The Classic newspaper Volume 16 Issue no. 6

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aNsunSOlC Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

Planning ahead fo·r parenthood:

Ne.w curriculum conceived

149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367

Largmann to retire in. 2001

by Lauren Paley will inevitably bring change, will also Principal Malcolm Largmann shared bring opportunity. "A school is a living his plans for retirement next year at a organism," he explained. "It's good for Although parenting education al- last minute staff meeting held Wednesan institution to change and have new ready exists at Townsend Harris, for day, May 30. The announcement came ideas contributed." many schools it will be new. Keith three days before the Queens High A selection process for a new princiHanson, health teacher, feels this re- Schools Superintendent John Lee offi- pal will begin over the next few months. quirement will be beneficial because it cially posted the position opening in the Applicants will be interviewed by a New York Times. Dr. c: Largmann will con~ Oil tinue his work as prin~ ~ cipal, a position he has ~ gj' ::a:::s held since the opening :::s ~J ~ ~ c: of Townsend Harris in .g 1984, until the end of ~ 1%1 ' >.

January 2001. ~ 0 ~0 "I love this job, I 0 6: S: · love the people, I love the students and I love the interaction," Dr. Largmann said during an interview a day af- Barely having time for lunch, Dr. Largmann answers phones and ter his announcement. keeps appointments a day after announcing he will retire next year.

"This was a very hard decision for me."

School Based Organization Committee, While it is difficult for the principal consisting of representatives from the to leave a school whose opening he cam- assistant principals of the departments,

by Bosede Adenekan The New York State Education Department has decided that all students, starting with those entering the ninth grade in the fall of2001, will be required to take parenting education in order to be graduated. Parenting education may be a segment of the health or family living classes or may be a separate course . . The NY SED Is currently proposing strategies for implementing the program and will distribute a parenting education resource guide to aid school districts during the 2001-2002 implementation. The resource guide will contain a curriculum as well as sample exercises and assessments.

Parenting education is currently taught as a part of Family Living class by health teachers Ellen Schwartz and Robert Holding her baby boy carefully, Senior Teresa Liu displays her Bloom. "Parenting eduparenting skills. Toy babies have been distributed in Family cation is extremely imLiving classes and such parenting education will be implemented throughout New York State schools in 2001 as a portant because we keep separate course or as part of health or Family Living classes. reading about child abuse and teen pregnan<:ies," said Ms. Schwartz.

One aspect of the class which leaves will teach students the responsibilities an impact on many people is taking on of being a parent. "Parenting education the responsibility of caring for a life-like is necessary in schools where pregnancy baby doll. "The baby is annoying. For rates are high. Students will learn that those who think they're ready to have parenting deals with not only having a kids , it'll prove that they're not," said baby but raising a child. They don't stay babies for long;" said Mr. Hanson.

Maureen Raphael, senior.

paigned for nearly 17 years ago, ·be acknowledges that his departure, which

the teachers, the Parent-Teachers AssoContinued on p.14

New leaders to head

by Allison Slotnick After several weeks of campaigning and debating by candidates, approximately 720 Harrisites voted in the annual Student Union EJections on May 26. Once the results were tallied, the n~w S.U. executive board for the 2000-2001 school year was announced.

The winnef# of the election were juniors Eric Trager for S. U. President; Liana Binij's, who will take the position as the ftrst ever S.U. Vie~ Ptesi-

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dent; and Diana Escuder, who ran uncontested for the position of Senior Vice-President. SGpbomore Marc Florrnan win become the next Junior Vice-President, and fresl\man Jaime Sackett is the new Freshman/Sophomo-re Vice-President. Juniors Melanie Diaz and Shelley Diaz will take on the positions of Treasurer and Secretary, respectively. Junior Brian Cooperman will take on Counsultativ·e CouncV, and Continued on p • .14

History in·the making: Another AP course offered

by Andrew Goldberg Starting in September, a new pilot project will provide select students with the opportunity to take Advanced Placement (AP) American History. This course, which-initially will only be open to juniors, will be offered in lieu of American History 1.

"Students will take both the Regents [in American History] and the AP test," explained Sheila Orner, Assistant Prin-

cipal of Pupil Personnel. According to Assistant Principal of Humanities Lynne Greenfield, out of those who apply for the two sections of the class, students will be "selected on the basis of teacher recommendations, as well as on their records in history,· social studies, and English."

Although the AP class curriculum is similar to that of the American History course already taught to juniors at

Townsend Harris, "it is more intensive because it's more document based," said Ms. Greenfield.

Ultimately, the Humanities department is aiming to implementAPAmerican History as the standard curriculum for all eleventh graders, and is hoping to do the same with AP European History for all sophomores. "We think the AP curriculum is what we should be using for all our students," said Ms.

Greenfield. "It's more challenging and more stimulating," she said.

"We're trying to introduce more AP classes," said Ms. Orner. "If this pilot project is successful, we'll make, [AP American History] into a class in the future." If added permanently to the list of AP courses currently offered, American History would become the fifth, joining Spanish, Calculus, European History, and Computer Programming.

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Reading Day pp. 8-9

Dreams p.13

Sports pp. 15-16

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2 New AP course will enhance education, benefit all The Classic

J une2000

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In the ever-competitive environment of college admissions, many parents, themselvp:s too wrapped up in status symbols, continue to plant in their children the seed that success can only be measured by the amount of ivy on the ivory towers of the prestigious institutions to which they are accepted. While this name-brand thinking is as flawed as it is stressful and disheartening, the grade-crazed mentality it has given rise to is now all-encompassing, and is obvious in schools where students· take multiple classes called "Advanced Placement," not for the sake of securing increased knowledge, but merely to get an edge in the cutthroat college application process. Although our unique Humanities education dictates that learning should be as much about "cultivating our own garden" as it should be about following these pre-established steps up the ivory tower to success, sometimes it is necessary to capitulate in order to compete. Thus, in adding AP American History to the curriculum, the administration should be commended, not only for accepting the reality of this unfortunate trend, but also for recognizing the practical benefits of adding more challenging course work to the Humanities curriculum.

It used to be that one of the most distinctive qualities of a Townsend Harris education was the opportunity afforded seniors to save on college tuition by getting a head start in gaining college credit. Although the benefits of the BrielgeYear program·remain numerous ,~ and townsend Harris' affiliation with Queens College still serves well in preparing seniors for college-level work

through such courses as the Humanities seminar, the increasing popularity of Advanced I>lacement courses in other schools is starting to eat away at Townsend Harris' edge. Colleges often ask students to list the AP courses they've taken during high school, and .

AP-enhanced transcripts art? often flagged by college admissions officers as being representative of a more rigor· . ous high school curriculum. Whereas time and time again we are told by the administration that Townsend Harris' reputation is known far and wide, and that its "all honors classes" already embody many of the same challenges as similarly stimulating classes called "AP" in other schools, students are right to think that this is no longer enough.

After all, many large uniYersities, familiar only with the jargon of their own-highly technical admissions formulas, may be unaware of how to handle Harris' own vocabulary of variables.

While Townsend Harris has always prided itself on being different, there are times when being seen as standard is more APpropriate. If classes comparable in curriculum here could also be called the same in. name, Harrisites would have one less concern about which to obsess during already-sleepless nights.

The administration should be applauded for understanding this and for taking the practical steps aimed at achieving this end. In adding AP American History to the list of course efferings pext faU.,. and in ·planning eventually to make AP European History and AP American History the standard social studies classes to be taken in lieu of

global and American History I and II by all sophomores and juniors, Harris will be well-positioned to retain its hold on the Humanities helm and to solidify its stellar academic image.

Still, there are more practical reasons for adding AP classes to the curriculum than, hopefully, just the school's own desire to maintain its reputation. The sense of self-satisfaction which comes to hard-working Harrisites in complet- · ing challenging course work in standard social studies classes is, these days, outweighed by the infinitely more valuable, attractive accessory of scoring a 4 or 5 on an AP test. These marks often entitle students at many universities to obtain college credit for their high school classes_or to opt out of large introductory courses. Harrisites are certainly deserving of such options. In addition, just as· calling a class "AP" is essential to Harris' image-building in college circles, so too is teaching us the critical thinking and analytical skills developed in document-based AP courses available elsewhere crucial to ensuring we will be

able to compete_ with our peers in college. While Townsend Harris' comparable classes already place an emphasis on such skills in all subjects, it is only by studying the same primary-sources read by students in slightly more stringent AP courses, that we can be sure we will be as well-prepared as our peers.

That is not to suggest Harris take · things up a notch in every subject. Nor could it. Even if the small size of our school and its faculty didn't preclude the possibility of making an AP course mandatqry in every subject for every student, the realization that Townsend Harris is not a "junior college" certainly should.

In a time of heated college competition, in which the rampant rivalry along the road to admission at tier-one schools has led to an all-you-can-take buffet of AP ·courses and boiled over into a pressure· cooker mentality of course-hinging and grade-gauging in our nation's high schools, it's a relief to see Harris is still as selective in picking its priorities and designing its curriculum as it is in choosing its students.

Don't miss 'The Seedling' •

"The Seedling" slowly grows from ties education . Three years ago, the · underneath the ground. It pokes its head Board of Education-sponsored Project out from below and awaits the Harrisites ARTS infused far more funding for art who will congregate next Monday to instruction into our budget, and "The admire its shoots and appreciate its Seedling" is dramatic proof that the viblooms. It will emerge in all its glory at . sua! arts are indeed flourishing at our the Second Annual Artists' Exhibition, school. This exhibition gives the stucalled, appropriately enough, "The dents the great opportunity to have their Seedling." After last year's successful work displayed for an audience of peers show, "Our Birth," this year's display and critics and proves their complete depromises to be an exciting artistic Jour- votion to the arts, "despite a rigorous ney into the never-ending life cycle and academic schedule and a small arts dethe yearning to create. The opening re- partment," according to the Press Reception will occur in the lobby/gallery lease sent out to the staff by Ms. on June 12 after school, and the exhibit Polansky.

In the true Townsend Harris spirit, a will remain open until the end of the term .

Latin phrase is used in the Press Release Annie Yan, former Townsend Harris to sum up the main goal of the exhibistudent and current freshman at Cooper tion: "Ars gratia artis," meaning 'Art Union, conceived of the idea for the ·for the Sake of Art. ' In today's world, it exhibition last year and has returned to is truly difficult to do what you love simcontinue the development of the seed ply for your own pleasure. With the with art teachers Anthony Morales and continued help of Project ARTS, its diLois Polansky. Annie spent countless rector, Stan Nussbaum, and Assistant hours training the members of the Art- Principal of Fine Arts Joan Walsh, the ists' Workshop (formerly known as the Artists' Exhibition is sure to continue Art Club) in various techniques. All for years to come, blossoming into a Harrisites were invited to s~bmit their full-fledged 'flower' along with the many artists who are furthering their work.

All the arts are integral to a Humani- complete Humanities education.

"The Seedling": Original silkscreen by Annie Yan

Andrew Goldberg Lauren Paley Editors-in-Chief Rebecca Munoz

Bosede Adenekan Rachel Nobel

News Editor

Feature Editors

Brian Griffing

Audley Wilson

Sports Editor

Photography Editor

Sipoura Barzideh Business and CircUlation Manager

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 mrulbox 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 Managinc: Editor

News Staff: Lauren Amorillo, Afton Baff, Noreen Bukhari, Karen DeVita, Lorraine Kapuvich, panielle Lord, Carol Pruss Feature Staff: Jonathan Cufsky, Ernmy Favilla, Surabhi Jain, Alice Lee, Irene Lew, Christina Pagan, Michele Potofsky,

Yveue Warenam, Dawn Wing, William Yang ~Raymond Baro, Vivian Chailg, Doris Onega, Kelly Purtell, Emily Rivlin-Nadler

Advisor - lisa Cowen

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Principal - Dr. Malcolm Largmann

The Classic June 2000

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SPAA Talent Show benefits children with AIDS

by Allison Slotnick Singing, dancing, magic, and a virtual journey around the world were featured at the SPAA (Students Promoting AIDS Awareness) talent show on May 15. Students flocked to . the auditorium after school for an afternoon of entertainment provided by their peers and teachers. All proceeds from the show will be donated to Camp Heartland, a summer .camp for children with HIV or AIDS. Rather than just simply displaying the talents ofHarrisites, ·

this year's show was .centered around a 'worldwide talent search.' Five SPAA members, juniors Emmy Favilla, Lorraine Kapovich, Belma Koprencka, Sabrina Marasia, and Jennifer Mungiguerra, along with junior Jessica Dodell~Feder who portrayed Ilene Marcus, SPAA advisor, went on a quest to find only the cream of the crop to perform in the talent show.

Among the various stops along the way were London, Italy, France, Spain, Greece, and Broadway. The perfor-

,Gill wins history victory

by Shara Siegel Sophomore Meghan Gill placed second in the statewide History Day competition on May 5 in Cooperstown, NY after winning at the city level on March 12 at Pace University.

She will compete at the national level June 11-June 15. Elizabeth Renieris, Michelle Fernandes, Stephanie Bernadel, and Marina Polyakova, all sophomores in history teacher Anthony Scamati's social science research class, also competed in this contest after winning in the New York City competition. This year's topic was "Turning Points .in History: People, Ideas, Events."

Meghan advanced to the state History Day competition after placing s.econd in the city contest for her individual performance on the polio vaccination. She decided to focus on this topic because her father had polio in the 1950's and her grandmother lost two brothers to polio in the 1930's. Meghan started the project by interviewing her father, grandmother, and other polio victims.. "Each polio victim described feeling[s] of joy and relief when the vaccine was discovered. I wrote the script about a character that closely resembles my grandmother," she said.

Meghan interviewed a local polio representative from the March of Dimes and learned about Post Polio Syndrome in the course of preparing for her. performance. Her project also enabled her to learn more about Jonas Salk, a graduate of Townsend Harris who developed the first vaccination against polio. "It just amazes me how one simple injection could change an .entire nation.

All it took was one man's vaccine to eliminate fear in the hearts of so many Americans," she said in her performance.

Michelle, Elizabeth, and Stephanie placed first at the city level. In their presentation,

Michelle and Elizabeth presented the California Gold' Rush from the perspective of a miner passing on an old trunk filled with artifacts. Stephanie did an individual documentary on the Barbie Doll, entitled "How Barbie Influenced Young Girls in America." Although her project mainly focused on the positive outlook Barbie gave young girls, it also discussed other aspects of the doll, such as her trendy clothing.

Marina placed se.c ond in the city competition for her indi-' vidual documentary on Spam.

Through her research, Marina discovered not only that this product was the inspiration for the first musical radio commercial, but also that Spam helped soldiers in WWII. Junior Ricky Miaw was awarded third place at the city level for his performance on the turning point in the fight against polio, and sophomores Lisa Rosenthal and Anna Wong wop third place for their group documentary on Motown and its relationship to the Civil Rights movement. Though they didn't advance to the state level, as only those students who placed first and second ·were allowed to move on this year, Ricky . said, "It was rewarding to win."

The History Day competition is open to students in all public and private schools.

Entrants are required to do research on their topics from primary sources. , Mr. Scarnati would like to inerease student participation in the History Day competition. In the future, he hopes Townsend Harris will hold its own contest, from which the best projects could be selected to enter the . city-wide competiton. "This is a great event, and a great opportunity for students to do historical rese&rch. It's also a nice opportunity for students to try to excel at something academic; it goes beyond the classroom," he said.

mances ranged from contempo- was not limited to students. sang "Nassun Darma," an aria rary music, such as sophomore Several teachers decided to get from the opera Turandot by Julia Houser's.rendition of No in on the act and demonstrated Pucini. He was met with a Doubt's "I'm Just A Girl," to their talents. Broadcast Journal- standing· ovation from the auinternational tunes, such as ism teacher Laura Benin, don- dience at the completion of his sophomore Christina performance. Ms. Marcus, Pagan's interpretation of who organized the event, "Preciosa," a Sp~nish ended the show with an insong. "There was a reterpretation of "You Can't ally wide variety of muGet A Man With A Gun" sic, not just all popular from the Broadway musical stuff. It was interesting Annie Get Your Gun. " I to hear the diversity of never could have imagined lyrics and see the differsome of those teachers getent performances," said ting up there and performShara Siegel, sophoing. I was really surprised more. by their talent," said The talent displayed Jonathan Schwartz, sophowent beyond musical more. abilities . Senior John Although Ms. Marcus Blum exhibited his jugadmitted at the end of the gling and magic skills as performance that she had he performed several hoped for a larger turnout, tricks as a Parisian street she reminded everyone that performer. Sophomores SPAA would be selling Jade Cal ub and Carolina teen-issue calendars illusChang incorporated trated by Harrisites for $5. · some comedy into their The proceeds from the calperformance of Whitney endar sale will also go to Houston and Mariah · Camp Heartland. The camp Carey's "When You Bewas first opened in 1993 in lieve," pretending to Minnesota. This summer, it one-up each other in a plans to welcome about 400 children infected with HIV diva-like feud as to who could reach the highest Making a Broadway musical come to life, senior to three one-week sessions note. Juniors Liana Hai-Phung Tran sings "Cabaret" at this year's SPAA on the grounds. Over the talent show. years, the camp has reBinns and Bettina Blanchard acted as if ceived several awards inthey were street performers on ning traditional Spanish garb cluding the AIDS Resource Broadway by belting out and castanets, performed two Center of Wisconsin's "Sterling Whitney Houston's "Your Love Spanish dances, Flamencos Rose Award," its highest, and Is My Love."

Tangos and Espana Cani. Latin the 1999 Milwaukee Peace Participation in the show teacher Thaddeus Ferguson Achiever's Award.

Three win blg in Smith Barney coo1petition all New Yt>rds: City high scbool grand~parents how to enter students, asked the studentlS to cyoorspace. Steven's re· In an uncpt:ecedeat<Ccl identify a quaiilly of Mfe issue search was on the l fe-saV'ing Scweep, Tewnsentl Hams Jun.iors J!llaced. fikst, sooond, and faeing put city. The applicants contributions that rea light thiN in (he Salornon Smith then conducted scholarly re· ttaftiic camera J!lro:grams can Barney Qualtty of Life R.e- sear~li and were requin~d te make i;n an urban setting. seareh Compeuuen, First develop ~e and t:eal- Marcia and Ilana presented a plaee winner Larry M1Utis, istic proposals. The weD--tfoou.. . plan fot easing me mlationjll)lier, won a $16,006 CQllQge mente<! pro:Jli)sals inclutled an shi;'p between l!ninority teenschplarship. Second place, analysis of the soeial and fi- agers and J!loHc~ officers. aad a $7 ,SOQ scltof'ltrshilp, nancial irnpicatiorts of the rec.. Their project eentered around went to j'uni'O·r . Steven ommendation, as well as a de- increa&rng awareness of atreaay existing police proSeidenfela. There was a tie tailed budget.

Mter severalro:unds ofjutig- grams in tlomm.u nities for third place, with the~ of juniors Marcia ana Dana ing, 1:2 semifmaiiists were cho· throughoot the city.

Salomon Sml!drBarney is R.osien receiviag $4,060. sen from tbe su.bmiss.i:ons a :tiult service global financial Bach winner, as· well as the throughout .the city. On AJ11ril mat provides investment, firm 12 sernifinali$ts, wttl rec:eive 1&. each semifinaiiist made a br115b:!rage, and management a summer internsh:ip s:J>On- mwltim.edia presenmtion befbre S<'rvices ta governments an,cl sored by CitigJollJ!l· Theserni- a panel of jrulges. This was folcorpotati0ns thr0nghout the lowed by a rigorous question fmaists included. juniors Jiirlc world.

The competiti&n was and answer period.

Trag,er;' Dtiau Cooperman. run 1md~er the aUiSJil' i c, e s of Larry's winning project was and Talya Obel!f'ield.

Sm, i th Barney's Mergi.n. g entitletl "intcoftci:ng Seflior The students' bemning social science research teachet:, Citizens to (be Jintemet." He B<usiness and Academics DiAnt}U:)ny Scama:ti, proudiy deveiopetl a oom]'rehensive vision.

AH -s cltolarshi.J!ls were said, ..I am always happy te pian to teach s\lnior citizens awardee at Salomon Smith see when the students' hara how to use the IntemeJ. Larry Bar, n ey's New York City based. his pr0jeet on his e.x;periwork is recognized.'' headquart:ers on M:~ 30.

The competition, open ·tt> ence of tryif18 to teach his own

by Ste•:en Seitlenfelcl

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The Classic

June 2000

Multicultural message conveyed at annual ·Festival of Nations

by Alice Iosifescu Dance, the Korean Fan Dance, the Chi- junior Okhela Bazile. The dancers wore "The Festival of Nations is not a · nese Ribbon Dance and "La Tarantella," outfits that represented the colors of the show. It is one big classroom lesson," · an Italian dance. Other staples of the Haitian flag and danced to a song in Cresaid Assistant Principal of Foreign Lan- event included "Gaudeamus Igitur," a . ole in the Haitian compa style of music.

Another highlight of the Festival was guages and Festival of Nations coordi- Latin drinking song, as well as the Filinator Joan Walsh, who believes this an- pino dance "Tinikling" which imitates a Chinese dance. The Chinese perfornual international night presents not just the movements of a bird in the rice field mance started with a traditional ring dance. It was followed by a more modentertainment, but a multicultural les- using sticks. ern dance, including break dancing, to This year's ·celebrity guest was soson as well. From the Hebrew version . the music of a of Peter Pan to the Chinese Ribvery popular bon Dance, this year's Festival of Chinese singer Nations, heldApril13, covered virin Taiwan. "We tually every corner of the world. wanted to reThe show started off with a flect not only_ reading of the lyrics of "Colors of our Chinese the Wind" a song from the movie culture, but Pocahontas. Each year a different also our song is chosen; however, all the American herisongs share a multicultural mestage," said junsage. "Colors of the Wind" repreior Sandy sents not just ethnic diversity, but Huang, who the often-forgotten Native Ameriparticipated in can. "The Native Americans, who the perforwere indigenous, were displaced mance. by incoming conquerors. That's There was something I think all groups can diversity even relate to," said Ms. Walsh. Accordwithin the ing to Ms. Walsh, the song conPerforming a traditional Korean fan dance, juniors Ruby Liu, Kathy Choi, separate culveyed the very important message and Hye-Kyung Yang participate in the Festival of Nations on Aprill3. tural dances . of unity through the simple line of For example, "walking the footsteps of a stranger." "We need to come together cial studies teacher Ad;1m Stonehill. Mr. the Caribbean Dance had Jamaican, Stonehill participated in Educate to Guyanese, as well as Trinidadian influas one nation," said Ms. Walsh.

Elevate's performance of tap dancing ences. The West Indian Guyanese ChutThis year's program cover was also that is common to both African and Irish ney Dance done to calypso music was drawn to reflect the message of unity cultures. · The performance featured a in the style of Indian dancing, but with among the different ethnicities in the United States . Several people in ethnic challenge between tap dancers in the Caribbean influences. Both groups stem costumes are depicted as contributing to African style and an Irish step dancer in from Indian dance. The Indian dance inthe sewing of the American flag that the the style of Riverdance. Mr. Stonehill Statue of Liberty is wearing. In addition, considers himself a member of the club, · the Statue of Liberty is wearing the toga so he was happy to participate. "Bui I that is symbolic of ancient Rome, the have no talent," he said.

A new addition to the Festival was a civilization on which many of our soFrench Haitian dance. "We wanted to cial establishments are modeled.

The Festival included performances represent our Haitian heritage. In prethat have become traditions, such as the vious years, no Caribbean countries Japanese Sakura- the Cherry Blossom were represented at the Festival," said

eluded traditional elements and was modeled froni the Indian movie Tahakshak. This dance ushers in a festival of spring that celebrates the coming of the new year.

Other performances included a Latin American salsa dance, the Greek dance "Pentozali," and an African American gospel style song, "Lift Every Voice and .

Sing." The recitation of the Spanish poem "Redondillas," a Hebrew skit and the French song, "La Vie En Rose," reflected the different modern languages taught at Townsend Harris.

The Festival cm1cluded with the traditional finale of all the performers joining hands to form a circle of friendship and "to walk each other's footsteps" as this year's theme song, "The Colors of the Wind,"· played. "After the performance, I felt more culturally aware," said junior Athena Kalogiannis. .

In addition to being a lesson in diversity, The Festival of Nations is a fundraiser for the Foreign Language Department. In previous years, the proceeds from the Festival have been used to buy spotlights in the auditorium, Greek textbooks, and the Chinese costumes and Korean fans for the Festival.

"I hope the students left with an increased awareness ...of the pride and · self-esteem that is so important to every ethnic group in a diverse society," said Ms. Walsh. "This is the biggest event of the year. I love the fact that so · many alumni and parents come to support [it]," said sophomoreAleshta Kalla.

Free Orientation

Gavel falls on Mock Trial seaso·n for Parents and Students!

by Steven Seidenfeld The Mock Trial team, led by advisor Nancy Leib, recently concluded its most successful season in the past four years. This year's team went all the way to the New York City semi-finals.

After a strong start in the city competition, Townsend Harris received a bye for the second .round. The team won its first four competiti-ons before losing to Kew Forest High School in the semi-finals. The competition, cosponsored by the New York State Bar . Association's Committee on Citizenship Education, the New York Bar Foundation, and the New York State Education Department, was open to all public and private high schools in New York City.

The Townsend Harris lawyers were divided into two teams: the prosecution, led by seniors Tina Shih and Patricia Maloney, and the defense, led by seniors Shirin Aboujawde and Zhanna Roytman. The competition involves high school students facing off in an actual courtroom. Every partici. pating school receives a booklet out-

lining the fictional case, which presents the facts that can prove their case. This year's case incorporated some of the challenging issues related to computer tampering. The scenario involved the prosecution of a high school student accused of breaking into his school's network and deleting many important records. ·Each competing team is paired up with a law firm that helps the school understand the case and prepare its oral arguments. The Harris team was assisted by the Madison Avenue firm of Rosman and Colin. Working closely with a large number of attorneys, the team received detailed coaching in preparation for the competition. The firm's first-year attorneys utilized weekends and school holidays to refine the team's skills.

"Despite the literally hundreds of hours of hard work, the competition's excellent results made it worthwhile," · said junior Ryaz Narine. Junior Eric Trager said he was "looking forward to next year's competition and winning the city championship for Townsend Har-ris."

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The Classic _

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June 2000

Juniors, 'sophmen' celebrate SING victory

by Rachel Schiffman The "sophmen" and juniors won the first Sing competition to be held since the opening of the new building. All grades participated for two nights, on Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8 giving students the opportunity to show off their talent by dancing, singing, acting, composing scripts and working with technical equipment. Faculty members served as the judges.

The sophomores and freshmen, called the "sophmen," won the first night with their play, "If You Gp Chasing Rabbits," based on the magical world of fairy tales. A cast of characters included Alice from Alice in Wonderland, played by sophomore Amanda Blancke; and the Big Bad Wolf from The Three Little Pigs, played by sophomore Marc Florman. The play develops when the Big Bad Wolf discovers he can no longer intimidate the three little pigs. As Alice consoles the depressed wolf, she remains unaware that he is actually trying to eat her. The sophmen break into a dance sequence to Michael Jackson's ''Thriller," renamed "Killer (Wolf)." According to freshman Amanda Hafeez, "With florescent

lighted gloves, a choreographed dance, ing, many elaborate costumes and bright for the job included Jennifer Lopez with and amazing dance aptitude, the scenery for their show. "Even though the stuffed buttocks, rappers Eminem and sophmen energized the audience and frog didn't have any luck, the juniors Dr. Dre, and finally history teacher stole the spotlight!"

Adam Stonehill, played by seThe junior_class~ nior Stefan Muehlbauer. Mr. § which won Saturday Stonehill, bald-headed and night, also used a ~ bowing a violin, is challenged tale of fantasy for

by King Largmann to answer a their play's plot in riddle and when he answers in"The Frog Prince a correctly, he's sent to jail, free·c p:) And Beyond ... " ing himself later by "using his >.

The traditional story ~ · head." While in jail, the inof "The Frog ]c.. mates, including washed up cePrince" is reversed lebrities Scott Bailey, Bob as the princess, Sackett and Pauly Shore, dance played by junior Jes- . to "Guys, Guys, Guys," better sica Dodell-Feder, known as "Bye, Bye, Bye" by turns the frog, junior N'Sync.

Eric Trager, into a Whether or not Sing will. prince. Ironically, come back next year has not he unsucce·ssfully been determined, although slaff tries to be changed and students have expressed back into a frog for hopes that it will. "I thought it Amanda Blancke, and Beth Renieres play the parts of Alice In Wonderland and her the remainder of the three wicked step sisters in the "sophmen" pll\y, "If You Go Chasing Rabbits." was great. I hope it is the start play. As he does so, of many more Sings," said Muhe meets a prostitute, a rabbi rapper, a sure did," said junior Rebecca Zee. "The sic Appreciation teacher Peter Lustig. homeless person who tries to steal his special effects made junior Sing quite a "At first, putting together a producpants and the Godfather of the Cali one spectacle." tion was really hectic and there was lots Mafioso family. The juniors utilized a The senior class' performance, en- of fighting, but through hard work and Disc Jockey, smoke, multi-colored light- . titled "How Stonehill Got His Groove good choreographing, we managed to Back," told the story of King Largmann, form _a great show," said sophomore Joe played by Hari Kondabolu, who sits on Failgao. " In the end it was worth it behis throne interviewing people for the cause we had a lot of fun. I'd definitely festival cost the class $88 dollars to pro- position of court announcer. Applicants do it again." duce, and the Student Union reimbursed them afterwards.

The day went by smoothly and successfully, for the most part, but some things could have been better, accordJuniors Sajiad Ahmed, Nancy Aja, Competition. Sheand seniorJaed..Ja~ld ing to Ms. Michlewitz. "We wanted to LauHD Amor-iUo, Allis:on B..-%o Niskant am two of the six re.gionai fina.ftsts ln the InterCeyyur. Mleha~l Chau, Brian COQPemtan, na1ione:I Smenee and En~ng Fair. have notes on the blackboard that said SheUey ~ ~ Herzog, SandJ Huang, Juniors Jt•tndd All•y.ne, ·uana BinDs, 'Happy Comic Muse Day,"' she said, Allee l-o$tlesoo, Crait Kerman, Lukasz Heatber Carte~ Pliilip M-atmoo-Balfu,A.sha "but that was erased, and we didn't have Krolak. Justin Lee, DaliieBe, Lo~ 'llromas Rlrodf!S, and M~IUti Shemwt are wittnets in enough activities during lunch bands. It Manhart, Racl:uil Nobel, Taiy.a Obedeld> the NatiooulAchhwemen.t SCholan;hip Program Br~misi&Vil Popovets.kaya, Joshua Bosaler, andji.UliorsShelley Dlaz; D1ana Esclltder, and was also hard to get kids in the 'n10od," J'llnnifer Slii, Sua 'Jili~ Erie 'Pra:get; Linda ThOlllas Manliatt at1:1 semifinalists in the Nashe said. Some students also felt that 'Dnmg, and Hannah Vanek-Mdliwain were ~ tipnal Hispanic Scholars Pttg~.W» as a result of the comic celebration was not publicized named Commended Scholars in the 2001 Na- . their scores 6ll the 1999 NA:T eltaminatiGn. enough. Senior Elizabeth Yoon said, "I donal Merit Competition as a result of their Seniors Abnee Mateo, AJisoll Park, and seores en the 1'999 P!im' examinatiEln. Eva Ra;j won $200& and seniors lii&tliel' Lin didn't know about the celebrations durJunioF Debhie Gopstdn won second priZe, and Nicole Steinbe.rg eaeh received $1;000 ill ing lunch or classes; I didn't even know $.1'000, in fheAnti-Ditamation League Sugihara the Literature/Poetry category in the that there was a Comic Muse Day." Do The Right 'thing Essay Contest and sopho- BcJtelsmann~s World td' ISKpressioh Contest.

One of the performers iri the variety more t.,ne Lew w.- third prize, SSOO. Sopho- · SeniOr Pet¥& Vallila-Bttehman was awarded mores Marisa Cohen, .Rachel Mindlin, and $~for bet Writing andsenillt auss.eu lii&sary show troupe; senior Hari Kondabolu, David Sti'oehlic and juniors BatTy Kang, won tbe $5.00 Musie Awatd. said; "I felt it was a succe~s because I Doris ONega-, :&,..Ssbin, and Diedmm Wll· The Japan So.cil.lf:\1 ltas named sophomores saw people with smiles on their faces.

IWns received an Jfon0rs awan~. of $tOO each.

Nlcc;le Ctear:y-, Mare Flotftlail. Bffihia That was proof enough that we hit our Senior AlejandroFmwtdez was designated GallmiS, Dm Kim. aDd John ~ ~ "Scholar A1hk!te of the Week" by the lur~ · man:A.ngel Zhang, and senior Nicole Conroy goal."

Ame"iiean D~Ulk He received a $1,000 scholar- fmallsts in its Third A1mmil Jlllikn Con.lpeti1ion.

The tradition of Comic Muse Day ship and wHl beeligibl\'1 for an additional $4.,_000 Sefliorw BosedeAdeb:ekan, Nbne.n.Bulthatit started three years ago, and it has always at the end 0f the year.

A;Jitll Kulidaikalr. Stefab Mllehlbauer, Rehan been under -the management of Ms. The Molooaust R~menlbmnt:eContest aWlltded TaqJ. and junior Vimm Ng Wt:re named fmalfirst pft-ze and $500 to Joshua Fox and second 1.sts tn the Junior S-cience and J[umanities Sym..

Michlewitz and· the students in her prize and ~ to both TMya Lieberman and posilltn.

Comic Muse class. The Comic Muse Ashley Mastonarlll Ji!reskman Jamie Gulle.n won first place in class is an elective in which students Julfiors Shelly .Dial; and Alice lofescu were the Jewish He4-.NY 2000 Wtiting Contest engage in diverse activities, ranging h-onored at a reception o:n April4 as winners in The competitiOn was sponsored by the Jewish the Barnard Cbtlege "A Woman 1 Adinire" es- Community !Wlati'Ollll'Couneil of New York. from telling jokes to discussing the phisay eontest. ShelleJ won second place and a S~e't'&oeheVa, f;r.eskman, was a winner for losophies of Plato. "It is a class that sur$§00pme. Alice was a Cettlfieate.ofMerlt win- his ilttwotk at the QueeJts Btlrough Millenium . veys comedy, and we have serious disner.

History Fair. His wotk was t\Xhiibited at the cussions about humor," said Ms. 'Vhe English Speaking Union awarded senior ~ns Museum.of M. .¥dr• Gold~ fifst place ailG the The New Ymt: Academy of Science awarded Michlewitz, "We go into different Cuf'Wen Essay ~ Junior DanieUe its Fiest Award to sebiors Bo:sede AJfe.w~kan, genres, short stories, poems, films. It is Lord reeeivetl b(ll'fO.fllble mention and $200.

Steven Be.rman, N-oreen Buldla.rl. and junior a scholarly approach to comedy." .JUnior .Rachel N•l was named a Nati0nal AJtt.e Ides-en. The S'eoondAW.@ltd in the comLatin teacher Margaret Landry was \\linnet in the National Newspaper A&soclati.onl petition~ to'sellillt'S.JacdlJ~AJita Quill and Seroll l000 Internatiunal Writing, Kuttdai'h~. Tama Lee, Bi1'fa Narendira. enlisted to play a part i_n one of the ft1oto Contest for•her felltare story. "Loft Be- Sb.l:vana Naidoo, Vabll Zollrabian, and Jtuiscenes when the troupes came to her hind {ily De$ign," wbieb appealed in the FebnJ· ior Vi:vi,an Ng.luniots A·lllson 1tarz and :&my class. "There was a skit about a restauary 1999 iSsue of The Classic.

Klmiakose anduni~ekt·Oes$,Johtmy rant, and I acted as the man because Seulo{'finaShih is a R"egronat finalist-in the Lei. and Kristy V-oti Oblen won honor.able Sei~ Westinghouse Science and 'Fechnolngy l!nOntion. everyone else thought it would be funnier," she said. It was indeed a fun day."

f

Comic class amuses on May Day

by Alice Lee The Comic Muse Day celebration, created by the students of the Comic Muse class and their- teacher, Debra Michlewitz, kicked off the month of May this year. Ms. Michlewitz said that the students in her class wanted to "combat stress" in Townsend Harris, and they believed ·that humor would be a good and effective way.

In the morning, Ms. Michlewitz and the Comic Muse crew greeted students by blowing bubbles at the door and handing out treats such as a special fore tune cookie lifesaver with poems. There was also face painting, and entertainment by Chris the Clown, portrayed by senior Christos lgnatiou. Most classes were also given a super-sized colored chalk with a humorous poem attached to it.

During band three, when the Comic Muse meets, members of the course traveled to other classes to perform the skits they wrote and practiced. The performers were divided into three teams of traveling troupes: The first was The Monty Python, a comedy group which originated in England. The second was called "Oh Dad, poor dad," and was composed of students who acted out an edited version of a play by the same name, written by Arthur Kopit. The third group was a variety performance group containing students who acted out various skits and told jokes. The three traveling troupes visited 15 to 16 classes during band three.

The troupes also performed i~ the cafeteria, where students could buy pieces of pipe Cleaner jewelry from the Comic Muse jewelry store with the Comic Muse money coupon. All the jewelry was designed and crafted by members of the class. The entire day of

,_in

Italian getaway mixes history with fun

Teens explore Europe

by Emmy Favilla Those who had anticipated most prominent glass shops in In the tradition of past spring spending all the lira (Italian the city. breaks at Townsend Harris, a cash) and traveler's checks they Short visits to small towns, group of 44 students accompa- had brought with them had no such as Assisi, where animals nied Spanish teacher Ilene difficulty doing so in the city were seen being brought into Marcus and four other chaper- of Florence, whose streets were the famous church of St. ones to Italy this past spring filled with leather, clothing, Francis to be blessed, were also break for 10 days. music, jewelry, souvenir, and included in the "Gems ofltaly" The Cultural Heritage food shops galore. "The smell tour. ·. The · relatively Association's (CHA) "Gems of of leather followed rne every- unpopulated areas of Sienna Italy" tour began on April 20 where I went," commented juri~ and San Giminagno, as well, with a t?ur of the town of ior Anjali Gupta on the leather . gave those on the trip a chance SoJ;Tento in southern Italy. From stores that were open on every ·to catch up on their souvenir there, the group enjoyed a half- block. Another highlight of the purchases for friends and famhour cruise to the colorful is- three nights spent in Florence . ily. "I thought it would be hard land of Capri, one of the few included a visit to an Italian to find something for everyone, visited locations visited with . night club called but it definitely wasn't. In most virtually no crime rate. ''I'd "SpaceElectronics." With two of the smaller towns we went have to say that the best part of levels for dancing and a large to you could find a jewelry .the trip for me was the day we screen that monitored dancers store, souvenir shop, and pasta spent in Capri. My roomates on one of the upper platforms, oi candy store all on the same and I got a massage[there] and the club was filled with stu- · block," said junior Paul it was just the perfect day over dents participants on the CHA Mendez. all," said junior Andrea to!Jr from different parts of the Although the spring breakRodamis.

U.S . as well as Italian locals. ers engaged in similar activities The tour then shifted to the Gondola rides, a visit to a such as nightly outings for ice more historical regiqns of an- glass-making factory, and the cream and all-nighters spent cient Pompei, where the ruins opportunity to feed friendly pi- with roommates which left stuof the city destroyed by Mt. geons in St. Mark's Square dents snoozing on tour bus rides Vesuvius were explored, and marked the final destination of during the day, each student Rome, where the Pope blessed the tour: the island of Venice. left with his/her favorite over all those present in the "The gondola rides were a lot memory of the experience.

Vatican. Catholic church-goers of ·fun," said junior Irene "When someone asks us 'How or those who simply wished to Mannakis. "The best part was was Italy?,' it's almost impostake part in the experience, staring at the guys who were the sible to give them an accurate were given the option of attend- gondoliers; they were so good response. No one can undering an Easter Sunday mass at looking!" Those on the tour stand the experiences we shared St. Peter's in the Vatican, one . .also observed the creation of and the bonds we formed with of the almost dozen churches hand-crafted glass figurines by each other [there]" said junior visited in Italy. factory workers in one of the Erik Mathes.

by Alice Lee D'Souza, "and we went on a What was originally sup- w.alking tour at the palace." posed to be a "France" trip Students learned about the imturned into more of a "Europe" pressionist period in France's trip when 15 students, l!CC.Om- history when they visited Le panied by French teacher Musee D'orsay, an old railMariet D'Souza toured three road station which now serves European countries in nine days as an art museum. over spring break. The Leaving Paris, the students Harrisites arrived in Belgium, took a boat ride to Ile de Ia toured through France, and Cite!, where the famous Catheconcluded their trip in Switzer- dral of Notre Dame is located . land, where they flew back to They rode on the Train Grand New York.

Vitesse, the fastest train in the "We walked through the world, to Geneva, Switzerland, Great Market Square in Brus- where the group went on a sels, and saw many old build- shopping spree and saw monuings," said Ms. D' Souza. After · ments in the old Swiss city a stop in Gent, Harrisites dedicated to the Reformation. reached Paris on the third day, They also visited Montreux, a where they stayed in a hotel town in Geneva, and saw the very close to the Paris opera Castle of Chill on, which used house, the Opera Garnier. They to be inhabited by nobles, visited the Louvre museum, where English poet Lord and saw famous artworks such Byron also visited. as the Mona Lisa by Leonardo "The scenery was surreal," De Vinci. said senior Tina Shih. " [My] Later, the students went up photographs look like one of the 'Eiffel tower for a view of those Hollywood sets." While the city and its lights. "There at the Castle of Chillon, the were over 2000 lights on the students attended the Festival tower," said Ms. D'Souza. of Choral Music. For lunch, "They were put on for the mil- the Harrisites traveled to the lennium celebration, and luck- town of Gruyere, where the faily, they were not taken down. mous Swiss cheese is made.

It was beautiful."

The following day, the stuStudents also visited the Pal- dents concluded their journey, ace of Versailles, where Louis and flew back to New York.

XIV once lived. "It was very The trip was organized by crowded," remembers Ms. Continued on p. 15

6

The Classic

June 2000

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__,_____ 7 In Pursuit of fun(ds): Game nets $250 toward trip ~~~--

by Noreen Bukhari we made this rule to keep the game unThirteen weeks after the Sophomore · der control and abide by school policy."

Committee unleashed Townsend PurWhen a person was tagged, the two suit, a long-term game of tag involving players exchanged ping pong balls. The ping pong balls, sophomores are some- winner continued the game by searchwhat richer, having saved about $250 ing for the player on the ping pong ball on the cost of their sophomore trip. The . of the person they had tagged, while the game was initiated to help pay for the person tagged returned the ball with his trip to Mystic, Connecticut on May 23. or her name on it to the Sophomore Townsend Pursuit was based on the Committee. If one wished to keep playgame Killer. Students and faculty paid ing, he or she had to pay for another ball. one dollar to receive a ping pong ball The tagger could also hire a pingwith another player's name on it. The pong pal for two dollars. The ping pong · object of the game was to find that pal would seek out and catch the player and tag him or her without being tagger's person. Ping-pong pals could tagged out. The players had to tag each not be tagged by anyone. Students and other in private or ii didn't count. Jaime faculty who wished to be ping-pong pals Friedman, a member of the Sophomore paid two dollars to the Sophomore ComCommittee, explained, "We didn't want mittee and were matched with a player. people running around or shouting, so Since seniors are out of the building

most of the time, it's very difficult for someone to tag them. As a result, they were only allowed to be ping pong IJ"als.

The Sophomore Committee consists · of Stephanie Kujawski, Gillian Winkler, Jessica Sharoff, Jaime Friedman, Pawheed Kader, Brooke Odie, Stephanie Bernadel, and Amanda Blancke; they are assisted by sophomore advisors Craig Weiss and Adam Stonehill.

Over 200 people signed up for the game, including all the teachers in the physical education department. Still, not everyone got into the fever of Townsend Pursuit. The majority of the players were sophomores. Roni Siegel, sophomore, said, "I [didn't] play because I didn't want to stalk people I don't know. People think I'm strange

already."

Students in other grades have supported the sophomore class's efforts.

Junior Eric Trager said,, "I think it's a great fundraiser and a nice way for people to meet other people." Although he was tagged out on the first day, he had forgotten his ping pong ball at home.

When he brought it back to his tagger, she had already been tagged out and had given the ball to her tagger. Thus, Eric didn't.lose his ping pong ball even though he was tagged out. "So in theory," said Eric, "I'm still in the game."

The sophomore -class was first introduce<;~ to Townsend Pursuit at the sophomore meeting held on Wednesdays after school and the game officially began after mid-winter vacation.

Around the world and back: -

Weiss

f~ndsjoy

by Alice Iofescu "Life is an adventure or it's nothing," · says science teacher Craig Weiss. Taking the motto carpe diem (seize the day) to heart, Mr. Weiss's curiosity and constant desire to challenge himself has inspired him to travel the wodd, and has taken him on an often bumpy road from bartending in London, England to teaching canoeing to juvenile delinquents at a Florida camp, all before gravitating back to his first love, teaching, at Townsend Harris.

As a student at Washington University in St. Louis, Mr. Weiss was a biology major intent on joining the science field as either a doctor or research scientist. Biology seem~d like the natural 1 thing to do; it was practically in his genes. His mother was a biology teacher, and Mr. Weiss had a knack for it. However, it did not fit the image he had for himself in the future. "The medical pro- . fession seemed like a lonely and imper~ sonallifestyle," said Mr. Weiss. . Mr. Weiss .switched his focus topsychology, wanting to pursue it as a career after college. However, he was plagued by second thoughts about his decision once again, this , time while under the mentorship of his poetry professor, Jonathan Smith. Besides being interested in psychology, Mr. Weiss was also a serious writer. Mr. Smith completely changed Mr. Weiss' purpose in writing from conveying ideas to conveying emotions. "IIi order to get in touch with your emotions, you have to turn out the lights and look within yourself. If you can't understand your feelings, you can't convey them in your writing," said Mr. Smith. "You were on the edge of your seat every time he spoke," said Mr. Weiss, remembering how his professor's booming voice added weight to everything he said.

But Mr. Weiss couldn't imagine living his life the way his professor had.

-Although he found his professor's advice enlightening, he knew he wanted to work with people and to stay attuned to what was going on in the world

in exploring many··aspects of life

around him. "I don't want to live in a dark room with the lights out all the time," he said.

At the end of his senior year in college, Mr. Weiss was faced with the question of what to do with his future. His poetry professor seemed like the most obvioul) person to ask. "Do something," said Mr. Smith. Wanting to do more than just settle into one role for the rest of his life, Mr. Weiss was intent on ~e.sting his own limitations.

When a friend told him about the chance to become a bartender in England, Mr. Weiss seized the opportunity,

without a search warrant and without at a camp in Florida with juvenile deprobable cause. The only reason they linquents. He became a canoeing instopped him was that he was wearing a structor. Mr. Weiss treasures his expebeard. In England, facial hair is associ- rience because it was a chance to influated with the lower classes and arouses ence people who fight uphill battles. He suspicion, says Mr. Weiss. This experi- felt that his job had a real purpose beence led him to participate in a march . cause the kids he encountered had little against the passage of a bill that would or no guidance at home. Mr. Weiss also have taken away the right of assembly. had his own share of problems while After his visa had expired, Mr. Weiss living in Florida. A lack of money continued travelling, doing some back- caused the greatest concern. While in packing in Ireland and then Scotland. Florida, Mr. Weiss had no choice but to Afterwards, he spent some time in Italy live out of his car.

After the program was over, Mr. in order -to brush up on his Italian.

Mr. Weiss returned to the United Weiss wanted to continue teaching. He now wants his mission in life to be to inspire others to achieve greatness in "' their own lives. According to Mr. Weiss, ~ teaching seemed like the perfect way ~ to do that. "What I like to do is teach. In "' fact, I love it," he said. ·a ·c Mr. Weiss started teaching biology t:O £ and physics at Jacqueline Kennedy 0 0 Onassis High School in New York City. if And things started to fall into place for Mr. Weiss once he received a phone call from Assistant Principal of Science ·-·-- .

Brendan Curran asking him to teach sci-.. ... _.¥ ence at Townsend Harris.

Mr. Weiss is advisor to Townsend Pursuit, the Ultimate frisbee club, and helped organize Fresh/Sophomore SING. The main reason he chose to advise SING was that it was a good way Displaying his karate moves to Sophomore Emily Fisbbaine, sophomore advisor to bring some more excitement into the Craig Weiss, science teacher, shows that he is skille4 in a field outside of physics. school. "I feel this school needs· more tradition and more fun," he said. following his professor's suggestion to States, this time opting to explore the Outside of school, Mr. Weiss is purdo things that mattered to him. In addi- wilderness of California on his own. Af- suing a black belt in karate. He appretion, Mr. Weiss had always been fasci- terwards, he enlisted in a program that ciates the mental focus and commitment nated by British culture, and this was a sent him to Singapore to teach children that is essential to the sport. During the way to experience it first-hand . "Pubs the importance of self-esteem. However, summers he continues his adventures in England are not just places to get his travelling came to an abrupt end around the world, with his ultimate goal drunk, but are social gatherings and a when Mr. Weiss was called back to New being to visit every single country. Last perfect place to get a feeling of what York in order to take care of his ailing summer's experiences included snow British culture is like," said Mr. Weiss. father. That year was marked by a lot of mobiling in Iceland and mountain .

He was shocked most by the British tragedy when as many as six of his fam- climbing in Colorado. system of government. "Although Great ily members died.

Mr. Weiss has a long list of things Britian is a democracy, the British have Although Mr. Weiss took some time he still wants to accomplish, including far fewer rights than Americans,'; he off·to heal and deal with the losses, his running in a marathon and learning said. Mr. Weiss recalls being stopped in curiosity was quickly sparked once more languages. So, what's next on the the street and searched by a policeman again, t~is time by the chance to work list? Even Mr. Weiss isn't sure.

a

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The Classic

8

.June 2000

Reading .Day, reviews and recom·m end·a tions help Regular activities suspended for Reading Day . by Rachel Schiffman "The goal of Reading Day is to re-ignite an interest in and appreciation for the pleasure of reading. This day gives students and staff a ~hance to rekindle that pleasure,'' said librarian Valerie Billy. "Read, read, read!'' she exclaimed.

This is just what everyone did on May 18, when every class suspended regular wotk and pursued some fonn of reading activity.

Students were given an opportunity to read diverse forms of literature and discuss them within each class. "It was a good experience to read books relating to various subjects," said Rachel

Nepamuseno, freshman. "The concept of Reading Day became much broader this year," said Ms. Billy.

The material f.or each class was optional and teachers were urged to be creative about where the class was held and the subject matter which they chose to read.''

"Each teacher planned something on his/her own. The Ct\>Dcept of Reading Day was to read, just for the fun of reading," said Harry Rattien, Assistant Principal of Mathematics. For example, in the AP European History class, social studies teacher Chris Hackney asked students to write essays exploring themselves and read them aloud to share with their class-

mates. English teac.h er Debra Michlewitz said,''Reading Day allowed us to remember how much we all liked books before they became part of our daily jobs."

Lynne Greenfield, Assistant Principle of Humanities, said, "Reading Day gave teachers a cnance to show their students that they ru:e familiar with things other than what they teach in class, and for students to be a receptive and supportive audience.''

Events were planned outside the classroom as well. In the library, there was a student ReadAloud, where students shared personal material with their fellow classmates and a staff Read-Aloud

Lamb's second novel 'truly' rewa~~'ding read

by Rebecca Munoz Nine hundred and one pages long, I Know This Much is True by Walfy Lamb is not the kind of book you can throw in a beach bag and read while lying on a towel this summer. However, for those Tuesday nights when you are curled under the blankets in your air conditioned bedroom, dreading yet another day of sweltering subway stations or fiveyear-olds begging for piggy back rides, it is the perfect novel in which to lose yourself.

"When you're the sane brother of a schizophrenic identical twin, the tricky thing about saving yourself is the blood it leaves on your hands the little inconvenience of the look-alike corpse at your feet," explains Dominick Birdsey, the narrator of the story. It begins in October, 1990 when Dominick's twin brother Thomas, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, cuts off his own hand in a public library in what he believes to be a protest against the Gulf War. As a result, the state removes Thomas from the mental home he resides in and places him in one for severely disabled patients, where Dominick is suspicious about the treatment of his brother. Through Dominick's efforts to remove his brother from this institution, Dominick starts to address his own feelings towards his brother, his parents and ultimately himself. Detailed flashbacks to his childhood and young adulthood,allow the readers intimate looks Dominick's history with an abusive stepfather named Ray and a timid and dependent mother named Concettina.

One of the most admirable aspects of Lamb's writing is his ability to create characters who are vivid and believable. Dominick, especially, becomes a "real" person as the story unfolds. It is his transition from experiencing overwhelming resentment to sorrow to joy and optimism that makes him a likeable character, and his interaction with the people from his past and the new people he meets gives Dominick's character depth.

The conflicts in the novel are also believable and intriguing. For example, Dominick has his grandfather's autobiography translated and bound. And as he begins to read it chapter by chapter, he also begins to understand more about his family's history and how that relates to his

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which featured such faculty favor- of a substitute teacher. Prine· ites as fables by James Thurber Malcolm Largmann held a ~ read by Assistant Principal of Or- cussion seminar in his co~ ganization, Malcolm Rossman, ence room on the poem "The and excerpts from the modern press'' by Stephen Spend King Arthur story, Once and the Stephanie Kazane, a freshn Future King by E.B. White, read inv.olved in the. discussion s;

by Ms. Greenfield. The Queens "The lesson taught me that t~ College Theater department enter- nology can be beautiful." tained invited classes during band "The significant aspect ofl 8 in the auditorium. The group day was that it was a school-w said. ~I performed a brief skit from the occurrence," . play Bus Stop, and shared with the Greenfield. "Its formal1ty mj students the techniques used to it a meaningful event and r1 stage such a production. After- forced the idea that reading i wards, a newly formed comedy' life-long pleasure." group from Queens College, ''It was a nice day offfro~1 Amaretto Sour, pe:rformed a hustle and bustle of Harris li parody based on the experiences said freshman Joe Miller.

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life now. In ways that disturb Dominick, his grandfather's life story parallels his .Jj g. j own. For example, Dominick's grandfather, ""il ~ an immigrant from Italy, works hard as a con~:S' {;;' .§?5~ 0 tractorto support his two brothers financially .... ~ IIi rlJ' .. ~ t;: tS even though their practical jokes and mischie!: ~ 0 ~ vous habits bring shame on the family's repu.<E~$1~ :;: I!! if!! "R tation.

Similarly, Dominick must support his 'Q ~ 0 r5" ~~~ .. own brother financially and emotionally although .:::: "" 0 ~· :S.:tt ... 'ii Thomas, at times, causes him much grief. The 0 :0 0 fj .r,J ti § tension between Ray and his stepsons is also ingj§~ triguing. We first encounter it when Dominick and Thomas are adults, and in bits and pieces through f"'~<,;; 'tr ~ ·{(; fi .:::: the flashbacks, we can see how it developed over time. ~;gfl$ The same is true for Dominick's relationship with his ~ .... "<: ~q· . mother and Thomas. And at the same time as we learn about Dominick's past and his grandfather's past, we can observe Dominick's attempt to move forward with his life and leave behind his pain.

By the end ofthe novel, all loose ends are tied. Thankfully, we are not left hanging after 901 pages of following Dominick's exhausting journey to self-fulfillment. However, the ending is slightly disappointing in comparison to the rest of the novel. The main thing about life that Dominick finally comes to terms with is that it often presents unexpected hardships but he finds that overcoming these ob. stacles breeds strength. The ending does not seem fitting with this lesson because there is no sense of another hardship coming Dominick's way. Although readers may believe that Dominick doesn'f deserve any more pain, Lamb underestimates his readers when he assumes that they won't wonder why life for Dominick is suddenly so rewarding or why all his problems are so quickly solved.

Despite the ending, the complexity of the plot and Lamb's vivid characters make I Know This Much Is True a worthwhile a read.

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by Alice Iosifescu

For anyone interested in romance, adventure, ·and intrigue, The Count of Monte Cristo is for you. History is ' brought to life in this exciting novel set during the political upheaval following the French Revolution.

The protagonist, Edmond Dantes (who later becomes the Count of Monte Cristo), a nineteen-year-old sailor, is soon to be captain of his own ship, and will marry his beloved, Mercedes. However, all of his plans are changed once a group of spiteful enemies arrange for him to be arrested on his wedding day. He is condemned to hfe imprisonment in the notorious prison Chateau ,d'If. Edmond's only companion is Faria, who shares with him a secret plan of escape and a map to hidden riches on the island of Monte Cristo. When Faria ·dies, Edmond attempts the .incredible and daring escape alone. Finally free and rich beyond imagination after 14 years of unjust imprisonment, Edmond forges the .identity of the Count of Monte Cristo, a polite, refined nobleman with a private determination to reclaim his lost love and to exact a slow, careful vengeance upon his accusers.

The novel is a bit lengthy, but it is definitely a pageturner. There are different sub-plots and numerous characters that can be hard to keep track of, but are inter~wo­ . ven together as the novel progresses. You instantly feel sympathy for Edmond and his family. When he first ap-

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Townsend Harris, along with around 79 other selective public and private high schools ,wi_ll be featured in a book called The Abacus Guide to New York City Schools to be published in the fall of 2000.

Author Emily Glickman interviewed several students as well as faculty for this book.

Ms. Glickman explained that her goal was to "help families under~tand what schools are available so hey can make a choice between I ;mall, big, science-oriented, or well-

known schools," she said. During her interview with the students, she asked such questions as "What do you think an outsider should know about Townsend Harris?' Mentioned were Vocabulary Month, community service, classical languages, and the work load. "When it comes to academics, Townsend is very competitive," said Chin Chin, Senior President of Students Against Destructive Decisions.

Nefertiti Lovelace, senior, described one unique aspect of this school: the language used by stu-

Staff-recommended Summer Reading Carolina Chang, sophomore The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan Andrew Goldberg, senior A Confederacy of Dunces by John. Kennedy Toole Jennifer Gong, sophomore Letters from Rijka by Karen Hesse Danielle Lord, junior Chicken Soup for the Soul compilation of essays Allison Slotnick, sophomore Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl Diane Tiao, sophomore She's Come Undone by WallyLamb

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pears, he is a poor boy with big dreams, whose father nearly starves to death after paying a debt ~gf of Edmond's and leaving himself .;r; ·~ ~ 'tj 0 • (;'.) 0., .!;j without enough money while his son f!'t14# is away at sea. Before long, within a ... ' e it;;:; .0 . year of Edmond's imprisonment, his ;;:; r'J:f '& ...e.]i!

0 ...., father dies of poverty and neglect. But ;;-. Cllf ;;..· life takes a different course when ~-~4 Edmond becomes the Count of Monte Cristo. As Monte Cristo, Edmond has un• 'rJ limited credit, ana has incredible feasts of ~ fresh fish from St. Petersburg and Naples, a nearly inconceivable feat in those days of slow transportation and no refrigeration. But more importantly than his wealth is the fact that Edmond has changed from being a man so powerless that he could be falsely imprisoned to one who can bankrupt the wealthiest banker in Paris.

Alexandre Dumas does a wonderful job of surprising the reader with unexpected turns in the plot. If his name sounds familiar, he is also the author of The Three Musketeers, as well as The Man in the Iron Mask. Alexandre Dumas is a novelist with few rivals in casting a spell upon the reader, as you may find out if you put The Count of Monte Cristo on your summer reading list. {;!

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dents. 'We have our own culture," she said, using the word collateral as an example. She added, ~·we make ·SOphisticated jokes and everywhere else students will be like 'what?'" Also discussed were the dedicated' and friendly faculty.

A graduate of Hunter High School and Columbia University as well as an employee of l',rinceton Review, Ms. Glickman has plenty of experience with the struggle to determine what school to attend. She said that it is getting harder to be accepted into top schools. "People are very frenzied and would benefit by understanding what it is they're competing for. This book will help them to understand crucial parts of different schools, like the curriculum, extra-curricular activities, the stu. dent body, admissions, and facilities. Then the students will make a better decision about where they apply and where they go."

Ms. Glickman plans to continue interviewing students as well as faculty from the 80 schools featured in her book. To find out more information,one can visit her website, www.abacusguide.com.

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The Classic June 2000

Caffeination information brews debate

By Sbara Siegel mg of caffeine, varying with the lished in the Daily Free Press that [their] lives have become "It was purely the feeling blend, and in chocolate, 5 to 35 onNovember3, 1998. "The ex- unmanageable." Since caffeine that had captivated me, made mg. A high dose of caffeine has citation of the nervous system is a·drug, people can face withme sacrifice everything to it, become part of the daily diet for becomes so significant that you drawal.

English teacher gladly, joyfully. It was a some people. Freshman Marisa get excessive neural firing. · It's Georgette Wallace, says she seashell's pristine whisper in Cochrane says, "I drink tea in similar to what happens with was afflicted by "headaches my ear, warm sun rising in my the morning or hot chocolate epilepsy," she explained. [when she] stopped all tea and heart, fireflies winking in the for breakfast. Sometimes I "When I have to stay awake soda, ... [and substituted]plain · nerves," said Will Bohnaker, have soda with lunch or din- to do an all-nighter and I don't water instead." Senior Audley the author of Haunts of the ner." have any caffeine, I just fall · Wilson also recollects such areAardolf He was talking about Although caffeine is consid- asleep doing my work. I need action and says, "I felt like I had his addiction to caffeine. Like ered to be possibly the safest the energy from caffeine to stay to get caffeine" when he had not Mr. Bohnaker, many students recreational drug (no links have · up all night," says sophomore consumed it for a long amount tum to caffeine, whether it be been found betw·een caffeine Narae Lee. A few students have of time. Withdrawal symptoms to stay awake, to relieve stress, and breast cancer, heart and discussed with Ms. Schwartz include headaches, depression, or just because they like prod- liver disease, or _bone loss), the effects caffeine pills had on fatigue, lethargy, irritabiljty, inucts that contain this drug. caffeine is a stimultant and, them. "After a few days of us- creased muscle tension, nausea, Each year, Americans drink therefore, has a major influence ing it they were so fatigued, and vomiting. two and a half billion pounds on one's body; It causes the There are of coffee. In a survey of 220 heart to beat more rapidly, many misconTownsend Harris . students constricts some blood ves'ceptions about taken last January, every person sels., and causes people to the effects of admitted to consuming at least feel less fatigued. As a caffeine. One is one of these caffeinated prod- counter effect, it can "relieve that caffeine will ucts: coffee, chocolate, tea, or stress" by relaxing the airalways keep a soda with caffeine. About one ways of the lungs and causperson awake half of these students checked ing certain types of blood and able to functhree or all of these choices. vessels to open. "When I tion. However, if Furthermore, 134 people, or have work out the wazoo, I caffeine is used about 61%, admitted that they eat chocolate, drink soda and to stay awake for viewed caffeine addiction as tea, and it makes me feel like ' a long stretch of time, one's body somewhat of a health threat. everything is going to be Today, there are many okay. It allows me to relax will gradually decaffeinated alternatives on and watch Paul Newman start to get tired the market. Despite these - n.0vies to the wee hours of and worn choices, students continue to the morning," said sophodown.Another use caff~inated products. Of the more Kerry Purtell. "Then if assumption is that, like most 220 students surveyed, 162 said Paul tells me it's ok, I whip they do not buy decaffeinated out a iittle homework," she liquids, foods and beverages, while added. caffeinated only 49 said they deliberately drinks quench Caffeine usage can one's thirst. Cafchoose caffeine-free products. clearly have negative effects. feine is actually The most people, 51, who do It can cause stomachaches, not deliberately buy nervousness, irritability, and a diuretic, and decaffeinated products, were diarrhea. Caffeine intoxication they needed a few days to catch this urine-producing effect can freshmen and the fewest, 33, occurs from ingesting more up on sleep," she says. lead to dehydration. ''The probCaffeine usage can result in lem is people drink coffee as were seniors. Ellen Schwartz, than 250 milligrams in a short Senior Advisor and physical period of time. Restlessness addiction. Junior Alice Lee their only source of liquid so education teacher, said, "I don't and nervousness to muscle says, "I need · coffee, black, they are dehydrating themthink anybody needs to have twitching and arrhythmia are · without sugar to help me stay selves even though they are caffeine in his system," al- the range of symptoms that can awake. Drinking coffee is my drinking liquids," said Mr. though she feels it is okay if it occur. Caffeine is lethal in a habit." Science teacher Craig Weiss.

Many companies are now is not used in excessive quanti- short-term dose of 5,000 to Weiss says, "Most adults I know are caffeine addicts."

In trying to target today's youth ties.

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April 1994, a support group advertisements. Jolt through Many people consume this Caffeine pills are extremely drug frequently throughout the dangerous, especially if used in based in Portland, Oregon was Cola, containing 12 milligrams day without knowing the com- .excessive quantities. "Caffeine founded to help combat addic- of caffeine, uses the slogan position of caffeine in each pills are commonly available, tion for those people who have "America's most powerful product. In each 12-ounce so some people may not con- serious caffeine problems. cola"; Krank20 containing 71 bottle of cola, along with some sider them to be very danger- Similar to Alcoholics Anony- milligrams of caffeine says it is other types of soft drinks, there ous. Like any medication, mous, it was named Caffeine ."Water with caffeine, lots and are up to 54 milligrams of caf- though, an overdose is poten- Anonymous. There are twelve lots of caffeine"; and Surge, feine. There are also 85 milli- tially fatal," wrote Carol Walsh, steps in the program, starting that has 51 milligrams, advergrams of caffeine in one single a doctor and Associate Profes- with step one which calls for tises, "Feel the rush." With 112 cup of coffee. Moreover, in a sor of Pharmacology at Boston members to "admit that [they] milligrams of caffeine, Go Go cup of tea, there are 30 to 70 University, in an article pub- are powerless over caffeine and declares, "It'll blow your NYC Lie# 851723 Nassau Lie# H18A2110000 Suffolk Lie# 23652-H

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mind." The "high" and "lift" in these products are due to caffeine.

Some people have made connections between the rush produced by caffeine and creativity. Famous philosophers such as Immanuel Kant, JeanJacques Rousseau, and Voltaire all cherished the taste of coffee and believed it motivated creative thought in the past.

Johann Sebastian Bach is a fa- · mous example of a man who· illustrates this. His passion for coffee inspired him to write the Coffee Cantata, which was a whimsical one-act opera about a father trying to control his daughter's liking for the coffee bean. This coffee bean still plays a major role in the world and especially in American society.

Today, a debate still rages over how harmful caffeine really is. Geneticist Bengt A. Kihlman of the University of Uppsala in Sweden, and a coffee researcher has concluded that only pregnant women, and those with special health problems such as arrhythmia, seem remotely at risk from excessive consumption of caffeine. - He said, "For everybody else, since the risks are negligible or nonexistent, the risk benefit evaluation is not difficult to make: caffeine can be acquitted." The American Medical Association has declared that for all people, health effects of caffeine depend on several factors. "Moderate tea or coffeee drinkers probably need have no conceem for their health relative to their caffeine consumption provided other lifestyle habits (diet, alcohol consumption)are moderate as well."

Sources: Barboza, David. "More Hip, Higher Hop." New York Times 22Aug. 1997: Dl. Braun, ·stephen. Buzz: The Science and Lore of Alcohol and Coffee. New York: Penguin Books, 1996.

Lowell, Ponee. "All About Caffeine." The Reader's , Digest. Vol.l22. 1983. 7276.

Joyce Jensen. "The Bean That Wakes Up the World." New York Times 31 Sept.l999: Bll. International Food Information Council Foundation. "Every thing you need to know about caffeine." July 98. Online. http://ificinfor.health.org/ brochure/caffeine.htm Rosin, Jessica. "Caffeine pills can have fatal effects." Daily Free Press. 3 Nov 1998.

Online. 5May 200. http:// www.dailyfreepress.com/ science/11 03981.html

The Classic

11

_ _ _ _....__._. June2000

Aviophobic? Flight might right height fright not consider himself a "fearful flyer," though he realizes that he has no control over what happens while the plane is in the air. "It makes you a little uneasy at first,, but you can't let your fear get the best of you," he said.

Treatment for aviophobia, or any phobia for that matter, is not impossible. Dr. Alan Slusky, a clinical psychologist, suggests "systematic desensitization." This entails several relaxation techniques through vi-. sual and audio materials. Then, in order to work up to actually getting on an aircraft, "we go through a hierarchy of scenes, from not anxiPLEASE, cf ety-provoking, to fAS1'E.N 'f0\)R moderately anxietySE./\T · BELTS FOR provoki, ng, to very anxiety-provoking," he says. Another technique used by psychologists is 'flooding.' This is a one-step process in which the fearful individual faces their fear right away without looking back, Dr. Slusky, though, does not recommend this, and said, "It can -be very, v•ery upsetting ... their anxiety disorder may not be permanently cured.'' For those who are not completely phobic, just learning about the science behind airplanes can safe mode of transportation," flying; most who are afraid are calm fears. It may put you at not aviophobics, says Mr. ease knowing exactly how the she said.

Nancy Leib, history teacher, Godfrey. When someone with plane stays in the air, or the is a frequent flyer, and takes 2- a phobia steps on a plane, even safety precautions taken in 3 plane trips a year to such if just for a moment, their body building the plane.

"Mr. Play It Safe was afraid places as Venezuela and the begins a stress reaction. PerspiAntarctic. She could never give ration and irritability increase, to fly ... He waited his whole up traveling by plane because and the stomach feels totally damn life to take that _flight. "using a car limits yo;ur time empty. Mentally, the individual And as the plane crashed and location, and you can't visit feels a loss of control, predict- down ... And isn't this ironic," ability, and senses something according to the lyrics of Alanis exotic places." _ From the beginning of man, bad is going to happen. Steve Morissette's song, "Ironic." creatures that flew were held to Madureira, sophomore, does The veracity of this lyric as message can be be of great importance, and brought into queswere frequently depicted in stotion with statistics ries and art. The national anishowing that the mal of the United States is the MATH:. probability of beBald Eagle. Through time, man Sequential I, II, Ill Pre-Calcutua A Celculua (AB,BC) ing killed in a dohas been fascinated with flying, SCIUICI£: mestic flight is 1 in and in 1783, according to Dr. Chema.try, -Physlca·Biology, 11 million Earth Sctenc. .

(Godfrey AviaRegents, A SAT II Subject Exams ....... tion). As a matter of AVAILABLE fact, the total numYEAR ROUND ber of airplane An Affair To Remember" .RIDGWOOD crashes decreased ''I'UTORIIIG .

- Distinctive Floral Designs between 1997 and Specializing In Fresh, Silk & Dried Arrangements Personalized Weddings & Special Events 1998 from 42 to 31, C'l:r.l \:~../' 'J. .:;. ,- ·~. ...

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by Allison Slotnick John Smith is a hard-working high school student. He gets straight A's, has a' part- time job, and always tries to do his best.

However, when his foreign language teacher invites him to participate in a foreign exchange program, he must decline. John is an aviophobic. He completely fears stepping onto an airplane.

John is not alone in his fear.

More than 25 million Americans suffer from aviophobia, states Ken Godfrey, a Federal Aviation Administration pilot examiner. Fear of flying is second only to fear of public speaking according to the National Institute of Mental · Health. Most people with this fear appear to be just like anyone else, with the majority being intelligent, successful perfectionists.

The term aviophobia, also known as aerophobia, can refer to several different fears, the most frequent one being the fear of losing control. Some are afraid that the other passengers are looking at them and do not want to have a panic attack in front of them. Others fear that the slightest turbulence will cause the plane to go down.

This is particularly associated with perfectionists who cannot deal with the slightest change.

Another phobia associated with flying is claustrophobia, the fear of closed spaces. Once the· doors close, many feel locked in, as though the walls of the plane are closing in.

"When flying on a major airline, you are safer than on anything other than an elevator to get from point A to point B. The stairs in your home are 10 times more dangerous than flying.

Being in your automobile is at least 266 times more dangerous than flying," says Dr. Albert Forgione, director of The Institute for Psychology of Air Travel. If this is true, then why do so many Americans dread going on a plane?

Maha l akshmi Gobalakrishna, sophomore, assumes that it is because "a plane crash only happens once in a while, and hundreds of people

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are affected. The news uses this . Forgione, "The first air passenand bombards people with con- gers, consisting of a sheep, a stant updates on the crash. A car rooster, and a duck, were carcrash is so frequent that it is not ried albft in a balloon." From shown on the news." Georgette that point, air transportation Wallace, English teacher, flies was continually improved, and frequently, about six times a over the last 100 years, man has year. She has not let this "bom- ·managed to "exceed the feats of bardment" of media reports on birds in terms of speed arid alrecent plane crashes stop her - titude," says Dr. Forgine. These from enjoying a vacation via improvements have allowed for plane. "Every time you get in a safer air transportation, but car, you see an accident on the more dependence on machines side of the road. It's ex,tremely and strangers (pilots).

One in six Americans is unrare to have a major airplane crash. Proportionally, it's a very comfortable · with the idea of

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also decreased from 1997-1998 . (3 to 1). This is a great improvement from over 50 years ago, when in 1938 there were far fewer accidents -29- and many more deaths - 54.

"People who handle the planes, such as mechanics, have to realize that the lives of 250 people will be lost if they are not. .. careful," says Amy Curcio, freshman . While some, like Amy, think that plane crashes on the whole could be prevented by more careful maintenance workers, Ms. Leib presumes that a rise in terrorism is the main cause of airplane crashes. "The Israelis used to have men comparable to secret service on the plane armed with guns, and there was never a hijacking. When booking a flight, I would think twice about an aidine that might be connected with terrorists, or has had past incidents," she said.

The most common cause of airplane crashes, though, is neither whatAmy norMs. Leib speculated. Over th~ last ten years, the majority of crashes have occurred due to pilot error.

While some may fear admitting their phobia, those who fear flying should keep in mind they are· not alone·. Michael Jackson, · "Ki ng 'of Pop;" Muhammad Ali, boxer; and Ronald Reagan, former United States President, have all acknowledged being extremely fearful flyers. The next time you walk on a plane arid are apprehensive about your imminent flight, just remember that your fear can be overcome.

Sources: ATA Home Page. "Data and Sta tistics." 1999. Online. 1 December 1999. <http:// w~w.air-transport.org/

public/industry/16 .asp> .

Forgione, Albert. "The Institute for Psychology of Air Travel."N.D. Online. 30 November 1999. <http:// www. techadvisers.cmn/ psyair>.

Godfrey Aviation. "Conquer Your Fear of Flying!" N.D. Online, 28 December 1999. <http://www.afraid2fl y.com>.

HealthyWay Internet Magazine.

"Fear of Flying: Plane·talk to help you get up in the air." · 16 February 1998. Online. 28 December 1999.<http:// www 1.nb.sympatico.ca/ healthywayHEALTHYWAYI feature_flyl.htmi>. · NTSB Home Page. "Aviation."

N.D. Online. 1 December 1999. <http://www.ntsb.gov/ · aviation.htm>.

Keybabjian, Richard. "19901999." 17 January 2000.

Online. ·22 January 2000. www.planecrashinfo.com

The Classic

12 NEW YORK'S UNKNOWN ... Street Performers June 2000

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Undergrou~nd

music

by Rebecca Munoz If Carnegie Hall tickets are too far out of your price range and waiting three hours for Fosse tickets doesn't seem to fit your idea of the perfect Saturday afternoon, don't fret For a $1.50 token ride, New Yorkers can experience opera and Australian aboriginal music, or ballroom and salsa dancing.

In 1987, the Metropolitan Transit Authority established its program Music Under New York. The program's main goal is to encourage the use of public transit by presenting visua·l and performing arts in subway and commuter rail stations.

Over 100 groups are currently signed up through the program and perform at 25 underground sites. Auditions for the permits needed to perform underground are held each year at Grand Central Terminal.

Performers may rec~ive donations, although they may not panhandle. Instead, many performer:> leave baskets or guitar cases open, hoping that they will be full by the end of the day. "I try to leave some change for the performers," said senior Eva Hochma.,

"They always make my subway ride more enjoyable."

"I don't really try to make a living this way. I just try notto starve to death," said a performer by the name of Mr. Spoons who slaps spoons to the tune of "All My Exes Live in Texas" below Grand Central Station: Two stops away, underneath Times Square, performer Julio Diaz dances with a life-size doll to salsa music.

Switch to the 1, 2, 3 or 9 train and in two more stops, underneath Columbus Circle, opera singer Basia Szabo can be heard singing an aria from Puccini's La Boheme. All three agree that this is hot an easy way to make money, but they do know that thousands of people hear or see their performances every day. And sometimes the publicity alone is enough incentive to continue working in the sunless, dirty and hot subway stations. In 1997, director Jona.than Demme asked performer Simon 7 to play his Australian aboriginal reed on the soundtrack of HBO's rnovie Subway Stories.

The publicity can come with a price, however. "There are sorne who are fouched and moved," said Szabo in reference to her audience, "But there is always one who will howl

and scream and try to mimic mits to sometimes following his me." Performers are strictly own listeners from station to prohibited from performing in station. Still, according to this any enclosed spaces, especially street performer, the important subway cars where subway rid- thing is that they're always ers do not have the option of there. "I love to see [the] same leaving the area if they are of- people over and over again. I fended by the performance. feel at home here," he said. · Although Rifku has only been calling America home for a year now, and has spent most of his life in more traditional "training" at a professional

by Andrew Goldberg At the only concert in town where the audience is scheduled to arrive even before the band has received a permit to play, breathless fans charge past the turnstiles and rush to join in the morning mosh pit. Strangely, it is in this crowded venue that the music plays between tracks (literally), that groupies don suits and carry attache cases, and that Rifku, a colorfully clad street performer, can Enticing straphangers off track, Rifku be found stationed beside performs a Korean ribbon dance at the Times the F train.

Square subway station.

Calling those straphangers who stop at the Times school in South Korea, there's Square subway stage (platalready something strikingly form) where the Korean ribbon . New York about his act. Rundancer performs "groupies" ning around in a circle while twirling the white ribbon atmight be a bit of an exaggeration, especially since Rifku adtached to his hat by rolling his head back and forth, Rifku, like any quintessential New Yorker, shows that he is capable of keeping up with the fast-paced city environment by performter with Commodus, which ing multiple tasks af once. His determines not only the fate dizzying display of simultaof each man but also the fate neous dancing, drumming, and of the Roman Empire. playing on such traditional inSimilar to Braveheart, struments as pans, wooden what made this movie great sticks, and bells could easily be is the pure spectacle of it. as an artistic interpretataken Through computer animation of the confusion of the tion, ancient Rome is recremorning commute, and his conated with wide aerial views of tagious enthusiasm is enough to the city and its distinguished lure many riders off track and architecture. The battles are cause a crowd.

"They usmilly superbly orchestrated and one love my performance," he said may be horrified by the vulwith a yellow-toothsome smile, garity of such a supposedly while wiping the beads of sweat cultured people. The audifrom his face. ence was completely sucked In a venue alm~st always in by the adventure-filled hotter than the acts that perform plot. there, where another opening Not only is the film beau(of train doors) brings about the tiful to look at, it is also an start of another show, the arrival example of fine acting. of a train is not just music to Crowe does a suitable job as the ears of his audience; Rifku, Maximus, but it is really _ too, is often in a rush to perform Phoenix who steals the show . for as many people as possible. with his wicked interpretation "I have a. time limit," he exof Commodus. He makes the plains, excusing himself from audience wholly hate the further conversation for one last character and turns him into performance as the next group the ultimate villain. of dancers prepares to step-in Gladiator is highly enterand relieve him of his prime taining, capable of captivatplatform. ing an audience and holding Aware that starting underit in suspense until the end. ground only leaves him one di-

nrnes Square Subway

Not too far to roam: Gladiator rules at boxoffice

by Sara Til.itz Envisien yourself in a theatre watching Mel Gibson's epic Braveheattminus the nifty kilts. You will also have to put yourself back about 1,100 years and 800 miles south. But if you can manage to do all this, then you are ready to watch Ridley Scott's visually stunning work, Gladiator.

The audience is presented with a hero who, like Gibson's character, is thrust into a situation with which he wants nothing to do. In the case of Gladiator, this hero comes in the form of a Roman general named Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe). Maximus is fiercely loyal to the elderly, ailing emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), and has just captured all of Germania for him. Although the leader's body is weak and his death is imminent, his mind is sharp enough to see that his only son, Commodus, played deviously by Joaquin Phoenix, is

far too corrupt to ever rule Rome. So, shunning tradition for the sake of stability, Marous secretly appoints Maximus to be the next Roman sovereign.

Although Maximus initially refuses, pleading to return to Spain after three years away from his wife and young son, he eventually realizes that leaving such a vast empire to Commodus would be disastrous. When Commodus is told of the plan, he turns against his own father and uses violence to secure his inheritance as Emperor of Rome. He then sends Maximus into the woods to be executed. Maximus escapes and rushes home, only to find that Commodus has unleashed his vengeance on Maximus' family as well.

Broken, both physically and emotional1y, Maximus is c-aptured and sold into slavery to become a gladiator in a backwater province in northern Africa. However, he remains intent on restoring power to the people of Rome. There be~ns· the adventure of his rise through the ranks as a gladiator until his dramatic encoun-

rection to go, this ribbon-twirler seems intent on putting a positive spin on life. "If I can make it in the New York City subway, I can make it anywhere," he said.

Broadway and 45th St.

by Bosede Adenekan Imagine walking on West 45'h and Broadway. Your destination is Virgin Megastore, which is right across the street. But blocking your path are people dancing. You quickly realize that these people have formed a soul train line, and are grooving to funky music that is being played by a live band called the "Nu Creation" Sound Track Band.

This is exactly what happened one night at an actual street performance, recalled George "G-Money" Culmer, who plays the saxophone. ·"The police came to disperse the crowd," he said.

The "New Creation" Sound Track Band can be heard playing Rhythm and Blues and Jazz at Times Square in the evenings during the weekend. They obtained a permit to play there from the New York City Police Department after auditioning. When asked why he opted to become a street performer, G- Money said, "It's just an enjoyable feeling." Mimy people react to the music by tapping their feet or dancing. A horse was even spotted tapping its hooves and shaking its head to the beat.

One passer-by, Isaac, spontaneously joined the band for one number, displaying his drumming skills.

The band members have been together for two and a half years, but each one has extensive musical experience.

"I've been playing instruments for 15 years. The violin was my first instrument. I play everything now and I'm also a•.vocalist," said G-Money. The drummer of the band even played with singer Anita Baker.

Although also playing near Nobody Beats the Wiz, the "New Creation" Sound Band intends to find time to help young students. One goal of the band is to initiate a program in public schools through which they will give vocal lessons to students. "The city is taking instruments out of our schools," said Rudy Sanders, vocalist and guitarist. "I want to give something back to the society," said G-Money.

The Classic June 2000

Sleeping on it:

13

What do dream·s ·mean?

not be proved; it's something you acby Carolina Chang After a hard day of school, home- cept on faith," said science teacher work and studying, sleep becomes your Howard Wagner, who teaches an eleconly friend. You put on your pajamas tive course on psychology. "It's not sciand hop into a soft cozy bed. The lights . ence, not testable. You can't prove it are out and you slowly drift into a deep right or wrong." When asked how sleep. This moment is your passageway someone can simply make up a theory to a new world. This is your on dreams and write a book on it, he responded, "When we don't understand dreamworld.

Dreams have been said to be holy something, we sink back to magic to messages and, as such, formed the ba- explain it." Ideas about the origin and sis for daily aspects of life in Biblical nature of dreams also seem to be floattimes and the Middle Ages. During Bib- ing about in the minds of the 275 lical times, dreams were regarded as Harrisites who took a dream survey last prophecies in which God would appear January. Out of those who were polled, and tell the dreamer what to do. How- over 180 have had the same dream more ever, people ofthe Middle Ages believed than once. The majority of the students dreams to be evil messages from Satan, recall the most frightening parts of their dreams. Others remember the last part messages that were often kept secret.

There are many theories and ideas of the dream before they wake up. Scary about the origin and meaning of dreams. dreams are the most colorful and vivid Some aborginal people believed that a and often stick in the mind longer. god dreamed about people and breught Through experiments, it has been found them out of the dreamworld into real- that a person has more than one dream ity. For example, the Uitoto? a tribe in per night. In addition, as the night southern Columbia, believed that its progresses, the probability of remember~ founding Father dreamt both the natives ing the dream increases as well. Some and their surroundings into existence. people have dream books and immediAccording to theologian Karen ately look for symbols that might foreArmstrong's History of God, people tell some secrets in their minds. dream about who God is and what He "Dreams have their own special way of does. When these theories lose mean- telling you things," said a senior. ing, argues Armstrong, another theory is dreamt up.

Joseph Campbell, a scholar of mythology, describes his 'When we don't understand belief in The Masks of God. something, we sink back to According to Campbell, magic to explain it.' dreams are results of conflicts within the human mind and body. Heaven, hell, all worlds, and gods Most of these surveyed seem to have exist within humans and these beings have different energies that collide with heard of the very influential theories of Dr. Sigmund Freud, whose The Intereach other.

The existence of an astral body is pretation of Dreams appeared in 1899. currently a popular explanation for why In this famous work, Freud theorized people dream, and there are quite a few that dreams have deep meanings and are books on the market which reflect this the "royal road to a knowledge of the popularity. Author AE. Powell's The unconscious activities of the mind."

Astral Body and Other Astral Phenom- "You dream about things that are supena explains that the astral body is a pressed in your conscious [mind]," said second body that is part of, yet separated sophomore Paulina Davis. Senior from, the physical body. This body be- Magdalena Podlecka agreed. "Dreams comes dominant when one sleeps and are your unconscious coming to your is a bridge between the mind and body. surface. Dreams take stressful or draWhen in sleep, the mind "hops" into this matic real life situations and alter them astral body. The astral body continues so the human being will not have a nerto participate in everyday functions just vous breakdown," she explained. as our physical body does during wak- Sophomore Andrew Gross said, "Eving hours. However, when one awakens, erything that you do in reality affects he has little recollection of his time in the subconscious. What you are conthe astral body. Therefore, this time cealing, afraid of or unsure about spent in the astral body has been identi- . comes out in your dreams."

"We tend to dream about the last fied as a dream. James R. Lewis, author of The Dream Encyclopedia, also thing we did, a confrontation. In later has some theories on the astral body. dreams, we tend to. wonder [where According Lewis, the astral body can we are], running, flying, swimming, travel quickly over great distances, aand or appearing naked," said Mr. may explain why some people wake Wagner. "This is where Freud gets from a dream seeming to know infor- the basis for his theory. In later mation about an unknown place. Predic- dreams, traumas and fears pop up," tions and "psychic 1!-bility" are also said he explained.

Some Harrisites have their own to come from the astral body.

"The concept [of astral bodies] can- methods for interpreting their

dreams. Sophomore Narae Lee said, "If from the gods, a way of rejecting old you fall from something [in your · information, or a time when our creativ· dream], that means that ~ou are growity can run free and wild. Whatever they ing." Three freshmen believe that if you are, dreams are a part of everyone's life dream of a funeral, someone will get and must be important - even though married. "Dreams pertain to life way their meaning is not yet definite. So, too much to be coincidental," wrote a sleep well and dream well. Good night! freshman on his survey.

Although Allan Hobson, a professor Sources: of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a researcher in the field of Alvarez, A. Night: Night life, Night language, Sleep, and Dreams. New York: dreams, dismisses Freud's theories as W.W. Norton, 1995 "pseudoscientific" (Boston Globe, 11/ Brown, J.A.C. Freud and thePost-Freudians.

2/99), he believes that emotions have London: Penguin Books, 1963. much to do with dreaming. According Drever, James. A Dictionary of Psychology. to Dr. Hobson, anxiety, anger, and elaLondon: Penguin Books, 1972. tion all work together to help a human Evans, Christopher. Landscapes of The survive. In a November 2, 1999 New Night: How and Why We Dream.

New York: Viking Press, 1984.

York Times interview, he said, "Sleep Freud, Sigmund. An Outline of Psychoenables you to run all the crucial proAnalysis. Trans. James Strachey. grams for behavior two hours a night."

New York: W.W. Norton, 1969.

To him, dreams play certain emotions Goode, Erica. "New Clues to Why Weto prepare for real-life situations, simiDream." New York Times. 2 No;, lar to how athletes visualize winning a 1999. game or race.

Kong, Dolores. "A century after Freud, why Current research focuses on using we dream remains a puzzle." scanning techniques to follow brain acBoston Globe. 2 Nov. 1999.

Online. 19 May 20000. http:// tivity during REM (rapid _eye moveweb.lexis-nexis.com ment) and non-REM stages of sleep. As Rain, Mary Summer and Alex Greystone.

REM occurs, heart rate, blood pressure, Mary Summer Rain's Guide to and respiratory functions increase draDream Symbols. Virginia: matically. The eyes are rapidly moving, Hampton Roads Publishing as if they are "seeing" the dream.

Company, 1996.

Through studies, it has been found Silverstein, Dr. Alvin and Virginia B. that REM is caused by a change in Silverstein. Sleep and Dreams. neurotransmitters, which are "mesNew York: J.B .. Lippincott, 1974.

Telesco, Patricia. The Language of Dreams. sengers" between nerves, in the California: Crossing Press, 1997. brainstem. Harvard researches Trosman, Harry. Freud and The Imaginative have concluded that this sudden · World. New Jersey: Analytic Press, change also begins the process of 1985. dreaming. The results of mapping this process· are consistent with people's accounts of their dreams: "the presence of florid images, intense emotions and gobs of memo-ry; the absence of orderly sequence, time sense, selfawareness and other hallmarks of waking consciousness" (New York Times, 11/2/99).

While many scientific studies have increased our knowledge of dreaming (as least the physical aspect), many questions have yet to be answered. Dreams could be wise words

..

14

The Classic June 2000

Largmann to retire in January1 New leaders to .head S.U. Continued from p. 1 the time for me to really learn how to use the computer." ciation, the Alumni Association, the Like many other New York City prinUnited Federation of Teachers and the student body. "I assume everyone will cipals, Dr. Largmann was used to traveling during the summer break until a have his say," said Dr. Largmann.

A handful of candidates will be se- requirement for working during the sumlected to move on to a second level of mer session was added in the new prininterviews, conducted by a representa- . cipals' contract. The contract passed on tive from the Chancellor of the Board December 16, 1999, created a new of Education's office, Superintendent work-year starting September 1, and Lee, and a superintendent from another . ending August 31. Now limited in the borough. The Chancellor will make the time allowed to visit new places, Dr. .final decision among those who make Largmann also thinks of his retirement it past the second interview. Superin- as an excellent opportunity to travel tendent Lee convinced Dr. Largmann more. "As long as one is healthy and to stay until the end of January to avoid able, one must take the. moment to do placing a temporary principal while in- these things," he said.

Dr. Largmann is quick to note that terviews are taking place and to facilitate a smooth transition. SuperinteQdent although his departure has been made Lee, a long-time supporter of Townsend official, he still has much to accomplish Harris was not available for comment before next January. His list of goals include a summer program for incombefore the publication of this article.

Dr. Largmann will be making a tran- ing . Harrisites which will "acclimatize sition of his own as he adjusts to life them to our school ·in advance of their beyond the Townsend Harris band coming in." After this year's many sucschedule. "I sometimes get tired of get- cesses of the Social Science Research ting up at 5:30 in the morning," he said. class, he also wishes to start raising Some ideas he shared for his future in- money for the addition of a wellcluded helping in the training of new equipped research lab. Finally, in reprincipals, lots of traveling and fine tun- sponse to the recent trend of many ing his computer skills beyond access- schools around the country to increase ing e-mail and using word processing their standards, he intends to upgrade the programs. Dr. Largmann said "This is criteria for a Townsend Harris diploma.

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Continued from p. 1 bates and was disappointed by the turnAlexandra Silva, junior, will be the out. "There;s a whopping ten people next Public Relations Officer. here; not even all the candidates are up there! Then, people complain about In order to become a candidate in the stuff like 'lack of communication!' Get ·final election, hopefuls had to take part off your butts and do something!" she · in the second annual primaries. Debates for these primaries took place during said.

Several issues, including the disthe lunch bands in the cafeteria on solving of the student senate and variMarch 29 and :30. Candidates spoke to ous student "alliances," such as The the students about their reasons for running and why they felt they were best Coalition and United Students, were desuited for the job. The lunchtime atmobated. S.U. President candidate Ansphere, however, took some attention thony Ciolli argued that not all student senators are reliable and, therefore, do away from the candidates and issues at not present the student body with timely hand. S.U. President Alison Park had and accurate information. Alex, S.U. to interrupt the speeches several times in order to tell the student body to quiet President candidate Michael down.

Giacopelli, S.U. Vice-President candidateAgata Zajkowski, and Junior ViceWhen the speeches got underway, President candidate Daniel Wallenstein, candidates each took their own aphowever, seemed to be in agreement proach. S.U. President candidate Jarvis that student senate is positive because, Lagman, observing that the audience seemed uninte-rested in his prepared as Daniel put it, "If it were up to most speech, ripped up his paper to "speak of the students, nothing would be done.

They really don't care." According to from [the] heart." Jaime Sackett, who Marc, the students who began to walk said she had not been made aware of out in the middle of the debates illusthe debates until the morning of the trated this. He began pleading with · event, spoke of her experience: She told them, "Please come back. What's the the audience that she hoped to "fix this big deal? Have a good time!" lack of communication to the underclassmen." Junior Vice-President candidate Alex Paulenoff proposed 2000-2001 Senior Council Winners a trip to Niagara Falls for next year's President: Anthony Ciolli junior class.

Vice-President: Zachary Weinst~in On March 30, Treasurer: Richard Wong another debate was Secretary: Emi,ly Rubinstein held after school in the auditorium.

This was the first time that the deMs. Garcia decided to start having bates were not held during class time, a pr-imary election last year in order to · and were based on voluntary participamake the election process "more demotion. Odile Garcia, Coordinator of Stucratic and comparable to the real dent Activities, decided to make this world." The purpose of the primaries change because in the real world, "votis to allow students to better acquainted ers have to take time out in order to find with the candidates before having to out about the candidates." This adjustmake their final decision. In order to ment to parallel the "real world" reget one's name placed on the initial prisulted in an extremely low t urnout. At mary ballot, a potential cand~date had the start of the debate, only 20 students to obtain approval from the guidance sat in the audience, and, a half hour department, dean, several teachers, and later, only 10 remained. Sabrina their classmates.

Banhan, sophomore, attended the de-

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15 Boys' Tennis team finishes tough season in A Division

by Josh Fox Townsend Harris in Division A. That The Division A Boys' Tennis team, says a great deal about the team. They coached by James Murray, finished the are playing against the toughest comseason with a record of 2-8. Their lone petition and are really the fifth best team two wins were against John .8 Bowne on May 1 w ~ and May 2. De~ spite their poor >. .D record, they competed hard nearly every game and lost to the second ranked Francis Lewis narrowly, 3-2. The Hawks competed fiercely against Benjamin Cardozo, the first Senior Jared Melzer works on his serving in a practice held at ranked team in the Queens College tennis courts. Melzer had a successful season, Division A, and playing doubles with Andrew Galmer. lost 3-2 as well.

The Hawks are led by a core of three veteran se- in New York City. Murray feels that he niors. Divya Narendra and Andrew has a "tremendous team, with outstandFranklin play singles and Jared Melzer ing spirit and cohesiveness and unity, plays doubles with underclassmen ev~n in a losing season!"

David Galmer and Andrew Gross. The Murray believes that the team will substitutes are Ashish Arora, Nishant be very strong next year with the talCeyyur, and John Pingol. ented substitutes filling in for the leavTennis is the only boys' team in ing seniors.

~

Teens tour Europe Continued from p. 6 Ms. D'Souza,and the American Coun~ cil for International Studies (ACIS), a company that specializes in providing educational tours in foreign countries for American students. The 15 Harrisites were accompanied by about 30 students from Glenrock High School in New Jersey, since the 15 people who signed up for the trip from Townsend Harris were not enough to fill the bus and the tour number requirements. "Going with another school was good, " said freshman

Ashley Mastronardi, ~'because I got to meet new people." "The trip went very smoothly, "added Ms. D'Souza, "and we had a good time with Glenrock High School."

The cost of the trip was $2,000. The amount included the tour provided by ACIS, a hotel fee 1 and all meals except lunch. Ms. D'Souza had suggested students bring about $400 as spending money with them. The trip is planned based on the demands of the St!Jdents, and is not limited to students of French.

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Hawks end season on high note with win . ·Continued from p. 16 ~ .: ~ Grill, -who, hit-.~89 for the• season With 1 many ways. One way that this year 14 RBI's, including some big hits in key was different, however, was that coach situations.

Anthony Scarnati scheduled more The Hawks will hope for some young non-league games for the team and talent to come their way next year, as they took advantage of their opportufour players will be graduated this June, nities. opening four starting positions.

Although dropping two games to A The team was very fortunate this year Division Bayside High School, the to get some young talented players in Hawks made very strong showings in the starting lineup, and could not have their other non-league games. The won the games that they did without Hawks dominated Arts & Business High their freshman shortstop Tommy School in a game where Larry Manis L6heide. Loheide played a solid shortmade his pitching debut as a starter. stop and was also very impressive at the Manis allowed just one run and also hit plate. Hitting in the lead-off spot for a homerun in the win. the majority of the team's games, ~n April 25, the Hawks split a Loheide batted .358 overall and a teamdouble-header against Jamaica High leading .390 in league play. He also hit School. Despite losing the first game a homerun and had eight RBI's for the 10-9, in which Jamaica came from be- Hawks. Loheide led the Hawks in sto- · hind to score three runs in their final half len bases with 25, six of those stolen of the last inning, the Hawks came back bases coming in one game. strong in the second game. Mike Yirilli, Another young player who displayed Chris Ignatiou and Larry Manis pitched a lot of talent this year is sophomore a combined no hitter, allowing one run. third baseman/pitcher Erkhan MuJad. Gregg Erspamer delivered the big of- Murad, who did not see much playing fensive punch for the Hawks when he time last year, started in all but one game . hit a grands lam over the left field fence, this season, hitting .361 in league play his second career grands lam at Jamaica. · with a homerun and five RBI's. Murad "This was a very disappointing sea- also proved to be an effective-relief son," said Erspamer. "I personally was pitcher, appearing in five games this very bad when I needed to be good," he year. added. Erspamer, who set a school Although the seniors would have record last year with a .410 batting av- liked to make the playoffs during their . erage, finished hitting .311 this season years at-Townsend Harris, they still can with a homerun and 15 RBI's, but hit look back on their experiences on the just .200 in league games. playing field in a very positive light.

"It was a disappointment not to make "Baseball was a lot of fun for me here the playoffs, but, I'm glad to see the and I really enjoyed it," said Erspamer. team grow from nothing in my fresh- "There were a lot of good times," added man year to an established team," said Grill .

16 Baseball team rounds out season with big win The Classic

June2000

By Brian Griffing The Boys' Varsity Baseball team ended an up and down season on a high note on Wednesday, May 17, when they took their final two games from Queens Vocational after have been eliminated from playoff contention the week before. On a day when the Hawks played, arguably, their best game of the year, they took an early lead, and behind solid pitching and defense, never looked back in their 5-1 victory.

Junior Larry Manis produced his team-leading seventeenth run batted in (RBI) when he grounded out, scoring senior Anthony McCoy from third base.

Senior Chris Ignatiou, playing in his last game at Townsend Harris, went out in style, going 2-3 with two runs batted in.

It was Ignatiou's second inning RBI single down the right field line that gave the Hawks all the runs they would need.

Junior Mike Yirilli pitched a complete game for the Hawks, allowing just one run over seven innings.

Before the Hawks played their final game, they first had to finish another game ·against Queens Vocational that was suspended when time expired on the Queens Vocational field permit: The game that began on Monday, May 15 got off to a bit of a rocky start when Queens Vocational took a 7-3lead. But the Hawks refused to lose and down four runs, they put together a nine-run fifth inning to take the lead back. The Hawks

finally got to a pitcher who had been that gave the Hawks all they could inning off with a walk and advanced to giving their hitters trouble in the earlier handle this season. But the Hawks pre- second on a stolen base. Then, with the innings, and tied the game. After the vailed in winning the season series by winning run in scoring position, senior pitcher was ejected from the game in the . taking two out of three very close games. Anthony McCoy lined an opposite field fifth inning, the Hawks blew the game R.F.K. handed the Hawks their first loss single to right field. Erspamer scored open and took a 12-7 lead. When the in their season opener, winning 7-5. easily and the Hawks won in dramatic game resumed on Wednesday at Kissena The Hawks took the next game by a fashion to take the season series from Park, the Hawks kept the lead intact, score of 7-4, tying the season series at R.F.K. winning 12-8. one game a piece and setting up what The B Division was ultimately won Despite the strong finish by the turned out to be one of the most excit- out by Forest Hills High SchooL BeHawks, the boys failed to make the play- ing games of the season. In the rubber hind their left-handed ace Matt Rigotti, offs for the second straight year in the ma_tch, played on May 5, the teams Forest Hills gave the B Division teams very comneeded ex- all kinds of problems. Even though the tra innings Hawks had trouble hitting against Forpetitive Queens B to decide est Hills, they still competed hard and the out- showed that they could play with them.

Division.

'It was a disappointment not -come. The The Hawks lost a very tight game to the Ironically enough, the Hawks division winners on April 5 at Forest to make the playoffs, but I'm Hawks trailed 7-4 Hills. The Hawks played a phenomenal glad to see the team grow in the bot- defensive game, only allowing three were elimifrom nothing in my freshman tom of the runs, but the Forest Hills pitching was nated from sixth in- · just too much. Larry Manis had a big playoff year to an established team.' ning, when day at the plate for the Hawks in the 3contention senior left 2loss. Manis went 3-4 with two RBI's, almost the fielder Jor- including a solo homerun over the right same way they were dan Grill centerfield fence. last year: in a heart-breaking loss at came up with the bases loaded and deWith Forest Hills running away with Flushing High School on a Friday af- livered a base~clearing, game-tying the Division title by the middle of the ternoon. Overall, it was a fairly impres- triple over the head of the R.F.K. left season, the rest of the teams were left battling for second place and the final sive season for a team that finished with fielder.

The Hawks were unable to drive Grill playoff spot. In the end, just like last a league record of 6-6, just narrowly home from third with one out in the in- year, Flushing prevailed, beating out the missing the playoffs. _ If nothing else, the Hawks estab- ning, and the game went to extra in- Hawks and R.F.K. For the Hawks, the 2000 season was lished some intense rivalries. At the top nirigs. The teams battled through until a lot like the 1999 inaugural season in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Senior of the list is a much improved Robert F. Continued on p. 16 Kennedy High School (R.F.K.) team second baseman Gregg Erspamer led the

Softbal_ l team reaches post-season once again

By Arielle Frost The Girls' Varsity Softball team locked up third place in the Queens Di. vision I and a playoff spot on May 22 when the girls defeated Flushing High School 20-14 in an extra elimination game. Trailing 13-8 in the top of the seventh inning, the girls rallied to score 12 runs in the inning and they never looked back from there. Freshman Daphne Perez had a four-hit game for - the Lady Hawks and drove in six runs.

Sophomore Kristina Casper went 2-3 with 4 RBI's in the win.

The teams needed the one game playoff in order to determine the final playoff spot because both teams were tied in the standings and split the season series. This situation is new to the girls on the team and Coach Larry Ceraulo because they have won their division without any difficulty in past years.

Their past success can be attributed mostly to windmill pitcher Dina Parise, who was graduated last year. Parise, who has gone on to play softball for the University of Pennsylvania, was one of the best pitchers in New York City.

Behind her strong right arm, the Lady Hawks went undefeated in their division last season and made it to the quarter finals with a final record of 22-3.

This season, things have b.een slightly different for the team, which has a league record of 6-4. The team not only suffered defeats to its long time rival, Bryant, but has also lost to Newton and Flushing. Of the hardships tha~ the

team has faced so far this season, senior catcher and captain Lillian Bloch, said, "It's so frustrating. We're not used to losing like this." Junior pitcher Debbie Gopstein said, "I think this is a rebuilding year for us. We lost Dina but we have a lot of other talent on the team.

We just have to learn how to step up and make up for the talent we lost."

ful bat to the team, hitting five homeruns so far. Perez has also shown that she has a talent for windmill pitching. Second base has been taken over by returning sophomore Jessica Sharoff, and freshman Melissa Tubens has played this position, as well as others. Another new edition to the team is freshman Andi Strauss, who had never played softball ~

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Freshman Daphne Perez gets ready to hit a pitch. Perez has been a stellar shortstop for the Lady Hawks, both in the field and at the plate, where she drove in six runs in the one game playoff against Flushing High SchooL

Besides Parise, the Lady Hawks also lost shortstop Mary DeCicco and second baseman Julia Heim. Those positions have been filled with young talent that looks very promising. Freshman Daphne Perez has become the starting shortstop and has also broughi a power-

before this season but appears to be a natural athlete. . The Girls' Varsity Softball team has many talented returning players as well. Ceraulo, noted vast improvement in Lillian Bloch's catching and hitting, and in junior right-fieldder

Arielle Frost's hitting and defense.

Debbie Gopstein has also stepped up, moving into the pitching position.

Sophomore first baseman Kristina Casper, last year's rookie of the year, has proved that the "sophomore jinx" does not affect everybody as her performance on the field and at the plate has not let up since her impressive debut last season. Other key players include senior captain Vanessa Matsis, junior Alexandra Silva, and junior Mare] Temiz, who continue to start for the Lady Hawks.

Though the team has not been as successful as it has in the past, it has had some important accomplishments.

Ceraulo said, "We're competing against some ofthe best teams in the city. We're proving to them that we deserve respect." As far as the rest of the season is concerned, Alex Silva said, "We're going to beat Flushing and do great in the playoffs." Vanessa Matsis agreed, saying, "We're going to make it-to the quarter finals just like we did last year.

Just watch."

Ceraulo complained that the team's biggest problem is that "too many people are missing too many games" and he jokingly says, "Show up!" Other than that, the girls are having a great, fun-filled season. The rest of the school can share in the fun by reading Ceraulo's humorous "highlights and lowlights," which are promptly posted outside of the sports office after each game, or they can come cheer for the team in person.

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