The Classic newspaper Volume 18 Issue no. 4

Vol. 17, No.4, April 2002

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aS SIC Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

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149-11 Melbourne Avenue,. Flushing, NY 11367

Festival o.f Nations celebrates diverse heritages

by Arianna Freyre Friends, schoolmates, relatives, parents and teachers filled the auditorium on Thursday, March 21, to view the variety of cultures displaying their heritages at the Festival of Nations. As in the past, many songs, dances and skits were performed, highlighting different traditions from many countries around the world.

The Festival of Nations, an event originally named by Latin teacher Thaddeus Ferguson, opened with amessage of greeting from the members of Educate to Elevate, a club designed to promote awareness of diversity in Townsend Harris. Juniors Yanifie Hess, Jamie Gullen, Cristin Strining, Emily Foo, Julie Deluty, Brian Kfrschen, Emma Xiao, Mandy Shum, JJeffrey Wong, Linna Fang, and sophomores

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Oecked out in her kimono, freshman Francesca Pizarro performs the Sakura dance.

Linda Shum and Tan vi Sinha said "hello" in many different languages, followed by the pledge and the singing of the American and African American national anthems. Seniors Terecia Davis, Yesenia Villao, Amanda Green; juniors Laverne Blackman, Arianna Freyre, Siufong Ngo; and sophomores Amy Ortega and Adrinna Perataco belted out the lyrics to welcome the acts that would follow.

A little. history of Townsend Harris was displayed in a Japanese skit where former American ambassador to Japan, Townsend Harris, was showed as he created friendly relations between the two countries. Harris was played by senior Dan Wallenstein, who gave a gift to the Japanese in a box wrapped in a book cover.

The Latin American aspect was covered by dances that were performed with

a mix of black lights and vibrant clothing. There was a solo performance by music teacher Peter Lustig, who was the advisor for the dance. Other ethnic dances followed, such as the Latin Ballroom "Cha-cha-cha," the Italian Tarante11a dance, the Philippine national dance, the Greek dance, Chinese dances from the past to the present, several Indian dances, the Bukharian dance and the Hawaiian dance.

Songs sung in all different languages, such as the solos by Amy Ortega in the Italian "0 Mio Babbino Caro," freshman Ksenia Yachmetz in her performance of the German "Geheimes" and sophomore Grace Chang singing the Mandarin "Leu Daw Shao Yeh Chuo," were featured as well. There were also the performances of the Hebrew Continued on p. 5

First Fashion Show helps charity, high·lights newest trends

by Jessica Berger When spotlights, music, and fashion came together on the evening of March 15, the result was the Fashion Club's first ever Fashion Show. Viewers paid five dollars to experience the best Townsend Harris has to offer in dance, design, and strutting down the catwalk with the satisfaction of knowing that their admissions money will be donated to charity. Junior Sara Koenig, co-president of the club with junior Lea Ozeri, was mainly responsible for the arrangements and served as the hostess The show opened with a solo ballet routine by senior Amanda Blancke and afterwards, was divided into three segments, the first of which displayed casual store-made clothing, fittirig a black and white color scheme. The second section exhibited the creative designs of · Townsend Harris students, ranging from satin skirts to Bohemian tops. The final segment presented girls in prom dresses escorted by tuxedo-clad students. The segments were broken up by dance routines and brief speeches from Sara, who as the audience noted, changed her own outfits in between sets.

The proceeds of the show, estimated to be over $1,000, wi11 support the Rachel Cooper Foundation for children with heart disease. The foundation was established by the parents of junior Jodi

Fierstein in honor of their daughter Rachel Cooper, who died from a congenital heart defect in 1987. The foundation recently donated one million dollars to the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. The foundation's philanthropic involvements with Montefiore also help bring children from Third World countries to the hospital for heart surgeries and other treatments.

The dance music represented all musical tastes, spanning from classical to reggae, rap, and pop/rock by artists such as Michael Jackson, Alien Ant Farm, Fabolous, and Jennifer Lopez. The dancers were led by juniors Fiorella Contreras and Katrina Yee; with help from the dance club and senior dancers.

Dancers of all grades were involved in the execution ofthe student-choreographed movements. Ba11et played an essential role in adding an element of high culture to the event.

A show like this needs funding, and the Fashion Club had assistance from the Parent- Teacher Association (PTA), which laid out a $1500 deposit for the clothing, and the Student Union. A bake sale held during lunch bands raised money for the fabric used

by the designers. Many clothing stores such as Lulu's Boutique, Diva, and Instant Replay of Forest Hills as well as Young Attitudes in Astoria offered cloth-

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Strutting along the 'catwalk,' juniors Sara Koenig and Lambross Georgallas model their clothing at the first annual fashion show.

ing for the models to wear, while other stores purchased advertising space in the program to support the show. Clothing designed by sophomore Stefanie Fields for the label "Funhouse" was modeled as

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No Candy Policy

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well. Junior Jaime Sackett was responsible for the sale of ads to raise .m.on~y for the event.

While most of the clothing worn was professionally made, a small group of Townsend Harris designers worked with student models to c~eate original designs. Sophomore Carla Gunther, who dressed sophomore Stephanie Herschaft, drew her inspiration from the styles of SoHo. The designer and model visited Barneys, New York to get ideas.

The result was an eclectic combination of cut jeans and "peasant" styles. Other designers were juniors Elisa Puccio, Vivian Tong, Rachel Nepomuceno, and Tiffany Luo, who designed an assortment of shirts, skirts, and accessories worn by the models.

Among those thanked by Sara at the conclusion of the show were Adam Stonehill, Coordinator of Student Activities, for the Student Union's support; Farah Khan, English teacher, for advising those involved; Laura Benin, for her help with the sound and lighting; and all of the teachers who came to supervise.

After the show, Sara remarked that the Fashion Show "was a lot more successful than we thought. A lot of people never thought we would have a fashion show at Townsend Harris, but we proved them wrong."

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· MP3 and X-Box pgs. 8-9

Restaurant Reviews . p. 10

Coach Profiles p. 11

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The Classic April2002

sugar Deprivation· strikes as s.u. bans ea.n~y

Minding the candy store Some can drive, some can see rated R movies, and most will be eligible to vote for the next president, yet because of a mandate by the Board of Education, we will not be allowed to make the decision about what to eat at lunchtime.

All the candy in the Student Union (SU) store is being cleaned out because of the rule about selling unhealthy food during lunch periods. It is feared that students will eat candy and other junk food instead of a nutritious lunch. While this sounds reasonable in theory, it causes the school to lose money, and tries to strip us of our right to decide what we eat and when. Besides, it will not serve its purpose because students will just bring the junk food to school from outside.

The SU store is a very important source of money for the school, and an integral part of its success is the selling of candy. If students are not able to buy candy in school, they will buy it somewhere else and bring it in to eat at lunch.

The students will still be eating the junk food, but the school will not profit from it. A vending machine with candy will replace the SU store candy, but will be on a timer that will only turn on after lunch periods. Students aren't allowed to eat in class anyway, so they wouldn't . be able to eat it until after school. Members of clubs that usually sell M&Ms, Warheads, lollipops and other varieties of candy to raise money will no longer be able to sell until after-school hours.

This will make it very difficultto raise the necessary amounts ofmoney.

The most pressing issue, however, is that we are losing our right to decide what we put in our bodies. We are put through large amounts of stress and have to work as if we were adults, yet we are being treated like little children. Most students will either bring lunch, buy a bagel or get hot lunch, but those who choose not to eat, or just to eat candy, have the right to decide this for themselves. We are old enough and have enough to deal with to take responsibility for our dietary habits.

As the SU store put the caridy on sale in an attempt to get rid of it, news of the candy ban flew around the cafeteria, and within minutes, many students were outraged. Dean of students Wanda Nix said that it has nothing to do with what the school itself wants, but rather what the Board of Education wants. They have been sending around people to make sure schools comply with the rule, so there is no .option for the school but to follow the ruling. Once again, the Board of Education is making decisions from above, without consulting individual schools or evaluating the consquences of their actions.

The Classic offers its condolences to Hebrew teacher Ruth Cooperman and family on the passing of her husband, Leo.

Daniel Bloch Allison Slotnick Co-Editors-in-Chief Jamie Gullen Feature Editor

Jennifer Gong Sarah Schnee Co~News

Editors

Arianna C. Freyre, Swvie lsraelian, Nudia Kahnauth, Katie Kogan, Sybil Kollappallil, Tcrmnce Lai, Lina Lee, Linda Luu, Christina Muno:t., Anna Olson, Jhunathan Pasaoa, Sunayna Ramdeu,

Angela Hom Managing Editor

Umara Saleem, Ann Marg:~ret Santa·lncs, Rachel Schiffman, Katherine Shi, Ben Stra~ss, Tina Wu

Sports Staff: Rachel Acosta, Stephen Berger, Carolina Chang, Chlue Chao, Josh Fux,

ciently outlined the details behind his proposal. His rhetoric is more devoted to continually lambasting the Board of Education instead of explicitly spelling out his program . The mayor cannot expect to win over the public (or the State Assembly in Albany, for that matter) by simply running on emotion and by restating the obvious. It is not enough to assume his plan will work in the city's favor just because it differs from the status quo. How will Mayor Bloomberg ensure that his governing policy won't be entangled in partisan agendas? How · will he make certain that the focus and concern remain on the students? These are fundamental questions that require lucid answers .

The mayor also cannot ignore the sorry fact that New York City public school teachers have been working without a contract for nearly a year and a half. On a March 15 radio program, the mayor remarked, "Unless you know what the governance [of the school system] is going to be, it's very hard tonegotiate a contract." Perhaps, but it certainly is not impossible. What would be the harm in setting up conferences and serious dialogues with United Federation of Teachers (UFT) members right now? Why delay the inevitable?

Wouldn't talking about it now make things go more smoothly if the mayor's plan is approved? Mayor Bloomberg must realize that a strong bond with the teachers that is based on trust and respect will greatly facilitate his wish of making "a material difference in the school system" (The New York Times, 3/13/02).

While speaking before a City Council committee in early March, Mayor Bloomberg said, "If democracy can be trusted to provide us with public safety, social services and economic development, how can we responsibly condemn our children to something Jess?" There are not many who would disagree with the mayor on that. But we as students, along with our educators and parents, need to be assured and reassured with more than just open-ended promises that Mayor Bloomberg's proposal won't simply transfer the present mess into a different building with a new boss. We are sick and tired of hearing empty speeches. We want to listen to the steady rhythm of committed progress and see the ushering in of a wealth of improvements for our city's schools. And we want these things now.

Townsend Harris High School at Queens College 149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, N.Y.11367 The Clas.vic 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 student body as a whole.

Elyse Lcc,Talya Lichcnnan, Rita Ratner

Jessica Wang

Karen Hendershot

Diane Tiao

Assistant News Editor

Entertainment Editor

Steven Lee

Kerry Purtell Emily Rivlin-Nadler

Ashley Pillsbury

Art Editors

Up until now, our experience with the .Board of Education has been minimal. remember those yellow pencils sta~ped with "NYC Board of Ed" that we munched on as second graders, and those chipped wooden chairs we sat in, their bottoms branded with "Property of the Board of Ed"? Aside from that, the Board of Education was nothing more than something that made our teacliers mutter mysteriously under their breath.

Now, however, our teachers' mutterings have become louder and more understandable. As we have taken more active roles in our academic settings, we have been exposed to the bureaucracy and incompetence that have been synonymous with the Board of Education since we were in grade school. We've heard teachers in this school not so jokingly refer to the organization as the "Board of Dread" and the "Board of Dead," conjuring up images of stagnant, manila file-choked offices.

Currently, however, there is a glimmer of change on the horizon. For the past few months, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has been itching to redress the wrongs committed by the Board of Education. "Anybody that thinks that the current system is what we owe our children ought to go see a shrink," quipped the mayor, as reported in a March 13 article in The New York Times.

"This is a disgrace what is happening."

So, what exactly is the mayor's plan of action? Essentially, he wants to do away with the Board of Education entirely and assume control over the City's education system. Under the current system, the seven-member Board of Education is in command, followed by Chancellor Harold Levy, then the district superintendents and community school boards, with principals and school leadership teams completing the rungs of the power ladder. If the Mayor's plan goes into effect, he would have direct control, personally appointing the chancellor. The chancellor would be on equal footing with borough advisory boards, and the last two notches would be the same as those under the present system.

On the surface, Mayor Bloomberg's plan seems like a promising alternative to the Board of Education. And, in the past few weeks, especially, the mayor has been nothing but gung-ho about pro-. moting his stance on the city's education system. The fact remains, however, that Mayor Bloomberg has not suffi-

News Staff : Lily Chu, Bclh Dubin, Akshta Kalla, Bryan Kirschen, Steven Lee, Sham Siegel Feature Staff: Jessica Berger, Jennifer Bhuiyan, Nataliya Binshteyn, Marlo Dublin,

Assistant Feature Editor

Copy/Online Editor

M.ayor Mike's· murky ideas about th.e 'Board of Dread'

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Sports Editor

Artists:

Amy Blauncr, Beth Dubin, Annie Lau, Doris Ortega, Rachel Schiffman, Emma

Xi at), Stephanie Zapata

Photography Staff:

Gloria Chi, Kavceta Desai, Jamie Gullcn, Matthew Kirschner,

Hillary Homier, Jamie Liu, Linh Ly, Laura Ng,Evan Prcpunis, Shara Siegel, Jennifer Sheth

Layout Staff : Pamela Chan, Matthew Kaufman, Kalic Kugan

William Yang

lisa Cowen

David Belsky

Photography Editor

Advisor

Layout Editor

Online Staff: Waqa.< Shaikh

Readers are invited io submit letters to the editor.

Letters should be placed in Ms. Cowen's mailbox in the general office. The Classic reserves the right to edit all letters. Letters must include name and official class. Names will be withheld upon request.

Visit The Classic nnlinc at: hup:l/www.classic.upcnwd.cum

Principal - Thomas Cunningham

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The Classic April2002

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Battle eclectic musical mix

by Diane Tiao The auditorium came to life on the evening of Friday, March 8, as the walls vibrated with the sound of "The Battle of the Bands" from 6:00 to 9:00. Five high school groups each performed a setof25 minutes in front of a crowd of approximately 100 people.

Contrary to the event's name, Battle of the Bands was not a real battle and there was no "winner." Nevertheless, "Battle of the Bands was terrific. Different kids from Townsend Harris were able to showcase their talent. I thought it was very successful, although very loud," said faculty advisor George Rio. ' Members of SomCensory,junior Angel Yau, senior Joseph Failagao, William Grawzo (Molloy HS) and Jack Ree (Molloy HS), opened for the event. The three-monthold band performed a total of seven songs, which included the "Pink Panther" theme song and "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. "I was really nervous, but the sight of my friends com. forted me," said Angel.

In between performances, masters of ceremony Jenna Sangastiano and Andrew Galmer, seniors, set up a stereo with 14 song 'selections to choose from. ·Karaoke was offered to students during the intermission. "Senior Daniel Wallenstein played Ozzie Osbourne and joined in on a couple of the karaoke songs, like Britney Spears' 'I'm a Slave for You' and [Vanilla Ice's] 'Ice Ice Baby.' The events of the night were very creative," said 'j unior Michael Wassif. .

Valkosphere, a combination of last year's bands Red Valkyerie (seniqr Alex Paulenoff) and Stratosphere (se!'liors Richard Cupolo and John Emanuele), inc eluded guest spots in their performance, withjunior Arianna Freyre and senior Megan Fendt each lending their voices for the first two songs.

"The performances were really pumping this year, and the bands did a good job in getting the audience involved," said Arianna.

Senior Andrew McGloin also played the guitar for !:me of the five songs performed, which included "Crawling in the Dark" by Hoobastank and "Sunday Morning" by No Doubt. "Everyone seemed to be having a good time. It was a lot of fun . It's definitely an event that should be repeated in the future because there was so much energy," said Alex.

Members of Blue Fire, junior Alan Fishman, sophomore Julio Castillo and

Matt Gaffney (LaGuardia HS), played six songs, including "Born Under a Bad Sign" by Jimi Hendrix and "Come as

You Are" by Nirvana. Junior Dan Fesz joined the week-old band on Nirvana's "Smells like Teen Spirit." "I thought the bands were really good. I had a good time performing," said Alan.

Get With It, a crowd favorite, performed seven original songs, including ~'Nice Face" and '·'Two Weeks from Tomorrow" as well as Blink !82's "Damage." Members of the six-month-old band, senior Andrew McGloin, Dave Berlanga (Robert F. Kennedy HS) and Angelo Modica (John Bowne HS), knew how to work the audience. To. wards the end of their performance, and in the heat of the moment, Angelo, the drummer,.took off his shirt. By the end of the song, though, Angelo was instructed by the administration to put his shirt back on, but it had already evoked a scream onwo from a few of the girls in the audience. "Our performance was better than usual, and the 'crowd really helped make it a better night," said Andrew.

Viscid, the last band of the evening, performed heavy metal music. Composed of sophomore Andrew Danilovic, Andy Ramsingh (McClancy HS), John Garcia (St. Francis HS), and Peter Krsikappa (McClancy HS), their slogan was "Bringing back the metal." The two-year-old band performed six original songs, which included "Distant" and "Sound of Destruction." "I thought we did really well. It was a lot of fun and I'd love do it again next year," said Andrew Danilovic.

Senior Carolina Chang commended the performers "for their courage of getting on stage and sharing their music with us ."

by Karen llendershot A TV-VCR on wheels and about 50 Harrisites glued to the screen in the dimly lit auditorium set the scene for the second annual Townsend Harris Film Festival on Friday, March 1. For one dollar, students had the chance to see a more creative side to some of their filmfanatical peers with the screeni!lg of five short, entirely student-crafted -films.

Senior Jesse Ash, who also directed · a feature for last year's festival, headed . the production of the Film Festival un~ der the supervision of English teacher Debra Michlewitz. "The Film Festival is a great thing .... When it comes to expressing an idea, nothing is stronger than film," commented Jesse. · Junior Evan Muehlbauer produced the first short that was screenedCharlie: Story of a Grape, a satirical look at artistic films. "We only used two grapes throughout the entire production," said Evan. Using black and white film and silent expression, he film~d a satire based on the life of a grape. "The grape film was hysterical!" exclaimed junior Talya Lieberman.

The next piece was a propaganda film produced by senior Emily RivlinNadler entitled Purple Crayon, which promoted her artsy group of the same name. The Purple Crayon is a group started by Emily this past summer with friends for anyone who is interested in creating art. The film documented the

members of Purple Crayon creating different forms of artistic expression in a local park. This wa~ the only film created by a first-year film festival participant. (For more information on Purple Crayon and how you can join, write to Vivapurplecrayon@ aoLcom.)

Third in the medley of films was senior Terrence Lai's Real World video entry, which chronicled a girl who bares · her soul to the camera in order to get onto her favorite show, The Real World.

The film, in which the character progresses from a normal teen into someone severely troubled by life, "is not autobiographical, but I hope that other people can relate to it," explained Terrence; Next was The Demon Hunt, produced by senior Steven Madureira. This animated short involved computer-generated fight sequences with meticulously hand-drawn figures. "It took about two months to create. I had to draw every figure first and then apply it to the computer," said Steven.

The final screening was of Jesse's film, Cane Man. The product· of a summer's work at the School of Visual Arts, Cane Man is a black-and-white silent film that portrays the life of an old man with a cane as he wanders through the busy streets of Manhattan.

As the only participant who is not a senior, Evan is expected to carry on the tradition for next year's festival.

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The Classic

April2002

New to the family:

Fresh faces arrive ·as mid-year staff additions Andrew Hagerty

by Linda Luu "Learning Latin is a privi. lege," said new Latin teacher Andrew Hagerty, who is taking over for Latin and Greek teacher Richard Russo while Mr. Russo is on sabbatical. M.r. Hagerty is excited to be teaching "the best

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Prior to arriving at Townsend Harris where he begins his first teaching experience, Mr. Hagerty attended an intensive Latin course at the Latin and Greek Institute at the City Un.i. versity of New York (CUNY).

There, he was initially exposea to the language. He completed additional advanced level classes at New York University shortly afterwards.

Although Mr. Hagerty intended to go into film and directing during college, his love for mythology motivated him to study Latin. "There is only so far you can take mythology," he stated. He was interested in reading famous texts such as Caesar in its original language rather than in translation.

"I wish I could've taken Latin in high school," Mr. Hagerty said. Graduating from Baldwin Senior High School, which did not offer Latin, he commends Townsend Harris for not only offering the class but requiring it. He wants students here to realize that they shmlid take advantage of this opportunity and appreciate it. "Don't think of it as a burden," he advised. "There is use to [Latin]."

Describing Latin as "the systematic way we communicate," Mr. Hagerty wishes to present the material to his students in a way.that is clear and organized. He refers to the language as the "framework for grammar" that can be applied to English and other languages.

One of Mr. Hagerty's objectives is for students to write better compositions, and as a result

perform better in English class.

Furthermore : he hopes that Latin will prove to be beneficial across the curriculum.

As a new teacher, Mr. Hagerty views himself as a combination of his all-time favorite teachers. · He admitted that he becomes "different aspects of them at different times."

"They could understand and relate to me," he said. "They knew respect had to be earned and they earned my respect."

In addition to instructing Latin; Mr. Hagerty is curreritly taking web design classes at Parsons School of Design, and he considers himself an artist. He enjoys playingold-fashioned 1880's baseball in his leisure time.

Among the differences between old-fashioned baseball and baseball now, Mr. Hagerty points out, are the four strikes instead of three and the distinct seams on the balls.

Also, no player with the exception of the pitcher wears a glove.

He particularly likes being costurned in the old-fashioned uniforms. Mr. Hagerty mentioned, however, thafhe does not enjoy it any more than modern ·baseball.

When looking ahead 10 years from now, Mr. Hagerty does not know what life will bring him, but he is almost certain of where he will be: New York.

He was born in New York and spent his whole life here. "New York is culturally the best place to be," he said.

Margherita Wischerth

by Diane Tiao .

Since . the age of 10, printmaker and photographer Margherita Wischerth wanted

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the new Project Arts Coordinator and is currently teaching two photography classes and two yearbook classes. ''I'm excited to come through the front door every day," Ms. Wischerth said. She feels the students here are truly a "unique, wonderful and amazing group of people," and the staff is also very helpful and . · courteous.

Certified by New York State just two years ago, Ms. . Wischerth is a newcomer to the world of teaching. Prior to her staff position here, she taught Saturday afternoon art classes and workshops and demonstrated printmaker processes (usingamediumforetchingand silk-screening). Last year she served as a replacement for an art teacher in Nassau County.

Her first job after college was working for the American Trade Association for Advertising. She soon realized, however, that she would rather use her own ideas instead of taking the ideas of others to make some. thing creative. "It didn't seem · fulfilling for me," she explained. ' She then decided to become . an art teacher: "Life takes you on variou·s paths. I was luckily able to attain the goal I set when · I was 10," she said. Being at a time in her life when she didn't have to worry about paying bills, she took teaching courses at Queens College and received · the chance to observe art teachers Anthony Morales and Ms. Polansky in the fall of 1998.

Ms. Wischerth spends her free time wilh her husband and two shildren. Although she doesn't seem to have any time for it I)OW, her favorite thing is to ''lock myself in a studio and not be bothered for hours." For a couple of years she has been putting together concepts and sketches on how to portray the struggle of being a multi-faceted female in a two-dimensional image tying in both the mediums of photography and printmaking. She, hopes to accomplish this within the next three years.

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to be an art teacher. "My art teacher instilled in me the love Ihave for art," she said, and by becoming a teacher,'she gets the opportunity to pass her knowledge on to others who enjoy creating art as much she does.

Ms. Wischerth is replacing recently retired Lois Polansky as

Lisa Mars

by Daniel Bloch· "I have a parking space nowc it''s very exciting!" said a beaming Lisa Mars when asked if lhere were any surprises in her first two months as Assistant Principal of Foreign Languages. Preparation for schoolwide events, such as the Festival of Nations and the Fashion

Show (see articles, p. 1), as well was given the chance to enroll as teaching one Spanish Level in a special Masters program in 6 class have been keeping Ms. the Rubin Academy of Music in Mars's schedule full:and atti- Israel. , tude upbeat.

While in Israel on the p~;o­ ~'It's been fantastic so far," gram, she met and married her Ms. Mars said smiling. "We husband. "That summer have a fantastic,· Very skilled changed my life. I always staff and that really facilitates dreamt abo11t going to Israel and what I have to do. And I have a this was a great opportunity. I wonderful, very motivated enjoyed every minute of the class.'' trip,"she said.

Ms. Mars recently gave her After completing .the proclass their first exam and she gram and growing slightly admits that she was more ner- homesick, she and her husband vous about it than they were. "I decided to return to New York have cold sweats about it! I · and settle in the southern part want them to do so well. It's a of the Bronx. During this time, test ()f me every time they have however, the American a test," she explained. economy took a turn for the Ms. Mars is currently· fo- worse, so she and her husband, cused on expanding the level of both newly certified teachers, technology in the classroom. were laid off. Since her husband Specifically, she mentioned fu- is an Israeli, they decided to ture plans for photographic move back to his homeland. seating charts for every class that would enable substitute teachers to take attendance more easily, and also the idea of a video conferencing system between Harrisites and students overseas.

"It'll take money," she said of her ideas, "but above all I need people who have an open · mind to try it."

As for the present, Ms. Mars said she "tries to be very humble every day ... .l don't have a title up in my office; I don't need to display it like a trophy . People know who I am."

They settled outside TelPaula Zarmon Aviv and both managed to find .

by Rita Ratner work: she as a music instructor, "Teaching musical notes to he as a teacher. They also raised my string ensemble class, four children. While in Israel, solfeggio to the chorus or He- she took on another challenge: brew letters to the students is teaching language. She served teaching language in different as an English teacher in the ways," says string ensemble Open University to Israelis who and Hebrew teacher Paula were traveling abroad.

Although she enjoyed her Zarmon.

Born and raised in the life in Israel, she felt nostalgic Bronx, Ms. Zarmon recalls "al- about her time in New York and ways having music in our decided to once again return home." The infh,1enc.e of her . there. She got .work as substifatfiet's musical talents (he tute in various schools until played the mandolin), coupled then Assistant Principal of Forwith her mother's encourage- eignLanguages and Music Joan ment, led Ms. Zarmon to follow Walsh approached her about a musical path. Her talents putting together an additional range from the simple recorder music class. Ms. Zarmon hapto the more sophisticated viola, pily obliged and formed the violin and piano. Her ambition String Ensemble. She also took and musical enthusiasm led her over the Hebrew classes of Ruth to gain acceptance to the High Cooperman, who is on leave, School of Music and Art, and and occasionally fills in for then New York University. Af- Chorus teacher Florence ter receiving her Bachelor's de- McKinley. Among her aspiragree in Music Education, Ms. tions is the idea of combining Zarmon was offered an oppor- the band and string ensemble to tunity that she describes as "the create Townsend Harris's first turning point of her life}' She full-fledged orchestra. ·

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The Classic April2002

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Chang returns to teach chemistry" at her alma mater Karen Chang

by Marlo Dublin "I want to spread my love of chemistry to the students," explained new chemistry teacher Karen Chang." If I can leave this school knowing that I've inspired any students to become chemistry majors, I will be really happy."

Young, vibrant and fresh out of graduate school, Ms. Chang joined the Harris science department at the start of the spring semester, replacing Michael Anzel who is on sabbatical. A former Harrisite herself ('96), Ms. Chang was really excited to come back and teach at her alma mater. "The kids here are really sweet, and I'm having a lot of fun," Ms. Chang said. "The .staff is incredibly nice to me, and has been doing a great job of making me feel - comfortable and welcome."

Born in 1978, Ms. Chang was raised in Jamaica, Queens, and always had a love for art. "Before high school, I wanted to be an artist," she said. "I applied to La Guardia High School and was accepted, but my parents wouldn't let me go because they thought that I would become a starving artist. However, I've been sketching and drawing

ever since."

It was when Ms. Chang became a student at Townsend tha~ her passion for art

was placed on the back burner and her lov.e for science was ignited. '' In high school, I was a very quiet student," she said. "I loved logic, and science made sense to me. I found English boring beeause I didn't understand the sense of analyzing. books, and didn't like math

even though I did well in it. Science was much more fun." As a Harrisite, Ms. Chang was an active member Of the yearbook staff, Students for the Preservation of the Earth and SING!. She took a science research class, but never prepared an Intel project.

After graduation, Ms. Chang went to Binghamton University with the hope of "becoming like Bill Nye the Science Guy by spreading chemistry all over," but was encouraged to go into medicine.

"My professors believed that I had a lot of potential and should go . into medicine, but I didn't want to take that path,',__ she said. Instead, after :graduating . Binghamton in '00, Ms. Chang went to Berkeley University in California to earn her Ph.D. in chemistry and become a science researcher. "I really disliked graduate school," Ms. Chang said. "It wasn't like college or high school where I felt like I could ask a lot of questions.

In graduate school, I felt like the questions you asked had to show your intelligence, and it was very disheartening."

However, Ms. Chang finished her first year and a half at Berkeley and came to work at Townsend shortly after.

As far as future career plans are con-

Board of Ed. lawsuit leads to cafeteria without candy

by Jennifer Gong Mounds of candy were snatched off the shelves of the Student Union (SU) store last month as part of a rapid "firesale." This was done in compliance with a mandate from the New York City Board of Education that prohibits the sale of particular foods that are deemed "non-nutritional."

The Chancellor sent a memorandum to all New York City public schools listing items that they are prohibited froni selling. These include "sweetened soda water, hard candy, jellies and gums, candy coated popcorn and other minimally nutritious food and beverages that contain less than 5% of the Referenced Daily In!ake of certain vitamins and minerals per serving." This list of restricted foods is lengthy, yet the notice fails to suggest any items that schools . might be allowed to sell. "There's no strong definition," said Assistant Prine cipal of Organization Malcolm

Rossman; "It's so ambiguous."

The regulation has been around for some time, but has been commonly ignored by most schools for fundraising purposes. But because of a recent lawsuit against the New York City Board of Education, it has.been more strictly enforced. The Classic attempted to contact the Board of Education, but they failed to return repeated phone calls. Since the prohibition of these comestible goods lasts throughout the school day until the end of the last lunch band, the school has put in an order for a vending machine that will be set on a timer.

This way, students will have the opportunity to buy such foods as candy after school.Also, thecandy inthe SU store has been replaced with fruit candy, cookies, granola bars, etc.

Although measures are being. taken by the school to comply with the Board of Education on this matter, the "problem~' of non-nutritional foods -in students' -

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cerned, Ms. Chang is taking it a day at a _ time. "Mr. Anzel will be coming back in the fall,"she said,'' so I will be here at least until the end of the semester. After that, I might go back to graduate school, but I'm not sure."

Although her teaching schedule is demanding, when she's free, Ms. Chang enjoys ice skating, sketching, spending time with friends and going to the movies. "I consider myself to still be a kid," Ms .. Chang stated, "So I enjoy doing most of the things that my students enjoy."

Ms. c;hang might not know what the future is. going to bring, but she is certain of one thing: she will always carry her love of chemistry wherever she goes.

"Chemistry is a fantastic science because you can relate it to real life," she explained. "It definitely is the hardest science because it involves learning how to learn and develop keen analytical skills, but by studying it, it make~ life more interesting and exciting.''

Spring Dance attracts few

hands will not go away. "It's unrealis- by Jennifer Bhuiyan tic to think that if you don't sell candy · There was a sense of emptiness about in school that it's not going to be there, the gymnasium as students arrived at the especially since it's been a. great - Spring Dance on Friday, March 1. From fundraiser for most schools," said Dean 6:00 to. 8:30PM, the deejays were spinWanda Nix. "It disrupts school pro- ning their tracks for what was later congrams unnecessarily," she said. "Instead firmed to be 76 people. According to of the corner merchant benefiting, why Adam Stonehill, COSA (Coordinator of not have the schools benefit?"

Student Activities), the Student Union lost around $600 because of the unexpectedly small attendance.

Many were shocked to see such a limited number of attendees, but that didn't stop students from hitting the Continued from p. 1 dance floor. Alexis Serra, freshman, · "Hafinan" _p resented by Paula said, "I usually like dancing in bigger Zarmon 's Hebrew Class and the crowds because it creates a great atmoFrench "Dites-moi pourquoi•.." pre- sphere for a dance, but then again, the sented by Mariet D'Souza's French music was a lot better this time than at class. Also highlighting the show was · the guest dance." the performance of a scene from the As the clock neared 8:30, some noSpanish epic poem -"El Cid" and the ticed a crowded circle at one corner of portrayal of the assassination of the gymnasium. Students were cheering Julius Caesar in Latin. There was the English teacher Michael Carbone as he marriage of science and mathemat- was dancing along with seniors to hipics teacher Shi Bing Shen to junior hop music. At the end of the dance, he Michael Huang during the Chinese said, "It was actually my first time on Ribbon dance, but Shen later joked, ·the dance floor, and I ha·ve to admit that "That marriage was immediately an- it was fun. I only dance to music which nulled." is grammatically correct!" Students, inLaura Benin, communication media cluding freshmen Hyon-Jin Chong, arts teacher, performed a solo Flamenco Daniel Kupperstock, and Janelle Spence dance to the Spanish song, "Aiegrias.'' seemed to enjoy Mr. Carbone's dance "It took me three years to learn that routine ,as much as he did himself. dance," she said, "and all of my danc"We.all thought it was really cool that ers bailed out on me.'' Despite these a teacher went out on the dance floor. setbacks, Ms. Benin appeared on stage He really got everyone's spirit up," by herself, ready to perform. Also bar- Hyon-Jin said. "I think he can even ing her· talent was sophomore Vidushi dance a lot better th,an the rest of the Jain in her solo dance to "Jiya Jalae," guys that came here tonight!" an Indian song.

Mr. Stonehill said that the Student Lisa Mars, Coordinator of the event Union is planning on having fewer and Assistant Principal of Second Lan- dances next year because "we've inguages and Fine Arts, said that the fes- creased the number of school events tival "is a small step towards under~ which probably is the reason that attenstanding our cultural diversity." dance [at the Spring Dance] was so low."

Festival celebrates national diversity

"1

The Classic

6

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I

April2002

Relief club ·otters help to charity

by Jessica Bader The new Relief Club, founded by junior Rita Rainer, exemplifies the spirit of community ser- . vice that is a hallmark of Harris. The group will try to raise money each term for a charity that will be voted upon by its members. This term it will focus on a World Trade Center relief fund and will be known as the World Trade Center Relief Club.

The club meets after school every Friday in room 415 with its advisor, history teacher Maureen Lonergan.

A "free bake sale" was held on March 8 in room 415 to support the club and appeal to prospective members. "It ·was · a membership drive," said Rita, adding that she hopes to eventually have at least 20 Harrisites join. "I'd love for everyone to come to our meetings. They're a lot of fun because it's such a worthwhile club ... it's not your standard 'let's sit around talk' kind of club. I want to be proactive," she said.

The horrible events of September II

Model UN debates world issues

by Angela Hom· Aiming to. explore different societies through the discussion and debate of world issues, the members of the new Model United Nations Club are eager to expand their global knowledge and foster cultural understanding among their peers. · "We will put an emphasis on being aware and looking into current events.

We will expect members to listen to the news or read a reliable newspaper to keep them up to date, and to bring upissues that they would like to discuss," said junior Talya Lieberman of what she and co-president and cofounder Victoria Yuan, junior, will be expecting from members of this new club.

"As time progresses and we polish our skills, we will try to get involved in some conferences. While this all sounds very serious, and it is, Victoria and I will most definitely find ways to make it in- . teresting and fun. IT WILL BE FUN!" Talya added.

Meeting every other Tuesday at 7:20 AM in room 434, the Model UN Club, motivated Rita to start the Relief Club. advised py history teacher Susan Get"I was really impressed by what [the ting, seeks to elevate awareness of world Townsend Harris community] did for events and encourage people to "go bethe first few months after [September yond a passive understanding of our surII] in terms of collecting money," ex- .· roundings," said Talya. It also hopes to p.Iained Rita, "but after those two stimulate interest in the happenings of months, it seemed like nobody cared, I the world by presenting the club as a which bothered me, so I started the forum for the exchange of their ideas club." and opinions.

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0000 0000 Some of the benefits that the founders hope members will take with them are "being well-versed in world affairs, being able to express ideas effectively, and possessing skills iike conflict resolution and negotiation," Talya said. According to Talya, the long-term goal of the Model UN Club is to have an "outspoken, elo_quent, and intelligent. . .team to represent Townsend Harris at major Mqdel UN conferences and events."

"I'm very glad with what we're doing. Everyone is very enthusiastic here," said Victoria. "She and I are both very new at this, though, and we will inevitably make mistakes along the way," said Talya. But fear not; we are young, determined, and resilient!"

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Senior class sweeps SING! for third year

The Classic

7

April 2002

Spirit week without much spirit

by Arianna C. Freyre Walking down the halls, you may have spotted a boy wearing tin foil on

by Lina Lee Jenna Sangastiano and Meghan Gill, his head, or maybe a girl dressed as a French spies trying to capture the both seniors, to stay and cheer on the teenybopper from the fifties, a hippie 路 Statue of Liberty, naive tourists ventur- other grades. The performers used the from the sixties, or a disco freak from ing through the boroughs, and a greedy dress rehearsal to smooth out as many the seventies. These odd-looking stubusinessman suffering from amnesia rough edges as possible and to run dents mingling among the masses were some of the relatively few participants who learns how to in the most recent Spirit Week, held appreciate the during the week of February 11. beauty of New "It's really pointless," said junior York City enterAlan Fishman, who did not dress up on tained the audiany of the days. "I never know when it ences at the third is, and no one remembers to participate." annual SING! per路"No one participated, because no one formances from was prepared or informed. The Senate January 31-Februhadn't even met to inform the students ary 2. Of all the of what was going on, and what the days New York- themed would be," said junior Amy Patel. shows, senior However, in many past Spirit Weeks, SING! came out Senators informed their classes what the on top for the third days would be a week or two in advance, year of this miniand still, the number of people partakcompetition beE ing was low.

"We should publicize it tween grades. ~ more," said Senator Daniella Pagan,junSenior SING! 5:: ior, "but students need to be more acwas announced as tive ....

It really is a matter of spirit, the winner on Satand it seems that our student body reurday night. "I "Is there a doctor in the house?" Jesse Ash wondered in the winning ally has none." kind of always performance of senior SING!, as the nurse, played by Marina Polyakova, Monday was kept in the back of tried to seduce him.

Crazy Head my head that the Day, when stuseniors were going to win because they through the performance with the tech dents had to do won every single year and last year they crew. "We were all just setting things up something were really great." said coordinator of last minute and making sure that everything was ready. We made a lot of mis- you guessed itSophmen SING! Jean Rhee. takes but I was glad we made them so crazy with their Regardless of the outcoine, all of the that we could fix them up before the head or hair. grades showed great excitement. As Several fresheach of the three groups went on stage night shows," said Jean. like "It was very stressful because we had men, Saturday after their final performance and before the winner was revealed, to put in our last touches," said sopho- A l b e r t they expressed gratitude toward the more Charity Canuto of Sophmen Chincha, could many students and teachers who had SING!. The theme this year was "New be seen with hair helped them, and especially to each York" and each grade highlighted the their other. Even as the audience began leav- unique and amazing traits of the city sprayed differcolors. ing the auditorium, all of the grades while staying clear of the World Trade ent Tuesday was Center tragedy. stood by cheering for their group ..

"Just like in the show, we all helped Sports Day, Of the three nights, the most tickets were sold for the Friday show. The de- each other out. We wouldn't have been when students mand for tickets on Friday was so great able to do this without everyone's coop- had to wear that students waited on long lines in eration. Now that it's all over, I miss go- paraphernalia any front of the. COSA (Coordinator of Stu- ing to practices and working with my from sports team dent Activities) office after school for classmates," Jean said.

The overall effect seemed to be the they desired.

COSA Adam Stonehill to distribute more tickets. Although some students pride that SING! participants and the au- Many took this attended the dress rehearsal on Thurs- dience members shared over their com- as an opportuday, January 31, most of the people fill- mon heritage of being a New Yorker. nity to wear ing the auditorium seats that day were "After watching the show, I realized that hats to school. fellow SING! participants, who were there is nowhere in the world like New Wednesday was Decade's Day, and senior Rio May encouraged by SING! Commissioners York City," said sophomore Zora Sze. Del Rosario was one of the few that

dressed up. She sported a 50s-era outfit complete with a poodle skirt and bobby socks. "I was really upset that no one dressed up," she said. "It was fun for me, especially, to see the reaction that I got from the teachers who related to my outfit because it was from a time that they could relate to. However, I feel that more and more students are becoming apathetic towards Spirit Week."

"I didn't really approve of Decades Day," said junior Valerie Pershad. "Not everyone has a costume to wear for something like that."

Thursday was Twin Day, a day that junior Mari Mercado participated in. "It was the only day that I enjoyed," she said, as she got to dress in the same attire as a friend.

Friday finished off Spirit Week with Pajama Day, a day that needs no explaining and usually makes an appearance in Harris spirit weeks. However, the consensus about this event and the week as a whole was that they were not a success .

When given the chance to suggest possibilities for future spirit days, a chorus of freshmen from George Rio's

eighth band gym class suggested "No Homework Day."

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8

The Classic April2002

Music for everyone's ears:

MP3 files provide controversial

by Natalie Spielberg · Do you ever find yourself wondering what kind of music your peers were listening to before the security guards dutifully asked them to remove their headphones? Did they go out to the store and pay for that tape or CD? Or did they stay at home and download the latest tunes and load up their MP3 players?

Did they burn the songs onto a disc for use in their CD player? Was that music free?

Nearly every student at Townsend Harris has a PC in his household or regular access to one elsewhere. Most new computers have well-rounded music systems built in, including CD drives which not only read but also write ("burn") data onto blank CDs. A recent study showed that, up there with homework and studying, one of the more popular student uses of their PCs involves music technology, namely MP3s.

MP3 files, or M-peg Layer 3 compressed audio files, are sound files that take up considerably less space on a hard drive, yet do not sacrifice much sound quality in relation to a real CD. In light of recent developments in digital music technology, computer manufacturers have been equipping their machines with numerous music-related boosters, due to the largely popular MP3 technology and CD "ripping" capabilities. (Computer software can pull songs off CDs and copy them to the hard drive. The "ripped" tracks might later be burned onto an inexpensive

alternativ~

blank CD or sent to a portable MP3 device from there.) Also, portable MP3 players, considerably smaller than cassette tape players and CD players, are on sale in all the big music and electronics stores at competitive prices.

With the arrival of MP3 technology ·came controversy and mayhem worldwide in all fields of business, particularly in the music industry. In the computer world, programmers like Shawn Fanning designed online file-swapping programs that pushed record label reps to the edge.

Napster, the innovative peer-to-peer community program created by then 19year-old college student Fanning, on which computer users could share music files with each other in MP3 format, spawned not only a rash of similar programs with the same basic purpose but it also spurred a lot of disturbance in the way of big record labels. The top record executives feared sales would diminish as more and more people got their music fixes online and not at the record stores. The disputes went back to copyright infringement qualms: Were Napster's users stealing music and thus causing record sales to drop? Were the recording artists being denied royalties for their work?

As explained in Wired.com's February 2001 article "Peer-to-peer Goes Beyond Napster," Napster's argument was that it did not break the law. Since its users were connecting directly and sharing with one another- not downloading

to music stores

free music from any of Napster's own servers - Napster felt it was not guilty of copyright infringement for simply setting up the meetings.

Some experts ,even think online music communities can help out the record labels, and urge the execs to take advantage of the technology. Chris L~am·to s()()d, defensiv~~ Oakes reported Jupiter ~ ··· h-~rL: ~,..u.~· Communications' findings in "Research: ·f ·a a - · ·· • • · · dri ·' ··-t......: ~ t....;__ ...;.~_ .....-~.!:.. --.1·~ ~·n 10Jnmf~J'P7A · vtngn~ l8 lliloZtQ..,t,iS w~• wuut:..,u~: MP3s sell CDs," a ltaia;.

1999 Wired.com news article.

In defense of Napster and its widespread popularity, many little-known art187-12 lli11side Ave. JU~aiea Estates ists are grateful for the worldwide exposure their work can receive thanks to Napster's technology. In his DePACKAGES cember 200 l article "Independence Day 8' Driving Lessons (4.5 min.each) + SHour Class+ R.bad Test Appt. for Indie Bands," Brad and Car For Road TC:st . .._ ALL FOR Sl90 King, reporter for Wired News on I0 Driving Lessons (45 min .each) + SHour Class + Road T~t Appt Wired.com, tells how and Car For Road Test ---* ONL'V SllS the exposure from Napster allowed bands like Too Much Joy enough exposure and cash (from an online "tip-jar" known as

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After a lawsuit against Napster by pretty much the entire music industry and represented by Metallica member Lars Ulrich, Napster's central servers are currently down as per court orders. The figures, thoug~ difficult to prove accurately, showed that CD sales around the world ultimately remained indeed unscathed when Napster was up and running. Many MP3 users simply sampled an album or an artist and then went out to purchase the record.

Though the original file-swapping hub is shrouded, the spin-off programs widely available on the net, such as Aimster, Audio Galaxy, and Morpheus, still operate and host plenty of users.

Back home, students juggle collaterals, homework, tests, papers - and pop culture. "We've all got a favorite song, a favorite artist and a favorite download source," jokes junior Jozeann Namocatcat.

While some music "pirates" don't see the harm in downloading free music, many do know the illegality of what they are doing and still continue. They say professional CDs are too expensive, as proven true by an investigation of the music industry a few years ago. Jeffrey W. Mortenson posted on a Wired.com "Rants and Raves" board saying, "The reason people aren't buying your CDs is because you have priced them out of the market. Look at the average age of the file sharing programs ~nd you'll find young people ... unable to afford the outrageous charges for a CD. When will they realize that we are smart enough to realize that a CD costs less than a buck to burn?''

Still others argue the point brought up in the Napster v. Metallica case comparing cassete recordings and VCRs. Back when VCRs were invented, the video industry was afraid they would lose revenue due to frequent bootlegging, but it is plain to see that the music and video industries are still thfiving . .

Sources: http://www.mp3newswire.net/stories/ 2000/napsterlaw.html http://www.openp2p.com/pub/a/p2p/ 200 1/08/07/lessig.html http://www.wired.com/news/mp3/, 1285,48982-2,00.html http://www.wired.com/news/technol ogy/0, 1282.41768,00.html http://www.wired.com/news/nusiness/ 0,1367 ,20805,00.html http ://www.wired.corn/news/ ·commentarysection/ 0, 1292,49900,00.html

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The Classic

I

April2002

9 .

XBox and Gamecube systems go head to head "The people who are saying that ground info.," said sophomore Nilesh screen after pressing a button while

by Steven Gross Take a look at birthday wish lists of Nintendo is a company that makes Patel. Most students agree that the price there is a slight delay on the Xbox . children and teenagers th is year. games only for kids have generally been of the Xbo;x is fair. Dennis feels that, Concern About Violence Chances are, everyone who likes video our competitors," said Satoru Iwata, "[The price] could always be lower, but Although video games tend to be a games will have the Xbox or the Nintendo's director of corporate plan- it's what you expect." Sophomore lot of fun, there is one possible conGamecube high up on their lists, but ning in an interview with Electronic Jonathan Kahan agreed, saying, "The cern. There are people who fear that systems are worth the money 路because many games are too violent and that both systems will be hard to find. They Gaming Monthly. they're more than just a game system." the violence can have negative effects are brand new and very popular, so evHardware erybody wants one. on the behavior of those who play Another important factor in judging Games So what exactly are the Xbox and the the systems is hardware. The Xbox has However, when it really comes down them. A study in the April 200 I issue Gamecube? Why are they popular? 64 megabytes of double-data rate syn- to it, what people really care about is of the Journal of Pediatrics found that What's the difference between them? chronous DRAM of memory. tJ1e games themselves. Sophomore college students who played video What makes them so special and expen- Gamocube games depicting violent aggression are sive? Know the facts before you go and has less more prone to showing spend your money on either one. aggression in real life. m a i n GAME CUBE XBOX These students were also Microsoft's Xbox and Nintendo's memory No Yes (with remote) Can it play DVDS? found to have very low Gamecube are the latest in video game ( 2 4 No - Yes Can it play COs? systems. Both are top of the line in gam- meg agrades (Robertson, Some Games Yes Progressive-scan support? ing systems, which is why they are so bytes), healthlink.mcw.edu).

None Built in Dolby Surround sound options? hard to find, and so expensive.

Reports from studies but comDigital done by Media Scope in The X box was designed in the United pliments 1-1.5 million Units planned to be shipped by 1.1 million I999 stated that people States by Microsoft. It weighs 8 lbs., it with end of 2001? who played aggressive II oz. and is about I 3 inches wide, 10 the fairly Unknown By mid 2002 Goes online? video games showed ininches deep, and 3 inches tall. It ha:s n e w 485 MHz 733 MHz .CPU Speed some of the most powerful hardware MoSys creased hostility and 162 MHz Flipper 250 MHz nVidia Graphics processor? were more anxious, and around, in addition to billions of dollars I T 40mb XGP Total Memory? that an exposure to vioin backing from Microsoft. The Xbox SRAM 8 64mb Simultaneous textures? contains a built-in ethernet port (to con- memory, lent video games can increase a child's aggresnect online) and hard drive. You can - which is sive behavior. Oppouse it to make your own CDs and play faster, DVD movies. It costs $299. and with I6 extra megabytes of auxil- James Lavin stated that he bought the nents feel that video games are being The Gamecube was designed by iary RAM. In other words, the Xbox Gamecube just because of the hit game, used as a scapegoat for children's agNintendo in Japan . It is much smaller system has larger memory capabilities "Star Wars Rogue Squadron." Both sys- gressions (White, ed.tsud.edu). Howthan Xbox, weighing only 2 lbs., I6 oz. than the Gamecube does, but the tems have titles that are exclusive. Some ever, regardless of whether or not vioand is just 4 in. tall, 6 in. wide, and 6 in. Gamecube's memory runs faster. for the Gamecube include "NBA lent games cause behavioral problems, deep. It has an exclusive deal with On the Xbox, the graphics have a Courtside 2002" and "Super Smash there are still many non-violent games Nintendo in that it is strictly a game sys- bumpy, realistic look. It can draw tex- Bros." "Courtside" is the latest in the for these systems. Also, all of the tem . However, it does have a linkil)g tures (of characters, landscapes, etc.) on series of NBA games using the Los An- games come with a rating (similar to 路 cable with Game Boy Advance (a hand- the screen very quickly. The geles Lakers star Kobe Bryant as a movie ratings) that tell you for whom held Nintendo gaming system), which Gamecube's graphics processor can ren- model. "Super Smash Bros." is the fight- the game is appropriate.

So in the end, what's better, the lets you use the two systems together. der up to eight texture layers in one ren- ing game sequel to the Nintendo 64 The Gamecube is very compact and der pass, while the Xbox can only ren- (Nintendo's previous game system) ver- Xbox or the Gamecube? The Xbox has light. At $I99, it is the less expensive der four. A render pass is the time it sion that featured such characters as more features and games. However, system by $100. 路 takes to draw one set of textures on the Mario and Pikachu (the Pokemon) fight- the Gamecube is cheaper, has better One thing that garners care about is screen. So this means that the Gamecube ing each other. Exclusive titles for the quality games for its system coming the controller. The Xbox's controller is can make twice as many layers of tex- Xbox include "NFL Fever 2002" ( The out later on, and a more comfortable very bulky and is made more for an ture in one set (pass) as the Xbox can. Xbox's exclusive football title), and controller. The Xbox has better hardadult's hand, while the.Gamecube's con- However, the Xbox can make two "Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee," an ware, and its games are probably more troller fits a child's hand much better. passes in the time it takes the Gamecube adventure game in which you control suitable for those in high school. Both The button placement is very tight on to make one, so it evens out. The Xbox Munch (one of the planet Oddworld's systems are brand new ahd on top of the Xbox's controller, while it is much has real Dolby Digital 5. I surround inhabitants) and try to free the enslaved the gaming industry. In the end, it comes down to what you prefer and more spread out on the Gamecube's. In sound built in, which is the highest qual- masses on the planet.

Despite all of these games, there what suits your needs better as a gamer fact, the controller has been one of the ity of sound available. Nintendo hasn't biggest complaints about the Xbox. totally revealed what Gamecube's au- seems to be one game for each system and as a consumer.

However, Microsoft won't change the dio system is fully capable of produc- that is a cut above the rest. "Halo" has Sources: gotten rave reviews for the Xbox, and design. "I know you hate to hear this, ing as of now.

"Battleboxes." Electronic Gaming Student Views some say it is better than N64's "Goldbut we've done a ton of focus groups Monthly December 2001: 156-220. and everyone tells us it's a great conIn Townsend Harris, the students' eneye," which is considered 'to be one "Is the NINTENDO GAMECUBE troller," said Ed Fries, Microsoft's VP opinions of these two systems differ. of the best first-person shooter games an audio-visual machine or is it a of games publishing in an interview with Many of the proponents of the of all time. In "Halo," your task is to game machine?" Online. 8 Dec. 200 I. <www.nintendo.com> Electronic Gaming Monthly . The Gamecube like it because of its less ex- save humanity from a bunch of rotten Gamecube's controller seems to have a pensive price. Those who favor the aliens. The game has a compelling story, Robertson, Russell G. M.D. "Video Games: Violence and Broken more natural feel than most and was Xbox like its features. Sophomore Elsie in-game mini-movies, and great graphBones." Medical College of described by Electronic Gaming Layana said, "Xbox is better because ics. The Gamecube's "Star Wars Rogue Wisconsin. 19 May, 2001. there is more that you can do with it." Squadron II: Rogue Leader" is supposMonthly as "comfy".

Online. 15 Jan ., 2002. <http:// One conception about the systems is Sophomore Dennis Han said, "If I'm edly so good that some people are buyhealthlink.mcw.edu/ article/ that the Xbox is for adu lts and the going to spend $200-$300, I want the ing the Gamecube just for that game. It 9903180 II . html> Gamecube is for kids. This conception best and Xbox's hardware is better than includes all of the classic battles from Rubenstein, Glenn. "Sports Gamer." the original Star Wars trilogy and actual is both true and false. The Xbox is tar- Oamecube's."

Sports Illustrated for Kids Decem ber 2001 : 79-80.

The level of knowledge that students dialogue from the movies. geting garners between 16 and 25 years Right now, the Xbox has a more di- White, Wayne. "Finish Him": Violence of age. Microsoft's manager of its ad- have of the systems varies greatly. & Video Games." Troy State vanced technology group , Seamus Some, such as sophomore Christian verse selection of games . Down the University Dothan College of Blackley, explained to Electronic Gam- Cancino, feel that Xbox has done a bet- road, both systems have a good selecEducation. November, 1999. Online. ing Monthly, "These guys buy their own ter job advertising. "I only hear about tion of games coming out, and the 15 Jan., 2002. <http://ed.tsud .edu/ systems and look at them based on the Xbox ," he said . Other students have Gamecube should be able to catch up to tcubed/ quality of the content and how much a** very little knowledge of either system . the Xbox in quality and quantity. The whos_in_chargefinish_him.htm> it kicks." On the other hand, Nintendo "I do not know [which system to buy] gameplay is similar, but on the "Xbox Dashboard- A Closer Look."

Online. 8 Dec.2001. <www.xbox.com> says that Gamecube is not just for kids . because I don't have enough back- Gamecube, there is instant action on the

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The Classic April2002

East Buffet serves up many lukewarm dishes

by Jessica Wang

East Buffet 42-07 Main St . Flushing, NY 11355 (718) 353-6333 Located in a predominantly Chinese area of Flushing, East Buffet is different from most of its area competitors in its vast array of dishes and buffet presentation ., It, however, is not dissimilar from other buffet restaurants. Like many of the restaurants that fall into its same category, the quality of food is sacrificed for quantity at East Buffet.

The restaurant boasts that it has dishes from various cuisines, but Chinese dishes dominate the spread. Italian dishes are few and lack appeal, such as the fettuccine Alfredo, which appears never to have been touched.

Japanese influence is seen at the sushi bar, where chefs stand by to make more rolls as the available supply dwindles.

While the types of rolls offered are standard fare, such as California rolls, they are decent, and far better than another Japanese dish available, veg-

etable tempura. Tempura is at its best are looking for something else to eat. when it comes straight from the deep Desserts are typical buffctt fare. fryer, crisp and light golden, but this There is the array of fruit, much of tempura is cold and soggy. which appears under-ripe, the self-serve Keeping dishes at their proper ternperature seems to be a recurring prob!em at East Buffet. Similar to the tempura, pan-fried scallion pancakes are lukewarm and lack crispness. The vegetable Io mein would not arouse com" plaints if it were hot.

Surprisingly, soups, the salad bar, apd cold dishes such as edamame (young fresh soybeans) with hot pepper, are at their ideal temperature.

The only noteworthy foods are specia! ones that make their exclusive appearance during dinner hours. Among these are Peking duck, which is thinly I _'t . \ \ 1 sliced with crispy skin still attached, and · I eaten in a soft, chewy pancake with ice cream machine, pudding, a huge vasome sliced scallion and a special sauce. riety of gelatin, and pastries. The gelaA chef stands by to slice the duck for tin is made to appear exotic, with flarestaurant patrons, as well as to serve vors ranging from kiwi to coconut to prime rib and roast pork. The arrival of green tea, but in reality, most of the flalobsters' tails is announced and disap- vors are too bland. The pastries on hand pears within minutes. The lines for these are also a disappointment, as they are dishes, however, are long and can clog airy, tasteless and offer no satisfaction traffic throughout the whole buffet set- to a person with a sweet tooth. up, especially irritating for diners who Service is cold, detached, and often

Commentary:

American pride highlighted in opening OlympicCeremony

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by Jessica Berger "The home of the brave." I've heard these words many times, but the way they sounded when sung at the opening ceremony of the Olympics made them much more meaningful. America is home to so many brave people: the athletes, who risk life and limb to accomplish inspiring athletic feats; President Bush, who b"oldly walked down the middle ofthe Olympic Stadium despite the potential danger; the spectators, who were willing to withstand the threat of terror; the soldiers, cheering the athletes from their posts in Kandahar; and the United States citizens who, despite the circumstances surrounding this year's Olympic Games, would not forfeit their chance to show the rest of the world that no matter how the medals are distributed, the Americans have already won a gold medal in every way possible.

Starting off with a display of American pride and concluding with inspirational music by popular singers R. Kelly, Sting, and Leann Rimes, the entire extravaganza left me glued to the television, even teary-ey ed at some moments. The presentation of "God Bless Am erica" by NYPD officer Daniel Rodriguez was awe-inspiring, while the display of the frayed World Trade Center flag, which had created a controversy between the American government and the International Olympic Committee, was touching.

As in any Olympics, the host nation or city presents a unique exhibition of its culture. The five Native American tribes of Utah each showed

their individual dances and played their music. The best part of this presentation was the blessing of the athletes.

The tribal chiefs conducted a prayer in which athletes were blessed with luck and watched over by the spirits of the earth. Accompanying this was the ribbon dance for peace and unity and the millennium drum dance.

The highlight of the event was the march of nations. Despite each country's quest for national acclaim, many nations showed their support for America by flying American flags along with their own. The American athletes beamed with pride as they marched, sporting red, white, and blue flags along with their blue team uniforms.

At the conclusion of the event, the much anticipated lighters of the Olympic cauldron were revealed. The identity of those honored with the task of lighting the cauldron remained a wellkept secret until the moment of their appearance. The "miracle on ice" gold medal American hockey team of I 980 lit the symbolic flame, their own presence representative of American determination since they were the underdogs in their own Olympic fight 22 years ago.

The pageantry and the pride embodied at the Opening Ceremony demonstrated that the games at Salt Lake City 2002 would be full of honor, competition, and dignity. Although most of us will never be Olympians, the Opening Ceremony and the rest of the games let us live the triumphs and the upsets as if we were competing, freezing on the ice or mountain without losing grip on the remote control.

rude. When asked about the location of a particular dish, the staff ignores the question, too busy refilling dishes or cleaning counters .

During busy hours, empty dishes are not promptly cleared from the tables, and eventually pile up. It is also difficult to find someone on the staff to refill the complimentary pot of tea or fulfill other requests, much less to get him or her to stop and listen . . · In an area with so much competition, it is a surprise that East Buffet is such a popular attraction, with its less than stellar food and service. It does have a lot of food, but one would become sick if he or she were to eat everything offered. A much better option for someone in the neighborhood would be to dine at a smaller, nearby restaurant. Chances are, quality will not be sacrifiCed for quantity, and the quantity will be enough to satisfy big appetites, but not too much to make one feel ill.

Dive into Pisces I to ·get delicious bite of the sea

by Marlo Dublin

Pisces I 271-02 Union Turnpike New Hyde Park, NY 11040 718-347-8052 516-354-3230 Whether you are looking for a cozy place to spend Sunday night dinner with your family, or just have a craving for fresh fish and seafood, Pisces I Seafood Restaurant is the place for you. Located

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in New Hyde Park and open daily from 4:30-10:00 PM except for Mondays, Pisces I is a family-owned and operated restaurant that has been delighting customers for 23 years. Offering a wide variety of Surf and Turf favorites including homemade bouillabaisse, hearty sirloi n steak, savory fish an d c hips, calamari fried or broiled upon request, and lobster by the pound, Pisces I has a dish for.every palate and aims to plea'Se. On average, a meal costs about $25 with dessert and coffee, and featured daily are a list of "Blackboard Specials" which include some of my personal favorites, such as tilapia (St. Peterson's filet), chilean sea bass, tuna with sauteed mushrooms and onions, and soft shell crabs.

Owners Dino and Stevie

Kontogiannis are always waltmg to greet you with a smile, and the waitresses on staff are delightful to talk to, as well as efficient and patient. I have been going to Pisces I with my family for over six years, and I know that every time I go there to eat, I can expect the best quality seafood and service, and relax in their 18th century fishing wharf dining room.

One perk about the restaurant is that your entree is served with soup or salad, a vegetable and potato, so you don't have to order items individually (unless you want an appeti'Zer) . Their Greek salad is outrageous: featuring a bed offresh romaine lettuce topped with sliced red onion, cucumber, olives, tomatoes and fetta cheese, and sprinkled with a home-made vinaigrette dressing, it is truly a crowd pleaser. My favorite dish is the horseradish-crusted salmon, which .features a fresh filet of salmon broiled and basted with fresh horseradish and the n topped off with a breadcrumb and garlic crust. The most delightful part about this dish is that the salmon melts in your mouth ~hile the horseradish and breadcrumbs complement each other very nicely. Fried scallops is another dish that is sure to please.

Twelve plump scallops delicately basted and fried decorate a plate garnished with dill and served with tartar sauce. This dish dorsn 't leave you with that heavy feeling ~hat most other fried food dishes do.

Pisces' warm atmosphere, friendly staff and fresh food are definitely worth a trek, so if you' re on the Island and want tc get your fins wet, dive into Pisces I and taste i frutti di mare.

The "Classic April2002

11

A glimpse.into spring season:

With coach:es at helm,teams ready to compete Girls' Varsity Soccer

by Stephen Berger With new depth and a cast of returning players from last year, coach Chris Hackney is confident that this

ing season, but junior Christopher Boys' Varsity Handball Gonzalez has high hopes for it.

"The team seems to be meshing well. by Stephen Berger Along with the leadership provided by We lost a lot last year, but a lot of the Raymond Ling, senior, and Jesse Schnall, underclassmen are stepping up to the . plate," said Gonzalez.

Their first league game is on April 18.

Boys' Track

Chris Hackney years' Girls' Soccer team will have a successful season. He expects Meghan Gill, senior; Jill Carus,o, senior; Jaclyn Miccio, junior; Kathrine Dubowski, sophomore; and Michelle Berrios, sophomore, to make major contributions to the team.

This year, the team belongs to a new, more competitive division. Hackney expects the major competition to come from Cardozo in Queens and from Stuyvesant and Tottenville in Manhattan.

by Stephen Berger Coach George Rio is pleased how his runners are improving as the year progresses, and is looking forward to a good outdoor season. Matthew Duelka . . and John Tatti are twci of the freshmen who are expected to run very good times.

Andrew Rivera, sophomore, and Carlos Gonzalez, junior, will lead the sprinters.

The team is looking forward to .the return of tri-captain Alejandro Gonzalez, senior, who suffered a foot injury during the indoor season. ~ Field events are an aspect of the team that Rio hopes to improve in the upcoming season. Long jumpers Louis Elrose, sophomore, and Kenny Yu, sophomore, are expected to be a force in the improvement of the field events. The most competition for the outdoor season is expected to come from Van Buren and Edison high schools.

Girls' Track

by Stephen Berger Finishing second in Queens during

Girls' Softball

by Rita Ratner "The Girls' Softball team is a good mix of young and old," said coach Lawrence Ceraulo of the five returning players and six newcomers that make up the team · this season. Even though the team is in its rebul iding phase, Ceraulo feels "encouraged" about this young team's season, hoping that they can make it to the quaterfinals.

According to Ceraulo, the team's success depends cin its pitching skills.

Melissa Tubens, junior, who pitched 20 innings last year, will assume the role of their starting pitcher. Assisting Tubens will be "first basemen turned pitcher" Kristina Casper, senior. Returning fielders Jessica Sharoff, senior; Sarah Walter, senior; Megan Davidow, junior; and catcher Patty Pabon, sophomore, are expected to contribute to the team. Ceraulo described Pabon as "one of the best in the city."

Boys' Varsity Baseball

by Ashley Pillsbury Coach Steven Liberinan and assistant coach and Townsend Harris alumnus Nick Diunte were unable to be reached for comment on their upcom-

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Joseph Horn the indoor track season, there is reason to believe the Girls' Outdoor Track team will do very well this season. Coach Joseph Horn expects important contributions from Vicki Lopez, senior, and Arica Wade, senior, in the 400 and the 800 meter events. Jennifer Pepen, sophomore, who finished in first place in the walk at the Queens Indoor Track Championships, should also be one of the main components to the team's success.

Horn thinks that with the talented core of runners that the team boasts, they should finish in second place in Queens again. The Outdoor Girls' Track Team's main competition is expected to come from J amruca and Campus Magnet High Schools.

Boys' Varsity Tennis

by Ashley Pillsbury Coach Howard Fuiman deems it ·:hard to tell" how the team will perform this spring, but thinks the season will be a good one and hopes to make it to the playoffs. ''Cardozo has held the city title for the past couple of years, so they are guaranteed one of the two spots in the playoffs and Bayside is very good; my goal is to make it there," he said.

Furman named freshman Ari Gayer as "undoubtedly the best player on the team; he is our number one in the single_s event." Gayer was described

by Furman as a tough player, but one who will have competetion from tough singles players from other schools.

Their first league game is at home on April9.

· Adam Stonehill senior, the Boys' Handball team will feature many talented freshmen and other new members in the upcoming season.

Coach Adam Stonehill would like to see the team improve on the .500 record achieved last year, which gave the team third place in the division. · Stonehill thinks that, depending on how well the team pracliices, they can finish anywhere from second to last place in the division. He named Cardozo and Francis Lewis as the toughest competition for the team.

Girls' Varsity Handball .

by Stephen Berger The team's first matchof the season, scheduled for March 26 against Forest Hills High Schoo, was. rained out.

Last year, the Girls' Handball team went to the ·quarterfinals. With more experienced players and more depth, coach Jim Jordan is hoping that they will be able to advance even further this season. Key contributions are expected from Bernadette Cruz; junior; Nata lie Spielberg, junior; and Christina Chai, freshman . ' The Hawks will be most competitive with Forest Hills, Bronx Science, and Long Island City High Schools.

Boys' Varsity Volleyball

by Ashley Pillsbury - The boys are playing in a realigned division this season, facing new teams from Van Buren, Bayside and Forest Hills high schools, which coach Ellen Demptser thinks will make the season interesting.

"We only have five returning starters, but the boys have been working hard the past two weeks and are picking up skills that they will need;' said I;)empster. She recognizes this year as a season of rebuilding. "We should be in playoff contention by next year, but I'm hoping we'It place well in the division this season," she said.

The first Public Schools Athletics League game is scheduled for April 8 against Bayside.

Girls' Varsity Tennis

by Ashley Pillsbury The girls faced Cardozo High School for their first meet on March 25, and despite their 4-1 loss, coach Robert Bloom has high hopes for the season, with strong starters in the singles and d6ubles games.

Tennis is a mental game; getting over the 'hump of RFK and Francis Lewis [high schools] would enhance our chances of making the playoffs," said Bloom: Sophia Huttnei, junior, new to the team this year, is the team s' starter in the singles events. "It's a big step for her to assume the starting role on her first year," said Bloom. Bloom hopes that Rachel Nierenberg, senior, who has been a starting singles player for the past three years and who is the second starter this year, will have a spectacular season.

Corrections The editors of The Classic would like to apologize for the mistakes that appeared on page 8 of the January issue.· In the article entitled "Girls' relay team heads to Nationals," we stated thatthe relay, composed of Vicki Lopez, senior; Arica Wade, senior; ·Erika Russi, sophomore; and Jessica Krivac,junior, would be a 400x800 meter race, when in fact the , distance was 4x800 meters. Also, in the article entitled "Boys' Basketball bounces into last place," we stated that the boys had won the playoffs last year when, in fact, they lost in the first round to the Bronx High School of Science.

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The Classic April 2002

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Girls' Basketball soars to 2nd place

by Ashley Pillsbury The Girls' Varsity Basketball team had a good season, finishing second in the Queens Division with a 9-3 record.

They are the second team in Townsend Harris history to make it as far as the second round in the Public Schools Athletics League playoffs: They were also finalists in Queens for the first time.

After a fantastic three point lay-up was scored by ~hanay Freeman, sophomore, in the last second of the fourth quarter that tied the play-off game against Curtis High School on February 25, the girls were forced into overtime. The final score of the game was .68-62. Coach Lawrence Ceraulo described the loss that followed as heartbreaking.

"We played as hard as we possibly could, hoping to go out there and take it, but they were just a very good team with a lot of height, something that we don't have," commented Alexandra · LoRe, junior. "I'm just glad that we lost to such a good team."

"The girls showed a lot of resilience, determination, and guts throughout the

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Sophomore/Junior team prevails in .· interclass B-ball

by Chloe Chao The first shot of the game was made S~niors and freshmen united to 'face by Alvin Lee Gattoc, junior. The the sophomores and juniors in the in~ sophomore/junior team led the game terclass basketball game on March 8. 23-2 at the end of the first quarter, The sophomores and juniors were the which provoked the seniors · in the victors, with a score of 62-37. stands to loudly chant, "Seniors! SeLouis Elrose, Maurice Stevens, and niors!" to encourage their classmates. biJ ~ Kenny Yu, all sophomores, were the The senior/freshman team made a ~ coaches for the sophomore/junior team. comeback in the second quarter, mak§ They were not able to participate in the ing the score 25-10. The sophomore/ ~ game because they belong to the var- junior team picked up speed rn the third ~ sity team. Coaches of the senior/fresh- and fourth quarters, coming out of the 0 ' . . lf men team were Jesse Ash and Ezra Coo- game v1ctonous. per, who also belong to the varsity team, "We went down bad in the first ...

Senior Jessica Sharoff dribbles across court, disqualifying them from playing: ' quarter and never came up," said sepreparing to make an assist to a teammate.

Throughout the game, coaches of both nior player Alejandro Gonzalez. He teams huddl«d with their players for blamed bad defense and bad teamwork season and played a great game," said support and strategy: as weak spots of his team. <;::eraulo.

Ceraulo views Andi Strauss, junior, Katie Driscoll, sophomore, and LoRe as some of the key returning players.

"Hopefully a lot of our bench players will be able to step up," said C~raulo.

Girls' Indoor Track attains per~onal victories in season

by Elyse Lee Rosalind Adams, sophomore, finished The Girls' Indoor Track season . right behind her. In the 600 meter run ended well this year, and with the out- Lopez placed second, Faith Cummings, door season around the corner, the run- sophomore, placed third, Joanna ners will not get ro rest on their laurels. Reynolds, sophomore, placed fourth, Twenty-two girls scored points or re- and Venus Cheung, freshman, placed ceived a medal at the Queens Champi- sixth. The 4x8 meter relay team placed . onships on February 3. first. Race walker Jenifer Pepin, sophoSchool records were made in the 600 more,. finished first in the 1500 meter and I 000 meter runs, with times of walk with a time of 8:23, a personal best.

In the City Championships, I :39.43 and 3:06.71, respectively, by cocaptains Vicki Lopez, senior, Arica Townsend Harris finished in a three way . tie for eleventh place. Wade finished Wade, senior.

Coach Joseph Horn admitted that the fourth in the I 000 meter run with a time girls wre not strong enough for first of 3:02.61 and Krivac placed sixth in the place because they were lacking in field , 3000 meter run in 11 :41.20. The 4x800 ·meter relay finished fourth in 9:59.69. events.

A lot ofpersonal bests were achieved · This relay team also placed thirteenth that day, and Horn was very happy with in the Eastern State Championships on their performances. Jessica Krivac,jun- February 28 and placed twelfth in the ior, placed fourth in the 3000 meter, and Nationals at the armory on March 10.

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Hawks bounce back to end .sour season on sweet note

by Josh Fox ures as Harris players with a disappointThe Boys' Varsity Basketball team ing encore performance to last season's . ended their 2-12 season with a victory playoff appearance. The 65-39 victory against.Thomas Edison on February 4. · in the season's finale, at home, was a Sophomores Louis Elrose, 26 points, bright spot, and the only bona fide vicand Kenny Yu, 12 points, led the team tory of the season. The only other offi-· in scoring and signified the official cia! victory came in a forfeit. Coach · changing of the guard for next year's Howard Furman and his strong crop of . team. freshmen, sophomores an9 juniors are ·Seniors Robert Ciborowski, Jesse ~prepared for an exciting 2002-2003 seaAsh, and Ezra Cooper ended their ten- son.

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Teachers trium_ ph i~_.· tri;athal'on,, winning whiffleball, fooseb~ll

by Lina Lee because the teachers got really into it.

The cheers and shouting of excited They were sweating and everything. I and triumphant teachers filled the gym think they were more into it than the as teens sulked in their chairs after the · students." student/faculty triathlon on WednesPositive spoitslmlnship on both sides day, February 13. The teachers won was pr~sent throughout the afternoon. both the whiffleball and "human The two teams cheered each other on, fooseball" competitions, while the stu- and evt(nthough t~e students lost, they dents claimed victory for the third still said that it was very exciting. "The event of dodgeball. sportsmanship'Oiade it rnore enjoyable . .

"Human fooseball" was almost like Itdidn'treally matter who won becaus~ soccer, but the participants held jump everyone had fun;'' said Mr. Stone_hill. ropes so that they'd stay in distinct "Basically 1 went tb make fun ofthe rows. Each row was then assigned a teachers.and I'm so glad tfiat !went. certain area that they were not allowed . [Whiffleball]w'as re·ally funny l;>ecai.I~e to pass. The final score for this part of . the teachers were doing so bad[at first], the afternoon activities turned out to even though they ended up winning," be 1-0 in favor of the teachers, with a said junior Hilary Homier~ last-minute goal giving them a reason "I thought the students were defito celebrate. nitely going to win. I never thought the "We waited until the last minute to teachers would win like that," said try our best. We all went easy on Grace. them," joked Coordinator of Student _As a response to students who uri." .

Activities Adam Stonehill. derestimated the teachers, Mr. Stonehill Despite his claim that the teachers says, !'Even before the gam~ 1 thought did not go hard on .the students, spec- the faculty would win. It's just our sutator Grace Lui, sophomore, thought preme intelligence and humbleness tqat otherwise. "It was exciting and funny made us win.'.'

Vol. 17, No. 5, April 1, 2002

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aS SIC Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

FOOL

149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367

Powder room policies wash nonconformity down the drain use of unique bathroom passes. It is imStricter enforcement of bathroom portant that they stand up for what they · pass guidelines sparked cries of violated believe in."

Although many agree with rights and lawsuit threats after the administration's recent decision to crack Freedom's views, some support the down on stuffed animals, umbrellas, protractors, and other non-school issued bathroom passes. The administration cited casual compliance with the previously issued rule as the reason for instituting a more stringent policy.

Put into effect last Friday, any student found with non-regulated passes will have to serve detention cleaning school bathrooms every day after school for_one week. In addition, teachers who distribute these illegal passes will have to attend a special safety seminar every weekend for a month.

- "We saw that teachers were not following bathroom pass guidelines. History teachers were sending students to the bathroom with rolled up maps, and science teachers were using beakers as passes. So we instituted what we consider to be a fair reinforcement policy," administration's actions. Freshman said Principal Thomas Runningman.

Cries of "Save the teletubby!" per- Ihava Hugebookbag remarked, "I can meated the hall outside the fourth floor see why the principat"and the assistant restrooms as students rallied to save principals have decided to flush out the Spanish teachedlike Markers' beloved strange passes. Students can grab just Tinky Winky pass as well as other make- about any item, call it a pass, and roam shift passes, including a rubber ducky the halls freely. Not only does it comand the rulers and protractors sometimes promise the school's efforts to rid the used by the math department in place of halls of students who are cutting class, a regular pass. Protest leader and junior · but it really freaks me out to see the Anita Freedom fervently stated, "What's smart students of Townsend Harris panext? Are they going to regulate the col- rading the halls with stuffed animals."

Head maintenance worker Mike ors of our knapsacks or require us to carry a Townsend Harris standard dic- Clean applauded the faculty for this detionary? What happened to the First cision, citing his recent discovery of Amendment? What happened to diver- many student-made passes littered on sity?" Ms. Markers said, "I really appre- the bathroom floors. Mr. Clean exciate the students' efforts to reinstate the claimed, "I believe that the new poli-

by Jessica Be-:ger

Editors: Jamie Gullen Karen Hendershot Sarah Schnee Diane Tiao Jessica Wang

Writers: Jessica Bader Jessica Berger Jamie Gullen Angela Hom LindaLuu Sarah Schnee Allison Slotnick

Artists: Michael Borress Jamie Gullen Jonathan Perez Rachel Schiffman EmmaXiao

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Advisor: Ilsa Cowen Principal: Thomas Cunningham

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cies will result in cleaner than clean bathrooms. I am overjoyed that my staff and I will not have to waste our time cleaning up lost stuffed animals, pens, and pieces of paper that have been disguised as passes."

Despite the seals of approval from much of the Townsend Harris faculty, staff, and students, a bathroom boycott has been enacted by several of the teachers who used to distribute the now contraband passes. Some students even threatened to make a case before the local courts on charges of First Amendment violations. Protest supporter senior Travis T. 0' Justice claims, "I don't care how ridiculous it seems. This is about our rights as individuals to express ourselves and if we choose to carry a teletubby to the bathroom, then we should be allowed to do so."

The Townsend Harris administration had been planning to do away with the unusual passes, but the action had never been carried through until now. The decision was provoked by a surprise visit from the Bored of Education's Lavatory Operations Chairman, Anita DoublePly, who, upon entering the building, noticed that the usage of non-regulation passes violated the Bored of Ed's bathroom protocol. Ms. Double-Ply immediately issued a fine of $9.99 and teletubby-napped Tinky Winky.

Townsend Harris general office secretary Seymore Computers said on the issue, "After the Bored of Ed agent came to the school, we decided to enforce the use of wooden passes. After all, the school would be bankrupt if it had to keep dishing out money to pay those outrageous fines. When you consider the amount of money involved, Tinky Winky has got to go."

Change to 'normal' schedule incites protest

by Sarah Schnee things around here," said Mr. The highly controversial new sched- · Runningman. ule that was proposed at a mandatory The new schedule will continue to staff meeting last week will be put into keep the traditional "clicks" to signify effect April 24 by Principal Thomas the change in classes. The only differRunningman. In an attempt to "normal- ence between the new schedule and the ize" the school, Mr. Runningman will old one is that each period will be shortdo away with the traditional schedule of ened. In addition, because of the manskipping a period every day and two on datory state requirement that each class Monday, and will replace it with a new must meet for a certain amount of time schedule in which every class meets ev- each week, the school day has been ery day. lengthened about three minutes on. Mon"I think the present schedule is a little days, two and a half minutes on Tuespeculiar and doesn't really make that days, five minutes on Wednesdays, much sense. I vowed to myself that I 1.336 minutes on Thursdays, and 2.9 would do something to make the school minutes on Fridays. a little bit more conventional, what with "It just doesn't make sense," said all its eccentricities, and this is what I Hairy Rat, Assistant Principal of Mathhave decided to do. I think it will be a ematics. "I've been a math teacher for success, and it should help to simplify over 20 years now and it goes against

every theorem I've ever taught. To have periods going consecutively from one to two to three to four to five is absurd!

It's some weird new way of counting.

I've never seen anything like it."

"Knowing this school, the schedule will never work," said junior Peg Mecynical. ''They already have trouble remembering to put the CD's 'over the loudspeaker in between bands; imagine what will result when they have to reset the entire bell schedule! And they' 11 probably forget to coordinate the fiveminute bell with the new schedule so everyone will be even more late than they usually are after gym class," she said.

"I was just starting to get used to my new spring term schedule and now they Continued on p. 4

2

The Classic April1, 2002

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Social scene schism:

Exchange pro·gr?m goes local

New policy mandates segregation by ge-nder

by Angela Hom Don't be surprised if you start seeing some unfamiliar faces in the hallways. No, school security has not relaxed. Starting next week, the Browne to Townsend and Back (BTB) student exchange program will begin. Appro xi-

by Jamie Gullen decide to venture onto the sixth floor In case the dress code isn't enough will run the risk of receiving a referral. to keep students from getting distracted "This new rule is great. It gives me many by members of the opposite sex, a new more opportunities to catch students depolicy of gender separation is going to fying trivial school policies and to give be institu_ted next fall to force students them referrals," said security guard to focus on their studies rather than on Butch Meanest. relationships.

Ivanna Givehomework, English The new gender segregation rule teacher, was ecstatic upon hearing the calls for different classes, locker floors,. new rule, saying, "Finally I won't have sections of the library and cafeteria, and to be sickened by the sight of girls and after-school activities for males and fe- boys flirting with each other in class inmales. Principal Thomas Runningham stead of concentrating on the invaluable said, "This new policy will help students words of wisdom I am bestowing on remain in a pure environment in which them." they can concentrate on what will help Although the faculty and administrathem in the future: their studies. We in- tion mostly see this as a positive policy, stituted this policy because we knew that many students feel differently. Freshman it was to the student's advantage."

Paul Ished said, "I came to Townsend To prevent students of opposite gen- · Harris for the opportunity to be surders from encountering each other in the rounded by lots of girls so I could fihallways, female and male classrooms nally have a chance to have a girlfriend. will be on separate sides of the hallways, This new decree is going to decimate all even numbered cla~srooms desig- any of the slim chances I once had of nated for boys and all odd numbered having a love life." classrooms designated for girls, so that Senior Elle Igible has made many each group will have no need to inter- good male friends over the years and

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act with the other group.

Because this system would result in overcrowding of the girls classrooms, the entire sixth floor will be allocated to educate females. To make the policy official on the other floors, the administration plans to paint a line down the center of the hallways. To avoid contact during dismissal, the main entrance will be opened in order to dismiss females and the side entrance previously used by both genders will now be used only by males. Once the students leave the building, they cannot interact within a block of the school.

To ensure that students abide by the new policy, the security staff is going to be doubled so that at least one guard can patrol each floor at all times. Boys who

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resents not being able to communicate with them during school hours. "It's so unfair that they're trying to keep us from socializing during the school day. How do they expect us to be functional members of society if we are not allowed to function under normal circumstances?

This always seemed like an all-girls school but now they're trying to make it official!" she said.

Dean of students Wanna Kix told students that this decree is really in their best interest. "Even if they don't see it now, they will one day thank us for this.

It will definitely help them advance their future goals. Plus, maybe now the girls will stop wearing tank tops to attract boys and I "an give my hand a rest from writing up referrals," said Ms. Kix.

incidents between students of both schools has increased over the past few . years and we were trying to find a way to stop this number from rising. By sending students from one school to the other through the BTB program, we're hoping more positive communication will ensue," said committee head Hope N. Peace.

The program was approved . ·_ . · ..., -~-- ·.

T '' .' by the Bored of Education, as 0 " .. , ·-~ -- well as the principals of Farmer EW,-. ·B _" · T .A ·___ JC I . R Q '"'-· . . , ' . ":A. Browne and ~ '<. ~ A,~ Townsend Harris in January of V._-_-.J·· -f _·. ' . .. _ ·." · -_ ..... ~ ·1-1"~ J J.~J -1 ' ~ " ':.,.t/i ..·;.~ ' , !C:J this year. ~:~ n\~t.' t~~·ll"i~·· The qualifying test for BTB ovvt !kl&tS1 was designed to .- ; ' "- ~~-\)e;A!I.~. t r:- ''!:1' •~,,_., give prospective students an early taste of mately 30 students from Farmer Browne what Townsend Harris will be like, as High School were chosen last month well as to motivate them. However, it through a rigorous mental and physical did not have the intended effect on all test to attend Townsend Harris for the students. "I wanted to participate in this rest of the school year. In return, 30 stu- program because I thought it would be dents from Townsend were selected to a great opportunity. But that was before spend the same amount of time in the I took the test. We had to sit down for an hour and answer all these hard queshallways and classrooms of Browne.

As part of their daily schedule at tions about history and do complicated Townsend Harris, the Browne students arithmetic in our heads. This English will be required to take, among other teacher made me analyze these weird classes, Regular Physical Education characters in books I've never heard of with Kallme Handsome and English and then yelled at me for making specuwith Micro Carbon in order to instill in lations. Then we had to t;un four miles them the Townsend tradition of rigor- around the track in 40 minutes. After all ous physical exercise and a strong foun- that, someone told me that this was the dation in grammar. In addition, they will life of a normal Townsend student. I be offered the same electives as passed that test, but now I don't think I Townsend students. Teachers are in- want to be in this program," said Justin structed not to treat them any differently Dismay, junior.

Mixed feelings also exist among than Townsend students so that the Browne students can receive the unique those chosen from Townsend Harris.

"What happens if Yale doesn't accept Townsend experience.

The 30 Townsend students who will me after they learn that I went to Browne be relocated to Browne for the remain- for a few months?" agonized senior ing months of the school year are only Nalla Jabel, who said she only signed required to do two things: run one mile up for the program because she had misin under 16 minutes (walking is al- takenly heard that it was an exchange lowed), and take at least one agriculture- program involving Brown University in related elass. They are free to choose as Rhode Island. Freshman Josh Around many or as few classes as they want for had something else on his mind. "I was the rest of the day. ''I'm really looking re~lly happy when I learned that nothforward to spending the rest of the year ing really happens to the freshmen in as a Browne student. Not only will I get Townsend Harris. Now that I'm going to work in the field next to the track, to Browne, I'm getting a little scared," but I will also be able to get more sleep. he said. Those who saw the positive side It will be a very relaxing, learning-filled of the ex.:hange program mainly cited experience," said sophomore Jen R. mo~e sleep and the ability to live a normal life for awhile as their chief reasons Lylazy. · "At first the BTB program seemed for wanting to go to Browne.

If BTB runs smoothly this year, it like a great idea but now I'm a little worried. I had a traumatizing run-in with will definitely be offered again next a Browne student on the bus after he year. Because of great expectations of tripped over the three textbooks that I success, applications are already availhad stacked next to my seat. Let's just able for students who would like to be say it wasn't a pretty sight," said fresh- thrown into next year's BTB lottery.

There are no requirements that have to man Mya Bakhertz.

The idea for BTB was first conceived be met before you can apply. The hew by the Neighboring Schools Safety 30 who are chosen will be able to spend Committee. "The number of harassment an entire school year at Browne.

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April1,2002

3 ·

Extra efforts exerted to attain elev!3tor passes

by Linda Lou Climbing stairs may soon be history as administrators considered the opportunities for Harrisites to obtain elevator · passes at a meeting last week. Under the new plan, even those without a medical excuse will be able to get their hands on a pass. To receive a one-month elevator ·pass, students will have the option to either run an .extra 10 miles after ninth band, complete an extra collateral assignment, or put in 10 hours of commu-

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Ill/(\ ) nity service for the school. This new plan is expected to go into effect as soon as next month.

According to Principal Thomas Runningman, the goal of the proposal is to further transform the typical Townsend Harris student into a wellrounded individual. "Those who do more than the basic requirements should be rewarded," he said.at the administrative meeting. Educational officials also hope that this offer will encourage more members of the Harris community to take part in what the school values: a good dose of exercise, collateral work,

and assisting others. them thoroughly for grammar mistakes The Assistant Principal of the math- and attempted plagiarism. "No solecism ematics department, Hairy Rat, points will be tolerated under any circumout, "Students these days ·aren 't running stances," he said. ''Students who miss enough or doing as many collaterals as just one comma may even lose the privithey should be. Besides, I need more lege of ever earning an elevator pass." help in my math office. Have you seen For the runners out there, chances to the books piled up to the ceiling? And finish the 10 miles will be given after my desk? Forget it!" he said. ninth band over the span of four days in Students can fulfill service require- the last week of each month. Demandments by cleaning gum off of the furni- ing that each Harrisite involved run an ture and bringing in home recipes to average of 2.5 miles per day, in addiprepare in the cafeteria. tion to any running that they might have A sign-up sheet will be done earlier in the. day for gym, dean_ placed in the COSA of- and gym teacher Wanna Trix comfice at the beginning of mented, "Everyone is required to run next month for those like they h·ave mo:~er run before. These who are interested in elevator passes don't just drop from the doing this. "This can be sky, so to get one you must fly." like the multicultural Although it is controversial many food feast except we . Harrisites advocate the proposal. Among will have it every day," · 250 students polled recently, nine out of commented Coordina- ten supported the suggested idea. Some tor of Student Activities even pointed out that they do not mind Adamant Rockhill. doing a little extra work if it means that As for the group of they can avoid the stairs for a month. students who intend to Sophomore Carrie Me remarked, "I submit collaterals in lieu of running or would do absolutely anything to not providing service to the school, a new have to trudge up those stairs!"

According to freshman Hunch Back, assignment topic will he posted at the beginning of each month on the white "The elevator pass will come in handy! board by the security desk at the school's I'm sick of running three miles in gym, entrance. and then having to drag myself up six "No one really reads the board any- floors to biology class afterwards with way, so . we figured throwing in some my ten-pound bookbag. Using the elevaextra information wouldn't hurt," said tor will save my poor legs from a lot of work."

Mr. Rockhill.

The completed collateral will be due Depending on the nmpber of students exactly two weeks after the topic is pub- who are interested, two glass elevators licized; late papers will not be accepted. may be constructed at the far end of the They must be handed into English hallway to accommodate all those who teacher Micro Carbon, who will review decide to take part in this plan. While

the staff will continue to use the elevators in the middle of the building, students will only p~ _permitted to ride the newly assembled ones overlooking the Queens College campus . This way teachers and students will be segregated and won't have to worry about encountering one another on their way to class .

"That is a great idea," stated sophomore Elle Vator. "I hate those awkward silences when you get stuck in an elevatQr with a teacher."

Based on the sketch prepared by the Townsend Elevator Crew (TEC), a builtin stereo system will be a part of the upto-date elevators. The PTA will fund half of the estimated costs, while the other half will be taken out of the Student Activities Accourit. "We need to do what is best for the school population as a whole," said SU treasurer Mo Nebags, "even if it means sacrificing dances and social events."

Among the various fund-raising activities that are expected to bring in money for the project is the Swiftnotes Service. "No need to fear when your pop quizzes get here," .exclaimed president Brainy Geek. "We have everything you need to know about quotations and more!"

Representing the Harris members who opposed this new idea, English teacher Micro Carbon stated, "I am very upset. I will not be able to fill out as many referrals any more. Half of the students I refer are caught taking an illeg_al trip on the elevator. Now I'll have to figure out another way of giving outreferrals to keep up my reputation. Maybe I can talk to Ms. Nix about an anti-Gap crusade."

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The Classic

April1,2002

Impatient scholars get early start -before first band begins

by Allison Slotnick Going to Harvard, having a 4.0 GPA, a day without gym, and a morning without getting a referral for being at your locker too early are some of the many dreams that Harrisites often have.

Thanks to a newly instated rule, one of these fantasies has become a reality.

A petition signed by nearly 800 students ~onvinced Dean Wanna Kix to allow students to arrive and go to their lockers early for a one-day experimental trial. The suggestion of making the new 'legal' time 6:00AM was accepted

by Ms. Kix .

Much to her surprise, though, Harrisites flooded the hallways at 6:00 AM on the dot yesterday when the new . rule went into effect. Euphoric smiles spread across the students' faces 'as they entered the building. "I've been waiting for this type of justice for four years. ', How could they deprive us of coming

in early to work on our collaterals?" asked senior Inna Somnia. "The administration is finally listening to our concerns," she added.

Because of the new rule, the library was packed with 450 students crammed inside, well above the legal maximum occupancy level. All these students who had arrived early were disrupted from . their diljgent work l?y a sudden fire alarm. "No one was worried or budged a bit. Actually, there was no room to move, but it didn't really matter because fire alarms are part · of the Townsend Harris family," said ·voracious Booky, librarian. Ten minutes later, though, the students and faculty were still waiting to hear Assistant Principal Makem Bossman's voice saying, "This is a false alarm." However, chemistry teacher Adull Kindafunny, who had volunteered to come in early in support of the new · early arrival policy, was instead heard

screaming, "Yeah man, watch the smoke. Smoke and fire, :yeah man!" Despite the unusual message, students busily continued working.

Harrisites attempted to explore parts ofthe school that were left accessible at the early morning hour. Much to their surprise, several of the bathrooms were left unlocked. "I was beginning to think that they didn't really exist. I honestly thought that they were dooFways leading ·to a big hole in the school," said Inna. Instead, they were immaculate due to the fact that no student had gone inside the bathrooms ever since the school opened 17 years ago.

- Students ·had this chance to explore the school only because supervision was extremely hard to come by at 6:00AM, with Ms. Kix, Mr. Kindafunny, and Ms. Booky being the only adults in the building. "We couldn't give the teachers any sort of monetary incentive,so we really

had no way to get them into the school that early," said Ms. Kix _On the whole, .s tudents took advantage of the opportunity to comejn early and worked on collaterals, homework, and studied for tests. "It was great. I could never even fathom what it would be like to come in that early, but I feel so refreshed," said freshman ImaNerd.

But the academic advantages _gained by students according to this policy didn't counteract the dangers and poten- r tial rule-breaking involved. Having given the idea a day, Ms.Kix decided that it would not go into effect in the future as long as she was in charge. She did say, however, that she listened ob- . jectively and was fair in thus matter., "The Students can't complain that we never listen to their ideas. Now that we've actually gone . through· with one for a day, they can't expect us to listen to another one for quite some time."

New channel brings Harris culture to masses

by Jessica Bader The school has made a recent deal with Time Warner Cable to create a Townsend Harris Channel (THC) with programs based on the Townsend Harris experience.

"Time Warner approached us with the proposal and we instantly fell in love with the idea because, despite popular .belief, we do want our students to be wellrounded," said Principal Thomas Runningman. The channel, set to debut sometime next fall, will feature the following shows: * When Collaterals Attack: This reality program will follow "normal" Townsend students as they are slowly driven mad by collaterals.

Watch as the students are forced to eliminate unnecessary activities such as sleeping and eating in order to finish their work on time. Chock-full of intense arguments regarding incorre.ct grammar usage and accusations of stolen .

dictionaries, this reality show will be unlike any you have ever seen before! * Get in Shape the Townsend Harris Way: Bring the cardiac exercises of Wanna Kix and the weight training of Kallme Handsome, all with high-energy aerobics-style music in

tion.)

*

StudyBuddies: This sitcom will follow the dramatic lives of six students who share ~lunch table as they deal with the all the pressures of everyday Townsend life as well as the school's cafeteria food. * Townsend Harris High School Request Live (THHSRL): Feel free to unwind after a hectic day by tuning in to this singalong show. This show will feature videos of Townsend students singing along to the songs played in between bands, complete with smileyfaces jumping along \l_'Ords at the bottom of the screen. Teachers will make special guest appearances. Latin teacher Fabulous Fergie will perform Catullus's Concerto the background (courtesy of and English teacher Micro Carbon Renderme Flexwoman), into your will sing Grammar Superstar. very own living room. (Note: Viewers . * Security Guards: Hum along to who wish to follow the workouts are the theme song from Cops as advised to seek psychiatric evalua- Townsend students are busted by se- .

curity guards for committing heinous crimes like baring their shoulders, not carrying their program cards, and using their lockers at inappropriate times. · * Who Wants to be a Hundredaire ?: This fascinating game show will showcase students answering multiplechoice questions on their tests, without the lifelines. (Warning: If you cannot restrain yourself from yelling expletives at the contestants on game shows, you are advised not to view this program). * Where's Weirdo?: A documentary series about Townsend students and the strange looks they get from fellow passengers on buses and trains. See if you can spot the students! Telltale signs include obtrusive bookbags, hunched backs, red faces, etc.

Students have mixed (eactionsto the new channel. Junior Ihav ~ Nolife said, "I've always wished that school lasted all day long. Now, I can feel like I'm at school all the time!" Sophomoreima Laughingstock, on the other hand, fears that Harris students, already ridiculed by friends who attend other schools, will suffer from even more taunts.

Change to 'normal' schedule incites protest , evenly and last slightly lQnger than they Continued from p. 1 want te make it mere complicated. Is should. For example, period three on anything ever normal around here?'' Tuesday lasts for 40 minutes and 20 seconds. Those 20 seconds add up every asked freshman Connie Fused.

The new schedule sounds great!" week and I realized that by the end of said senior John T. Boy. "Our school the semester, I would have had two exis finally on its way toward becoming tva minutes of history that I sheuld never have hacl'! ft 's just not fair. Plus, now I like everyone e'lse's," he said.

Junior Aretha Metic cliscovered a have to do my homework all the time glitch in the new sehedule. ''I was sit- because all the classes are going to me.et ting at home over the vacation, and I every day. Skipping the homework of had nothing better to do so I just putted the class that doesn't meet the next day out my calculator," she said. "I started sadly just isn't an option any more,'' she . to compute the times of the diffe~:ent said remorsefuHy. The new schedule is going to eon~ classes. So}'ne t>f the periods do not end

flict with my Humani,lii.es class,'' complained Justin Dismay, senior. ••After my third band class, I'm now only going to have 20 minutes to walk across the Queens College campus. Wi:th only 20 minutes, I'll have no time ,lo loiter in the halls. Senior year will never be the same!" he exdaimed.

In protest of the new sc·hedule, Students Against Devious Deeds (SADD) is planning to throw a ral'ly in front of the school Monday from 2:30PM to 2:33PM. "Tbis new schedule is unjust ancl abrupt and I won't stand for it!" said

s

president Morty Fied, senior. ''lt1 not fair to w,aste three whole extra minutes of our time after school Mondays.

I mean tbtee minutes is a lot of time and to be spending it in school when we can be doing other things lib homework and col:laterals is just ridiculous!'* he said.

This soheclule takes away our cunstitutiional right to de what makes us happy. Ana what makes us happy is bei:Jl'g.weird. Townsend Harris can take our lives;• said junior Anne Gre~; an exchange student from,Scotland, "but it can never take our fteedom!"