposing this irrational war, Congress continues to increase its anti-marijuana legislation while its Congressmen drink brandy and smoke cigars. The prohibition of marijuana has come at too high of a cost for tht:1 American people and needs to be removed immediately.

Scott Stein, 127

'Schmaltzgrieb' To the Editor: A very wise friend of mine, who was a colleague at another school many years ago, called Townsend Harris a "schmaltzgrieb." Yiddish is one of the few languages we do not offer here, and although I am not an expert, the sense of the expression seems to be that this school has a certain rare sweetness.

This expression reverberates in my mind as I think of my experiences as a "founding faculty member," and as a teacher of five classes for most of my career here. It has been my special pleasure to work with the Junior and Senior classes this year. What wonderful young people, and not just those who are given deserved recognition by The Classic for winning one contest or another. I worry that we overlook the hardworking, funloving youngsters who form the backbone of this school. These students are so good in so many ways that we might take them for granted, and what a shame that would be. To me, this school is a "schmaltzgrieb" to be savored because our most average student is our most special student; and shame on all of us if we forget this.

Myron Moskowitz, Teacher of Social Studies

Cut and Burn To the Editor: As you walk down the third floor and look at the senior bulletin board, you may notice a piece of paper on which many OSIS numbers are printed. This important piece of paper contains four columns, three of which list OSIS numbers of seniors with a high number of referrals, and a fourth column which lists those seniors who will not be allowed to attend the senior prom.

This year, many seniors have lost their prom privileges due to an excessive number of referrals. You may be wondering what types of things could keep a senior from participating in one of the more important events of a person's life. Cutting the Humanities sem~nar seems to be common among many seniors who are not allowed to

attend the prom. However, students who attend a college class, including high school seniors, should be susceptible to college consequences for cutting, not high school punishments.

The school calls it Bridge Year, a year in which seniors are encouraged to take college courses and experience the responsibilities of a college student. These responsibilities include performing college level work, participating in a college class environment, and attending those classes on time without the help of a high school bell, or in our case, high school music. As far as Queens College is concerned, failure to adhere to these responsibilities could result in failure and/or being dropped from the course. Missing classes is a considerable infraction with obvious academic consequences. However, most colleges, including Queens College, permit a certain number of absences before action is taken. In no circumstances would a college student with poor attendance be barred from a college function.

In order to make the transition from high school to college a smooth one, Townsend Harrill has arranged the Humanities course to be taught by both a college professor and a high school teacher. This way, students could receive help and guidance while completing college level work. However, while seniors are given the responsibility to perform work at a college level, they are not given the responsibility of a college student to attend class on their own. If a senior decides to cut Humanities for whatever reason, that student could be reported as cutting a high school class and given a multi-point referral in the high school.

According to Ms. Blechman, cutting a high school class can result in a variety of punishments, ranging from referrals to suspension, depending on a student's record. Cutting only a few classes could result in a loss of prom privileges. It is very likely that many seniors who have referrals for other reasons could lose prom privileges for cutting just one Humanities seminar.

Most seniors at Townsend Harris appreciate the opportunity to take college classes. It is certainly a privilege for seniors to be given the responsibilities of a college student. However, is Townsend Harris being fair by punishing seniors who, after being given the responsibilities of a college stude,nt, decide to miss a class or two? Seniors who have poor attendance in their college classes, including Humanities, should suffer the consequences of a college student.

If seniors are to be given the responsibility to take a college course, then all aspects of that responsibility should be given to the students. Townsend Harris should review its policy and realize that excluding students from the prom will , not help to mold any senior who may not be ready for college just yet.

Michael Inwald, 123

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The Classic

4 Holden' out for more: April1999

Fi~ rst

read-in gets good reviews

by Lauren Amorillo in his private conference room where from the Old English Beowulf to the Reading a book for enjoyment on the they analyzed the wit and wisdom of French Song of Roland. Dr. Largmann side isn't easy for Townsend Harris stu- Ogden Nash in his poem, "Golly, How ended the discussion by inviting the students. Long hours of commuting, home- the Truth Will Out!"- their thoughts fu- dents to organize another reading seswork, papers, and commusion in which they would nity service make it difficult provide him with reading to find a free minute to material. settle down with an interestStudents held their own ing book to do some indeRead Aloud during sixth pendent reading. For this band. The readers included reason, Principal Malcolm the winners of the "A Largmann decided to deWomen I Admire" Barnard vote all of March 16 to the Essay Contest: juniors pleasures of perusing inEsther Lin, Rebecca triguing literature.

Munoz, Tashia Raymond Students either were and Eva Raj. Esther wrote about a "little old woman" asked to bring books to class to read or received who always cares for her handouts of literature from plants with a steadfast detheir teacher that were in votion that Esther wishes some way relevant to the she could possess so she, course. Chemistry teacher too, could "focus ... on one Bringing to life the essence of the first official read-in, student actors from Adel Kadamani distributed Queens College present The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare objective." Rebecca's esreadings about the discov- Abridged in the auditorium. say described how watcheries of Marie Curie and ing her mother while she Spanish teacher Michael Piane studied eled by Munchkins and beverages. The was sleeping told her stories about the poems of a Mexican poet with his conversation swerved from the subject Rebecca's childhood and her mother's second-year students. ofliars' talent for deception to the defi- character. Tashia's tribute to the admiDr. Largmann hosted his own trib- nition of a literary language. Accord- rable and noble life of her grandmother ute to reading in his office with a select ing to Dr. Largmann, "in order to be a evoked emotional applause from all the group of about 20 students from all literary language ... [the language] must teachers and classes present. Eva exgrades during second band. Each of have an epic." The students then iden- pressed her appreciation for her seventh these students received an invitation tified the different epics that further dis- grade art teacher, a role model whom from Dr. Largmann to attend a reading tinguish languages from each other - she called a strong, independent woman in her essay. In addition, freshman Brooke Odie read the African folktale, "Tungululi and the Monsters," that won on the significance of the subways in her the Storytelling Contest and sophoby Steven Seidenfeld Anthony Scarnati's Social Science Flushing, and Erica Yu and Francalisa Research class won many awards at the Falco for their exhibit on the atomic ninth annual New York City History Day bomb. Junior Nefertiti Lovelace placed Competition. Students from all five third for her performance about maga- by Surabhi Jain Dim lights and refreshments transboroughs gathered at Queens College on zines. Second place winner Eric Trager March 14 to share their projects on this won a special award from the New York formed the Phoenix office into a cafe year's theme, "Science Technology, In- Times for his use of newspaper articles for the second annual Open Mike on vention in History: Impact, Influence, in his project evaluating the influence Thursday, February 25. Students recited original and published poetry, rap and of G. I. Joe on young children.

Change."

Keynote speaker and award-winning even plays on topics ranging from Forty-four judges evaluated the entries from both public and private journalist Peter Hamil epitomized the schools. Project topics ranged from the spirit of the event, saying, "The next space race to G.l. Joe. The students had century will be yours. However, you the option of presenting their research will be unable to live in the next cenin a variety of formats ranging from his- tury if you can't understand this one."

The History Day Fair was sponsored torical papers to performances. Despite the vast array of topics, each was de- by the Museum of the City of New York. signed to demonstrate how the subject The New York Times, Citygroup Founmatter's technological implications left dation and The History Channel were co-sponsors. The contest was held una permanent impact on society.

Townsend Harris students produced der the auspices of the National History eleven projects that will advance to the Day which began holding competitions New York State finals on May 1 in in 1974. Its major focus is to help stuCooperstown, New York. These in- dents "grow academically and intelleccluded first place projects of sopho- tually as they integrate the arts, econommores in four of the competition's seven ics, sciences and other disciplines into categories. Marcia Regen and Ilana a historical presentation."

Every contestant was given a History Rossein won first place for their documentary on the space race. Also win- Day tee shirt and a comprehensive map ning first place for his historical paper of New York City. The top three finishon red light traffic cameras was Steven ers in each category received a certifiSeidenfeld . Other gold medal winners cate from the Museum of the City of Sharing her feelings through poetry; junior were Melanie Diaz for her performance New York, a medal and a book relating Veronica Castillo participates in the Phoenix's second annual Open Mike. on the impact of the atomic bomb, and to some aspect of New York City.

Following the Cooperstown State friendship to drug abuse.

Larry Manis and Brian Cooperman for The variety of poetry included their performance on inventions in car- Finals, winners from the fifty states will compete this J~ne at the University of Wallace Steven's, "Man With a Blue diology.

Several students won other awards. Maryland. Prizes include three $5,000 Guitar" and Susan Testa's "Smoosh."

The second place winners were sopho- scholarships provided by the History However, the majority of poems that were recited at the Open Mike were more Jarvis Lagman for his presentation Channel.

11 make history at City Fair

_ more Dawn Wing, the winner of the Shakespeare Recitation Contest, passionately recited a scene from Othello about women's unrecognized strength as well as reciting Shakespeare's Sonnet 14 7. Afterwards, freshman Lisa Rosenthal read Malcolm X's "Bailot or the Bullet" speech, freshman Anna Wong read "Tribute to the Dog" about the fidelity of man's best friend, freshman Christine Lau performed "Ain't I A Woman" by Sojourner Truth, and freshman Stephanie Kujawski presented Susan B. Anthony's speech defending her right to vote. Since the reading was cut short by the beginning of seventh band, the remaining readers presented their selections on Thursday.

Queens College's drama department treated select classes to live entertainment in the auditorium during eighth band. A serious excerpt from the play The Doll's House was followed by a comical parody of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. This last skit was only a single part of the whole show, called The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare Abridged, which the group was performing at Queens College.

All in all, students and teachers seem to agree that Read-In Day was a good idea, even if only to break away from the usual routine for a day to enjoy some leisure time, when there normally isn't any. "This program made me remember how fun it was to read books when I was younger," said freshman Carolyn Huynh.

Creativity flows at Open Mike written by fellow Harrisites. The event also included a rap session by seniors Barry Games and Terrell Lovell and a play written by senior Deborah McCallen called School House Rock. "I was amazed by the great amount of talent that lies within the walls of Townsend Harris," said junior Shawn Kodes.

The advisor of the Phoenix, Helen Rizzuto, encouraged students to take part in the Open '"' Mike because, "Students get a ~ ,... chance to really express them.&l 0 selves or a part of themselves, ] which sometimes they don't get Q. a chance to do." For those who are timid about their work, she advises them to read another person's poem the first time they are in front of an audienc~: However, she suggests people contact their Barnes and Nobles Bookstore and find out about 1ocal Open Mike events to expose themselves to different kinds of poetry and gain some experience.

Phoenix staff member Maria Bartha said, "We have artwork all over the school but we don't ever show any written work. This Open Mike was a good way to see what the school is thinking and writing."

Junior Nicole Steinberg agreed. "It was a really positive experience. I saw a side of some students that I never knew about," she said.

The Classic April 1999

5

Dunking, dancing make popular combination

by Mark Von Ohlen and Rebecca Munoz Victory was sweet for freshmen and seniors as they defeated sophomores and juniors in the senior-sponsored basketball game held after school March 12. Later, Harrisites and their guests filled the gym for the dance that followed.

Cheering for their teammates in black, seniors and freshmen watched their team, coached by varsity players Steve Seiden and Devon Skinner, lead their opponents, coached by varsity players James Sarkis and Seth Oliveras the entire game. Sophomores and juniors wore white. Junior team member Charles Steinman said, "It was all for fun and I felt lucky to play. I really didn't care if we won or lost."

High scorers for the senior I freshman team were Ante Mustac, who had 17 points, and Sakis Grammenos, who added 9 points, helping the team to their 43-38 win. Though the

seniors and freshmen outscored the sophomores and juniors, they were beaten on the boards.

The junior/sophomore team scored most of their points off

offensive rebounds. Juniors Phillip Duss and Anthony Kojalaviez had 7 and 10 points, respectively.

For some, the halftime show proved more exciting than the

game. Two groups of girls danced to a medley of pop/rock/ rap and to Britney Spears' smash hit "Baby One More Time". Another group per-

pretty fast."

Following the game was the third Student Union (SU) dance of the year.. Harrisites and their guests could attend the dance

Assistant Principal of Mathematics and Physical Education. Charles said, "I felt like I was at an airport, not a school dance. The security was way too tight." Freshman o Simone Gaines ""~ agreed. "The security ";;., checks were really bu~ miliating because it 拢 felt as though you ~ were a criminal," she 2f said.

Despite heavy security, Suzanne Iordanou, Coordinator of Student Affairs said, "It went really well.

We sold to capacity and we played everyone's music. Although it took a long time to ( 1 ) Leaping in the air, sophomore Henry Rzonca (in white) tries to block get everyone inside, senior Marco Trauzzi's attempt to widen the freshman /senior lead. at we used the necessary the annual freshman /senior vs. sophomore /junior basketball game. amount of security."

Anthony Prince, SU ( 2 ) Under the disco lights, an estimated 400 to 450 students, including President, estimated sophomores Melani Sherman and Raymond McNeal (in the middle), that about 400 to 450 danced at the March guest dance. Students, however, had to wait over 45 minutes because of security to get to the dance floor. students attended the dance.

"The music was formed a freestyle providing they wore sneakers not the stuff I liked, but everymimicking dance and showed photo identifica- one was dancing and everyone with no musical accompani- tion. Guests were frisked and liked it," said sophomore Joment. Freshman performer their bags were checked at the seph Giordano. Kristy Von Jennifer Fernandez said, "We door. "It took over 45 minutes Ohlen, junior, added, "Mr. found out we were going to for students to get in through Stonehill was dancing in the dance a week before the game the metal detectors, which was bleachers; that was the best so we had to get it together ridiculous," said Harry Rattien, part."

Verbal veterans survive Vocabulary Month

by Andrew Goldberg Even though tickets to the prurient political peep show in the Senate are no longer available, and the impeachable scandal, which brought daily discomfort to many apathetic Americans with all its salacious specifics, has fizzled out, not even a contrite Commander-in-Grief could have provided relief from the March malaise which hung over Harris. Indeed, in just two words, it was Vocabulary Month, that yearly event aimed at promoting good vocabulary skills and "SATisfactory self-expression," which had many usually strepitous Harrisites suffering from an annual case of "vague discomfort, depression, or fatigue."

Still, for the 170 winners of this year's Vocabulary Month Challenge, word wizards who not only scored 100% on the March 31 quiz, but also received candy bars for it, several weary weeks of words have ended with a sweet candy treat, rewarded in recognition of their verbal feat.

Although a lackadaisical linguistic laureate may have

been as hard to come by during this, their favorite time of year, as a sirocco in the snow belt or a contumacious chancellor supporting vouchers, prose pros from among the ranks of faculty, staff, and seniors perused the dictionary, and succeeded in compiling a slew of words sure to vex even verbal veterans.

Wordsmiths, like Vocabulary Month organizer Assistant Principal of Humanities Lynne Greenfield and assistant "grammar man," English teacher Michael Carbone, however, pointed out that the same "wicked" wind which blew back Vocabulary Month for its eighth year at the beginning of this March, left like a lamb for all those students who studied hard for the culminating quiz on March 31. They made sure, however, that the quiz would not be a breeze for those too derelict in their responsibilities to give this year's 33 words even a cursory glance.

But if you didn't find your name among the winners on the commendation signs posted throughout the building, and if your exacerbated (see Vocabulary Month '98) English teacher

took umbrage at the grade you earned below 100% on the quiz, you may be wondering what could possibly have gone wrong. If winning the candy bar at stake for a perfect score was only ancillary to appeasing your teacher's latent anger, or maintaining your English average, you may wish to take note of the following: 1) If you're a lummox, then you probably realized (on the eve of the quiz) that the sheet in your notebook which once contained last month's vocabulary words was conspicuously missing. Whereas you've always said your pets are in the habit of feeding on your papers, you began to wonder if it could actually be true. So, you burrowed beneath the piles of papers and spoiled snacks discarded by your bed, in a room kept by the king of procrastination, only to remember having recovered the same exact half-eaten Hershey bar and wrapper when you performed a similar search last year. You vowed then to remember to stop procrastinating, but somehow never got around to it. So, you said to yourself: "I must

stop such recidivism ... .I must stop such recidivism .... I must stop such recidivism."

2) If you're like the master magician in the Oval Office, whose political prestidigitation (maybe next year's list?) can somehow make past flings vanish before his audience's eyes, then you probably didn't even bother studying. After all, you thought, you were better off learning the disappearing act, as your legerdemain, combined with whatever else you had up your sleeve (wink wink), would surely help you "Ace" this test.

3) If you're a misogynist, remember: Since women greatly outnumber men at Townsend Harris (especially in the English department), it goes without saying that there were sure to be some errors in grading. But, boys, don't fret; it's not as if the Board of Education has enough money to add a caryatid to the building anytime soon, or any other baleful monument foreboding impending disaster. Besides, even if they did, you can be virtually certain they'd solicit the services of Brother-in-Law Construction Company. Anyhow,

if you've survived this long engulfed by estrogen in a school made up mainly of women, the Vocabulary Month Challenge should be the least of your problems.

4) If you're a misanthrope, however, you were understandably out of luck - not only on this test, but in life.

5) Ifyou're a harrier, then surely you took this test in stride. Imagine thinking a word a day would be enough for an "A"!

For those linguistic loathers more likely to associate themselves with the eponymous likes of Mrs. Mala{'rop than the oeuvres of William Safire, the sight of supersilious students boasting about路 their perfect sr:ores on the quiz may be discouraging. Still, for those who failed to achieve a perfect score on the quiz, even more disturbing than the sight of friends relishing their rewards may be the grim realization that in the wide world of words, "there's always next year."

Even those who make a quick conversion to Zoroastrianism will not escape.

The Classic

6 Archon ind·u·ction sticks to tradition

Spring Brea·k spent sightseei.ng in Spain

by Alice Lee Archon, the service honor society, kicked off its 13th annual induction ceremony with the traditional procession to the theme music of Superman.

Marching in the auditorium onApril21 were 85 new first-year members, 30 second-year members, 14 third-year members and for the first time in years, no fourth-year members.

This odd occurrence was due to students' confusion about the requirements for Archon admissions. These requirements are 80 hours of community service, participation in at least two schoolbased activities, and an 85 or above average. "Many people think that you can't get into Archon as a freshman, but that is not true," said Bosede Adenekan, the senior president of Archon, "As long as you meet the requirements, and it is possible to meet them in your freshman year, you can become a member."

This ceremony differed from that of previous years in other ways. Instead of a piano piece, a violin composition was performed during the musical interlude. Hannah Vanek-Mcllain, sophomore, played Meditation from Thais, by Massenet and won thunderous applause from the audience and teachers.

"Hannah was magnificent," said Harry Rattien, Assistant Principal of Mathematics. Another change was the advisor; taking the place of Odile Garcia, who is on sabbatical, was Spanish

by Rebecca Munoz Tired eyes and faded tans marked the 46 students who returned to school on Aprilll from their 10 day tour of Spain.

Spanish teacher Ilene Marcus took the two seniors, 38 juniors and six sophomores on overnight stays in Madrid, Seville, Grenada and Costa Del Sol for a spring break complete with shopping, dancing, swimming and eating.

After ~a three-hour delay in Kennedy airport and a seven-hour flight across the Atlantic, the group landed in Madrid.

Memorable stops in Madrid included the Spanish Royal Palace, the famous Ia Plaza Mayor, el Prado museum and the Hard Rock Cafe. "Madrid wasn't very different from any big city in the United States," said junior Ian Katz, "but la Plaza Mayor was completely different from anything I have seen with its cafes and wide open square."

After the two night stay in Madrid, the group traveled to Seville, first stopping in Toledo. There, students visited a cathedral and saw the home of painter El Greco. Junior Kenny Rubinov bought a sword that had its own seat on the bus for the next seven days and many students bought daggers to bring home.

Seville included a visit to the oldest cathedral in Spain, a scenic boat ride and a night of Flamenco dancing. "The Flamenco dancing was my favorite part of the trip because I also dance but I have never tried any kind of Spanish dane-

April 1999

teacher Suzanne Iordanou, the new Archon Advisor. "It is hard to adjust to the temporary leave of Ms. Garcia," said Karen Gluck, former Senior Co-President, "but it really made the Archon executive board join together, and Ms. Iordanou is doing a great job."

Even though Ms. Iordanou had never attended or participated in the induction ceremony before, she insisted that the event follow certain traditions. She gave Ms. Garcia's yearly speech written by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Also following tradition, the students donated a can of baby food to Ronald McDonald's House as they received their Archon pins. Dr. Largmann ended his opening remarks with his usual thought-provoking metaphor of the daisy that provides shade for the lingering dewdrop.

After the ceremony, everyone was invited for refreshments in the lobby. A variety of desserts were served. On a big cake were the words, " Happy 13th Annual Archon Induction, Leave 5x7 space" where the baker had misunderstood Ms. Iordanou's order.

This event began a new year for Archon, one in which sophomore Monica Trauzzi, the Junior President, hopes to continue the legacy of the previous presidents and "make necessary improvements." Monica urges "freshmen as well as all other grade students" to apply for Archon and participate in its community service events.

"5 why reasons you

ing," said junior Candice Banks.

Granada included an extensive tour of Alhambra, an old Muslim palace and the surrounding gardens, termed Generalife. "In Granada, we went to a club that was actually a transformed cave," said junior Michael Evelson.

The highlight of the trip for most of the students was the visit to Costa Del Sol, where students spent the day at the beach swimming and lying in the sun.

The last night in Spain was painful, not only because students knew they had to leave Europe the next day, but because many had scorching sunburns. "I was bright red all over my body because I did not notice how strong the sun was," said junior Pamela Baird. Ian particularly enjoyed the beach because "it was beautiful and I enjoyed seeing the European women topless."

The trip included many traveling fiascos. Junior Jane Stork's luggage was taken by another person at the airport in Madrid. Luckily it was returned to her a day later. Junior Claire Marx lost her passport and the group took a two hour trip to the embassy to get her a new one so she could leave the country. Ian's wallet was lost or stolen along with all his money and credit cards. "The trip proved to be enjoyable and educational, despite these problems," said Ian. "I got to experience a little bit of European culture and I will always remember this trip," said junior Drew Zambrotta.

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7

Bombing in Balkans strikes home, for some Continued from p. 1 commitments" to NATO, including violating a cease-fire, obstructing the efforts of relief agencies, and continuing to commit atrocities by allegedly massacring or driving out Albanians.

Photographs of the fleeing Albanians have led to dire predictions from students, 59% of whom believe that escalating tensions in Kosovo could lead to a world war. "[The Kosovo crisis] could be another Holocaust," wrote a female senior.

A male sophomore felt that if "Russia gets involved, ... governments of neighboring countries could be overthrown.... [There could be an] eco-

nomic and political collapse due to refugee influx."

Not all Harrisites agreed. Twelve percent of students, citing the strong military power of U.S. and NATO forces, felt confident that the conflict in Yugoslavia would not escalate to a world war. "NATO is too strong to be overpowered by an unstable nation. It is a crisis within a nation and does not concern other countries," wrote a male freshman. One female freshman didn't understand "how this directly affect[s] the rest of the world if this situation is isolated in Yugoslavia."

For the 10 percent of students who have family or friends in Yugoslavia or

Cultural Night arrives tonight

by Christina Lesica From Irish step dancing and mystery guests to the Chinese Ribbon Dance and Martial Arts, the Festival of Nations will feature an array of cultures through song, dance, skits, and poetry on Thursday, April 29. Starting at seven in the evening, this annual event will combine both new performances and ones previously performed at the Festival for a five dollar entrance fee.

"The purpose of the festival is to give a multi-cultural lesson and a brief glimpse into the beauty of diverse traditions in a forum which illustrates that that we are all connected," says Festival Coordinator Joan Walsh, Assistant Principal of Second Languages and Fine Arts. As part of that multi-cultural lesson, an announcer will describe the tradition or historical roots behind each act.

Two dances have been resurrected from previous festivals. A guest bagpiper will accompany Irish step dancing in the style of Riverdance, while a Filipino dance, "Tinikling," will imitate the movements of a bird in the rice field using sticks. Both dances have not been performed for several years.

Another highlight of the festival will be the celebrity guests. All Ms. Walsh will say about themis that they will be a mystery.

Other new performances include a Chinese skit and the Austrian dance "Hochzeitsmarch," which translated means wedding march. This modern, fast-paced dance was once danced at weddings.

The performance will conclude with the traditional finale. All of the performers will hold hands and walk up to the stage to the music of the selected theme song. The final song changes each year, but always "gives a multicultural message," said Ms. Walsh. Dr. Largmann's address to the student body after the school shootings in Colorado inspired the choice of this year's song, which conveys the message that despite our diversity, we are connected by the bonds of humanity and we must care about each other.

The festival will also include performances that have become traditions, such as the Japanese Sakura- the Cherry Blossom Dance, the Korean Fan Dance, the Chinese Ribbon Dance, "La Taran-

tella," an Italian dance, and an Indian fashion show. Staples of the Festival also include "Gaudeamus Igitur," a Latin drinking song; a play about the death of Julius Caesar; and skits, poems, songs, or dances representing the six languages taught at Townsend: Spanish, French, Latin, Greek, Japanese, and Hebrew.

Another performance involves an Indian dance to the song "Chamma Chamma," which is "a modern dance with elaborate and colorful costumes," said senior Sharon Ramgolam, choreographer and dancer.

The Martial Arts performance by junior Nancy Kim and her Martial Arts school, which has become a tradition for the festival, "holds the audience spellbound," says Ms. Walsh, who likes to conclude with this performance and the finale.

The performers are "so selfdirected," said Ms. Walsh, who noted that many groups practice on their own and take care of their costumes.

The festival "is a great way to learn about your fellow classmates and where they come from," said junior Pramilla Borhara, who will perform an Indian Stick Dance called Dhandia.

Sophomore Anjali Gupta went last year and said that she was amazed at the beautiful, breathtaking costumes of each culture. "It was great to see the cultural diversity that rests within the school. I was happy to see the pride and honor each person had for the nation they were representing," she said.

The Festival of Nations, a fundraiser for the Foreign Language Department, is "one of our most popular traditions," said Ms. Walsh. "No one can describe the look of pride and enchantment on the faces of the parents and friends of the performers," she said, which is why she takes many pictures of them.

Although Ms. Walsh admits that organizing the festival is "very time consuming" for her and the other teacher advisors, she says, "Kids love it, and I love it, and it's worth collapsing for!"

The Festival of Nations started the second year in the old building and missed only one year because there were hundreds of boxes stored on the stage in preparation for the move to the new building.

Surabhi Jain contributed to this article.

in NATO's armed forces, the crisis does have an effect. A female senior wrote, "One of my family members living in the area has explained that the situation is awful, everyone living in fear. I am Croatian and can understand the destruction and harm that Serbia is exacting on Kosovo." Another female senior with friends in the area described the situation: "They are stuck there with little food. They can't leave, with fear of being shot." A senior with a Slavic background felt that the bombing of Kosovo was "an attack on my heritage, even though I am not Yugoslavian. As long as the West feels that it needs to 'bring peace' to the world, the East and

the Slavs will remain imprisoned under systems that are imperialistically designed to subdue nat!onalism." One female senior with a family member in Yugoslavia has had "no contact except for saying he's alive. My family is very worried ... It bothers me that many people, especially the students, don't care what's going on and they can't understand why this war is going on."

The situation has left many students torn. "It hurts to see the children crying on TV because they haven't eaten or don't have ·a parent," wrote a female sophomore. "Some have seen their whole family killed and I would be devastated if this happened to me."

Crew answers to students

by Annette Orzechowski Coinciding with Chancellor Rudy Crew's threat to resign in a protest against Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's impending $12 million voucher plan, a Chancellor's Student Press Conference probed this issue and many others on Tuesday, March 9. Questioning the Chancellor on topics ranging from the recently revamped Regents to the stance he has taken on vouchers, student reporters from all five boroughs attended.

"It's an open field for any questions in any ... [areas] you want to raise," Dr. Crew stated at the beginning of the press conference, which was held at the Board of Education building in Brooklyn. The conference, which was videotaped and broadcasted on public television, was filled with the personal problems of many public high schools. One student voiced his concern over the inadequate resources of his school library. "Technology in the form of the Internet is something that will solve this problem in many schools," said Dr. Crew, who described updated books as "not the only solution" to this problem.

Other maladies plaguing the public school system which were aired included overcrowding. "Queens is the largest borough and according to me we must take up ... [reducing overcrowding] in ... [school] buildings in some logical order," said Dr. Crew. "My basic work is to get this money to build or lease facilities ... and we need to go about the business of repairing the older ones.

The Classic raised a question concerning Dr. Crew's stance on implementing vouchers in the public school system. The question centered on a statement that Mayor Giuliani made, specifically that vouchers would create competition and force the public school system to improve. Dr. Crew, who in all of his statements to the press expressed an ethical opposition to using tax payer's money for private school tuition as his reason for being anti-voucher, responded by proposing his own system of charter schools. "[Charter schools] would be autonomously run, separate and distinct from the school board system, where fewer rules would bind them to unions," said Dr. Crew. He proposed that funding for these charter schools would come from private industry and corporate giants. Charter schools, ac-

cording to the Chancellor's rationale, would not be detrimental to public schools since the Chancellor would not have to dip into the financial reserves of public schools to fund them.

In light of the clash of ideologies between the Mayor and Dr. Crew, one student asked the Chancellor if his possible threat of resignation would mean seeing his name in the next mayoral race. Amidst the laughter in the room he answered, "Everyone take careful note. No. Absolutely without a doubtno."

The surplus of $250 million from the Board of Education's four billion dollar budget was something that Dr. Crew stated should be thought of as "dollars that people have saved." He stressed that it should not be hastily spent, but kept for future use. One student, originally from Ethiopia, questioned the Chancellor on how the academically tougher English Regents would affect immigrant students. "We will seek intensive assistance for these students, "answered Dr. Crew. "And if youngsters have problems passing, we will put some of the surplus into a summer program."

Posing a question that visibly moved the Chancellor, one student asked whether or not Dr. Crew believed that a genuine sense of school spirit was needed if a public high school was to be successful. He went on to relate that his high school, which is located in the same building as another high school, was looked upon as not a true part of that community by not only the other inhabitants of the building, but also by its own students. Dr. Crew immediately stated his empathy with the student's ¥iews and scheduled a visit to the school. "Are you involved in any sports? " asked Dr. Crew. When the boy responded·that he was a point guard for his basketball team, the Chancellor responded, "Well I hope to see us on the court. .. [ when I visit your school] for a little bit soon."

Another student related that her school had neither a sign on the building's front stating its name, nor a flag. The Chancellor immediately answered, "You will have sign and you will have a flag." After the cameras were shut off and the conference concluded, the Chancellor, along with his assistants, took down names of schools that the Chancellor had promised to visit.

8

The Classic Apri11999

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by Rebecca Munoz Walking into school, you recall how you got only five hours of sleep the night before but think, "It' 11 be worth it because I know I'll ace this test." Later that day someone hands you a list of letters and tells you that he's got all the answers. Unsure of what to do, you place the paper in your pocket.

Ten minutes later, sitting in the middle of the classroom, you are faced with the temptation to "check" your answers. Do you reach for that paper?

According to a survey of 250 students conducted by The Classic in January, 58 percent of Harrisites polled view cheating as a major problem in Townsend Harris. Fifty percent estimate that "most" students cheat on tests, 28 percent estimate that "some" students cheat on tests, I 0 percent estimate that "all" of the student body cheats on tests. Sixty seven percent estimate that "most"

students copy homework and the rest of the students surveyed believed that either "all" or "some" students copied home-

work.

Comparing the student body's estimations to reality as revealed

by the survey, students' assump- these statistics, 71 percent of the tions are not far from target. Fifty student body feels it is morally seven percent of all the wrong to cheat, ;1lthough 71 perHarrisites polled admit to hav- cent of students do not view copying copied a classmate's an- ing homework as a form of cheatswers at least once during a . ing. test and 95 percent say they Only 4 percent frequently copy have copied a classmate's a classmate's answers during a test, homework. In ad- but 43 percent do this occasionally. dition, 40 per- Fourteen percent frequently obtain cent ad- information about an exam before mit they it is administered and 52 percent have ob- occasionally obtain information. tained As for the 95 percent of students questions who copy homework, 41 percent or a say they do so "occasionally" and copy 30 percent "sometimes" do so.

A comparison of these results to those of a poll of 470 students conducted by The Classic in April, 1992, reveals that the problem has worsened. Like the 50 percent who estimate that "most" students cheat on tests and the 67 percent who estimate that "most" students copy homework in 1999,66% beof an exam before it was adminis- lieved that the student body "entered and 31 percent have used a gages in some sort of cheating" in cheat sheet during a test. Despite 1992. But six years ago, cheating

wasn't as severe as assumed Harrisites, when 70 percent adn ted to copying homework, 22 f cent admitted to "sometime cheating on a test and only 6 f cent admitted to "often" cheat on a test.

Students and experts have fered many suggestions as to "' they feel students cheat. Acco ing to Christine Dentemaro ~ Rachel Kranz, authors of Strai, Talk About Student Life, "Stude tend to feel anxiety right before c ams, especially when they are 1 der a lot of pressure from outs sources. This is why many s dents resort to cheating." The pressures may come from higl competitive environments such the one at Townsend Harris. "1 cheat because we have too mu work, too many tests on the sa1 day and you can't study for eve1 thing," said an 11th grade fema "Pressure" from parents, teachc and oneself was a frequen t 1 sponse to the question, "Why you feel students cheat?" 0

Problems of plagiarism grow with Internet

by Carol Pruss In academic life, the opportunity and temptation to plagiarize is always there. Plagiarism has become a rising problem in the 90s, "the decade of the future," mostly due to better resource availability on the Internet. It_occurs in Townsend Harris, as well as in most other high schools and universities.

According to the Townsend Harris Guide to Conducting Research, "Plagiarism is taking someone else's work and passing it off as one's own." Plagiarism is illegal, and the only way to avoid it is to completely cite one's sources.

"Penalties for engaging in it," the guidebook warns, "are severe, including students being expelled from college and professionals losing their jobs. At Townsend Harris, it can result in failing an assignment, failing a course, and in some cases, suspension."

Results of a survey of 250 students (approximately one quarter of the student body) taken last January show the approximate percentages of students who admit to plagiarizing. Seventy-five percent senior males, 45% senior females, 70% junior males, 60% junior females, 42% sophomore males, 60% sophomore females, 50% freshman males, and 45% freshman females said they sometimes or often use someone else's words in a paper without giving credit to the author.

The survey also showed that the majority of those polled feel that copying someone else's homework is not plagiarizing. Many teachers

agree that if one has permission to copy someone else's homework, it would technically not be plagiarizing, but it would definitely be cheating.

Much of plagiarism these days comes from websites selling term papers on the Internet. "Students may be taking more of a risk than they realize by cheating electronically," says New York Times reporter Ian Zack (9/16/98). "Some teachers routinely search the Internet when information in a term paper seems suspicious." While no students have been caught submitting a paper from one of the so-called paper mills, many do use material from the Internet. If this material is used without citation, this constitutes plagiarism_ English teacher lisa Cowen says. that it isn't hard to differentiate between the student's own writing and _that of an outside source. 路"One picks up a general Cliffs Notes or encyclopedia writing style,'' she explained. According to the Harris survey, of the people who admit to having plagiarized, 16% have been caught at one point. The reported consequences ranged from getting a warning and a lower mark to failing the assignment and perhaps

and meet your potential; if you plahaving to re-do the work.

When a student is caught, it is giarize, you're not accomplishing first established whether the pla- these goals,'' says Mr. Stonehill. giarism was intentional or inad- English teacher Debra Michlewitz vertent, and the proper actions are compares plagiarism to someone taken. Ms. Cowen said that the taking your photograph and putpenalties imposed on an older stu- ting his or her name on it. "[Pladent would be harsher than those giarism] is passing off someone's on a freshman because the older identity as your own,'' she says.

"I don't think students understudent should know better.

Social studies teacher Adam stand the gravity of plagiarism as Stonehill says that if a plagiarism an academic crime; they have to case comes up, he first in- realize the seriousness," said Ms. forms the student that he 路 Michlewitz. She says that there is suspected of pla- aren't "a lot" of plagiarism cases giarism, and it in Townsend Harris, but since so will either affect much time is spent on teaching stuthe student's dents not to do it, "I get upset if grade or the even one case [of plagiarism] case will be arises."

Some educators argue that plahanded over to the department if giarism may not always be totally the assignment is the fault of the student. Mr. Zack quotes Tom Rocklin, a professor big enough.

Dean Wanda at the University of Iowa, as say.Nix says that most ing that "some teachers unwitplagiarism tingly encourage students to cheat cases are by giving broad general-knowlhandled edge assignments or by scheduling large projects at the end of a semester that students must scramble to finish." Mr. Rocklin advises teachers to tightly tie the assignments to what is currently being done in class and to require outlines and rough drafts for papers so they can see a student's work in progress. It is a common within the Humanities department and practice in the senior Humanities they rarely get referred to her. seminar to require students to hand However, once a case is referred, in first drafts of papers.

Many students consider plagiait is "full scale plagiarism" and automatic suspension and possible rism a major offense. Typical comprobation come into play. "The ments from those who say they've goal of education is for you to learn never plagiarized included, "I am

completely against it"; "it's bac "it's worng"; or "it's unacce1 able." "I feel it's detrimental tot original author, and unfair to t copier if he gets away with it," sa a female senior. Another fem2 senior, who said she would I "very upset if someone used n work as if it were their own ai received credit for it,'' believ "it's common courtesy to ackno'>' edge the person who originated tl idea."

Some of those polled, howevt declared plagiarism to be a way saving time, "making life a who lot easier," as one student put and some said it is "unavoidable "I can see why people do it sine this school gives them so much do and there are just too little hou in the day to get everything done said a sophomore female. "Imit tion is the sincerest form of fla tery," said a junior female.

Harris teachers are present! working on limiting plagiarism t devoting m~re class time to i1 forming students how to avoid i One method in use is collectin students' note cards for researc papers. "There is a whole sectic devoted to plagiarism in T h Townsend Harris Guide to Cm ducting Research," said Englis teacher Victoria Adler.

"Teachers have done everythin they can to stop plagiarism. No路 it's up to the student and no or else,'' said a sophomore female.

Source: Zack, Ian. "The Latest Vice: ComputerAssisted Cheating." New York Times I Sept. 1998. New York Times Online <http://www.nytimes.com/library/tecl 98/09/bi ztechlarticles/>.

The Classic

April1999

9

it's wron·g, but do it anyway sophomore, male, wrote, "Lazy or heavily on test grades that students not, there is simply not enough are allowed to excel by mastering time to do everything expected of cheating techniques rather than through hard work." Mr. Weiss us."

Dean Wanda Nix said, "It's agreed and said, "I know its diffimore of a self-esteem issue than cult, but I wish students would see anything else. When people are school as a place to learn and not comfortable with the fact that they as a place to get grades. Placing are not always going to be won- an emphasis on grades produces an derful, they begin to accept bad environment in which students grades because they are reassured tend to cheat and this school is one by the fact that those grades are in which the emphasis is on their own. In many cases, the fear grades." However, English teacher of getting caught does not out- Victoria Adler said, "My impresweigh the fear of not succeeding." sion is that in this type of school, Physics teacher Craig Weiss students are so competitive for agreed and said, "I think cheating grades that they often don't want shows a lack of respect for the self to divulge information, but I am and it's a sign of lower self-es- · sure some of them do." teem."

Recent nationwide studies reJunior Alejandro Fernandez veal that cheating is prevalent in said, "Taking unfair advantage high schools and universities over peers shows both disrespect across the country. A 1995 surfor others and a blatant disregard vey conducted by Who's Who for morality. Moreover, it shows Among American High School the faults of a system that relies so Students questioned more than

Have ) ou ever..

Do

)OU ...

/

3,000 students aged 16 to 18. The study showed that 89 percent said cheating was common in their schools, while 78 percent admitted cheating and 44 percent named competition for good grades as the reason.

Some teachers already take a multitude of preventative measures to reduce the amount of cheating in their classrooms. Mr. Weiss gives multiple versions of tests, changes his tests from year to year and "remind[s] students of the consequences of cheating as they are taking the test." Although he admitted that it is much more work for him, he said, "I was raised that a job worth doing is a job worth doing well and this is what has to be done." Ms. Adler numbers the copies of her tests so none can walk out of the classroom with a student and she gives different versions of tests to different bands. Also, a preventative measure for Humani-

ties teachers is to administer exams in the form of essays which test what students know without lending themselves to cheating.

As for the 42 percent who do not see cheating as a major problem in Townsend Harris, 29 percent indicated they did not view cheating as immoral. An 11th grade female wrote, "Cheating is merely sharing information and it's a small method of revolting against the feebly-financed school system that thinks this is 'education."' A 12th grade male wrote, "There are many benefits from cheating, so I do not see it as a problem."

However, more frequent responses were ones of disapproval towards cheating. "Cheating disgraces our school," wrote one tenth grade male. Many students reprimanded their peers as well. One junior male wrote, "It always bothers me that cheaters have a mentality that as long as they get away

copied a classmate's answers during a test?

57

43

obtained information about an exam before it was administered?

80

20

obtained questions or a copy of an exam before it was administered?

40

60

used a cheat sheet during a test?

31

69

copied a classmate's homework?

95

5

consider copying homework a form of cheating?

29

71

believe it is morally wrong to cheat?

71

29

58

42

~--------------------------------------------view cheating as a major problem in Townsend Harris?

with it, there is no problem."

Another junior male wrote, "Students in this school seem so scared of doing poorly that they use cheating as a way to ensure their success; however, that still doesn't make it right."

An 11th grade female wrote, "Cheating is a survival skill, born of desperation and occasionally of laziness and sloth."

Many students who don't cheat cannot sympathize with those who do. "I am personally offended when I see students copying answers off my paper on a test," writes one 11th grade female. She concludes, however, "Copying homework is acceptable because sometimes it is necessary to sleep."

Sources: Dentemaro, Christine and Rachel Kranz.

Straight Talk About Student Life. New York: Facts on File, 1998.; Stern, Michael.

"Universities Find a Sharp Rise in Computer-Aided Cheating." New York Times .

23 Sep. 1998, B 11.

The Odyssey The Scarlet Letter

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

l=most frequently osed

Book notes lure reluctant readers

by Lauren Paley You're more lost than Odysseus, and the only Scarlet Letter you care about is the "F" you're expecting on your next English paper. After all, you would rather have A Midsummer Night's Dream than read it. To avoid what may potentially turn into a Coleridgesque fate worse than death, you, like many Townsend Harris students, may have chosen the aid of one of four less authentic and considerably shorter versions of the classics: Barrons, Blooms, Cliffs or Monarch book notes.

In a survey given to 212 Townsend Harris students this April, 85% said they had used some form of book notes, either off the Internet or off the book shelf, while studying literature in the high school English curriculum.

Lack of time and a need for outside interpretations were among reasons offered for their use. However, the most common explanation was that students simply did not understand the book. "It's obviously a short cut," one sophomore female wrote in the poll.

"Cliffs Notes are much shorter and spell everything out for you. It should be used only for confirmation if something is misunderstood."

Although book notes are commonly referred to as "study guides," many teachers in the Humanities department worry that students don't take time to read and analyze works on their own, relying too heavily on companies such as Cliffs which say they "help you learn faster." Still, Cliffs offers this advice on its web page: "As a general rule, always carry Cliffs Notes IN ADDITION to the book, not INSTEAD OF the book. This way the assumption is made that you've read every single word of both the book and the Cliffs Notes, which is a good thing no matter who you talk to ."

Eleven percent of students said they actually used the notes as a substitute for a book, while 25% said they had used them as either a substitute or study aid at different times, and 63% said they used the notes purely for studying purposes, along with the book.

Lynne Greenfield, Assistant Principal of Humanities, stresses that it's a department policy to ask students not to use book notes at · 17 _ all. "You chea~ 1 yourself out .· VZ, . of not only the w~rk in questiOn," said Ms. Greenfield,

. . ;;--!:..' •

:.:l ·~

·

.

l -~

.-

.

..__rt_

41~ "but learning to really read and enjoy other books. Book notes re-

duce the act of reading from an intellectual and emotional experience to a mechanical and pedestrian operation."

Sixty-one percent of Harrisites say they do not see the use of book notes as a manner of cheating.

"These books mostly give a summary and [the] majority of the questions in class are interpretative," explained a female senior.

Meanwhile, a male senior wrote, "You're still doing the homework and passing the test; who cares if you read the book?"

Of all the grades, the senior class had the highest percentage of book notes users with 91%. The freshman class had the smallest number with 69%. Humanities seminar teachers say book notes have been a problem with the college credit course in the past. In this case, cheating usually takes the form of plagiarism in essays, which, according to the Code of Behavior, is punishable by suspen-

sion. "[Plagiarism] is up there with murder, arson and genocide," said Ms. Greenfield. As a precaution, many teachers have drawers filled with book notes, which they will consult when papers seem "familiar" or unoriginal.

Among all the works read in a four year period at Townsend Harris High School, A Tale of Two Cities was listed as the book for which most needed book notes. The most popular brand of book notes was the original Cliffs Notes version, closely followed by Monarch Notes.

"I've failed many Cliffs Notes," said Mr. Carbone of those students who have only read book notes in his class. Yet, he adds that Cliffs may be a useful tool if used properly: "After the book is read, it is good because it offers a different interpretation."

However, fellow English teacher Judy Biener is completely against the use of a study guide: "It keeps [you] from exercising [the] brain," she said. "Ask me questions. They pay me all this money to help you."

10

The Classic

April1999

i~~~~~--~~--~--~--~---~~----~J .~ '

Exploring drug culture, survey probes media;

by Annette Orzechowski A part of American popular culture since the 1960's, drug usage continues to hold a place in the music, film, art, and fashion industries. A symbol of rebellion and escape for America's youth, drug usage has survived close medical scrutiny and social condemnation to reincarnate itself in almost every decade from the 1960's to the 1990's. Today, the danger of these addictive substances is written clearly in medical journals and stressed in health education classrooms all over the country, but still, drugs hold a place in society that is evident in the most established forums of cultural expression. • A rise in heroin use, along

with other drugs considered "party drugs," such as speed and ecstasy, is reflected in today's film and fashion industries. In May of 1997, President Bill Clinton lashed out against the "Heroin Chic" look, an image manufactured by photographer David Sorrenti, who himself died of a heroin overdose in 1997, for a string of fashion ads for designer Calvin Klein.

The ads portrayed gaunt models who looked as if they were drug addicts. "You do not need to glamorize addiction to sell clothes," were President Clinton's sentiments on the fashion industry's depiction of drug usage (New York Times, 51 21198).

Though use of these

"heavier" drugs is alive in society, among high school students marijuana is still the most popular drug of choice, after alcohol. Various surveys conducted in high schools across the nation are sending out mixed messages. Though it is reported that the average age of the typical teenager experimenting with the drug for the first time has dropped from 17.8 in 1987 to 13.5 in 1996, many findings show that fewer than one in four high school seniors are currently marijuana users and that most high school students will never experiment with the drug.

In a Classic school-wide survey, entitled "What Impact Does America's Drug Culture

Have On Your Life?," over half having used the drug and a the student body was polled on similar response was found various aspects of 90's drug within the sophomore male culture. From a total of 641 stu- population, with 57 out of 67 dents participating, the Classic sophomore males polled stating learned that out of 54 male se- they have never used the drug. niors, 23 experimented with the Out of 134 sophomore girls takdrug. The male seniors repre- ing this survey, 122 stated that sented the closest margin be- , they have not experimented, tween users and non-users in and two out of 24 freshmen the four grades. Out of 82 se- males checked that, yes, they nior females who participated had used marijuana. The female in the survey, 58 responded that freshman population had the they have never used mari- least marijuana usage, with one juana. As the age of the partici- out of 60 freshman girls havpants in the survey decreased, ing experimented.

"Students may be so did the numbers of marijuana users. Among the 156 smarter. .. [at Harris] but they're junior girls taking the survey, still adolescents," said 28 responding that they have Stephanie Epstein, student experimented. From the 64 jun- counselor and coordinator of ior males polled, 14 admitted to the SPARK anti~drug program.

Ecstasy use reaches new high in America

by Debbie Gopstein Have you ever heard of E? Have you ever seen someone on X? Have you ever taken a hit of ecstasy? Ecstasy, an illegal drug commonly known as E or X, is used by many teens across America. Although Ecstasy was created in laboratories nearly 15 years ago, it has only recently gained popularity.

Lately, taking Ecstasy has become a trend at clubs and raves, and is even seen on television programs. This trend is also starting to emerge in Queens high schools, including Townsend Harris.

According to a Townsend Harris poll of 250 students, less than 10% of Harrisi tes surveyed say they have actually tried Ecstasy.

However, SPARK counselor Stephanie Epstein believes that this number is much higher because some students are not truthful when responding to polls.

Though only a small number of .students admit to having tried Ecstasy, 98% say they have heard some sort of information about this drug and can easily. obtain it. These results were surprising considering that only 13% of Harrisites actually know what this drug is made up of. If this drug is so mysterious, why are so many teens abusing it?

Unlike most Harrisites, many people will take this drug without thinking. Users are aware of the high euphoric ef-

feet, but are they aware of the after-effects? Are they aware of the dangers of taking this hallucinogen? · Ecstasy is chemically known as 4,4 - methlenedioxy metamphetamine or MDMA. MDMA is an illegal drug and has no accepted medical use. It is a designer or synthetically made drug, which is produced in "underground" laboratories.

Ecstasy is a psychoactive hallucinogen that is taken orally as a pill. Each "hit" costs approximately $25.

Among the Harrisities sur- .

veyed, 38% of students thought ecstasy was a mix of heroin, speed, ·and cocaine, and 37% thought Ecstasy was a mix of LSD and other unidentified substances. Though these answers were not correct, they were not completely wrong either. About 50% of Ecstasy sold on the streets is not real Ecstasy. · Some tablets contain LSD, amphetamines, and Ketamine. Others contain no drug content whatsoever. "This

is one of the reasons I would never try Ecstasy," said an anonymous senior. "Even if all my friends are doing it, you never know what your hit is going to contain."

After swallowing a pill of Ecstasy, the user will feel its effects within 20 to 60 minutes.

Ecstasy enters the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body and the brain. Once "high," the user experiences intensified moods, which can lead to rushes of euphoria, confidence, and energy. "When I am onEcstasy, I feel no worries," said a junior who uses . E<;:stasy "on the weekends."

Some users say that Ecstasy makes you feel more outgoing. Ecstasy also heightens the body's senses.

Although Ecstasy might induce a euphoric high, it is not risk-free and may cause "bad trips" as well.

Some users reporting feelings of nausea, dehydration, sweating, hyperventilation, paranoia, anxiety and confusion. Ecstasy affects the central nervous system and increases the heartbeat, blood pressure and body temperature. When users come down from Ecstasy, they may experience insomnia, Joss of appetite and depression. These effects can last for several weeks. In less frequent cases, long-time users may suffer from liver or kidney damage and psychosis. "Ecstasy also becomes a problem in the area of socializing. Many people become dependent on the drug for social environments. The drug might inhibit or relax a person's behavior," said Ms. Epstein.

Health Education teacher Ellen Schwartz has personal experience with Ecstasy - her

daughter's friend died from an overdose of herbal Ecstasy last year. She openly offers simple advice for anyone who is considering "tripping on Ecstasy": "Don't do it," she says. "Like any drug, Ecstasy has the potential to do harm to your body.

Also this drug has not been FDA approved and may contain anything."

Sources:Alvergue, Anne. Ecstasy: The Danger of False Euphoria. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 1998; Verebey, K. Ph.D., Alrazi. J., Jaffe, J. MD. ( 1998, March 10). "The Complications of Ecstasy" lAMA, 259: 1649-1650.

SA·D D responds to death in Manhattan night club

by Lauren Amorillo To broadt}n its relevance to the li:ves of Harris students, the school's chapter of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) has revised its name to Students Against Destructive Decisions. Under the advisement of Stephanie Epstein• who also beads SPARK, the soheol's anti-clrug pmgram, the club's new focus extends beyond the dangers of drinking and driving to any and atl hazardous situations.

One of SADD's ftrst'<)tde11s of business after their re-naming was to addr~ss a death at a Manhattan club, The Tunnel, where an unaer-aged male overdosed on Ecstasy a few months ago. According to newspaper articles, the young man died because of severe dehydration, which is induced

by Ecstasy use. The Tunnel was 'rep0rtedly se1tling bottled water for five dollars. SADD members have met last month to compose a letter of Gutrag.e to send the club. The entire group has signed their names to the letter, which reads: To the Management 0f The Tunnel: We recently heard about the disturbing incident that took place ln you club a jew months ago in which a young man was allowed to overdose on ecstasy. This tragedy tore a, family apart and wiped out a young life that seemed to have a promising future.

We are aware that whi'le you may not he able to control drug use in your club, you do exploit it. It is well known that ecstasy use causes dehydration. The Tunnel charges five dollars for a bottle of water- a ridiculous high price, especiallyfer someone who just spent all his I her money on drugs.

Granted, it is very difficult to control every substance that enters a crowded club. However, we are sure that greate,r attention could be paid to under-aged .customers, such as the young student who died. Drug use can be spotted and if your staff would pay more attention t?J its prevention, regretful incidents such as this one may be averted in the future.

In conclusion, as outraged Students Against Destructive Decisions, we take it upon ourselves to boycott your club and encourage our friends to do the same.

The Classic

11

Apri11999

questions factors leading to teen drug use Ms. Epstein said that one of the reasons drugs are becoming more acceptable among teenagers is the fact that their parents were themselves children of the 60's. "Another reason I would give .. .is that teenagers don't consider it a drug." "Adolescents learn to use it as a social drug and then can't interact without it. They simply don't learn proper social skills," believes Ms. Epstein.

The survey, given to random classes, was constructed with the intent to examine the factors that affect a student's decision on whether to experiment with marijuana. In the group of students who had ex perimen ted, peer pressure played the larger role in a female's decision to experiment, especially in the 11th and 12th grades.

Curiosity acted as the predorninant factor in a male's decision to experiment. (The frequency of marijuana use was not specifically asked.)

Forty-eight percent of student s participating in the survey have engaged in conversations about the issue of drugs with their parents, while 49 percent believe that Townsend Harris does not offer an adequate drug education program. · · runs counter The latter statistic to the sentiment expressed in a letter received by the Classic which claims that the school

Epstein

has "drilled" the dangers of drugs "into students' heads" (see p.2). Townsend Harris, as part of its curriculum, mandates that all students take a health course in either their sophomore or junior years. According to health teacher Ellen Schwartz, "The health classes spend a great deal of time talking about alcohol, ... stimulants and depressants, ... and, in adclition, narcotics, hallucinogens, and designer drugs."

"We also spend time discussing the pros and cons of legalizing drugs," she added.

Ninety-seven percent believe that marijuana should not be legalized, including most students who have experimented with the drug.

In a free response question, the reasons given by those who had experimented with marijuana were diverse. According to one senior female, "When I used to do drugs, it was to feel good when everything else felt bad ... school and just life in gen· era!. Schoo1 IS way too hard on us which gives us a need for escape and rebellion." An 11th grade male cited another reason ~ h ki ..

10f is smo ng manJuana. "It helps me creatively in my music and in my writing," he wrote. . .

A questiOn probmg to what extent the film industry por- . trayed drugs in their depiction

ai~ms

by Danielle Lord One of SPARK counselor Stephanie Epstein's most unusual cases counseling people was "this woman who was about 30 years old and lived in an adult psychiatric home. I walked into her room and she was screaming that someone was in the smoke detector watching her," she said. "So, I told her that I was an expert on smoke detectors and climbed up to take a look. Even though I had no idea what I was doing, I opened it up and said, 'Don't worry, they're not watching you now.' And the woman said, with great relief, 'Oh, thank God! You saved me!'"

Now, instead of working with patients in psychiatric homes, Ms. Epstein has returned to her old high school to help counsel students through the new SPARK program. The SPARK program, originally a drug abuse counseling program, has evolved into a "prevention, intervention program" to help students "in any sort of personal or family problem," said Ms. Epstein.

SPARK, a federally-run

of teenage life asked students specifically how many of the last five films they viewed contained scenes of adolescent drug usage. Grades nine and ten responded with, on average, two. Grades 11-12 responded, on average, with four or five.

When asked whether drug culture has made a strong comeback in the 90's, many responded that it has been a constant fixture in society, while others, such as one 12th grade male, believe that, "drug usage has gone up this decade and this definitely indicates a certain degree of detachment with which users view drugs."

Feelings on the media's impact on teen drug usage elicited various responses. Though all of the students were able to name people in the music or film industries who had died from drug abuse, the most popular being musicians Jimmy Hendrix, Janice Joplin, and actor River Phoenix, 98% stated that, no, they would not be encouraged to use drugs 1'f a favorite film persona engaged in drug usage on or off film.

When asked where student · d h d . d' users tne t e rug, most m 1cated that it was in a social atmosphere, such as at a party or · · of students a c1ub . A maJonty .. that were users of mariJuana also checked that they had experimented with other drugs.

An 11th grade female stated that she took drugs to "party with my friends; be part of the club scene, to stay thin, to pass the time faster, and to forget about worries." Another 11th grade female stated, "I wanted to see for myself what it does to find out why it was so 'popular.' I found out that it's not as great as everyone makes it to be."

Marijuana has over 200 slang terms, among the most popular being pot, herb, weed, grass, boom, Mary Jane, or chronic. Sinsemilla, hashish, and hash oil are stronger forms of this drug. All forms are mind-altering, but potency has increased from the 1970's. According to Encarta Encyclopedia, there are a myriad psychological and physical effects associated with marijuana. Users commonly feel relaxed or high and may feel very thirsty and hungry. Sudden mood changes, altered perceptions of time, space and bodily dimensions, · . pamc, . anxiety . con fuston, pam, attacks, fear, and loss of selfcontrol are also included in the spectrum of effects.

L f" . ong-term e 1ects may melude cancer. This fact is disputed, but it is known that mari· · d f h JUana IS compose o t e same, and even more, of cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke. According to the Na-

tional Clearinghouse on Alcohoi and Drug Information, "a person who smokes five joints per week may be taking in as many cancer-causing chemicals as someone who smokes a full pack of cigarettes each day."

Marijuana usage destroys the lungs and airways, and may damage tissue and immune cells that fight off disease.

According to one 11th grade male, "I hear about the effects of marijuana in my health class, and on public service commercials on the TV, but, at the same time I hear kids making side comments about the great high that you can get through marijuana, and the same TV teaches me how to use drugs. Because ofTV, I know that...[ drugs] can destroy me, but because of TV, I know how to snort coke, shoot up, and how to use inhalants.

Will I try some drugs? I still don't know."

Sources:Wren, Christopher s .

"Drugged Look in Fashion Ads MAngers C linAto n ·."NNew York Times 21 ay 199 8 . 2 2 , IDA Home Page.

"Marijuana:Facts for Teens."

Online.<http://www.nida.nih.gov/ MarijBroch!MarijTeenstxt.html>.l9 MApril 19 fi99 ; ' 'M ~A'juCanDEa,'H'Encarta.

1croso t. , orne Page.

"Youth and Marijuana: What Every Parent Needs to Know."

Online.<http://www.acde.org/ parents.html>.l9 April 1999·• f Q. . H P "T mmon orne age. urns o Phase:HerQin Chic." Online.<http:// www.quinion.demon.co.uklwords/ tumsofphrase/tp-herl.htm>.

1 9 93

to spark balan.ced lives

agency, is contracted by the Board of Education to provide counseling services for students. "Many years ago, the letters SPARK did stand for something," Ms. Epstein says, "but no one can remember what!"

The SPARK room, 116, is open to students "any time the door's open," said Ms.Epstein.

However, since it can get busy at times, an appointment is a good idea. Appointments are available Monday to Friday, 7:30A.M. - 3:00P.M. Reflecting back on her own student days, Ms. Epstein remembers a Townsend Harris that was "less competitive and stressful than it is today." She believes that "students need to keep a balance in their lives; there's more to life than academics." Ms. Epstein is also amazed at the school's increased prestige; "When I was here, no one had ever heard of Townsend Harris High School, but now I have students who say they've wanted to come here since they were five years old," she said.

Many other things have changed since Ms. Epstein at-

tended Townsend Harris.

There were no senior or junior trips, but there was a schoolwide skiing trip and a sophomore trip to a dude ranch. As for the seniors, "it was almost as if the senior class didn't exist at Townsend Harris because all the seniors spent their time at Queens College and hardly ever came into the building," she recalls. "There's a lot more courses and opportunities offered now, too: the radio station, weight room, Broadcast Journalism."

When Ms. Epstein was a student, entrance to Harris required an essay and follow-up interview. She remembers writing her essay on peer pressure.

"I wrote about choosing not to smoke; it just wasn't who I was."

As a student, Ms. Epstein was a member of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) and now she is the club's advisor. In high school, Ms. Epstein also wrote sports articles for The Classic, and she was the manager of the volleyball team and a member of the softball team. "I was really bad

at softball, but I tried really hard, so on awards night they made me the 'Most Dedicated Player,"' she revealed.

In addition to working at Townsend Harris, Ms. Epstein has a part-time job at a community drug and alcohol agency called "People." She works two days a week with "children and adolescents who have someone close to them who abuses alcohol or drugs," she said.

After attending college in up-state New York, Ms. Epstein held a variety of jobs. As a case management worker, she worked with patients ages 5 to 60.

"One little boy got mad and started throwing Legos at me," she said. "Then there was the client who smoked marijuana during counseling, in violation of his p~obation. He said that he had mob connections and that they'd kill me if I told on him. Actually, he was one of my success stories, because he did quit smoking marijuana later on."

A favorite fourth grade teacher, Dr. Alison Bright, is one of the people Ms. Epstein

credits with greatly influencing her life and her career choice.

"She told me that I should 'just be the best that you can be.'

I've followed her advice ever since," she said.

Ms. Epstein says that if she had enough time and money, she would love to travel more.

She hopes to tour the United States, as well as visit Europe for a second time. Ms. Epstein's dream vacation is visiting the Greek Islands. "I've heard they're absolutely beautiful," she says.

An avid book reader, Ms. Epstein says she loves t<J read "just about anything- if I have any free time." She also enjoys going out to dinner and trying new foods, and loves watching romantic comedies like When Harry Met Sally. Her handsdown favorite television program is Friends, a show which she "relates to very well" and she also enjoys Little House on the Prairie.

Working at Townsend Harris is enjoyable, says Ms. Epstein, because "the students are very verbal and show a lot of insight."

12

The Classic April1999

Greenfield confronts past through visit to Germany

by Bosede Adenekan

A deserted concentration camp, now transformed into a historic museum, and the once gigantic Berlin Wall, now standing barely 20 feet tall, were among the sights seen by Lynne Greenfield, Assistant Principal of Humanities, on a recent educators' trip to Germany.

Ms. Greenfield and other public school teachers, two from each borough of New York, were invited by Armok, a program affiliated with the Board of Education, to visit Germany. From February 6-20, Ms . Greenfield traveled to Nurenberg, Bonn, Cologne, Dresden, Berlin, and Frankfurt, meeting such people as German businessmen and teachers.

"It was an exciting opportunity to discuss political and hu-

are two of everything in Berlin: two art museums, two concert halls," said Ms. Greenfield.

Still, reminders of the past remain. Sachsenhausen, the first and only concentration camp in Germany, is now a museum, which allows tourists to get a first-hand account of history. "It was very moving and difficult for me, since in my heritage, as a Jew, I have negative associations with Germany," said Ms. Greenfield.

She recalled shedding some tears when passing barracks and ovens in the museum.

Germany is taking steps to alleviate the pain of the past, according to Ms. Greenfield.

Children are taught about human rights and the Holocaust, she said. "I am very impressed with the attitudes of the young people; they feel that history

Standing in front of Charlottes burg Royal Castle in Dresden, Germany, Assistant Principal of Humanities Lynne Greenfield and social studies teacher of Edward R. Murrow High School, Aimee Horowitz Mizrachi, marvel at the surrounding statues of Bacchus, the god of wine.

manitarian issues," said Ms. Greenfield. She met a member of the German parliament, Christian Schmith, who explained the country's multiparty system. Besides having a parliamentary government like the British, Germany has a school system which also resembles that of Britain. It has mandatory requirements, including a test that directs students to a particular course of study at the early age of 14. "I prefer the American system.

Students have more input in what they do and more time to grow up and make decisions," said Ms. Greenfield, "There are more options, too."

Germany is in the process of rebuilding and unifying itself.

With the Berlin Wall now practically invisible, East and West Germany are combining their resources. "A funny result of the reunification is that there

will not repeat itself, and that is reassuring," she said.

Walking through the streets of Germany, Ms. Greenfield encountered some surprises.

"The young people had multicolored hair and nose rings; there were rings everywhere," she said. The cities were extremely clean, and "people adhered to laws more there," she said. She also noticed that in schools, as well as elsewhere, recycling was not a problem, and "they seemed to have care and concern for the environment."

"It's important to look at modern Germany," said Ms. Greenfield, praising its burgeoning interest in human rights, education and environmental conservation.

On a lighter note, Ms. Greenfield also complimented Germany's jelly donuts and beer.

Adventurer Leib explores Amazonia

by Afton BatT

People do not watch television Alaska, Egypt, Israel, Syria, Chirping birds and screech- and children do not go to and Jordan. From Alaska, she ing monkeys surrounded his- school. There is extreme pov- brought back an Inuit mask. In tory teacher Nancy Leib as she erty in Caracas, the city where her home sits a 3-foot sculpture lay sleeping in her bungalow in she first arrived. "People have of a female native of New the middle of a jungle. homes in the hills, and these Guinea wearing a grass skirt.

With her traveling Ecotour people, usually immigrants Ms. Leib hopes to bring what Naturalist group, Ms. Leib vis- from other countries in South she has learned from Venezuited much of Amazonia, Venezuela, from February 13- 21.

Ms. Leib explored the plains and the jungles of Amazonia.

She hiked by the beach and the isolated plantations of the area, and listened to the sounds of the forest. Ms. Leib remembered seeing a Lear's maccaw, which is "a large parrot with beautiful reds and blues and greens," and she was so inspired by this bird that she bought a wooden Far from being shy, Amazonian native children, mostly clad in trousers, were eager to sculpture of a maccaw mingle with Nancy Leib, history teacher, when she visited the Venezuelan rainforest. as a souvenir.

Though she experienced some interaction with the America, don't pay taxes," said ela into the classroom by comindigenous Indians, it was lim- Ms. Leib. "The crime there is paring its traditional economic ited. "The adults were afraid to worse than New York," she system to the modern one of the come out; only the kids came, added.

United States. but they didn't speak English," "I enjoy meeting new Ms. Leib has an extensive she said. collection of objects from all people, experiencing other Life is very traditional in the places she has traveled. "I ways of life, and seeing a difVenezuela, according to Ms. usually like to bring back things ferent perspective on things," Leib. People live in huts rather I've seen," she said. Ms. Leib said Ms. Leib, who plans to than in the high-tech houses has visited all seven continents, continue traveling to new commonly seen in the United including such places as Japan, places. "I like to observe how States. Little emphasis is Tahiti, Australia, the Arctic, the things were before and how placed on material objects. Antarctic, Honduras, Canada, they have changed," she said.

Brief'ly R.oushan Rahman was selected by Creative Communication Inc. to have her poetry published in the 1999 anthology Celebrate! New

Yorks Young Poets Speak Out. Roushan also won a summer scholarship to the program of her choice in the Polons,k y Brothers Foundation's Project Epic contest.

Senior Karen Gluck was selected as a National Merit Scholar and won a $2,000 scholarship. Fellow seniors Leslie Giegerich, Marissa Lee, Brian Ma,niscalco, Rebecca Silver, Scott Stein, and Peter Venech were all chosen as National Merit Finalists.

Juniors Sara Beth Buchalski, Re6ecca Munoz, Eva Raj, and Tashia Raymond were selected as winners of the 1999 Barnard College/CBS Essay Contest.

Juni0r Esther Lin also de-

serves special recognition for winning fourth place and $200.

Michael Pasinkoff, senior, placed first in Division I and II, and in the Under-19 fencing competitions in the Long Island Division of the United States Fencing Association.

First-place winners in last month's New York History Day Fair Dana Rossein and Marcia Regen, sophomores, are being inducted intothe Society of Student Historians at the Museum of the City of New York.

Harrisites' scores on the PSAT have earned them many honors. Juniors Karen DeVita, Alejandro Fernandez, and Vanessa Ma:tsis are semi-finalists in the National Hispanic Recognition Program; juniors :B<osede Adenekan, Candace Banks, Uuyanna Calvin, Rashete Cross, Erica Graham, Nefertiti Love-lace, Makel Lynch, Anthony McCoy, Kofi Me.nsah, Ramsey Peele,

Maureen Raphael, Tashia Raymond, Krystal Roopcband, and Joelle Webb are the high perfonners in the Nati:o•iial Achievement Scholarship Competition for African-American students.

The Japan Society selected two Harrisite's haiku entries out of over 1,300 poems· submitted to the 1999 Poetic Possibilities contest.

Senior Miriam Prince"- and junior Elizabeth Yoon won second and third prizes, respectively, and their ·haiku will be on display at the Japan S00iety.

Art/photography teacher Lois Polansky currently has her own artwork displayed at the Nese Alpan gallery in Roslyn, Long Island. Her p:iece, Caidoz·Zodiac, is a larg.e mixed-medda construction painting and has recieved a rave review from

The New York Times.

13 Shen abandons medicine, rejoins alma m·a ter The Classic April 1999

by Alice Lee Comparing the old Townsend Harris age of 13, Ms. Shen found English to Shi-Bing Shen, the new biology and building to the new one, Ms. Shen be difficult. After three years i•n the mathematics teacher, joined the Harris praised the Melbourne Avenue middle school, she enrolled in Townsend faculty in February. "It was my good building's spaciousness and sanitation Harris as an incoming sophomore. "My luck that this school needed a teacher as well as the speed at which students grammar was horrible, but it [THHS] for biology and math," said Ms. Shen, can filter out at the conclusion of the helped me a lot, because now I can "because Townsend Harris was my day. "In the old days, there were only write," she said. In addition to the lanpick." One of her reasons for guage barrier, Ms. Shen also coming to Harris was that tackled the stress Harrisites she had been a former stubear. "time management is dent here, in the class of '92. the key," said Ms. Shen, "It A former pupil of Adel was the most difficult to Kadamani, Howard Wagner, learn, but most useful. It is Philip Jones, Odile Garcia, a very important part of colNatalie Franklin, Thaddeus lege life, and I learned it Ferguson, Richard Russo, while in high school- of Margaret Landry, and Harry course, Townsend Harris."

Rattien (just to name a few), "I believe that people Ms. Shen could not scratch learn best when they are havthe memories of life in Haring fun," said Ms. Shen, "I ris from her mind. "I have want a relaxed, but discivery good feelings about this plined classroom." Ms. school," she said.

Shen stresses the importance Initially, Ms. Shen did not of leading exploration with plan on a career as a teacher. Using her experiences in medicine, new math and science teacher, Ms. her students. "I like taking "[Teaching] has always been Shen to answer Sophomore Linda Tsang's biology question. field trips and letting the kids there, but I suppressed it," experience the knowledge," said Ms. Shen, who had she explained. Ms. Shen oforiginally wanted to become a doctor. two bells daily, and the halls were very ten turns to her former teachers for adHowever, throughout her years in un- narrow. It would take students forever vice and tips. "I respect them, and I dergraduate school, a "horrible" advi- to get to their lockers, not to mention don't think I can call them by their first sor made Ms. Shen turn away from out of the school," she recalled. Still, names. Not yet- eventually, but not for medicine. "During my graduate school, Ms. Shen defends the former Townsend now," she said. Lindsay Jenkins, freshI had TA [teacher's assistant] assistant- Harris: "It was cozy, and everyone knew man, said, "She is definitely good. She ship, and that was when I fell in love each other. I still love it," she said. got into the swing of things real fast." with teaching," she said.

Despite all the changes in the school Committed to give and get 100% in Ms. Shen also taught Regents biol- since Ms. Shen attended, she feels the class, Ms. Shen set an aim: "I want them ogy at Union Endicot High School for a level of the student body has not [students] to have fun in my class; that semester. Coming from a family where changed. "One thing very special about is my goal. I want them to learn while both parents were teachers, Ms. Shen Townsend Harris is that the student qual- having fun ." The biggest challenge, she says, is "to ask well-constructed quessaid that teaching felt like natural thing ity is top notch," she said.

Arriving in the United States at the tions that will lead to well-constructed to do.

answers." To insure the students are thinking and constantly searching for possibilities, Ms. Shen devotes much of her time to making lesson plans. "It helps me, because I know what I am doing, and I am less nervous in class."

Students say Ms. Shen is an approachable and friendly teacher. Freshman Jeanetta Komar said, "She is really nice." Students are also confident of Ms. Shen's teaching ability: "She actually taught me something. In other classes, I memorize, but with her, I learn and I understand," said freshman Amir Tusher.

Persistant and determined, Ms. Sheq devoted three months, from 8 A.M. to 10 P.M., during her graduate school years, to a biology thesis experiment. "I will be proud if my these gets published.

It is two years of good work," said Ms. Shen. . Ms. Shen is also very athletic. She participates in volleyball, ping pong, and tennis. "I even took karate in college," said Ms. Shen. "I also like to work out."

Outside of school, Ms. Shen likes to read, and she is also very athletic. She also liked to hike. "at Binghampton, I used to hike near my campus when I was stressed out," she said. A nature lover, Ms. Shen also goes bird watching. "You have to get up around four in the morning to watch them," she said, "but it was a wonderful experience. You get to see the birds in their nests, and the mothers feeding their young."

Enthusiastic and motivated, Ms .

Shen is very happy to be back "home" at Harris. Here, Ms. Shen plans to develop her career, and teaching is always what she wanted to do."

Fried pursues one of many loves: teaching

by Noreen Bukhari Judith Ellen Fried, the new Global 4 and Economics teacher, relates to students ' everyday lives when teaching.

Ms. Fried said teaching was always her "first love." Her favorite part about teaching is the students because "I am in love with teenagers," she says. Still, she considers herself a "tough disciplinarian and grader." Brought up in a strict environment, Ms. Fried expects a certain amount of discipline and performance from her students. Upon arriving here, she discovered that her expectations would be met. "I thought the student body was bright and articulate, the school was clean and the faculty was marvelous," said Ms. Fried.

Before transferring to Harris, Ms. Fried taught history at Springfield Gardens. She has also taught as a subsitute teacher at Far Rockaway High School and Beach Channel High School.

Teaching, however, was not Ms. Fried's only choice for a career. A teacher on and off for 33 years, Ms. Fried has also been a Russian caseworker in the Rockaway peninsula for 10 years. She helped Russian immigrants settle into homes, find jobs, and pay their bills. From her encounters with the immigrants, she discovered

how life had been in Russia. "There were no consumer products and people in many cases had to cheat," she said.

The immigrants, who came from a Communist regime, were hesitant to trust Ms. Fried because they considered her an official even though she worked for a ·private company. "In Russia, you never told an official anything. The government was your enemy,"said Ms. Fried. With the help of a translator, the immigrants not only learned to trust her, but they also became good friends. Ms. Fried said she loved her job because it gave her the opportunity to meet interesting people like her translator, a colonel in a Russian army who taught about artillery guns. She also picked up some of the Russian language and can understand more than speak it.

Ms. Fried had a second job, selling health benefits and retirement plans for Prudential Insurance Company, but later she decided to return to teaching.

Working in this school causes Ms. Fried to reminisce about her teenage years. Growing up during the fifties, she said school was as strenuous then as it can be now. She attended the Yeshiva University High School for Girls, a private Jewish school, from 9 to 5 and

received a full load of work from her eight subject classes, including three in Hebrew. Grade Point Average and

Glad to be back in ·the classroom, Judith Ellen Fried delivers her lessons with a smile ana the tough standards that she sets for her students.

SAT's were the main concerns and competition was intense among applicants to City Colleges. "I had a brillant class,"

remarked Ms. Fried, "and City Colleges, especially Brooklyn College, were outstanding in those days. It was almost like getting into an Ivy League College." The year she applied for colleges, one needed the equivalent of an A average to be accepted to Brooklyn College.

Ms. Fried calls the fifties "gentler times" because one could leave open house or car doors without endangering oneself. "The city was safe and you weren't afraid," she said. Ms. Fried remembers listening to Elvis Presley, even though she loved classical music."My radio was on all the time," she recalled. As for the hairdos and dress codes, Ms. Fried admitted with a laugh that she teased her hair arid wore long dresses and skirts since one's skin could not be shown in public.

Now, Ms. Fried's interests have changed slightly. In her free time, she enjoys reading mysteries and historical books, watching PBS, horseback riding, and visiting museums. A big opera fan, her favorite singers are Pavoratti and Cheryl Struder. Ms. Fried is a grandmother of four boys. She says it is fun to spoil them and not have to worry about their tantrums or waking up early in the morning for them.

The Classic r~~

14 Gruber grabs spotlight in Pippin April1999

by Alice Ahn

Brian was one of the first speakers to win a trophy, back in his sophomore year. He has received awards by playing parts ranging from a woman who is cursed with ignorance to a 2,000-year-old man to a sixyear-old boy. At his last competition on March 13, he wished to leave the Brooklyn-

lusions to The Simpsons, and the occasional song-and-dance routine.

If Brian seems like the kind of person who likes attention, it may explain his interest in theatre. Brian's explanation is simply that he got "sucked into a vortex." He did eventually admit that what he enjoys about

"All theworld's a stage, and all the men and women merely players ... And each man in his time plays many parts," wrote William Shakespeare in As You Like It. Senior Brian Gruber is familiar with these lines as he plays "many parts" both on and off the stage. These parts inelude his roles as a Townsend Harris student, an original member of the school's Speech Team, an actor, and a senior. In May, he will play the title role in Pippin.

Brian is the latest in a legacy of Harrisites, which include two older sisters, one cousin and his dentist, Norman Appelbaum. Despite all their combined years of facing and surviving the Townsend Harris experience, Brian says that they offered him no advice before he enrolled as a freshman. Instead, they "just laughed at" him.

Looking back, Brian Basking in the limelight, senior Brian Gruber prepares for the title role in the May production of Pippin. cannot think of any drawbacks of having former students as sisters. Actually, he enjoys being able to receive Queens Catholic Forensic drama is the opportunity to bethe good grades his sisters did League with something unor- come a different person. On the thodox, and possibly sacrile- other hand, "the blood, sweat not.

Another of Brian's roles is gious: "I played a devil wel- and tears" involved in putting that of an original member of coming various people to hell on a production scared him the Speech Team, which will and a priest describing Jesus as away from acting professionsoon mark the end of its third a magician," said Brian. ally. Instead, he hopes to enter season. When asked to deThis is Brian Gruber in a the field of audio design. scribe his fellow speakers, he nutshell. He enjoys making a Brian's first role was as Shel said that they were a group "of statement, although it some- Silverstein in an elementary screaming people, ... but some of times gets buried underneath school recital of the poet's them don't scream enough." several layers of cynicism, al- works . He has also played

\

Luther Billis in South Pacific, the Mysterious Man in Into the Woods and Curly in Oklahoma!

Last year, Brian played Sky Masterson in the school's production of Guys and Dolls. He often wondered how he "got the role of Sky when [he] originally signed on as part of the tech crew." Brian is enthusiastic about his role in Pippin, which he names as one of his favorites.

Brian belongs to that group of fortunate individuals whom the rest of us refer to as "the Seniors." He is currently faced with the task of choosing a college for next year, with his choices including Columbia and Washington Universities.

Now that Brian is more or less done with the college process, he may have earned a little rest from the usual hustle at Harris. Brian names "those four hours on Friday mornings when I did absolutely nothing" as one of the things he will miss most about his high school days.

You may be asking yourselves, "How has high school changed Brian in the past four years?"

Brian, who tends not to be humble if he can avoid it, answers, "Ask not how Townsend Harris has changed Brian Gruber, but how Brian Gruber has changed Townsend Harris."

Brian would like to leave the rest of the school with some simple words of advice: "Thinking - bad .... Sleep good."

Leslie Rosa takes center stage quest to find out who he really is."

Veteran amateur actress Leslie has never taken actLeslie Rosa is making her final ing lessons. This year, howappearance on the Townsend ever, she enrolled in a colHarris stage this year in the lege Acting 1 course and school's production of Piptook about five voice lespin. While she looks forsons. Despite her crowded ward to graduating in June schedule, Leslie makes time and going to college, Leslie to attend play rehearsals alreminisces about times past most every day, knowing as only a graduating senior that they may sometimes can. last until seven o'clock at Leslie was always internight as opening night ested in musical theater and draws nearer. "During pracstarred in a number of plays tice you try to do something throughout elementary, jundifferent everytime. You put ior high, and high school, something in, or take someincluding last year's prothing out and·basically play duction of Guys and Dolls, around with your characin which she played the ter," said Leslie. "The good leading female role - the I h h d I d · · Perusing the script of Pippin, Alumnus Henry Wong and Seniors Leslie Rosa and Brian thing about the role of the same .ro e s e a P aye . m Gruber make necessary decisions and changes to improve the production. narrator is that you can give her mnth grade productiOn . . · · it any character you want." of the same play. Leslie After high school, Leslie seems glad to have a change of pace and is relieved that PipWhen a~ked about her act- said. In Pippin, she will play a plans to pursue her interest in pin is "so different from Guys ing, Leslie says that she doesn~t . narrator commenting on the life theatrical arts and humanities at and Dolls." She adds, ·"I'm have "a certain technique"· and of Charlemagne's son and "his Sarah Lawrence College. ''· .. ·· . ' . .

by Lauren Amorillo

tired of being serious," and says the "whimsical" humor in Pippin reminds her "kind of like Robin Hood: Men in Tights."

that the roles for which she auditions are not necessarily areflection of her character. "It depends on the play," Leslie

PIPPIN UPDATE:

Music di;recti,on changes tune

by Lauren Paley "No Ttme At Air' is more than a song in the minds of Pippin cast and crew with less than a month left before opening night on May 20.

This year the new sounds of the show wtll be completely coordinated and rehearsed by students. Drama teacher and play director, Harriette B Iec-hman, caUs the collabQfation an "untraditional orchestra" made up of only three elements: the piano, drums and bass.

Seniors dominate the effo-rt. Jamie Kern, Nick Calahlro and Helen Jan wf,ll take turns as pianist during rehearsals and the show's three~night engagement on May 20-22. Meanwhile, Terrell Lovell will serve as drummer and Brian Gruber, who plays Pippin in the show, will be doubling as vocill coach. · 'letuming as a fourth piani,st is Henry Wong who was grad:uateo from T-<>wnsend Harris in 1998.

Now a student at Columbia University, he is currently the manager for the Columbia Orchestra and recently s·tarted a piano quartet. So far he is scheduled to play at the Saturday night show. ..I'.m just here to provioe eneou•r agement, " he explained. Most cast members agree that the music is more complicated than last year.

"The rhythm is much more straight forwar<l for Guys and Dolls , •• Henry said.

The 0riginal Pippin score writte·n by Ste·p.hen Schwartz, is so complex that it will be played in piano duets evcen though it was intended for only one player.

The rest of the musical crew also comes with much experiegce to their credit.

Nick has attended Juilliard for almost five y,ears and B·rian is a student at the Broeklyn Conservatory of music. Jamie hopes to minor in music n:ext year at Alfred University, and most of the· other musicians involved are veteran players in the school band.

Nicole Steinberg who plays Pippin's grandmother, B·erthe, reminds everyone that this isn't a typical Broadway play: "People have certain perceptions of what Broadway is supposed to be, and this defies it aU."

15 Hackney looks to rebuild once dominant team The Classic

April1999

By Tabitha Hsi Referred to as a Renaissance man in last issue's personality profile, social studies teacher Chris Hackney has recently added coach of the Girls' Soccer team to his list of activities.

Although Mr. Hackney has only coached baseball and rugby previously, he grew up with European "football."

Unlike the situation in Europe, soccer is not given as much exposure in America. "I have to get used to the American standard of play. I sometimes forget that these girls have not grown up with soccer.

And, I take it for granted that they are not familiar with cer-

tain skills," said Hackney.

Nonetheless, he feels "the girls are learning very quickly and are willing to work hard."

With only three returning members, the team is engaged in, as Mr. Hackney calls it, a "rebuilding process." Not only is he new to the team, but almost all of the 17 new members have had little or no experience playing the sport. Mr. Hackney is completely undaunted by the situation and is ready to take on the challenge: "We have a lot of athletic people who are dedicated, who try hard, and who learn fast," he said.

Co-captain Vanessa Will-

iams, defensive sweeper, also identified this season as a time to rebuild. "We are always helping each other out. We all take each others' criticisms well. We take it as a way to help the team as a whole. That's a good attitude. Although it's a matter of hard work, we also try to make the practices fun, and that's just as important."

Co-captain Albane Arcuri, offensive forward, agrees: "We are constantly giving each other input. And even though our team is very inexperienced, I am glad to see so much improvement. It is a cooperative effort. We work nicely together. And, it is just really fun

Boys' Tennis team vies for second place, playoff spot

by Brian Griffing In past years, Cardozo has dominated the Boys' Super A Tennis Division of Queens, and it doesn't look like that is going to change anytime soon.

"They're the best in the city," says Townsend Harris boys tennis coach James Murray. But, with the second place team also earning a playoff spot, the Townsend Harris boys have a lot to play for this season.

The fight for second place will probably be, as it was last year, between Townsend Harris and Forest Hills. Last year it was Forest Hills beating out

Harris for the final playoff spot.

"I think this year, it will be us," said Murray. Murray can say this with good reason because he has his starters returning from last year's team. The team will benefit from such experienced players as senior Eliot Einhorn, and juniors Divya Narendra, Ian Katz, and Andrew Franklin. The team also has young talent in sophomore Josh Rosaler. The only positions on the team that aren't secured are those of the reserves. The main reason for this is that, because of bad weather, Murray has not been

able to tryout enough new players to make decisions.

The team has missed the playoffs in two consecutive seasons, the longest drought in its history, and is eager to get back to post season play this year. Murray feels that seven or eight wins should be enough to secure second place, but the team will have to be successful in their division in order to do this. They need to beat teams such as Bayside, Francis Lewis, Beach Channel, as well as Forest Hills. "I think we have a very good chance of getting back in," said Murray.

at practices." Senior Wendy Sanchez, the only other returning member, is also encouraged by the fact that "we support each other and simply enjoy ourselves at practice." This is not only the opinion of the experienced upperclassmen, however. Sophomore Chirstina Kuo said, "Mr. Hackney and the captains .give us good tips.

I am really learning how to improve my game. This team is very close-knit, and everything is slowly falling into place."

Already in the middle of the season, the girls are going through the rebuilding process with good team play. Infact even before the season started

Mr. Hackney felt that his team had" already started to gel."

Although inexperience is usually one of a team's biggest obstacles, this team has overcome it by helping each other and fostering a healthy team spirit. "The girls are very caring and are extremely cooperative," said Hackney. "As captain," said Williams, "what is most important to me is preparing the team by instilling certain values in the girls. I want to instill in others what I have learned from soccer: dedication, hard work, and most of all, sportsmanship."

Softball team hopes to dominate PSAL

By Erie Trager With the solitball season already underway, Girls' Varsity Softball. o.oaeh Larry Ceraulo is l'Ooking to dominate the PSAL. ..I wouW be sh0eked if we didn't make the quarterfinals, at least," he s_aid.

The team will look to recapture the spirit with whicb they commanded a record of 1~.:-1 in their division, aad 19路6-2 overall last season.

Their 路key l':layet: captain Dina Parise, w路h.o Cooc'h

Cerauto said was one 0f the b.est, if n0t the best, pitchet'S in the city. ''Basieatly, we are as good as she is.'' remarked Ceraut:o.

The team this season will

look to a large supp0rting cast of rookies, including sophomore pitcher Debbie Gocpstein, an.d freshmen Kristen Casper anti Jessica Sbaroff. New btoad will be necessary to fuel the team's future. as it i路s curreft:tly largely ooml)Josed of juniors and seniors.

The Matrix plays like modern-day Wonderland

by Lauren Paley The Matrix is a version of Alice in Wonderland Lewis Carroll never could have dreamed up. Instead of rushing white rabbits, smoking caterpillars, a deck of cards, storybooks, and a petite blonde, substitute a mystery mentor named Morpheus, robotic bug tools, shady-eyed secret agents, Internet-active computers, and Keanu Reeves. The Matrix takes on Alice's search for reality in a world the polar opposite of her own through the character ofNeo, played by actor-in-training Reeves.

Neo is a curious computer hacker who spends his nights slouched in front of a laptop, hoping to uncover the mystery oftherumored "Matrix." Much to his surprise, he's sucked into the Matrix by Trinity (CarrieAnne Moss) and seated in front of the man behind the secret, Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). "All I am offering

is the truth," Morpheus says.

From there, Neo is literally reborn and labeled "the One" by Morpheus, giving him a signifiance almost equivalent to the Messiah. Though others in the group are skeptical ofNeo, especially Morpheus' sidekick Cypher (played by Fugitive marshal Joe Pantoliano), Neo and the group intend to work together, defying the wishes of Men in Black-like agents (headed by Hugo Weaving), who try to conceal the Matrix.

The rest of the movie plays along with the question posed by the coming attractions that have plagued movie-goers for the past few months: "What is the Matrix?" This is where the movie could have died, without the combination of breezy action sequences and science fiction-style goo bounced off the complex plot, courtesy of the brilliant Wachowski brothers, who wrote and directed this project.

Instead of Alice's rabbit hole, people are transported through telephone lines, perhaps an underlying comment on today's Internet craze. The real action in the film, however, takes place on the subconscious level, much like a virtual reality trip without the massive goggles. Both Yuen Wo Ping, the Kung Fu choreographer, and John Gaeta, the head of visual effects, should be praised for their originality in the virtual world portion of the film.

All actors were put through four months of physically intense training, and it shows.

Fishburne looks like he's been studying Kung Fu all his life, and it is astonishing to learn that a scene in which Trinity does a cartwheel off a wall was actually performed by Moss.

Freeze-frame action, created by director of photography Bill Pope, melds the film's elements together, including a rainstorm of glass during a cowboy-in-

spired shoot-out scene.

Visually, The Matrix keeps the audience's attention and challenges the mind. But at the same time, its actors, dressed in tight black and equipped with big guns, give excellent performances. In particular, Gloria Foster's cameo as a cookiebaking oracle is very impressive and amusing.

The only letdown performer is Reeves. There is a reason he's been typecast as the action hero ever since Speed: The simplest lines seem awkward coming out of his mouth. There are moments when one expects an acting coach to emerge from behind a backdrop to assist him, as if it were all a bad dress rehearsal. Yet, his acting skills are appropriate for the film's purpose, and, when they're not providing comic relief, fit his character's "computer geek" profile.

The Matrix, which has been playing in theaters for nearly a

month, is still at the top of the box-office gross scale. It's worth the $9.50 to see and will leave you wowed after most action sequences. Beware of some gruesome moments, such as Neo's exit from a gooey womb and mechanical bugs which enter the body through the belly button. But, as disgusting as these sequences may sound, they are not extreme and are presented with purppse.

The Alice in Wonderland references occur continually throughout the movie. Much like Alice's cookies transform one's size, Morpheus' colored pills each led to different fates when swallowed, and at one point, Morpheus mentions the white rabbit himself.

But, whether or not Neo's journey is merely a dream is a secret you '11 have to find out for yourself - along with the mystery of the Matrix.

r-

16

The Classic April 1999

Hawks fly high in spring season

By Brian Gritrmg bat, and they took full advantage. high note winning a non-leage game, an After Monday's 15-5 win over RobAfter sophmore Matt Farina reached 18-2 thrashing of Springfield Gardens. ert F. Kennedy (RFK), the Boys' Var- base on a throwing error, he stole sec- Senior Greg Lew got the start in the sity Baseball team has now seen every ond and eventually scored the tying run team's first game, and pitched a comteam in the Queens B Division and know on a Greg Erspamer single to center. plete game, allowing just two runs over who they have to beat to make the play- Two walks later, the bases were loaded three innings for the win. offs. for sophomore Larry Manis, and after In this game, the Hawks took full adIn a tight battle for vantage over an inferior second place, the win opponent. Coach Anover RFK was an imthony Scarnati had the portant one in trying to >-' luxury of playing his enestablish their place in § tire roster, getting everythe division.

The ~ body into the game in Hawks got off to a bit just three innings. of a slow start, but trailSophomore Matt Farina, ing 3-2, they came up who led off the game with five runs in the with a walk, eventually bottom of the third incame around to score the ning to take a 7-3 lead. first of what would turn That turned out to be all out to be an eight-run the scoring they would first inning for the need because senior Hawks. The Hawks pitcher Ante Mustac were able to coast for the only allowed two more rest of the game behind runs in a complete game good pitching and deeffort. fense. Everyone who Senior pitcher Ante Mustac pitches at Monday's game against After scoring just batted for the Hawks Robert F. Kennedy High School. two runs in last reached base, including Thursday's 8-2 loss to junior Greg Erspamer, Forest Hills, the Hawks showed no re- he watched ball four go by and senior who went 3-4 with a double and a pair luctance at the plate, compiling 15 runs Peter Pavlou, pinch running for of singles. on 10 hits. Senior Gregg Lew went 2- Erspamer, scored, the Hawks had a The Hawks did a pretty good job both 2, including a homerun to right center league win under its belt. on the field and at the plate. They were field and junior Jordan Grill knocked in As of today, the Hawks have played able to handle the few balls that were another run with a sacrifice fly. Sopho- each team in their division, and have a hit to them. And at the plate, they more Matt Farina added a homerun of better idea of the level of competition. showed good patience, walking much his own to left field, and the Hawks were The only team competing for second more than striking out. On the able to put the game out of reach rela- that they lost to was Queens Vocational, basepaths, they were able to capitalize but considering the circumstances, it is on the slow delivery to homeplate from tively early.

Forest Hills, now 4-0, is the early fa- a loss that can easily be forgotten if they the Springfield Gardens pitcher, and vorite to win the B Division, leaving the have better luck the second time around. steals were almost automatic. In fact, The loss to Queens Vocational was a nobody got caught stealing for the enfinal playoff spot open to one of the remaining four teams in the division. The frustrating one because they were never tire game.

The team was supposed to play its Hawks are looking to make the playoffs really out of the game. Every time the in their first year in the Public School Hawks made it closer, Queens Voca- first game on Monday, March 22, but tional would score more runs to put it the game was postponed due to rain, and Athletic League (PSAL).

One of the highlights of this young further out of reach. Despite battling is yet to be rescheduled.

Last year, Townsend Harris got its season came just last week when the back twice in this game, in the end the Hawks made school history with their Hawks came up short. But if you con- first taste of baseball when senior Nick first ever win in the PSAL defeating sider that it was the first game of the Diunte organized a team, coached by Flushing in dramatic fashion . After season, and the bad field conditions, it Chris Hackney. The team, competing as a club, posted an impressive 8-3 Flushing took a 6-5 lead in the top of wasn't such a bad loss.

The Hawks !)egan this season on a record, despite the low expectations of the seventh, the Hawks had the last at-

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many.

If one thing is certain about this year's team, it's that it is nothing like last year's. Among the first changes made to the team were the coach and the roster. Hackney, who now coaches the Girls' Soccer team, was replaced by Scarnati, and last year's large 27 player roster was cut down to 15 players. The team will also benefit from a new home field, which they recently acquired. The field, located on 26th Avenue and 149th Street, is a big improvement from last year's field at Kissena Park.

Although the team has had no problems at the plate, scoring 48 runs in their first 6 games,/Scarnati feels that it is on the field where the team needs the most practice. "We have to play good defense," he said. "That's our number one priority."

Boys' Varsity Baseball Schedule ®RFK* Thursday, April 29 @Flushing Tttesday, May 4 Forest Hils Wednesday, May 5 Queens Vocational Friday, May 7 ®RFK Wednesday, May 12 @St. Edmund's (NL) Thursday, May 13 Flushing Friday, May 14 @ForestHills Monday, May 17 *rescheduled game (NL) non-league game

Girls run into outdoor season with high hopes

By Tabitha Hsi As yet another season of track has begun, members hope to be even more successful than they were in the last season. Coach Joseph Horn said, "We will continue our progress from our indoor season to develop new talent. Our goal is for every girl to improve in her particular event." This "particular event" varies greatly for every individual on the team.

Freshman Nicole Kresse continues to show strength in both the 1OOm hurdles and high jump events. Coach Horn feels "she may even be the best freshman in the city in both events." Accompanying her in the 1OOm hurdles event is sophomore Chanelle Pearson, who qualified for and performed extremely well in city

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championships for the event last year.

A rising star on the team is freshman Vicki Lopez. She shows a lot of potential in both the 400m and 400m hurdle events. "She will do extremely well. I am excited to see what she can do," said Horn. Vivian Chang, another freshman, is also demonstrating her ability to do well in the middle distances. Senior and co-captain Heather Ibert, who will run the 800m and 400m hurdles events, hopes to finish her high school track career with "a strong performance this season."

In the distance events, sophomore Melani Sherman has returned from the cross-country season in which she, according to Horn, "proved that she will be one of our most talented runners in

the 1500m and 3000m events." Unfortunately, Melani will not be joined by two other long distance runners, juniors Clare Marks and Adee Rasabi, who are out for the season because of injuries.

In other events, sophomore Nicole Arriaga, who was the one of the top three freshmen walkers in the city last year, hopes to improve upon her achievements this season. The field events have become an increasingly strong and integral part of the team.

Junior Roseanh Antonelli is working her way towards a successful season in the discus event. Sophomore Wai Wong, senior and co-captain Tabitha Hsi, and Kresse are using their experience in the high jump to teach newcomers to the event, Chang and freshman Amanda

Greene. Greene does not only show promise in the high jump, but is very talented in all the jumping and sprinting events. Other important sprinters are seniors Christine Brady and Kelly Martin.

"The variety of ability and talent in both the running and field events is what has traditionally characterized our team and will continue to do so," said Horn.

"This is also what will help us reach our goal of finishing in the top three in Queens." Ibert said, "We are a closeknit team; we work together and our performance shows it. Our outlook is good." Brady reflects the team's current morale with these few words: "We're pulling together to make this season a great one."