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VoL ,1'7, No. 3,January 2002 •
aS SIC Townsend Harris -High School at Queens College
149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367
Behindthe music:
SING! highlights grade unity, New York City spirit by Carolina Chang As ninth band comesto an end, you descend down the stairs into the main . lobby. Suddenly, you hear a mix of different songs and see your fellow classmates perfecting various dance moves. All these signs can only point to one thing: the arrival of the third annual SING! SING! will be held in the auditorium from Janua~y 31 to February 2. The first show will be a dress rehearsal where the three groups, the seniors, the juniors, and the sophmen (a combination of freshmen and sophomores) will work out any kinks and ·put final touches on . their self-produced shows. The dress rehearsal will be from 3-6 PM and is free of charge. Co-commissioner Jenna · Sangastiano, senior, warns, however,
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th51t it won't be "as good as the others." to relax and have a laugh: "It's harder The otlier two shows will both begin · to have fun these days, but people are at 6 PM and end at 9 PM. Tickets cost ready to move on and look on the posifour dollars and will be sold at the Stu- tive side of things and show appreciadent Un~on stqre and by SING! cast tion for New YorkCfty and the people members. If ti<;kets still remain, they in it," said Co-commissioner ¥eghan . may be purchased at the door. Gill, senior. · · Across the board, the directors In light of th~ World Trade Center incident, this year's theme is New York. agreed that the highlight of SING! will ~·The top!c was more free form. The probe the dance numbers and the songs. ducers and everyone involved ...weren't "You're going to see some great dance hindered by the theme; instead they numbers, songs·and lines that show our could build on it and expand," said pride and ho~ proud we are to be living . Jenna. in the greatest city in the world," said The directors all stayed away from sophmen director Margo Kakoullis. the actual event; instead they focused SING! is a mini-competition, a battle on the comical aspects ofbeing a New of the. .grades. The directors and cast Yorker. The)' manipulated funny stereo- members are quite secretive about their types that marked a "true New Yorker" . plots and story lines. However, it is not in hopes of giving .the audience a time as cutthroat as it seems. "Everyone
wants to win, you wantto see your grade win, but we try not to take itso personally and try and have fun!" said Margo. Senior co-director ' Stephanie Kujaw.ski also commented on the nature of SING!: "[SING!) defini!ely shows school spirit. You want to support your grade because it's a competition. It shows the talent the people in your grade have. SING! . really brings groups of people together who are usu<_llly in cliques. Drawing from all groups of people from the grade to perform shows everyone what you're ma~e qf." SING! is an event that depends on high participation by all the classes. "It's entirely student tun: done by the students, for the students," said Jenna. Meet the SING! directors (p. 6)
Mars sets high Qoals as Foreign Language AP tiJTial success and then can go to the colby Daniel Bloch "I am verY, excited to be here, even _lege Qf [his or her) choice," s_he contin- . though I have not gotten acclimated ued. "Also, my goal is to help and work yet," said Lisa Mars, the very recently appointed Assistant Principal of Foreign Languages. Replacing Miriam Zambrano, who was just appointed to John Bowne High School and who had ar-rived at the school last September, Ms. Mars received notice of her new job oti January 29, one day before the start of the spring semester. "This · is common, to be appointed [with such Lisa Mars short notice]," Ms. Mars ·explained. "Every teacher in the city is . with the faculty and to listen." encouraged to apply for various posi"I have an open door policy," Ms. tions. It's an open application process." Mars added, urging students t~ visit her _ "It wasn't a hostile takeover," she office in room 437. said, laughing. Prior to arriving at Townsend, Ms . . As well as taking over as AP, -Ms. Mars served as Foreign Language CoMars is teaching one Regents level ordinator for three years atJhe Queens Spanish class. Her goal for that class, Gateway to Health Science Secondary . she said, is to see that "evety student School. "It's a very new school," she gets 100% on the Regents exam." ''I'm said. "It's geared toward preparing stuc here to facilitate whatever the students dents for careers in math and science, need done. My singularly most impor- and it is affiliated with Mount Sinai tant goal is that every student attain op- Medical Center."
Revised Community Service Policy ·. . p. 3 .
SING! Directors
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Receiving her Mas-ters in Contemporary Latin American Literature from St. John's University, Ms. Mars emphasized tha.t she has always loved languages. Her affinity for teaching emerged early on in her life. "Since I was nine years old, I've wanted to be a teacher and nothing else. I've never known what it's like to want to be something else," she said. Thb start of the spring term saw sev-
era! other ne.W faces and departures throughout the school. Richard Russo, Larin teacher,.and Michael Anze1 , chemistry teacher, are on sabbatical, while Alice · Wolf, English teacher, was excessed (a position was removed due to budgetary restrictions) and appointed to Richmond Hill High SchooL All new teachers will be featured in the next issue of The Classic.
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PBS documentary fe.atures Harris Intel participants by Marlo Dublin they had been doing in preparation, Part one of the Public Broadcastas well as their general thoughts about ing System's three-part miniseries the competition. featuring this _school's Intel Science • John Merrow, Executive Producer Research competition participants of the miniseries, hopes that the segc aired on December 24. ment will re-air some time ai the beThe 13-minute segment, which ginning of February but no definite was shown on The News Hour with date has been scheduled. If you Jim Lehrer, featured personal intermissed the first airing and wish to views with five Townsend Harris seview· it, visit the movie archives of the PBS Online News HourHomepage at niors: Rio May Del Rosario, Akshta Kalla, Marisa Cohen, Linda To, and h.ttp//www.pbs .org/newshour. The Vito De Ienna, as well as several stuvideo can be found under "Young Scidents from Plainview-Old Bethpage entists,'; and other additional informa- · High School. During the interviews, tion regarding the miniseries' prqduccompetitors spoke about their. indition and airdates can be found on this vidual projects, the extensive research website, as wei(
Restaurant Review p. 7 .
Sports p~a
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The Classic
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Giving back becomes a bit easier A common complaint among Harrisites is that there are simply not enough · hours in the day to complete all of their assigned tasks. Between home- . work, tests, collaterals, extra-curricular activities, and community service, many find it difficult to find a few hours for eating, sleeping and just being a teenager; After ayear or two of being a student at Harris, most get adjusted but still find the hectic schedule quite frustrating. Often, someone will speak up and try to make a suggestion by starting a petition, speaking to a student senator or attending a Consultative Council meeting.However, by senior year, many moans can.·be heard of students giving up and saying that nothing will ever change and that there will always be a struggle between the administration and the students. With the revision of the community service policy (seepage 3), students rimy begin to see a glimmer of hope for the possibility of change in Townsend Harris as well as an increased awareness of what's important to the stu-. dents. Though this modification may only seem like a small step, it actually reflects a great understanding of and compassion for the busy schedules . that we, as Harrisites, endure daily. · Being ableto receive community service credit hours through participatioJ1 in in-school acrivities demonstrates that the administration actually realizes how much we do for the 'school com'!lunity.' Through helping department heads, the library, attendance office, work on school publications and on athl~tic teams, students are improving Townsend Harris. It is a huge investment of their time and finally, they are being recognized for all that they contribute. Mandating service to one's community-has always been a unique aspect of Townsend Harris. So many students get so much out of their community service that they otherwise would not have. Everyone seems to have their . own story about, an experience that they learned from or moved them emo-· tionally. For this reason, the revised policy seems to work in that the community service is still required for the mostpart, but at the same time, the amount of time is reduced to take into consideration the contributions made in school. Each Founder's Day, one speaker always seems.to mention how special Townsend Harris· is 'because it truly is a 'community.' With the revision to the policy, this ··comrimnity' statement is. finally being formally recognized and put into action, as are the contributions of so many Harrisites who jnvest their time to better this community, both in and out of school.
'Places I'll remember all· my life' by Daniel Bloch
As I collect my thoughts on the first half of junior year and look toward the spring semester, I am left \Vith a bizarre vision. Janus, the Roman god ;-of doorways, gazes forward to the future and back to the.past while one ear on each head is plugged into The Beatles' "In My Life.'.' "There are places I'll remember all my life," the ancient stone faces sing. This dynamic twosome of wisdom sure can jam, .but what meaning lies hidden in this anachronistic fantasy besides the obvious ·fact that I desperately need a nap? ''Remember the non-academic wonders of life," advis.e their booming and knoJVing voices. "Strive in the present to balance your future and ; your past." They could not be more right. Tests and collaterals can broaden our fields of view and show us our strengths and limitations. Yet exams, papers and our report cards must not be the first thi.ngs we remember about our time at Townsend Harris five years from now. Good grades are great and bad gnides can sting, but when
you get right down to it, they are only numbers. What ultimately counts, -though, is whether or not we apply the concepts weha~e been taught to our non-academic lives. If we spend our high school years ·doing nothing but worrying about college, then we will have missed out on some tremendous opportunities. Likewise if we dwell on the past-thinking about bad grades, stupid comments we made in class-this stifles us too. Our school is like one giant smorgasbord, offering an array of steaming selections, and there are various meal plaris from which to choose. The first is for those who dwell so much at each station that by the time they .have reached the cashier, their food is ice cold. Then there's the second, .that pits student against student to load up his or her plate with as much food as possible in 10 seconds and then race to the finish line, The prize is a fancy dessert, but it tastes hollow and unsatisfying, The third plan allows diners to move past the buffet at their ·own pace, with fellow diners helping each other with the salad and offering to slice bread for one another along . ·. . . the way. High School is where our past, present and .future merge. Often the different stagestwist around one another until the .individual times (and their priorities) are undistinguishable. There are antidotes to this pull among the cubby, the locker and the dorm room: friendship and service. An old proverb says;"Thereis no better mirror than an old friend," and this adage is all the more relevant not only in junior year, but also throughout high school. Joining clubs, participating in extracurricular activities and donating time to our communities for the sake of pure enjoyment, interest, and the pleasure of giving allow us to learn how to work together, empathize with one another and gain common sense. This valuable life lessons are what my vision of Janus must have been telling ine. It is a wonderful eomfort to rehtt~ with a Harrisite. To see worries, hesitations, strengths and questions reflected in a friend can ease a burden. It is · extremelyimportant for us to create and nourish our high school friendships. Seek out the advice and wisdom of your peers to simplify your life. In addition, our individual humanity is reaffirmed each time we help an· other person, friend or stranger. Holding tight to these ideals will make our high school days fuller and more worthwhile . . Then, in five years, we can look back on these days and say: ''In my life, I've loved thefl:\ all."
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Daniel Bloch Allison Slotnick Co-Editors-in-Chief
News Staff: .Lily Chu, Beth Dubin, AkshlaKalla, Bryan Kirschcn, Steven Lee, Shara Siegel
Feature Staff:
Jessica Berger, Jcn_nifcr Bhuiyan, Nmaliya Binshtcyn, Marlo Dublin,
Arianna C. Freyre, Slavic Israeli an, Nadia -Kahnauth, Katie Kogan, Syhil Kotlappallil, Terrance Lai, Lina Lee, Linda Luu, Christina Munoz, Anna Olsnn,Jhn_nathan
Jennifer Gong Sarah Schnee
Jamie Gulle.n Feature Editor
co:News Editors
Angela Hom Managing Editor
Jessica Wang
Karen Hendershot
DianeTiao
Assistant News Etlitor
Entertainment Editor
Steven Lee
Kerry Purtell Emily Rivlin-Nadler
Ashley Pillsbury
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Art Editors
Sunayna Ramdeo,
Umara Saleem, Ann Mnrgarct Santa-Incs, Rachel Schiffman, Katherine Shi, Ben Strauss, Tina. Wu
Sports Staff:
Rachel ACosta, Stephen Berger, Caroliria Chang, Chloe Chall, J<Jsh Fox,
Elyse Lcc,Talya Liehennan
Assistant Feature Editor
Copy/Online Editor
Pa.~<.Ula,
Sports Editor
William Yang
lisa Cowen
David Belsky
Photography Editor
Advisor
LayoUt Editor
Artists:
Amy Blauncr, Beth Dubin, Annie Lau, Doris Ortcgu, Rachel ~chiffman, Emmi1
Xino, Stephanie
Zapa~
Phot_ography Staff:
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Layout Staff : Pamela Chari, Matthew Kaufman, Katie Kogan Online Staff : Waqa.< Shaikh
Townsend Harris High School at Queens College 149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, N.Y. 11367 The Classic is an open forum for the expression of student views. The opinions expressed therein should not be taken to represent those of the administration or faculty or'stuoent body as a whole. Readers are invited to submit letters to the editor. Letters should be placed in Ms. Cowen's· mailbox in the general office. The Classic reserves· the right to edit all letters. Letters must include nanie and official class. Names will be withheld upon request. _Visit The C/a,\',\'ic: online nt: hllp://www.clusSic.opcnwd.com
Principal -Thomas Cunningham
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Carnival. raises spirits and funds
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The Classic January 2002.
Blum provides attentive ear to youth group '
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by Jamie Gullen making bracelets for my club, by Lina Lee ingshe would become a teacher. "After From food and drinks to booths both Shakespeare's s·isters: It was very frusSocial worker Heather Blum offers receiving my BA, I was UIJSUre ·which new and old, this year's Winter Carni- trating; but fun," said freshman Katie a cozy and comfortable room for those route I wanted to take. Did I want to val, held on January 24 from 7:00 to Seidler. who wish to discuss teen issues. She is become an educator in a classroom I 0:00, provided guests with a variety of Some booths had a serious tone, replacing former social worker Thea helping 30 plus students at the same activities and gave clubs a chance Cohen, who retired last June. time or did I want to work one-on-one to raise money. There was a five Working with Assistant Principal of helping children? Either. way I wanted dollar admission fee, and addiPupil Personnel Services, Joan Walsh, to be in a school setting," she said. She Ms. Blum decided to form a group so first worked as a caseworker for protional tickets cost 50 cents each. The wide variety of refreshthat issues can be addressed with many tective services after receiving her ments included smoothies, baked students at 9nce. Meetings are currently Bachelor's Degree and then worked her goods, gingerbread men, and cot-. scheduled for Wednesdays during seve way up to earn her Masters in Social ton candy. Some of the n'e w enth band. The group also met during Work Degree. "I love the feeling 'I get fifth band in December, and sixth.band when I know I helped someone oat. I booths featured were hair braiding, electric car racing, and the in January. This rotation was arranged usually get close with the ·kids ;and I Where's Waldo competi~ion in order ·to. allow everyone to partici- even get letters and cards from them,''· pate. said Ms. Blum. sponsored by the Student Union. "Bring a friend, bring lunch, andes"My role as a social worker goes The new book club, BAM, offe red carnival ·goers a chance to pecially bring ideas," said Ms. Blum. home with me every day because it's ..., The group will be touching matters such part of me," she said. Ms. Blum always make their own bookmarks with.. bO .:!:! as peer pressure, drugs, college and any- thinks of the students even while·she is famous quotations on them. With Cl) thing else that happens to be on students' busy with her hobbies, such as reading the addition of these new booths, ~ .c. Cl)· minds. Ms. Blum plans to share poems mystery and suspense novels, working some enjoyed this year's. carni;;., .0 and stories, in addition to listening and out at the gym, or spending time with' val better than those they had at80 being there for the students as a frierid her family. tended inthe past. "It's much bet~ and a social worker. She said her personality does not ter than last year. I've been here you marry me?," senior Steve Madureira Outside ofthe youth group, she also change when she steps · outside of five mimit~s)ind I'ni already proposes to. a glowing senior, Rio May Del Rosario, meets with students individually. "My · school. "I'm the same in both sc;:ttings. feeling the' vibes," said sopho- at the marriage booth. role is to be available for all the students I'm patient, cautious, caring, and undermore Nina Mozes. and staffmembers. The guidance coun- · · standing," she said. After many years Some fami liar booths included Henna painting; which was spon- tho~gh . Senior Jonathan Grassi, a mem- selors, our psychologist and I are here of experience as a counselor, she -con- .· sored by both the debate team and the . ber of Archon, the community service to approach any situation that may arise eludes that every person has a problem junior class, ''Make the Phoenix Fly,'' honor society, set up a stand to distrib- . in a student's life either academic or he or she needs t6 talk ' about and ttiat and face painting from ,the Art Club. "It ute information about organ donations non-academic," she said. "My door is she .is the person wiliing to listen: '· ."I advise the teens to just stop·by and seems like a ~:eal carnivaL It has all the and gave out information to passersby. always open for anyone who wants to see what the youth group is . -like , real booths: portraits, hot dogs, cotton "My .aunt received a kidney from my talk," said Ms. Blum. Since both her parents were educa- They've got nothing to lose,"rsaid ,Ms, candy. We'vegot everything;·· saidjun~. uncle, so I wanted to support groups and ior Yanine Hess;·. make a difference," said Jonathan. He tors, Ms. Blum wentthrough life think- ' Blum . • • · Some students spent most of their . hoped to reach 600 students through the . time at the carnival working at a booth booth and talking in classes for two pre~ . instead of visiti'n,g others. "I had fun vious days. · '
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.Certain extracurriculars count towards community service tfie approved activities, they can either by AllisonSiotnick thomas Cunningham, principal, receive I 0 hours in the case of the Hondeems the revised policy for community . ors_£:ertificate or 20 hours for induction service that was put into effect on Januc into Archon. ary 30 to be just one part of a "real This revision is in no way a phasing change ...an ongoing looking for im- out of the importance of performing provement." Harrisites will now be al- community service outside the school, lowed to to obtain one-fourth of their as 75 perc~nt of the hours must still be community service hours through par- completed in non-school-based activiticipation in an ·approved school activ- ·. ties. The approved activities are "very ity. . ' . specific. :. [they are] things that are truly According to the new policy, which <:;ommunity service issues .. .Townsend was distributed with report cards, some Harris is a school community," Mr. of the ''approved in~school service ac- Cunningham stresses. "Hours are not tivities" inoh.id~ being a peer tutor, ath- · awarded for erasing the chalkboard," he letic staff assistant or member of an ath- added. The old community service policy of letic team, or 'being an attendance monitor, among others. The fa~::ulty advisof completing all 40 hours outside of the of the activitymust verify students' par- _.:.· school was looked over after a suggesticipation for students to receive full • tion from some parents in the spring of credit hours. · . 2001. Mr. Cunningham then presented To earT) .a To.w nsend Harris High ~he idea at a cabinet meeting at which School Endorsed Honors Certificate at Wanda Nix, dean; Adam Stonehill, Co. graduation, students must perform a ordin~tor of Student Activities; Harriet minimum of 40 annual hours of com- Blechman, Attendance Coordinator; munity service. Archon, the community Arthur Boulanger, Program Coordina· service honor society, requires a mini- tor; and all of the assistant principals mum of 80 completed hours for induc- were present. On January 10, the final tion. Since this revised policy allows revised copy of the policy was introfor students to obtain one-fourth of their duced at a Parent-Teacher Association total community service hours through meeting.
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Some Students Want to Survive·the TESITYPE;.
Others Want t_o Conquer It.
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Winter concert rings in holiday season ~ Rocks," by Ian Hunter, popularly Sending a message of peace andgood known as the theme song to The Drew tidings for the New Year to come, the Carey Show. The song was changed by annual Winter Concert was the site for the band to "New York Rocks ." Junior an assortment of uplifting melodies and John Boneta played the role of Drew holiday music. Brought together for the . Carey and surprised the audience by evening, family, students, and stafffilled getting up during the performance and the seats in the auditorium on Decem- taking off his shirt, revealing a characber 20, the Thursday before winter va- ter t-shirt of Drew Carey. The thick cation. black glasses he put on added to the Throughout the evening, students as overall effect. "The concert was great. well as staff members displayed their I thought Drew Carey was really talents, teamwork and school spirit. funny!" said junior Jennifer Sheth. "The whole evening turned out to be Led by director Florence McKinley, - magnificent," said Miriam Zambrano, the chorus performed a number of former Assistant Pri~cipal of Foreign songs, including "The Bells," with Languages, Music and Art. words by Edgar Allan Poe and music "The concert was a fantastic collabo- by Frank Ahrold, and "The Wind Beration of different musical works and neath My Wings," by Larry Henley and gave much pleasure to the listeners," Jeff Silbar. "The chorus sang beautisaid junior Michael Borress. The inter- fully. I t~ought they did a great job," .mediate band, under the baton of Peter · said junior Linna Fang. Lustig, opened the show with "The Star A 'highlight of the string ensemble's Spangled Banner." Members of the .performance was "Nocturne," by Rolf band played two Hebrew songs for Lovland and Peter Skav, which was Chanukah: "AI Hanisim" and · played by violinist Sharon Lim, fresh"S'Vivan," arranged by Norman Ward. man, and sung by soprano Amy Ortega, The band also delighted the audience sophomore. The group also performed with its own rendition of "Cleveland "A Little Peace," by Ralph Siegel and
by Diane Tiao
Math AlB is not as
Bernd Meinunger; which combined the · Noel," and "Joy to the Woild." Memsounds of the string ensemble witll the bers of the band also performed "Imagvocals ·of a few members of the chorus. ine," by John Lennon, and "Russian ''!was very proud Christmas Music," by of my string playAlfred Reed. ers . They did a "The concert was great. beautiful job," said All the groups did their best. conductor Paula My personal favorite was the 'Russian Christmas MuZarmon. sic."' It was a complic-ated The jazz ensemble livened number and hard to conduct things up with but it came out perfectly," "Feliz Navidad," said Mr. Lustig. The musical finale was by Jose Feliciano, the '.'Twelve Nights of and "Harlem Nocturne," by Earle Townsend," performed by ·2 12 staff members. Among Hagen and Pick ~ the ·featured singers ·were· Rogers. "The jazz ~ English teacher Alice Wolf, band pfayed the cU . & ,. history- ' teacher• John fastest beats and £ O'Malley, Coordinator of had the best rhythms that you Student Activities (COSA) f Adam Stonehill and Princicould really get pal. Thomas Cunningham. into," said junior Jazzing up the ·night, senior saxophonist David Strochlic Each sang a .humorous line Matthew Stuart. entert~ins the crowd. poking fun at Townsend The concert band perform~d a medley of Christmas Harris. "I liked the concert a lot; espesongs, including classics such as "0 cially the part where the teachers sang. Come All Ye Faithful," "The First It was cute," said junior Chia-Ling Wu.
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by Marlo Dublin
questions for future exams based upon the Math A material; and this is ex- Math A, and Ms. Kalinowska and Mr. After months 0f instruction and questions from previous' exams." [John] Brown are the only teachers tremeJ¥ frustrating." . . '.preparation. some freshmen and sophoThe New Math AlB cu_rricula started Mr. Ratti en finds the switch to Math teacping it," Mr. ·Rattien stated. ''How- , mores ,took the new Math A Regents being phased into New York high AlB aggravatiq.g because" nobody both- ever, in tl:te next few years when the seexamination on Tuesday,January 22. schools and middle schools three years ered to check with experts about chang- quenti;d curriculum is completely abolThe exam, which represents a shift from ago. The Math A program was formu- ing the curriculum despite the pleas of ished, all math instructors in the buildthe·previous Sequential Math to the new lated to include most Sequential topics math educators." ing will be teaching it." Math AlB curricula, was administered except symbolic logic and the use of The Math A One of Mr. Rattien 's main concerns o.ver tbe cou.rse Regents. exam of three hours, differs from the 'and included retraditional for· , c' -~ , . ·, · ' ·. I::..:· Part I • . - . . cycled material mat. Instead offrom Sequential students being Answer ue.ti~us in .· . ·. pa:rt..,Eaeh corre- a.we.. w8t receJve I <ndita. No parilal cr-edit courses one and permitted to anl«l two, as well as swer 30 out of 35 short ·answer c_o ntent . based u,pon a new ·pro1 .·. .-.-to ' U•e tiJk spat)e·for. " questions and gram proposed four dut of seven (l) (2o; ... ab}(2(1-3b) .,. : . complltatioas. by the NewYork long answer (2) (24 + 3h){~- 3h) . (4) (!a- 9b)(24 +b) State Education · questions, they Department are now required A typo on the Ma~ A Regents, administered Tuesday, January 22, referred to a binomial as a "binominal." "These tests are poorly designed Md poorly (NY SED). to answer all 20 edited, and this error typfies the poor quality of these exams," said Harry Rattien; Assistant Principal of Mathematics. "The Math A/ short answers B exams are supand 15 long anposedly testing how students think about formal proofs. The A program and the aqout the new curriculum is that "the swers. These 35 questions are worth a what they have learned," Assista~t Prin- B program are each taught for a year and questions try to replicate real life situa- -total of 85 points, as opposed to the secipal of Mathematics Harry Ratti en ex- a half before- an exam is administered. tions. The problem is that life is three- quential test's 100 points. plained. "The NYSED commissioner to the students. The. B level exam will dimensional, but liligh school-level math "The exams are based on a sliding felt as if the state needed to assess think" be first administered here in June, 2004. is only two-dimensional. [This discrep- scale," Mr. Rattien explained. "They are ing rather than tes-t student knowledge Although Math A and B introduce a ancy ]leads to questions that are mean- graded holistically, and in o~der to pass, of the prescribed materiaL" you need to answer about half of the new approach to math, Mr. Ratti en says ingless, nonsensical and inaccurate." Mr. Rattien agrees that "lately, stu- that most schools across the state haven't · Currently, the sequential math series questions correctly." dents are relying too much on their cal- been well equipped to teach the new is being taught across the state, but will The Math B exam follows the same culator and aren't thinking," but doesn't courses. Textbooks featuring the new be abandoned by June 2003. The very format as the Math A exam, with the exthink the new tests will solve the material haven't been accessible, forc- last course one exam was administered ception of its storing system: compared problem:"The goal, however noble, is ing teachers to turn to out-da_ted sequen- this past January, the last course two · to the 85 points attainable on the A test, . being missed because of the poor qual- . tial math resources. exam will be given in Jamiary2003, and 88 are up for grabs on the B." The main ity of the exams:" he said. " "I don't like the textbooks that we the final course three exam will be given difference betWeen Math A and Math B Also, according to Mr. Rattien, "the are using," Math A teacher Magdalena · in January of2004, thereby ushering in is that in Math A~ you are encouraged to state not only refuses to be specific Kalinowksa explained. "They are more the Math AlB programs completely by work with a graphing calculator, about question types, .but has specifi- than I 0 years old, and contain sequen- 2004. , whereas in Math B, you must use a cally stated that you can't, generalize tial material which is very different from "Right now, we are only teaching graphing calculator," said Mr. Rattien .
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From computers to classroom:
Tsai . fin~s
new career in teaching physics
by Marlo Dublin Stephens IQstitute of Technology in continued to work as a programmer and As everyone knows, life is what hap- Hoboken, New Jersey. It was while he dealt with database designing for sevpens .when you are busy making other studied at the Institute to obtain his Mas- eral major companies such as ITT Aviplans, and can present unexpected op- ters degree in Computer Science that Mr. .onics, GE Aerospace, Reuters and portunities. Physics teacher John Tsai is Tsai started to work part-time as a com- Aether Systems. "At ITT, I worked on ' a perfect example of a professional who, the radar jamdespite his prior ambitions in the field ming systems · of computer programming, changed his embedded in career later in life and established him- _ fighter aircraft," self in a totally new work environment: said Mr. Tsai. the classroom. However, "I've always had a passion to make with time, Mr. people's lives better," Mr. Tsai exTsai realized plained. "By teaching math and phys-. that his job as a ics, I am able to receive .a 'tremendous programmer amount of personal satisfaction, espewas not. fulfillcially when students grasp certain coning his desir~ for cepts and show me that they understand human interacthe material." tion . Mr. Tsai was born in Taiwan, and af" A f t e r ter spending only a year there, moved awhile, I bewith his family tci the Bronx and later _caine extremely to Queens. As a student in Stuyvesant dissatisfied with High School, Mr. Tsai channeled his my work enviener~y towards playin_ g the violin for the ronment," he school orchestra, a11d spent three years said. "I also playing with the All"City Orchestra. didn't like the "It's funny, because I honestly aon 't re" impersonality member much from Jl1Y high school of what my years, but I dci remember playing my E work entailed, 0 violin," Mr: Tsai said. "I doil 't play the so I decided to . 0 violin now, but I do enjoy playing the if leave the field." guitar." Mr. Tsai left John Tsai Mr. Tsai earned his Bachelor's degree the world of in Electrical Engineering at Columbia puter progr-ammer. computer programming in June of2001, University. He .graduated in 1986, and For 14 years following his gradua- \ind took a four-month hiatus, during continued his post-graduate studies at tion from graduate school in 1989, he which time he contemplated what type
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Dr1ver Education
of work he wanted to pursue riext. "It was -when a friend of mine, who happens to' be a princi'pal, referred me to Mr. Cunningham, the principal of Townsend Harris High School, that I decided to pursue teaching," Mr. Tsai stated. "There was a vacancy in the Physics department, .and I figur:~d that I should grab the opportunity." Mr. Tsai joined the Townsend Harris _science department in October, taking over former physics and science research teacherRay Rapaport's physics classes. Furthermore, he accepted the task of filling in for one of math teacher Rochelle Bakst's Sequential III classes while she took a maternity leave. " I really feel as if Townsend Harris welcomed me with open arms this fall," he said. "Even though the students were getting over the fact that their teacher · had left them mid-year, they were very warm towards me." "I really like Townsend Harris be- _ cause the students are highly motivated," Mr. Tsai continued, " If I had to teach in front of a classroom of kids who didn't care about what they were doing, my job would bt: meaningless." · Although teaching takes up most of his hours, Mr. Tsai always finds time'for what_he loves the most: his son and music. " I love to play witt.t my son when I have the time, as well as listen to jazz and pop music," Mr. Tsai said. He h.as also "taken several outside courses in artificial intelligence." -
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Spring 2002
Kew-Forest· High Schoo.l 119-17 -Union Tpke. Forest Hills, Queens 11375 _ (ONE BLOCK OFF QUEENS BLVD. AND UNION TPKE. INTERSECTION CLOSE TO ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION) . -
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For more information call: .718-268-4667 (Day) 631~864-6753 (Evening) Student Completion Certificate (Blue C:ard-MV285) Eligible for Senior License at 17 ,_
Experienced NYS licensed teachers A driver's permit is not necessary to take the course
Dual Controlled Cars
' L ['
You may register in person or by mail. Tuition for entire course is $440 . .A deposit of $200, made out to Kew· _ . . _ Forest School, is due at or before Registration. ~-----------------------------~------------~------Kew-Forest School Driver Education Application ·. Spring 2002 · PRINT YOUR LEGAL FIRST AND LAST NAME Home telephone
Date of birth Home Address-
I,
give my son I daughter (parent's name)
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permission to enroll in the Kew-Forest School Driver Education course. (student'S' name) ·Parent's signature
Date
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The Classic
-•Ja•n•ua·ry~2~0~02~t
.!.ffi.'!~JJJ!I
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Spotlight Portraits:
~ Enthusiastn,
ded= ication run hig·h in. SING! dir~q~ors
Seniors: Stephanie Kujawski and Gillian Winkler ·
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by Ashley Mast~onardi Senior year is rumored to be the best of all four years. Ho.wever, alongside the parties and privileges of going out for lunch every day lie challenging college classes and the time-consuming college application process. Smile senior Harrisites barely have time to breathe! .Nevertheless, amid the hustle and bustle of their senior year, Gi'llian Winkler and Stephanie Kujawski have found the time to direct senior SING!. Both girls have directed SING! in the past. Stephanie's first time directing it was last ye<\r. However, before thai Stephanie was no stranger to the stage. ' ~ I was involved in an acting group outs.ide of school. It was called the Theatre Learning Center," she said . . Although she only acted in the plays that the group put on, she got a first-han4 look at directing from the group's teacher, Maxine Fields, whom she lists
said. ·But just how stressful is it? Most people would think that staying after school for two extra hours everyday would take a toll on one's schoolwork, but the girls refute that notion. "Although SING! is a Jot of work, it actually helps me to-be more organized with my schoolwork," said Stephanie. "When I get home from school around ..c ] 5:30p.m., I know I have to start my work .en ... right away and not procrastinate. SING!' <.!:! a has also not interfered with my college ' ...... ~ process because I applied early decision ... ..c to Cornell University, which Gillian and 0 I will happily be attending next fall.'' ~ Gillian also adm~ts, "It's definitely exIn between the hustle and bustle of directing SING!, sophomores Jean Rhee, Margo Kakou II is and Grace Lui remain enthusiastic about the upcoming performance. tra work and takes a lot of time (We stay till about 5 PM every d_ay-!) But after three years, I have learned how to balcause it would be a new experience for ing in SING! again this year." ance my work ." me since I've only acted." Although Margo enjoys acting and What do they do everyday until 5 ·Margo has always loved acting. She directing, she is not sure if she would PM? "We plan rehearsals, make set and has performed in many productions and want to pursue a career in either field. scenery lists, hold writers has been in various theater groups since "At this point, I really have no idea what meetings, and direct what she was 10 years old, including Opera I'll be doing with the rest ofmy life. I happens on stage,'' said on the Go, which puts on plays ever certainly wouldn't turn it down, but at Gillian. · However, the June at Fresh Meadows' Theatre in ttie this point, it's hard to say if I'd pursue a girls don't take all the Park. "There are so many things I love career as an actor or director," she said. credit. "We don't do evabout acting. I guess I enjoy being on Margo has managed to balance dierything. Amanda . stage and having the spotlight on me. recting duties and schoolwork quite Blancke and Elizabeth It's fun to ,get to play an entirely differ- well. "It's definitely time-consuming but . Renieris, the choreograent character with a different personate totally worth it. It takes a Jot of self-con- . phers for the .cast numity," she said. She· wa~ also if! last y·ear's trol, but I manage my time and so far bers, and Emily Sophmen SING! and explained, "I had l' ve been able to balance homework and . Fishbaine, the choral diso much fun doing it last year that I _ ·SING! justfi~e,"Margo said. rector, put a lot of time didn't have a second thought about beand energy into SING!, . . too. It couldn't be done Junior: Daniella Pagan wlttiout their hard work by Arianna C. Freyre exactly what those "things" are, but · · and dedication," said Behind the actors and actresses of whatever it is she does, she wants to sueGillian. "We have execuS~nior SING!_directors Stephan,ie Kujawski and Gillian SING! performances, behind the music . ceed with flying colors. "Maybe sometive decision, but the Gast Winkle·r are confident that they'll sweep SING! for athird and the stage scenery, there stands the thing along the lines of film," she said, year. · and .other directors have director who must be dedicated to his "but whatever it is, I am going to be awea lot of say," added or her commitment as the creator, sculp- ·some at it." as one of her inspirations. Stephanie. tor, and mechanic of the play itself. Jun... Daniella is studious and serious in eve Gilli.an 's first directing stint was in ·"I think I have gained a lot of knowlior Daniella Pagan is the director of jun- · . erything that she does, and these qualij~nior high school. "I directed a f<:<w edge about the things that SING! entails. ior SING!, a performance that is shap- ties are reflected in her work. as. SING! GOmedicscenesJor my drama class," she It has also taught. me how to become a ing up to be a lively o~e. . director. She knows that she must always recailed . . After that she realized how demanding director without being mean Without revealing too many secrets, · be prepared for anything and wants to much she truly loved ·directing. In her about it," said Gillian. Stephanie feels, Daniella said that the play is coming involve ·h erself in everything that she first year here, she directed a ·skit fo~ "SING! has become a great tradition in along well. "It has a lot to do with New , can. "People always say that the high Comedy Night. The next year she de- Townsend Harris that will hope_fully York City, and the love for New York school experience is one to be remem~ · . cided to directSING!. "I have directed continue for years. The participants City itself," she explained. "The.dances . bered," ~he said. "I just hope it will be for the past two years, both of which have so much enthusiasm and energy. r , are coming along excellently! I hope ev- that way for me." have beeh very successfuL SING! is love seeing the finished product and eryone enjoys it,_because so much work something that I love taking part in. I knowing that I helped piece it together. is going into it!" also reafly enjoy working with the Although our grade \YOn sophomore and Daniella acted as an old woman in people who participate in it. It's defic junior year, it's not about the winning, last year's sophomore/freshman play nitely stressful, but it's a lot offun," she it is knowing that you accomplished and she really enjoyed. it. She wanted something great." to be director this year because she felt that it was a step up from acting. "It will b~ a good way of expressing reeling. She was "thrilled" when she myself, better than I can on stage. The play is coming directly from my own was elected director of Sophmen SING! She ,has found the experience very en- . head, rather than just acting out a few joy able and said, "I absolutely love di~ lines," she explained. She usuallystays reeling and Tm having a ball this year after school until around five in the evening supervising rehearsals for the with SING!" . "It's practically impossible to piCk - script and for dances. She feels that it is out one thing I like most' about direct- a great leadership activity. "Hopefully, ing," she continued. "Though it's a lot I will gain patience from it," she said. · Daniella aspires to accomplish "a · of work, I get a Jotof help from my codirectors and cast. I wanted to direct be- great many things." She does not know .
Sophomore: Margo Kakoullis by Jessi«,:a Bader "I'm not going to give away too much," .Said Margo Kakoullis, co-director of the Sophomore-Freshman SING! "You'll have to come to see the show if you warH tofind out what it's all about. Basically the audience can expect to see a fabulous show all about New York with some great songs and amazing dance numbers." This is Margo's first experience di-
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Eager to see her hard work and 0 dedication pay off, junior SING! f director Daniell a Pagan lc0ks' forward to opening night.
The Classic
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Career Day provides insight into future occupations . Actors, astronomers, and accoun~tants werejust some of the featured professions represented by speakers who . filled the halls on January 23 for the first annual Career Day. Rather than attending class·es, students participated in workshops and listened to guest speakers in order to obtain a better understanding of what's available in the job market for thetn. upon graduation.
Julie Chan by Daniel Bloch and Ashley Pillsbury
Dr. Deluty said as everyone shook their_ stress out. This exercise that can relax 17 different muscles of the body involved deep breathing and counting to · 10, as weU as the sound of his voice telling everyone not to think aboutanything but pute relaxation. Dr. Deluty said th!lt this exercise would be very useful for tense moments when people would normally break out and cry. He also said that the exercise can help cure test anxiety and works best when it is done in a place where one has back support. ·
"I sound like a bad book!" exMarissa Gluck claimed Julie Chan,laughing at herself, "But it's true, the road to success is' by Tina Wu Marissa Gluck, '91 alumna·, exbumpy!" With 12 years experience as a National Sales and Marketing Direc- plained that as a media analyst, she extor for Warwick International Hotels, amines trends and responses of online Ms. Chan's job entails approaching consumers to Internet .advertisements. companies in hopes that they will take She notices how different web (ldvertiseinterest in her hotels and hold their ments attract customers, how long websurfer's typically view certain websites, meetings and events there. Ms. Chan shared her love for her and what type of products online concareer but also spoke ofthe challenges sumers most often buy. From her research, writes reports on it makes her face. "Sometimes, failing at something teaches you more than the information. The reports are used by succeeding," she said as she perched companies that advertis~ through the cross-legged on a desk. . "When you Internet. She points out that the work don't get a client, you wonder what you does not directly involve "crunching did wrong and how you can do things numbers," but writing and public speak~ ing. She also travdifferent next els to different time." ·parts of the world Chan, Ms. who graduated to speak about the Internet. from Townsend Ms. Gluck asHarris in 1988, is also the Vicesured students that President of the being unsure of Alumni Associafuture career paths tion, and is very now is not a big problem because passionate about establishing.a netnew fields are conwork of all stantly appearing. "The World Wide Townsend Harris students, past and Web didn't exist when I was in present. Her idea is to set up a sysschool...[My field] is young and fun," tem where connections can bees- Laura Chow, programming and developshe said. tablished for the ment supervisor for Sony Wonder, addressed HaiTisites about her many working world, responsibilities at the first annual Career I;>ay. and friendships can be maintained, Russel DeCastro
by Linda
7
January 2002
Taste·the flavors ol.Italy at ·Ca;rm:elt,a's •traGttlttl'l:ortl. .e tg whites and tojfped elf with tresb S:pinac.b);' and delicious Cai1DeU'a~
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9. t0 l\1empstead.1'utup,i~
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Pt>ankiJn. S.quare., N~w Yqrtk
\Yb~ever I gQ to ~nneHa-'s, I pron:fise Jl\Y;~lj:tbat I ~, going to try soUJCthing new, but tfuat never Wt>rks ·F tnding, a1qJ;Jatity. Italian :restaurant , .out.; I U£u!ill;y s~i-ek to my~all:..itime thes-e d:a;y s ¢o~t1;!' he a driJ.-ini·n g .f.a:vo:r.ite di-s·h·e<s. The tl'hiek-en fSl$)-~8-7~a4
A ljij'ge ll)'a;jQri~1 of tb.ese., P'lf.r-~i,g:i-a.na rs a ·s tap1te of tniinet ~lot &l.Jets,sdatt~ed tbJ:QugcJ\out Ule Gily "' f~tUri:ng tW6· gold'eri' fr(ed cfiit:cJ<:en . catelJiiililt'lJ: .t~ the vulneni~l'e louds.t ' \u"tle~s in sa·vo:ry .marinara. sauce, or .g~ti~ l~J!O~ conm;1isseur, '~n~laH to jS glaz.ed with homemMe pllt.t~s"ki!Jn. . tempt tl'r~ taste buds of trca.d~tfional in~zmrella Gl'lee.se. With eyery bite; · cuisine ltJvers. Hew~ver, ope v'rs:J:.t .fo you oM taste the care· thal went into Can:U'el;J.Ilfs of. :I}f'aD-klin: S.qttal'.e is 1-J:) pre·P7ar·a ti(Jil. and 'tts genuine en0trgh. to restC~lte your iaith in tqe ·.f:re.shne.ss, Another 0ne· of my faworite Itaiiart-Am~rican kite,hen.. - dishes_has to be the Chiekeb Francaise, Located in t1le heart of the Italian deleetable chicken cutlets ·eoated with rest'anr~n:t z~ne in Franflin StJUare, egg and flour and sauteed bt white L<tn.g J:sl.and:, CatmeHa'' s has· been wine with gadic and chicken bFoth. owp:ed and oj)erated tor 2-8 years l)y J~iin ·appetizer, I usually select the the Calia family, and. off6rs d!ners the MozweFla salad, which features a bed ·· chote.e of 'eat'ing itt their pizzeria ·or · qfiee.berg lettuc.e framed by sun dried Q-ewl~~repo:vat~tl' eJttension next door. r<itnaroe:s, roasted ,pepper,s and thick The new e'xtenshm exhibits a s:.tabs of .€i'es'h mozzarella; and then R:omane:sq,u e decor, with ivory-white ~t.~~ded witth. a light balsamic pillar-s -sup,p'omrig fresco ceilin:gs, an·d t3t\aigtette dtessi:n.g, 'this salad ts wallsad:omed with paintings ot sc.eni'c de'joinitely enougl) fot twn pe~p'le, so Rontt'-·· Th~ piz-zer.i-a, onfu'eotheth~no, ntat§.e s,u-re Mt to o¥er-ord.e-r. resemb1es your typical neighbethrroo Appetizer-wise, I als0 recommend the piz'z a shop: fr-eeliled ti':Ic~s. hang-i ng b3\c.~lGl!)111s or~gan.a;tto. ¥eu oan0rder ee:i~~:ng fans, ,a lar:_ge dis:pla~ oe>Jlnter .fhetn by th_e do'ztut, and they ate staefeih)) the .ceilingwltbwhit~ piz.za drenehed in a .garlic~oaseu br.-oth fu.at boxes and mjrrl;>re(.l walls, fog.gy from wt}t linger {,jn Y01JF ~stel:iud$ for hours. th-e<h~at emitted IJ;y the b.nek 0vens. ;l_n _Eating in th~ pizzeria s~ct;.irrn of b0th.dining ·a~r&as, the menu is •.a--ta~ ., Catmell·a~ l;,can liU-n you $~0-2$, c;u:te, and aU items ean be deliv,e red dep;ending 0U wbe1fhc:?r yev et:d,er u,p on,l;eq.uest. .dessel\l and a hot bevcera:g.e. Specials t ha~e nev.er ~aten in ·tfle new -~feAtYt'~~~·ewty night, s9 yg.u att}Jl't e~tension., m~lnly because l.;un so used Jl~ltictM'' t~ ordering froJll the.,d'aily to. the cqmf~rtil)l,e atll}Ji>Sij)'bete :l?ftered , menp:. by the pt,Zze.r.ia_. Its .wenu, thl'>u-g:h, 'l' ' Although .sp~edy service isn't their eo_ntll,ins most of t he di.shes offe:re.Q' forte, y0u. ean rest assu.re(l that it is nexJ do.ot'(mi:nus the fancy plate, e~ti;a· because your ifieirl is receJving.specia.1 parsiley garnish, and $35 per persan d'tJenti:on. Waiter.s and waitress.e s are price· tl\g). e~agerto make y,our,dh{ing experienee Carme·Jla's is op:en Monday• aS:delrght'fu:t: as pessible, and Mr. and Thursday fr.om II AM-1-2 PM, Friday, MTs.,Cafia are always,on the premises, and Saturday from I l-AM-lAM, and 0fft\cing their services with. a smile. Sunday fromll4'M-12PM. The food Free delivery is also available. is homemade, fres"hly prepared and 89, whether yoy_ are in ·th~ mood to ., couked to perfection. Vegetable soup flood yourself in a sea ·of mozzarella is pr~{lared daity, as well as tradttiop a1 . or simply chow down on a slice of 'Stratacella:>Romana' soup (lignt broth Sicilian, Cannella's is your best bet.
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For Russel DeCastro, '88 alumnus, the oath to "leave the city better than he by 'Lily Chu "Sleeping and having a place to shut found it" guided his life~·currently, Mr. down are the only things that the !:led DeCastro is working to r ecruit people should be associated with," said Marvin for non-profit organizations. Mr. DeCastro wanted to emphasize Deluty Ph.D., at the stress management workshop he ran. He told students not that there is a ,.'fallacy'' when it com·e s only that they -shouldn't do homework to working at non-profit organizations. in bed, but also that naps, caffeine and Although the word "non-profit" is 111ensugar tend to cause insomnia. Another tioned, he said that individuals in such tip that Dr. Deluty gave to students who businesses do get paid a decent salary. toss and turn in their beds for over half According to him, certain people \Yhb an hour was that they should getup and do fundraising can earn up to $100,000 go to another room and do another ac- ·. yearly. When it comes to who -can help out with non-profit organizations, Mr. tivity. 'Another part of. the workshop in- DeCastro said that basically any person ! . cluded a relaxation exercise where could be involved in one regardless of heads bobbed up and down and side to what profession he wishes to pursue. side, toes wiggled, arms dangled, and After all, "every occupation out there all eyes remained closed for 15 minutes. is connected to a non-profit organiza"Feel the stress leaving each body part," tion in some way," said Mr. DeCastro.
Marvin Deluty
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ing with issues of racism, sexism, and homophobia. She often conducts work"Diversity is a gift," said Tanya s)Jops in high schools, workingto help Odom, Townsend Harris graduate of the victims as well as the perpetrators 1988. Ms. Odom, a passionate and out- of discrimination in coping with their spoken woman, works as a diversity fears and actions. She stresses the imconsultant. After majoring in Anthro- . portance of getting past obstn,Ictions pology and Sociology and minoring in like appearance, income, religion, genWomen's Studies· at Vassar College, she der, and sexual orientation, and being ·continued her studies for a Masters de- able to understand people as they are. gree in education from Harvard University. She started her own business after working on Wall Queens Teachers of Street and witnessing Mathematics Spanish the discriminatory attitudes of those who worked there . Ms : Private TUTORING in Your Home Odom now works -· (71 8) 843-1 3()2 throughout the United States and Europe, deal-
TanyaOdom by Talya Lieberman
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The Classic January 2002
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Rattien power p_ropels
G~rls'
JV Basketball
Girl·s' relay team1heads: to N'ational.s
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H r r y by Ashley Pillsbury The last Girls' JV basketball game Rattien, certified of the season, against Archbishop by the Public Molloy on February 6, will be a tough School Athletic one, according to Harry Rattien, Assis- League . in First tant Principal of Physical Education. Aid and CPR, The girls finished with a record of nine offtus his ser~ wins and one loss in the Public Scho.ol vices to his son Athletic League, tying for first in the di- as a volunteer. "I vision with August Martin. have to listen to . The biggest highlight of the season, him when he tells . according to coach Peter Rattien, was me stuff instead the second galfle they played against. of the other way August Martin on January 14. "We had around," ·. he played them once before, and lost by joked. He is very about five points," he explained. "When proud of his son's Freshman Alexandra Eaton successfully passes the ball to a teammate - they came here that day, the girls pretty accomplishmuch took care of them. We won 42 to ments, commending his coaching skills · 22. It was good revenge." . and praising his athleti.c abilities.
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Runners advance to City Championships by Stephen Berger · • Championships. In addition, Gonzalez, , At the City Championships, the team The Boys' Indoor Track team en- who has already qualified for the City will heavily rely on Gonzalez, Tatti and joyed another successful meet when . Championships in the one and two mile Duelka; sprinters Carlos Gonzalez,junthey competed . in the Hispanic games races, will compete against the top run- ior, and Justin Joseph, senior; and disat the Armory on January 5. John Tatti, ners from the East Coast at that time. tance runners Jon Schwartz, senior, and freshman, broke the school record for - "Having a su,rplus ofrunners allows Carlos Chincha,junior. The team is very the freshman indoor mile. Tri-captain u; to compete in many events, includ- confident that they will be one of the Alejandro Gonzalez, senior, finished - ing long distance and middle distance best on' the track on February 17. "We , second in the varsity mile while Matt running, sprinting, high jump, [and] long know how good this team is. We are Duelka, freshman, finished third in the ju:mp and allows the team to score more going to prove it to everyone else at the mile .race. points in the City Championship City Championships," proclaimed Rino The Indoor Track season is focused events," said Rio. David Bass, ·sopho- Zecca, sophomore. Rio anticipates the on individual achievement, so the team more, added, . "The new. members have · toughest. competition to co.me from ., as a whole has not yet been ranked. They done a great job. I am surprised at how · Campus Magnet and Edison in Queens, will be placed on February 17 at the City much they are helping this team:" and in the city, Boys and· Girls, and Clinton.
Boys! Basketball bounces
int~
last place
to advance within the PSAL. by Josh Fox The loss of two starters last year preThe Boys' Basketball team is in a sented some obstacles for the team, and transition phase this year, having coach Howard Furman admitted, "It was moved up in the Public School Atha difficult task to compete with some of letics League division rankings from the talented teams that we are competthe"B" to the "A" division. · ing against without our seniors from last Faced with teams such as Bayside year." and Benjamin Cardozo High Schools, The team is currently led by seniors the Hawks stand with a record of one Jarmar Banks, Ezra Cooper, Jesse Ash win and II losses for league games, and Robert Cibrorowski. seven wins and 13 losses overall. "It's been a very difficult season af-. ' They have two more league games, ter losing our top two scorers. Next the next against rival John Bowne onJanuary 31 . The final league game is . year's team will have lost four starters and also have a tough year," the 5' II" scheduled to be at Townsend Harris guard Ash said. on February 4. The bulk of the scoring has come The boys won the playoffs last from the sophomores, giving the team year, finishing with a record of eight encouragement for next year. Jesse wins and two losses, allowing them
Franco, Maurice Stevenson, Paris Abou El Magd and Kenny Yu, last year's Rookie of the Year, have proven to be the future of the team. Jason Quan,junior, is also a contributor. Quan said, . "This team has a logjam at the guard position and a lack of size. It presents many problems." "The one thing that cannot be overlooked with this team is their relentless effort and hustle. , Ash said, "We have tried to account for our lack of talent and difficult competition with our effort. No one can say that we quit on our coach or our school." Furman has confidence that his team ..will always "work hard for lhe full 32 minutes and soon we wili reap the benefits of our efforts."
Girls' Var~ity Basketball team heads to playoffs by Chloe Cl,lao The Girls' Varsity Basketball team is currently in second place, and will advance to the playoffs on February 5. Shany Freeman, sophomore, described · coach Lawrence Ceraulo as "a guy ~ho knows how to take a challenge." Selena·Singleton, sophof\lore; Katie Driscoll, sophomore; and Jodie Wright, freshman, are the new additions to the -team this year. Freeman calls Driscoll and Singleton '"pressure players" because they are able to score when the team is not performing its best. Single-
ton said, "The rookies have developed their skills. We've all learned to play together and to communicate with one another on the court." Describing the game against Hillcrest on December 21, Freeman said, "We beat them by like a thousand." The final score was actually 62-26. When the Hawks played August Martin on December 13, the·team prevailed with the help of Kristina Casper, who scored the winning point in the last I 0 seconds of the game with an assist from Jessica Sharoff. · ·
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Junior Andrea Strauss dribbles the ball across the court.
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by Elyse Lee For the Girls' Indoor Track season, the armory has . never been more alive, especially for Arica Wade anti Vicki Lopez, senior cocaptains;. Hrika Russi, sophomore.; and Jessica Krivac, junior, who make up this year's 4()0x800 meter relay team. The girls placed third and are on their way to the Nation· als on March 9. "I never thought we would get to this point," Lopez commented. ''It's Nationals- tliat's the whole United States.f We'll be.nationally lmown!'' Since many assume Towns.e nd Harris is not.a sports school, Lopez cont:inued, going out there ·and beating everyone was amazing. Before the race, the girls were n_ot thinking about making it so far, but at the end their finish proved that they were top competitors. Russi was shacked with the news and said, "1 had no idea we ever had a chance. It never crossed my mind: I wasn't nervous; you just have to get out there and do your best." Wade was not nervo'i1s ~ither. "It takes away the nervousness knowing that you're on a team that can do it, but yeu really gain confidence knowing thaf you're on a team that will do i~," she said. The 4x8 team is not the only one displaying talent and ,p romise. Mar·ia Paschalidis and Vemts Cheung, freshmen, show much potential in their events. Pasehalidis will compete in her first walking race for the 1500 meters. She is a very diverse runner, competing in runs ranging from 200 to 1500 meters. Cheung has been running the 200-800 meter events. Gillian Dechave~, so}'homore, has also been successful this season, reaching her goal of finishing the 200 meter race in under 30 seconds. After this was achieved, she said her next goal was "to break 29." Rosalind Adams, sophomore, is returning ·from a knee injury that kept her off the track for the beginning of the season. She's been enduring light practices and is ·trying to gel back into it for the 1500 and 3000 meters events. Jenn Pepen, sophomore, has been walking the 1500 meter for which her goal i~ 8:20. She has bee·n using this indoor season as preparation for outdoor, for which she has high expectations. "This year has been so mind boggl1ng. It's a good feeling with cross-country too. The captains feel responsible for the energy of the team, and we're a good team, but we're going to be better for years to come," Lopez said.