Classic Newspaper Volume 19 Issue no. 1

Vo.l. 19, No. 1, October 2002

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~asstc Townsend Harris High School at Queens College ·

149-11 Melbourne_ Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367

Rally kicks off sixth a11nual e·leCtion simulation

by Marlo Dublin dience for campaign events and the cipal of Humanities Lynne Greenfield, Bright posters, balloons, and cheer mock media, as well as contribute cam- several social studies teachers, and Dr. filled the auditorium during seventh paign dollars, or "simbucks," to show Michael Krasner of Queens College's band on Thursday, September 26, as the Senior Class kicked off this year's annual electionsimulation with · a political rally. · Focusing primarily on the ca~didates · runni-ng in the gubernatorial race and smaller elections, as well as the interest · groups supporting them, the rally served to inform the audience about key issues · that will be hotly debated in the coming two months. "The rally was full of pep," senior Matthew Barbery stated. "Everyone was extremely enthusiastic, and it · was obvious that each class put a lot of , ·effort into 't heir individual presentations."

The rally was just one of the several events that will characterize this year's portray annual election simulation. Uniting the their views on the issues after the kick off rally for the election simulation. whole school in a cooperative effort, the Department of Political Science, in an simulation allows underclassmen to par- support for candidates.

The simulation started in 1996 and attempt to inform students about the ticipate by giving them an opportunity was devised by former Assistant Prinelection process, political campaigns and to vote on Election Day, serve as an au-

Deb~ate·-~ov_er- lJs-e --of · extra ·ti·m·e

by Jamie Gullen A proposed modification of the agreement made last June between the . United Federation of Teachers and the Chancellor regarding the extra I 00 minutes that teachers are required to work per week will go into effect next month if ratified by the members of the UFT. The original plan for Townsend Harris was to have two months of staff development meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 50 minutes each day.

Then, after October 31, this time was most likely going to be used for optional tutoring and conferencing for students. · Under the new plan, single session high schools such as Townsend Harris will add 20 minutes to each day, most likely by adding approximately three minutes to each period.

There is the possibilty, however, that . the decision on how the extra time is. to be used can be leftup to individual schools. The New York Teacher, the official newspaper of the UFT, reports that uoder the agreement, principals will be able to submit proposals for school-

based options (SBOs) to use the time as they see fit. "We'll go to the chancellor, if necessary, to ensure that SBOs agreed to at the school level are honored," stated the union paper (10/9/02).

It is Mr. Cunningham's hope that there will be some freedom left to the school when deciding what to do with the daily 20 minutes. "I hope it is school-based because there are many ways I 00 minutes could be used to benefit students ..... I will certainly present some ideas.I think there are many models that will help students throughout the school," said Mr; Cunningham.

Like the rest ofthe school community, Mr. Cunningham found out about the proposed change on October I through the New York Times and other New York media. · · The staff development meetings that are currently taking place will continue until the decision is voted on, and ifthe new proposal is rejected, the current system will continue for the rest of the year.

The staffmeetings and eventual tu-

New Teachers pgs. 4-6 ·

the responsibi'Jities of the media.

Every year, seniors are required to take a .course in Participatory Democracy in which the "game" is played.

They assume real life roles such as campaign manager, accountant or candidate and are required to help in their class's group effort to create their own version of a local or national election. "The election simulation is a fantastic program," Participatory Democracy teacher Myron Moskowitz stated. "It gives students a hands-on approach to learning the democratic process." · Mr. Moskowitz, Franco Scardino, Maureen Lonergan and Chris Hackney are running, this year's Participatory Democracy classes. Unlike Mr. Moskowitz's three classes that are representing all three gubernatorial parties, Mr. Hackney's class is in charge of .the visual media, Mr. Scardino~s three are in charge of the print and audio media, small elections .and the conservative pacts, Ms. Lonergan's class is in charge Continued on p. 7

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taring were thought to be the most ben- an abysmal lack of planning in many eficial usages of the extra time because districts and student busing issues," said it would provide teache'rs with more the UFT paper. _ training and give struggling students the Although under the new schedule more personal extra attention they need. faculty and students don't have to stay Although these were the recognized for 50 minutes after school any day, they benefits of the. ori-ginal plan, there were will have to stay an extra 20_minutes other factors that. were involved which each day and further scheduling concaused debat~ over whether or not this flicts will ensue.

Seniors, who have college classes was the best approach. Under the current situation, many parents worried about very close in tiine to high school classes having difficulties picking up their chil- could be greatly affected by this time dren, a.nd there was inconsistency regard- change. Although it would only b~ a ing how the time was being spent in dif- question of a few minutes· in the morn- . ferent schools. In addition, the extra min- ing, by the end of the day, the times utes each week were intended to make would be shifted enough to cause schedsure that all children would benefit from uling conflicts. . .the extra time. According to the first plan, 1 ' Those who prefer the old plan for the only those who were having difficulty in time usage believe that adding a few school would be assured of receiving minutes to each period. will not benefit anyone, while those who favor the new extra time from teachers.

Randy Weingarten, the President of system want all students to receive the the UFT, co.mmented to the union's extra time: Ms. Getting feels that the old newspaper about why a change .had been way was more productive than adding proposd."Problems with how the time ·three minutes to each band, saying, 'The was used were developing everywhere, school day will have ended 20 minutes Weingarten explained, mainly because of later, but what will have been gained?"

College St~ts . pg~. 8-9

Early Decision pg ..7 H

Reviews . pgs. 10-11

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The Classic October 2002

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~with Three .Minutes, Time Is On Our Side

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To the respected officials at the Department of Education:

Under the tentative agreement between the 'City Schools Cha'ricellor and the United Federation of Teachers, New York City high schools will possibly extend each band by three minutes to provide forthe extra I 00 minutes· of instruction required,as part of the new teacher contract. Our school is buzzing with interest and excitement ab.out this plan, as. it will obviously place a stronger emphasis on instruction and our beloved academics . . We have come up with a variety of fruitful ways in which our school can utilize the additional three-minute intervals. We h-ave listed our ideas in order of preference, but will be happy with whichever of them the Department graciously ~hooses to approve .' .

What fol16ws are .our proposals:

trschool-wide cat naps during the last three minutes~ of each b_and.

As you know, our students and faculty work tirelessly to achieve their maximum potential, and because of this, -they are usually incredibly drowsy.

Instructional time wifl be maximized if students are allotted three minutes of high-quality dozing time in every subject. The benefit of short naps is undeniable. ·''The 'poWer nap' or cat nap is a short sieep .. .that can be rejuvenat'ing,·;, ~wrote Dr. David B. Posen 'In a 1995 article in The Canadian JournaCof Continuing M,edical Education. We wholeheartedly agree; for . academic learning has n'o better friend than ari awake student.

2) Three-minute venting sessions with classmates for the final th~;ee ,, minutes of each band. As we all know, three minutes with a close friend can do wonders for the spirit. These mini therapy sessions (minus the leather ··couch and hefty fees, of course) will certainly improve our students' receptivity to learning by taking their minds off their personal stresses. A 2000 report from the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER) said, "A close friend or confidant, with an ear to bend and a shoulder to.cry on, can help you thrive spite of life's stresses." An upbeat attitude will upa student's chances of receiving exemplary .scores on . class tests and ofachieving astronomical heights on the Regents exams.

3) Three minutes of personal meditation, yoga or tai chi at the end of each class. This calls for letting students and teachers sit in soothing silence as they contemplate their navels, notebooks or nothing at all, while taking deep, cleansing breaths: Lights in each class will be dimmed, and blinds will be drawn (provided they work, of course). The end of each three-minute session wiii be signaled with the tolling of a Tibetan bell over the PA system. Students arid teachers will enter each classroom feeling as though they've beefl reincarnated into . wise, open-minded human beings who yearn to be enlightened by our masterful educators.

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Rachel Schiffman

A Disturbing _Decision About College

by Jessi~a Bader In recent years, more and more colleges have offered Early Decision programs, in which high school students apply to a college by November of their senior year,· learn whether they have b¢en accepted in December or January, and are obligated to attend the cO'IIege if they are accepted. This is a disturbing trend for many reasons. Early Decision programs allow colleges to improve their rankings without any improvements to the college itself, and they punish students who need financial aid or are unsure of which college they wish - to attend. · When U.S. News & World Report publishes its annual ranking of colleges, it takes many factors into consideration.

The easiest factors for a college to change are its selectivity, the percentIn addition, we are requesting Department of Education funding to solve - age of applicants it accepts, and its yield, a serious problem th~t will arise with the new scheduling. As you know, · the percentage of students accepted that our seniors take courses at neighboring Queens College in addition to high choose to attend. By accepting more school classes. Because their programs are set, the extended bands will Early, Decision applicants, who are releave seniors with even less time than bef?re to get to their college classes. quired to attend ifaccepted, the college can accept fewer applicants yet still fill Our proposed "Senior Shuttle" service, to be administered by -the good all of its seats. Thus, the college's sepeople at Access-a-Ride, will solve any senior scheduling problems. Fleets lectivity improves (fewer applicants are of golf carts organized by specific buildings on the QC campus (Kiely, accepted) and its yield increases (more Rathaus, etc.) would pick seniors up at our school three minutes before the of those accepted actually attend), alend of each band, and would transport them to their classes on time. lowing it to ~ move up in the rankings without actually improving jn any way.

Since a student accepted to a college These are our humble suggestions. We would greatly appreciate a reunderEarly Decision must attend, the sponse by April t'as to which ofour~ideas you approve, but we realize that student does not have' the OJ)portunity this might be asking too much.

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to corilpare different colleges and the . financial aid packages that -they offer.

(There .is a clause in the Early Decision agreement that allows a student to . brea)< his or her commitment to the college if the student can prove that the . financial aid package offered by the · college is inadequate. Howeve·r, this option is rarely .used because there is -usually not enough time for the student to apply to other colleges after a decision is made.) However, if the student waits to apply regular decision to a . college, he or she might not have the same chance of being accepted. Many colleges with Early Decision programs accept a greater percentage of Early becision applicants than regular decision applicants. The colleges claim that this _is due to the stronger Early Decision applicant pool, but-if a college has .already filled up a significant portion of its freshman cJass with Early Decision applicants, studc;:nts who apply regular decision have less of a chance of being accepted.

Clearly, Early Decision is unfair to the vast majority of students. Ii allows colleges to look better without actually making any improvements and hurts the chances of students who cannot afc _ ford to commit themselves to a college without knowing how much financial aid it will offer them~ For these reasons, colleges should end their Early Decision programs.

We remain sincerely yours, The Classic Editorial Board Daniel Bloch Jamie Gulle.n .Co-Editors-in-Chief

News Staff: Jessica B:lllcr. Jessica Berger, Nat<.~liya Binslncyn, Lin a Lee, Lind<~ Luu, Jhonath:m

Pm.;ana Feature· Staff:

Jessica Wang Feature Editor

Jennifer Gong Sarah Schnee

Angela Hom

Sports Staff:

Diane Tiao

Karen Hendershot

Marlo Dublin

Entertainment Editor.

Editor-at-barge

Food Editor

Steven Lee Online Editor .

Josh Fox Sports Editor

Jennifer Bhuiyan, Chloe Chau, Ann Margaret Santa-lncs, Rachel Schifrman,

TinaWu

Managing Editor

Co· News Editors

Rachel Schiffman Emma Xiao

Rachel Acosta, Stephen Berger.. Elyse Lee

Artists: Amy Blau~cr, "Doris Ortega. Andrea Shlisclhcr!_!, Stephanie Zap:tt~l

Comic Strip Coordinator: Online 'Staff:

Jonathan Perez

Diane Lee, Umair Shaikh, Waqa.< Shaikh

,Art Editors

Hilary Homier Jennifer Sheth Photography Editor

David Belsky

lisa Cowen

Layout Editor

Advisor

Photography Staff: Layout Staff:

Townsend Harris High School at Queens College 149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, N.Y. 11367

The Classic is an open forum for the expression of student views. The opipions expressed therein should not be taken to represent those of the administration,.; or faculty or student body as a whole.

Readers are invited to submit letters to the editor.

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

Bryan Kir>ehen. Cristin Strining

Visit Tht' Clas.,·h: online at: http://www.classic.npcnwd.cnm

Pamela Chan. Matthew Kaufman, Katie Kogan

Principal - Tho.mas Cunningham

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The Classic

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October 2002

Community clicks on new, improved websites

by Linda Luu As part of their online routine of checking email and se nding ihstant messages, Harrisites can now add another activity to their daily to-do-list: dropping by the innovative and .· improved school-related websites.

In the past year, the Townsend Harris website (www.thhs.qc.edu), as well as the Townsend Harris Alumni Association website (www.thaa.org) haye un,dergone major makeovers, introducing new features to the school community and offering various services to both current · and former students. · No longer sporting a crimson layout, the Townsend Harris website features a new page design created by a new webmaster, senior Alexander Kracun . He replaces former webmaster Tawheed Kader, . who graduated last June.

Among the many latest features that may prove to be useful for Ha~risites is a calendar of coming events on the main · page that is updated on a regular basis. In addition to information about the various de-

partments of the school, the become the central hub of com- check-in service ·and it was homepage also provides links munication," said David through this service that we to the Alumni Association site, Herzsenhorn, '90 and THAA learned that Jennifer Wong '93 Queens College course descrip- president. had been killed in the Trade tions and college-related inforMr. Herzsenhorn described Center's north tower, " . Mr. mation regarding applications the Alumni Association's site as -Herzsenhorn explained.-· "We and dead- · were also able to let lines. hundreds of our memThrough bers know that other a link on the ' frrends were okay." website, Not only does the Harrisites THAA site give alumni can keep . a means to reach one their eyes another, but it also alopen for The lows present-day stuClassic dents to get in touch Onlin~. an with former graduates. electronic Through the online diversion of rectory, which can be r .Pl.N-A t..LYl . the school accessed . from the stu,_,_~--~-~:l''fH_tll# .-~~-- f l' D.. · p,f .·-O.f4:LJ. S• . ·. . newspaper dent services menu on that is still in ·the home page, EmmaXiao its developHarrisites are ;:1ble to tnent.al stages. Founded by se- a "crucial tool" in keeping track contact alumni who are attendnior Steven Lee, the mission of of the organization's 5,000 ing or have attended various The Classic Online Iis to allow members, acting as a way for colleges. ·. Acting as "informal readers to have a glimpse of the graduates to stay in contact with college advisors," these alumni next issue before it "hits the one another whether they are in will have the ·chance to guide newsstands."

Tel Aviv, London or New York students through the admis' The THAA site, run by City. Referring back to the sions process, helping them to webmaster Diego Alban '99, events of September II, 200 I, decide which schools to apply works to unite Townsend Har- · he emphasized the website's ef- . to and where to attend after they ris alumni with other members fectiveness in spreading infor- have been accepted. of the school population. mation. "We were quickly able One of the many goals that "Our website has quickly to set up an on-l-ine safety THAA.org is trying to achieve ~

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is to reach out to current students so they do not view the future with any fear or doubt.

"THAA.org is one of the best way.s to get in touch with other THHS alumni who have experienced college and navigated . the tough economy," said Mr. Alban. He mentioned that when he was in Townsend Harris, he_ always wanted the practical, real-world knowledge onecan only get from talking to alumni directly. This was something -the news could not offer. .Furthermore, the THAA site provides information about alumni scholarships and awards, which are given out each year at the baccalaureate and graduation ceremonies.

Whi le the administrators and teachers select the winners, the THAA is responsible for distributing the money and handling other administrative issues. Along with that, news about internships and job opportunities for both high school students and alumni is also made available on the site . .

"THAA.org will never stop in trying to be one of the best resources for THHS students and alumni," said Mr. Alban.

After delays, library, computers make debut launching of the new e-mail

by Jhonathan Pasaoa The familiar sounds of stu- system of Microsoft Exchange dents typing .away, clicking had to be sorted out first. mice and printing papers have Microsoft Exchange allows usreturned to the library now that ers to send e-mails from any- · the new Dell computers have where in the school to anybeen installed. where in the world.

Concerning privacy issues, The gaggle of students that usually move in and out of the math teacher Joseph Horn, who lab area and the low hum of up- has received the brunt of the exand-running computers have . hausting work, commented, replaced empty black swivel "[There is] nothing private in chairs, dimmed lights and the the school; everything done in curious silence of the past few · school is subject to scrutiny - . . weeks when the computers writing, surfing habits." · Mr. Horn added, "You can were down.

As librarian Valerie Billy literally count on one hand the explained, there were two rea- number of serious violations" sons for the delay. One was the on the computer network in the need to collect computer policy school.

The possible discontinuapermission slips, and the other was the planned installment of tion of access to such services new computers. Courtesy of as America Online, which can . grants such as the $10, 000 en- be portals for viruses or other dowment by the breaches of security, has been by the Superintenden t's office and an- suggested other' large grant obtained by Superintendent's office. The former head of guidance Joan whole network was devastated Walsh, the former IBM com- by, as Mr. Horn says, a "seriputers of the library lab were ous invasion of the Nimda vireplaced by more ~apable Dell rus," last year, just before the Christmas vacation. models.

As a result, many student The switch took place about three weeks ago, said Ms. Billy. and staff files were lost in the Issues, such as security and the process. After a revamping of

the whole system, the computers were restored and were outfitted with Norton Antivirus software, which, Mr. Horn claimed, "protects the system almost I 00%" and updates automatically each and every day of the year. "It was a job and a half," he added jokingly.

The computers have_come a

A valuable resource that is often overlooked is the host of infoiination online made available to students by Townsend Harris's relationship with Queens College. The LEXIS-· NEXIS Academic Universe, which can be accessed through the Queens College Libraries Horne Page (http :// www.qc .edtl/Li._ brary) and by clicking on the QC (To the tune of "Where, oh, .

Internet Resources where, has my little dog gone?'') and then LEXISNEXIS, is a dataWhat, 0 what, the base of over 18,000 computers are down? business, legal, and 0 what, 0. what, can it be? current news , With their screens so black, sources, which inAnd their plugs unplugged cludes articles from major national and 0 what, 0 what can it be? international news . ._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. . • publications, pro• gram · transcripts . long .way since earlier years at from radio and television, and Townsend Harris. Just three government publications. years ago, the computers, · The Acade111ic Search Preequipped with Windows '95 mier,. which can also be acand '98 and the Novell Operat- cessed through the QC Libraring System, were notoriously ies Home Page, is a database slow. Now, with the Microsoft more concerned with the hu2000 system, they have become manhies and social sciences. a convenient, fast, and easy-toWhile looking back at las.t . year, Ms. Billy commented that use research tool.

there weren't enough computers to accommodate all of the students. She recalled one particular day when the library was flooded during fourth band by as many as 70 students.

Ms . Billy said the library wasn't prepared for that mimy students, even with twice as many computers. But that may not be the case this year, she said, because "more even programs," will better a student's chances of grabbing a computer.

There are approximately 200 to 2'10 computer stations in the school, and about 125 in the four computer labs. Students will be able to use the library's computers during regular library hours from 7:45AM to 3:00PM .

Iffinding a vacant computer is a problem; or you wish to use one after the library is closed, the QC Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library has internet/word pro~ cessing stations . It is oper ·Mondays to Thursqays from 9 · AM to 10 PM, Fridays from 9 AM to 5 PM, and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 PM to 5 PM. Seniors are also allowed to use any computer labs on campus.

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The Classic October 2002

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Three departments wel:come new

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· Janet Solomon

by Diane Tiao -Since she was very young, Assistant Principal of Guidance Janet Solomon knew she would have a career in education. ''From the age of five, I wanted to be a teacher," she said.

Ms. Solomon completed her undergraduate degree in English and doublemajored in reading and special education for her graduate degree.At Hillcrest High School some 20 years ago, she was not only an English teacher; but a coordinator of the Special Education Depar.tment there, a professional developmentai specialist for teachers in all Queens high schools, and a supervisor at the QueenS high·school sup.erintendent's office.

However, no matter what she does, Ms. Solomon said, "as long as I'm working with students, I'm happy," .

Ms. Solomon is looking forward to the opportunity of helping as many stu~ dents as possible. "[The Guidance Of-

fice] is the heart and soul and hub of£1 school," she said. ' Ms. Solomon believes her job is to help the staff help the students so that they get what they need. "That's what we're here for," she said.

While she is helping the staff to coordinate activities and solve problems, the counselors, administrators, teachers, secretaries, and custodial staff are teaching her. "It's just a pleasure to work with a great staff and fa,ntastic students. [Everyone] is supportive, talented, hardworking, energetic, and warm. I'm proud to be here," she said.

It has been a busy few months while she is familiarizing herself with the school and learning her job, but in her free time she enjoys being with with her husband and two children, gardening, swimming, and going to the theater or watching movies. She especially loves watching the WB series Gilmore Girls with her daughter.

Ellen Fee she was attending Wheaton College. She

by Sarah Schnee Ellen Fee had quite a different high lived in Times Square while she interned school experience than many of the stu- · for a summer at a homeless center, feeddents whom she now teaches. Originally ing meals to homeless people and taking from Minnesota, she describes people -- children who lived in 'temporary welfare living in her home-state as having more hotels on exctitsions, such as Yankee of an outdoor culture. games and water parks~ After graduation, she married and "Everybody water-skied every day and everyone had a boat," commented moved td New York and became a math Ms. Fee. She said that, similarly to the teacher at Newtown High School for 14 abundance of public parks located in years. At Newtown, she worked as an New York City, in Minnesota, every little assistant to the Assistant Principal for 10 neighborhood has an ice skating rink. years.

As Assistant Principal of MathematIt was while she was attending high school in Minnesota that Ms. Fee knew ics, Ms. Fee hopes to keep up her that she wanted to teach math, and started department's fine reputation for which as a math tutor. "I loved explaining math Mr. Rattien has laid the foundation and to integrate more technology, such as to my friends," she said.

She first came to New York City while graphing, calculators, into the classroom.

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Susan Getting ing taught and that there are no prob- classroom andgiving the students what

by Jamie Gullen After teaching history lems in the classroom. She is also re~ they need to have a really good educaand social science re- sponsible for making sure the bridge tion. When you're an administrator, you search since 1998, Susan year Humanities colloquia for seniors do what it takes to allow teachers to do Getting is now serving as . are running smoothly; programs are that-."

Because Ms. Getting is the Interim Interim Acting Assistant correct, and the teachers' needs are met.

"There are just a hundred million Acting A.P., she will hold the position Principal of Supervision until the end of the fall semester. At that for the Humanities De- - things," said Ms. Getting.

Regarding the supervision part of time, the pqsition gets advertised so anypartment. She a_ssumed this position follwing the her job, it is Ms. Getting's responsibil- one can apply for the job.

A "C-30" committee made up of retirement of Lynne ity to oversee teachers in the classroom and make ·sure the curriculum and teachers, administrators. parents and stuGreenfield last June.

"I'm a liais-on between · Board of Education regulations are be- dents decides whom to interview. The candidates are interviewed and one perthe principal and the ing followed.

Ms. Getting is teaching one class soil is selected. This person's name has teachers," said Ms. Getthis term: social science research for se" to be submitted to the Superintendent for ~ing of her new job. Alon-g with this, she is also in niors, a course that requires students to approval. Ms. Getting is not yet sure if · she wants to re-apply for the position, arge of "the business do an Intel project.

Ms. Getting described the main dif- saying, "It's a-learning experience for side of the department." · entails tasks such as ference between being a teacher and her me, but I don't know if I want to be out orderihg textbooks and new role as an administrator: "When of the classroom."

Ms. Getting will make her decision. _ supplies. In addition, she you're a teacher," she said,'' you view is in charge of making the experience from the teacher's point depending on how the rest of the term sure the curriculum is be- of view. It's about the students and the goes . .

The Classic

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October2002

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New faculty members arrive with freSh ideas _;:-

Marc Greenberg

Samantha Brody

by Jessica Wang "I like working with young people, and I f~el I have a real facility for teaching and motivating kids," explained Marc Greenberg, when asked about his decision to go into teaching. He brings this enthusiasm, as well as fondness for the subject, with him as a new Global 3 and American history teacher.

Mr. Greenberg previously worked at North Shore High School where he was also a history teacher. When he was a high school student, he did not aspire to - be an educator, but a lawyer. In college, however, he discovered that he would like to teach. . Marc Greenberg Mr. Greenberg called the eight years during which he taught history at a jun- tant. When asked to name a wish he ior high school in Elmont, Long Island wanted to be fulfilled, he immediately answered, "[I wish that] we'd all come to "the best period in [his] life." · He took time off from tea~hing and appreciate that all of humanity are one and went into the family business as a food " the same, regardless of color, gender arid broker selling food to supermarkets. ethnicity."

Eventually he sold the business and reWhile he sees some hope in young turned to teaching. "Teaching was my people in regard to fighting prejudice, Mr. first love," hesaid.

Greenberg believes that this only goes so When he is not teaching, Mr. far.. "On 9/ II, we took a giant step backGreenberg enjoys biking long-distances, ward ... in places like Afghanistan and especially on the North Shore of Long SaudiaArabia, even kids are taughtto hate Island. He also lik_es reading works by . people like you and me," he explained. his favorite author, John Irving, such as In regard to students at Townsend Harris, however, he is much more optimistic.

A Prayer for Owen Meany.

Appreciating other people is some- "This is a great place. The students here thing that he feels is extremely impor- really want to learn," he said.

Janet Schuellein

by Diane 'fiao . .. "I used to wish I had more than one of me so I could do more than one thing and live out more than one life," said English teacher Janet Schuellein. Since herwish obviously couldn't come true, Ms. Schuellein lias explort<d different fields instead. · When she was a little girl, she wanted be a firefighter, "but I didn't grow up enough, as in tall," she sc:tid.

Later on in high school, she knew she wanted to become a teacher. She always loved reading and writing. Writ- _ ing fiction and short stories is a release · for her. "Getting published isn't a priority," she said. "It's something you wish for in the future."

She also has a great interest in sewing . She enjoys making her own clothes. At Queens College, she wasn't sure if she wanted to major in art or · English, so she took classes in both. She .decided to major in EngJish and oecome a teacher because she gets "excited about talking and standing in front of students."

"It's great to teach because [you can] expiore so many things. I can bring art or history into my lesson, and because the curriculum here is more challenging than at other schools, there are more opportunities to expand," she said.

Currently In her first year teaching, she has three freshman and two ·sopho- . more classes. However, she has had experience as a teaching assistant for an

. by Josh Fox Samantha B-rody, one of the new social studies teachers, will be instructing Global I and American history classes this semester. She arrives here havingtaught at a few schools on Long Island. Ms. Brody will also contribute to the Harris community by supervising the Students Against Animal Cru·elty (SAAC) club.

When asked about her first impression of Twonsend Harris, she said, "There are great students here, this is a great atmosphere, this seems like a . friendly staff to work with, and it's an overall great environment for learning and teaching."

Ms. Brody attended the University of Rochester for her undergraduate degree, and Hofstra University for her masters degree in education. Although she had aspirations, when she was younger, of becoming, among many things, a marine biologist, a veterinarian, and an architect, teaching just suited all of her skills and was the·perfect fit.c"I've always been with kids ' and worked well with them." she said.

"I was a lifeguard, a nanny, a camp counselor, and I always loved interacting with younger people."

Ms. Brody also enj<?ys spending time with her three dogs: She has two

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border collies, named Hope and Asia, and a Yorkshire terrier named Lilly, whom she loves very much. · Ms. Brody often listens to soul music and especially likes Otis Redding and Richard Havens.

Recalling her high school experi. ence, Ms. Brody said that her favorite .· moment was an exhilarating scavenger hunt in which she partiCipated in her senior year. Her least favorite memory from high school was the junior blues and the SATs. Her favorite part of the job is "the . students~ of course."And she can't wait for an amazing year.

- Robert Babstock

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Janet Schuellein

English Composition course at Queens College, and sh~_ student taught for one term at Benjamin Cardozo High School, where she made the costumes for ·the school play and even taught the kids how to sew. Ms. Schuelleiri also observed classes at Bayside and John Bowne High School while she was training to become · a teacher. / The best part about her job is "being able to read and write and help the students grow," she said. "They are bright and eager, .and it really is a pleasure to teach here."

The staff is also "welcoming and within every department people 'walk up to me and give me advice."

When she isn't busy attending courses or working on getting her city teaching license next year, she enjoys doing yoga and swimming. She competed all throughout grade school, high school and college.

b)' Angela Hom When new English teacher Robert Babstock was a child, his occupational wish was simply to be happy. "My father was a firefighter here in New York City, and I always !iked the fact that he liked his job. Being happy in what . . you do is the most important thing," he said.

So far, he is enjoying his job teaching English I and English 3, citing the reasons for his happiness as the '.'welcoming atmosphere" of the administration and staff, as well as the students.

After 12 years teaching at Junior High School . 194 in Whitestone, Mr. Babstock decided to come to Townsend Harris because of the good reviews his previous students have brought back to him. "'A lot of my stu· dents have .been accepted [here], and they communicated back to me about · the [school's] atmosphere of positive accomplishment," he said.

Mr. Babstock likes to describe excellent students with his favorite word, "supererogatory," which means "going beyond, excelling in." "The first time I encountered it, at lea~t 20 years ago, was in an essayabout poetry. I've used it especially when writing about my students who seem to go above and beyond the call of duty," he said.

Mr. Babstock's book of choice is The Collected Poems of Sylvia Plath, which contains his favorite poem,

Robert Babstock

"Facelift."

In his spare time, Mr. Babstock plays playground basketbalL His hobby is being a "professional uncle," because he already has eight nephews, and is ex. pecting to haveanother one. Showing his devotion to his family, Mr. Babstock created his ()Wn holiday. "It's Family Day; because I appreciate my family a lot," he said.

If he could have a conversation with anyone, dead or alive, Mr. Babstock would choose either Joseph Stalin or Adolf Hitler, because he would like to ask them, "Why? Why?Why?" If given only one wish to make; he would not hesitate. "I know I'm· going to sound like a Miss America contestant," he said, "but I'm going to vote for world peace."

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The Classic ·

October 2002

·L . ____,.__~

New faculty brings myriad of interests Orquidea Luna

Mary Samsonoff

"What I like most about teaching is that by Diane Tiao

by Daniel Bloch When she was a kid and would play I can help others. Whatever I can share, After 17 years as a security agent at teacher, Orquidea Luna was always if [my students] understand it, that gives John Bowne· High School, Mary leading an imaginary class. "I was-al- . me greatsatisfaction," she said.

Samsonoff's desire to make a difference Ms. Luna is teaching two Spanish is still as strong as ever. "I thrive on the ways the teacher," she said, smiling. "I liked that po.wer of being up jn fJ:oni of Level 3 classes and three Regents-level interaction with people," said Agent classes. "I want my classes to not only .Samsonoff. She enjoys working with the room."

As one of the new Spanish teachers kno~ the grammar, but also carry a con- 'young people, which she says, "keeps of the Townsend Harris faculty, Ms. . versation outside the classroom, and to [her] young. It helped me to understand Luna can now live her childhood dream. be more aware about Hispanic culture," my own children," who are now both Ms. Luna said. · married. · Besides managing five classes, Ms. She left her position .as the superviLuna is also spending a lot of time with sor in charge of security to come to her newborn baby daughter. Ms. Luna Townsend Harris in order to manage her added that she spent last summer being . time better. She had been taking care of with her baby, who was born last May. her mother, who recently passed away Previously, Ms. Luna student taught ar the age of 88, and the longer s.c hedat Francis Lewis High ·School and also ules at John Bowne had interfered with worked at various after-school pro- the time she could spend with her. grams.

This is not Agent Samsonoff's first As far as her own high school expe- · time here. During a switch withAgent ~ 'E0 rience, Ms. Luna remarked that her Se- Alice Gatling, who went to John Bowne, ~ nior Prom was a particularly fond mo- she spent a month and a half here in ·. ,g ment for her.

2001 . . ~ "At that time, you know you're goSince her arrival, ."everyone has been ~ ing to graduate, and you're thinking so gracious and welcoming, and the .if about college," Ms. Luna said as she other security agents are cooperative and explained why the event was so excit- great to work with . It's been very easy ing for her. to make the change," she said, because Orquidea Luna

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Amelia Betancourt

by Daniel Bloch ''When I was young, I always looked at teachers and said, 'I could do that; it could be fun,"' said Amelia Betancourt, one of the newest members of the Foreign Language faculty. "I like seeing the way peopk grasp things . I'm trying my best to communicate clearly. It's hard, but it's interesting."

Besides teaching three Regents-level Spanish classes, Ms. Betancourt has two Spanish lite~ature classes, which makes her particularly happy. "For me, [teaching literature] is more fun. You .can see so much of a culture through its litera- · ture. The most fun thing is when you find analogies between the present day and literature from 600 or 800 years ago. Man never changes," she remarked.

Ms. Betancourt loves the novels of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, particularly One Hundred Years of Solitude. "I love how Marquez plays with time and space and just sends you into another world," she explained. "There is so much history in his writing."

Ms. Betancourt said she tries to relate the literature she teaches in her classes to the world today as a wa:y of emphasizing the relevance of history to our lives.

Before arriving at Townsend Harris, Ms. Betancourt worked for a human rights organization based i·n Manhattan, and she also .spent two years in Guatemala as a member of the Peace Corps.

Guatemala was "wonderful," she said, her eyes widening. "It heightens your

they were co-workers at John Bowne.

Besides working, Agent Samsonoff enjoys reading science fiction books and detective stories. and she is an "origi. nal trekie" from the original Star Trek series.

Agent Samsonoffhas four cats and is always rescuing kittens and placing them in homes. In fact, she currently has a little gray kitten named "Rocky" up for adoption. If anyone is interested, she would love for someone to contact her.

Kelly Summa

Amelia Betancourt .

awareness to see different parts .of the world, to see different people and to exper.ience different cultures. When you come back to your own country, you see things differently."

Definitely bitten by the traveling bug, Ms. Betancourt wants to go to India or . Nepal, and she visited Ireland this summer. "Ireland is just like the pictures," she said, smiling. "Green, green, green ... " .

"When you can go somewhere and you can hear absolutely nothing, that impacts you," she said, referring to her time in Central A111erica. Ms. Betancourt added that she particularly loves the ocean: "It's the roar and power of the Earth, and the roar and power of silence."

by Jennifer Gong Kelly Summa, new physical education and health teacher, is a familiar face among the crowd of new faculty members this semester. Ms. Summa worked with the department last year as a student teacher and is looking forward to a new experience. .

Ms. Summa described the students. · of Townsend Harris as being "polite, not like kids in other schools." She adds, "They make:you want to come and,work here."

Teaching regular Physical Education, volleyball, bowling and health, Ms .

Summa "expects no .laziness" from her students. "Show up on time, work hard and help each other out/' she advised. · ~ Ms . Summa expressed hope that the many juniors in her classes will offer their assistance and knowledge to the freshmen in her PE classes. 'Tm happy as long as they try and give their full effort."

Ms. Summa is currently studying for her Master's degree in teaching. She spends the little free time that she has with her cats at home. Most of her hobbies are a part of what Ms. Summa does · every ditY at work.

"I've always been into sports and fitness," she said. "I love being active, and Uoye playing games, and th~ only way to keep that alive is to teach it."

In high school Ms. Summa's most · memorable moment was "playing on the high school softball team" at John

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Kelly Summa

Bowne High School. "We.made it to the third round playoffs," she said, "but we . lost."

Even though sports have always been a big part of her life, Ms. Summa had aspirations "to become a cop" as a little girl because of its high authority position. "But then I thought of being in an alley alone with a gun pointed to me and thought, '1 don't want to die."'

Ms. Summa holds high expectations and standards for her students and expects all of them to try their hardest in class.

She offered a few words of advice for the Harrisites in her classes: "Get ready to work hard and be prepared. No more laziness," she said.

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The Classic October 2002

7 .

College hopefuls d_ ebate p·ros, co·ns of ·a~pplying early

by Jes.sica Bader Every fall, high school seniors de- ·· cide which colleges they want to apply to. However, in recent years, seniors have also had to think about when they wa~t to appl.y. Ear_ly De~ision and Early Act1on programs, m wh1ch students submit the!.r_ap~lications in. November and are not1f1ed m December or January as to whether or not they have been accepted, hav~ grown increa_sing!y popular among h1gh school semors m recent years. According to an article on TIME . Magazine:s-_website, 277 colleges offer Early Dec1s10n and 235 offer Early Ac· tion, with some colleges offering both programs.

Although Early Decision and Early Action programs seem similar to one another, there are significant differences. Under Early Decision, a student may only apply t~ one_ school. If accepted, the student IS obligated to attend and must withdraw ·any regular decision

· Action but not Early Decision, gives stu- right to change his or her mind by rewill apply Early Decision. Since a students accepted under Early Action until quiring those accepted to attend. ·An- dent ·who applies to a college Early DeMay I to decide whether ornotthey will other reason cision and is acattend - the same deadline that students that students cepted must attend· accepted under regular admissions have. might not y ~ _~ that college, the stuThis gives students accepted under Early want t~ apply · ~ ~\0~ ~ dent.will not be able Action the opportunity to compare col- - early 1s that ~ :J • .F ~.J: to compare financial leges and the financial aid packages of- they will not Ol~,\\ I_ aid packages·o.ffered fered . have as much CJ.i . by different col~ Supporters of Early Decision and . time to work ""- ' ~ ~'IJ leges . Although · an 1 Early Act_ion say that for students who on ~h_eir appli.. ~/ applicant can b_e re.·, _ ...../ know for sure where they want to go, catwns as stu-~ ,_ ~,leased from his or early acceptance takes away some of the dents who ap\ . ,· . . her commitment to stres~ of senior yea_r. _At many colleges ply unde~ the .·. · .( ~ the c?lle~e if the fioffenng Early DecisiOn, a greater per- regular timei/ · nanc1al a1d package cent~ge of Early Decision _applicants are table. . ~ offered is . in adadmitted than regular applicants. For exA different · · ~equate, there IS usuc . ample, 40% of students applying to criticism of ally not enough time Columbia's Class of 2004 under Early Early · Decito apply to other colDecision were accepted, compared to siort programs ' leges once students · 14% of reguiar applicants. This has led is that col, "' , , , find out how much to ~he perce~tion that it is somew~at leges can _use -~ _ ,__:~ ~:: ' ~ fi~anci~l aid they eas1er to get mto a college by applymg them to 1m_ · --·Racnel Schiffman will receive from the Early Decision. This ar- prove their colleges they were gument was refuted by rankings ,in publications such as U.S. accepted to under Early Decision.

College Counselor News & World Report without any acNot all college officials agr~e about Marilyn Blier, who extual improvements to the college .

Early Decision . "Clearly it can be For students who know for sure plained that the Early De- Among the many factors used to rank abused," George Rupp, president of where they want to go; ~arly . cision applicant pool is colleges are selectivity (percentage of Columbia University, told the New York acceptance takes away soine of academically stronger . applicants accepted) and yield (percent- . Times (12/31/01 ). "But it has benefits · than the regular ·pool in age of accepted students who choose to - both for t\le applicants and the institu. the stress of senior year. that many of the very attend the college). By implementing an tions, ifpracticed carefully." In th~ same brightest, most talented Early Decision program in which acarticle, Richard Levin, the president of students apply under Early . cepted students must attend the college, . Yale University, responded, "It pushes applications sent tb other schools. Some Decision. Another reason given by col- the college can accept fewer applicants the pressure of thinking about college colleges, such as New York University leges for the high acceptance rate of and still fiH all available seats, improv- back into the junior year of high school, - and Cornell, require students accepted Early Decision applicants is that they are ing both its selectivity and yield. This and the only one who benefits is the under Early Decision to pay a deposit more·inclined to want students who view enables the college to move up in the admissions officers." within a short time after being accepted. them as their first choice. rankings and look petter to potential Ms. Blier stressed that everyone's Oppo~ents of Early Decision say that · applicants without any fundamental im- · needs are different, and that each stu- · On the other hand, a student who is ac. cepted under Early Action is permitted it is unfair for colleges to deny students provements, such as new professors or dent should apply under the timetable to apply to other colleges and is not ob- the chance to compare different colleges courses. that best fits his or her needs. Accordligated to attend a college that accepted · and the financial aid packages they will . - Students who need financial aid face ing to Ms. Blier, the ideal Early Decihim or her. Harvard, which offers Early offer and that it takes away a student's a specific dilemma in deciding if they . sion applicant "has thoroughly researched the school of his/her choice, is sure that this school is the very best choice for him/her, and does not need to compare financial aid packages." Students who apply under the regular timecratic candidate H. Carl McCall, played nor Mary Donahue and Democrat Den- · table "have the opportunity to apply to Continued from p. 1 · more schools, which means more potenof representing the various interest by senior Johnson Chong. As current nis Me_hiel were seniors Bharati tial acceptances and more financial aid groups and Adam Stonehill's student New York State Comptroller, McCall Kalasapudi and Christopher Gonzalez. packages to compare," she said. leadership class is in charge of enforc- (Chong) promised to bringhis fiscal ex- Also appearing were Republican and ing the rules of the election. pertise into the governor's .seat if Democratic candidates for Attorney Sources: _"I think this year's election simu- elected, in order to help support both the General : Dora Irizzary and Elliot Arenson, Karen . "Yale President Wants to End Early-Decision Admissions." lation is going to be a success," said New York.State educational and health Spitzer (played by seniors Stephanie New York Times 13 De cember 200 I: Correa and Mikhail Khaimov), as well senior-Michael Hwang. "Kids our age care sy_stems.

D I+ "collegeboaril.com aren't exposed to politics, and I think .. Current Republican Governor as the Republican and Democratic can-early decision and early action plans." that we will all benefit from it in some George Pataki, played by senior Bryan didates for Comptroller Alan Hevesi <http://www.collegeboard.com · /article/0,1120,5-25-0-1 04,00.html Kirschen, addressed the audience next. and John Faso (played by seniors way." ?orig=sub> Mr. Scardino opened the rally by After being escorted to the stage's po- · Konstantinos Balakatounis and Steven . "Early De.cision for First Year Students," officially ushering in this year's elec- dium by two top secret agent-looking Lee).

'Cornell University.

Although it was only 40 minutes tion _simulation and introducing se- females (seniors Lea Ozeri and Maya <http://www.admissibns.cornell .edu/ apply/firstyear_edp.cfm> niors Carlos Romero, Beata Zachodin), Pataki explained how he, as long, the rally initiated a month-long "Early or Regular?" Harvard University.

Zajkowska arid Laverne Blackman as ' Governor of New York State for the past activity that will permeate the halls and <http ://adm-is.fas .harvard .edu/ emcees for the remainder of the pro- four years, has kept his promises to New walls of school unril Election Day. Eareg.html> "When I was a freshman, I thought gram. Independent candidate B. Tho- . Yorkers and would continue to do so if Fallows, James. "The Early-Decision Racket," The Atlantic Monthly Sep the whole idea of having a simulation mas Golisano, played by senior Ben- re-elected. tember2001 : 37-52 .. jamin Seo, appeared on stage first; and After all .of the candidates running was boring," admitted senior and "NYU--Freshman FAQ" <http:// was accompanied by an entourage of for Governor had their time to shine Golisano campaign manager Jessica www.nyu.edu/ugadmissions/ugalfaq/ . Independent supporters holding green onstage, the emcees began to introduce Yeh. "Now that we are actually infaq-freshman.htm l> Thomas, Charlotte. "Early Decision," balloons plastered with his name and various interest groups, such as The Si- . volved, it is a lot of fun."

Peterson's--Undergraduate College slogan: "Go, Go, Go Golisano!" Seo erra Cluband the Service Employed InImportant Upcoming Dates and University Channel. <http:// explained his potential goals if ternational Union , as well as the other www.petersons.com/ugrad/ G u b ernatoria l C andid a tes · . elected, which included providing tax candidates runn ing for Lieutenant Govearlydecision.htnil> Debate: Tuesday, October 15 Williams, Stephanie. "Early Admissions cuts for families and impeding the in- _ ern or, Attorney General, Comptroller Madness" TIME. com College 'center. · fluence of special interest groups. and State Assembly. Portraying RepubSpecial Inter est Group Rally : <http://www. time.com/time/200 1/ Followed by Golisano was Demo- · lican candidate for Lieutenant Govercollegecenter/in_early.html> Thu rsdav, October 24.

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Ra.lly kicks off sixth election simulatiqn

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The Classic

8 Numerical 'gUidepost' for the collegebound: October 2002

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by Jennifer Gong The college process can be an over- compiled by college counselor Marilyn the lowest average accepted, or the SAT · one" schools that they applied to, i~clud­ whelming task for most students get- · Blier. scores of the person who had the high- ing Duke, Amherst, Emory and Colgate, ting ready to pursue a higher education.

Ms. Blier notes that the statistics · est average rejected." among others. These universities have Whether it is a matter of months or a should be used as a "guidepost, an indiThe Class of2002 was a"strong aca- smaller pools of applicants, and almatter of years before embarking on the cation of how competi-tive schools. are." demic class." Students were accepted to though they are very competitive, · college adventure, students should find Students need to remember that the SAT many of the most prestigious institu- Harrisites didn't have -the added '~inter­ the admissions statistics from the pre- scores provided "are not the lowest SAT tions. In ter.ms of scholarship money, . nal" competition" that they would have viou.s year to be very helpful in deter- scores accepted, not the highest· SAT they received over $20 million collec- ' had if they had applied to major univermining where to apply. The following scores rejected, by the school. They are .tively. What made ma~y of last year's sities, such as Cornell and NYU. information from the class of2002 was the SAT scores of the p~rson who had applicants stand out was the small "tier Forthese who applied to the City

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PRIVATE

APPLIED ACCEPTED LOW AVER ACC VIM SAT HiGH AVERREj

ADELPHI UNIVERSITY

ALFRED UNIVERSITY AMERICAN UNIVERSITY AMHERST COLLEGE ARIZONA, UNIVERSITY OF BARD BARNARD BATES BENTLEY BOSTON COLLEGE BOSTON UNIVERSITY BRANDEIS BROWN UNIVERSITY BROWN UNIVERSITY (SA) . BRYN MAWR CALIF. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CANISIUS CARLETON COLLEGE CARNEGIE MELLON CARNEGIE MELLON (SAJ · CHICAGO, UNIVERSITY OF CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY COLBY COLGATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MT. ST. VINCENT COLLEGE OF NEW ROCHELLE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY CONCORDIA COLLEGE CONNECTICUT, UNIVERSITY OF COOPER UNION CORNELL (AG. & LIFE SCIENCES) CORNELL AG. & LIFE SCL) (SA) CORNELL ARTS & SCIENCES) CORNELL ARTS & SCI.) (SA) CORNELL ENGINEERING) CORNELL HUMAN ECOLOGY) CORNELL (ILR) CORNELL (ILR) (SA) DARTMOUTH DARTMOUTH (SA) DELAWARE, UNIVERSITY OF DESALES DICKENSON COLLEGE DREW UNIVERSITY DREXEL UNIVERSITY DUKE UNIVERSITY DUKE UNIVERSITY (SA) EMERSON COLLEGE EMORY UNIVERSITY FAIRFIELD FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY FLORIDA, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, UNIVER. O.F SOUTH FORDHAM UNIVERSITY FRANKLIN & MARSHALL GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY (SA) GEORG f. WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY GEORGIA, UNIVERSITY OF HAMPTON UNIVERSITY .

HARTFORD, UNIVERSITY OF HARVARD & RADCLIFFE HAVERFORD COLLEGE (SA) HOBART & WILLIAM SMITH HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY HOWAR[) UNIVERSITY

5 2 5 1 / 1 1 15 2 '1 19 49 8 15

5 2 4 1 1 0 6 '1 1 11 42 7 2

. 1 3 1 1 14

1 0 1 1 10

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.

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1 2 0 3 2 . 1 4 1 1 4 13

14

6

10 10 6

6 5 .5

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1 3 1 1 2 1 43 1 .

1 1 1 1 2 1 36

4 2 1 6 2 1 38 1 1

.9

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13 .2:1 1 2 1 12 1

1 42 1

t 2 13 1 / 2 1 ' 1 1 1 42 1

.

88.1 82.5 89.7 94.6 88.3

530/530 690/570 620/590 700/790 610/610 '

92.7 93.6 87.8 88;s 88.5 91 .6 94.5 93.7 . 91.6

670/670 700/610 570/680 580/630 580/630 690/680 700/710 670/560 640/710

82.4 93.6 90.8 86.6 97.1 78.1

530/600 700/610 640/740 550/580 740/740 630/570

ViMSA'f"

PRIVATE

81 .2 620/480 1

c

90.3 570/610 95.6 740/670 89.8 640/710.

95.1 89.2 92.3 97.2

.

670/630 690/630 670/640 760/790

89.9 600/640

93.6 660/690 89.3 680/660 89.8 640/710 95.1 790/680

8~.8

640/710 83.3 570/470 87.1 500/590 93.5 800/730 84.4 530/570 88.5 660/620 93.7 7701720 91.8 660/710 91.6 560/590 95.6 700/790 92.9 690/640 92.4 6201770 .

92.9 710/700 94.2 6601620 91.4 5601630 94.4 740/710 93.6 700/6·10 88 600/560 90.9 610/560 93.6 700/610 89.1 6801520 92.2 590/590 95.6 700/790 91.7 660/690' 91.6 570/550 92.8 6701710 90.3 6901600 90.5 570/520 92.'5 5901620 82.3 ~50/570 83.8 700/540 96.2 S90/590 97.1 740/740 91.7 6601690 90.7 620/750 95.,3 670/730 86.6 550/580 87.5 590/520 97.1 740/740 93.6 700/610 82.4 5301600 81.2 550/540 84.4 640/590

97 670/700.

92.4 620/770 95.2 680/640 /

95.9 680/750 92.5 600/670 94.9 620/660 91.2 610/630 '

95.3 670/730 '

81.2 550/540 89.7 620/590

93.7 670/560

-

.95.1 690/730

82.3 570/470 95.1 790/680 92.2 640/680

97.1 760/790

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APPLIED ACC

INDIANA UNIVERSITY ITHACA COLLEGE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY JOHNSON & WALES LONG ISLAND UNIV.(BROOKLYN) ' LONG ISLAND UNIV. IC.W. POST) LOYOLA OF CHICAGO LOYOLA OF MARYLAND MANHATTANVILLE COLLEGE MARIST COLLEGE MARYLAND, UNIVERSITY OF MARY MOUNT COLLEGE MASSACHUSETTS. UNIVERSITY OF M.I.T. MIAMI, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY MICHIGAN, UNIVERSITY OF MONMOUTH COLLEGE MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY MT. HOLYOKE MUHLENBERG COLLEGE McGILL-UNIVERSITY .

NEVADA, UNIVERSil'Y OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK INSTITUTE TECHNOLOGY NYIT/NY COLL. OSTEOPATHIC MED. NYU · N. CAROLINA, UNIV. ICHAPEL HILLl N. CAROLINA, UNIV. !CHARLOTTE) N. CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY (SAl NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY OBERL1N OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY PACE UNIVERSITY (NYCl PACE UNIVERSITY (PLEASANTVILLE) PENN STATE (UNIVERSITY PARK) PENN STATE (OTHER CAMPUSES) PENNSYLVANIA, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, UNIVERSITY OF ISA) PITTSBURGH, UNIVERSITY OF POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY .

POMONA COLLEGE I SAl PRATT INSTITUTE PRINCETON UNIVERSITY f!ROVIDENCE COLLEGE RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INST. RHODE ISLAND, UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, UNIVERSITY OF .ROCHESTER INST. OF TECHNOLOGY ROCHESTER, UNIVERSITY OF RUTGERS UNIVERSITY ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE · ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY S.AAAH LAWRENCE SCRANTON, UNIVERSITY OF SETON HALL UNIVERSITY SIENA COLLEGE SIENA COLLEGE/ALBANY MED. PROG. SKIDMORE SMITH COLLEGE SPELMAN COLLEGE STANFORD UNIVERSITY STANFORD UNIVERSITY(SA) STEVENS INST. OF TECHNOLOGY

2 3 10 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 33 2 5 9 1 1 23 1 1

1 1 5 1 2 2 1 81 5 1 1 6 .4 1 2 1 3 10 24 28 .3 4 1 3 5 2 9 1 1 6 9 8 4 45 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 8 2

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A Special Admit refers to an individual po~sessing one or more of the following characteristics deemed advant~geous by the university: gender, ethnicit .

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statistics give in$ight into admissions process

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University of New York (CUNY) Hon~ College Guidebook as a research tool for ors system, a 93 average and a 1300 SAT · those applying to college in the; future. was the approximate cutoff. An average It "gives a sense of what life is really of 80 or higher was the regular' cutoff. likeat the colleges," she said. "Visiting The cutoff fonhe State University of the college is also crucial."

New York (SUNY) system was approximately an average of88 for Binghamton and an 85 for Buffalo, Albany and Stony Brook.

Ms. Blier recommends the Fiske

rEDjLOWAVER ACCjVIM SAT jHIGH AVERREJjVlM SAT

2 3 4 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 20 2 4 . 1 1 1 15 • 1

1

87.3 510/530 88.8 7001640 94.2 660/800 87.3 570/690 ., 85.1 700/580 I 88.5 660/620 95.1 790/680 90.8 730/650 87.5 590/520 85.2 660/570 88.7 610/640 87.3 550/560 86.6 640/670 96.1 6701720 90.3 690/600 88.5 560/680 91.8 620/700 I 85.4 540/620 78 630/570

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1 5 1 1 2 1 45 1 1 1 6 2 0 1 1 3 10 13 11 2 Nursina 3 4 1.

3 0

2 8 1 0

6 9 7 4 45 0

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91 .61560/590 83.81700/540 97' 117601790

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82.51690/570' 90.9 610/560 89.5 630/650 88.3 610/610 88.8 700/640 76.1 610/600 91 .5 680n10 91 .8 6201720 96.7 7801790 82.3 550/570 95.3 670/730 .

88 600/560 • 81 .7 540/490 94.3 7401710 90.8 91.5 81.2 75 90.1

730/650 640/690 550/540 530/470 670/670

93 94.2 89.4 89.1 91.7 85.5

660/630 660/620 630/650 5901740 660/690 600/580

79.81620/550

93.716101740 95.316701730

85.2T66ol57o 89.8 660/620 88.71750/580 470,600 6401710 550/540 530/470 530/470

' 85.2 81.2 85.2 95.8 - 87.4

660/570 620/480 660/570 720/670 700/620 '

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89.81640/650 97.1 17601790

SUNY STANDARDS

83.41470/600

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88.21690/570

81.2 550/540

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93.6 700/610 86.7 590/670 82.4 530/600 83.9 7001~0 89.6 620/590 95.6 7001790 88.7 750/580 86.6 640/670 86.1 620/550 84.1 640/560 94.3 730/670 90.8 730/650 90.3 690/600 87.3 93.8 91.6 89.5 93.4 94.3 92.9 83.8

. 82.51690/570 781630/570 93.5166'01690

91.7 660/690 82.5' 550/750

, special talents (musical, athletic), family "legacy."

Grade Standards Approximate cut.:.offs: Binghamton: 88 Other four-year schools: 85 or better

CUNY STANDARDS Grade Standards ·Approximate cut-~ff: All four-year schools: 82

510/530 710/570 690/680 610/690 600/650 740/710 690/640 700/540

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97 760/670

95 690/660 79.8 620/550 88.7 610/640 95 690/670

95 ..6 710/800 91 .6 640/710 93 720/630

95.1 790/680 86.5 700/650 •

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90.31690/600 83.4 89.8 81.2 75 75

SWARTHMORE {SA) SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY (SA) TEMPLE UNIVERSITY TRINITY COLLEGE TUFTS UNIVERSITY TULANE UNIVERSITY UNION COLLEGE U.S. MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY UTICA COLLGEISYRACUSE VASSAR VASSAR(SA) VERMONT, UNIVERSITY OF VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY VIRGINIA, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UN IV. WAGNER COLLEGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY WEBB INSTITUTE ' WELLESLEY COLLEGE WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY {SA) WESTERN MARYLAND COLLEGE WILLIAM & MARY, COLLEGE OF WILLIAMS COLLEGE WILLIAMS COLLEGE (SA) WISCONSIN, UNIVERSITY OF XAVIER UNIVERSITY YALE UNIVERSITY YALE UNIVERSITY (SA)

95.61710/800 87.31570/690.

82.51690/570

9716701700

1 3

9616901710

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700/610 6401740 ' 620/480 750(740 660/620

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L--~~~~~~~~~~~------------~------~------------~-------=~========::::::::::::::::::::::~::::::Four Feathers tickles Simone falls really short -of synthetic.perfecti,on

10

October 2002

The Classic

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The Four Feathers is a touching tale · Bentley (American Beauty, Soul Surviabout true loyalty, C<?urage under .the vors), and his former regiment have most dire of circumstances, and love, . come under attack by the Madhi, he travboth requited and unrequited. Directed els without hesitation to the Sudan on a

by Shekhaur Kapur (Elizabeth) from a mission to rescue his friends. screenplay bX Michael Schiffer (The In the Sudari, Harry is befriended by Peacemaker) and Hossein Amini (Wings . _a wise and kind mercenary warrior (yes, of the Dove) and based · on a novel by it may sot:md like an oxymoron.but you · A.E.W. Mason, this thrilling epic beau- have to watch it to understand) Abou tifully chronicles the journey of a young ._ Fatma, played by Djimon Hounsou . man as he finds himself during a time (Amistad, Gladiator). Harry disguises of England's imperialist expansion in himself as an Arab and risks his fife gothe late 1800's. ing behind enemy lines to rescue his Heath Ledger (Ten Things l Hate · friends.

About You, The Parfiot) plays Harry This movie is exquisitely filmed. EvFeversham, a British soldier admired by ery shot in the Sudan is absolutely breathtaking. Each scene flows into the next with ease.

The cast, too, is exceptional. Kate · Hudson plays the perfect innocent, young aristocratic woman concerne.d with others' opinions. Heath Ledger's performance is incredible. There are scenes where one can clearly see the pain nis character is feeling both mentally and physically, the anguish and suffering he is going through.

The battle scenes are especially . memorable. Picture hundreds of British soldiers fighting against thousands of Sudanese rebels unafraid to die. his peers and engaged to the· beautiful It is particularly heart-wrenching to Ethne, played by Kate Hudson (Gossip, watch men being hung, shot at, left for Almost Famous). He has a bright future dead in the middle of the desert or ahead of him, but when news arrives that thrown aside as if they were nothing an army of Sudanese Arabs, also known more than garbage. There is definitely as the Madhi, has attacked a British fort · a fear that is evident on the soldiers' in Khartoum located in North Africa, he faces as well as the sense of bravery and is overcome by fear and uncertainty. Al- duty to one's country that keeps them though he is patriotic, he questions going.

-~ There are- many tragic scene's England's involvement in the Sudan and decides to resign from the British regi- throughout this movie that just break ment only a week before they are your heart, but every now and then, there are scenes that can't help but make you . shipped off to war. · Three of Harry's friends are shocked smile. Although this movie is_a little by his resignation, and each, as well as over two hours, I didn't once wonder . Ethne, send him a white feather, a sym- when it would end. In fact, I was a bit bol of cowardice. When Harry learns disappointed when it did.

by Jamie Gullen .

What if one day the actors and actresses whom we admire and even idolize were replaced with . digital synthetic actors? What if you were fooled into believing they _ were real?

These are the very issues dealt with in Simone, a film by Andrew Niccol (The Truman Show, Gattaca). Although the premise of this movie is fresh and fascinating, Simone has some difficulty portraying the idea. The movie runs too long, the end especially dragging on, and there are stretches over the course of the film that are drawn . out, losing the captivation ofthe audience.

AI Pacino (The Godfa~her, · The Insider, Insomnia) stars in Simone, and gives a very believable and enthusiastic portrayal of his · character, Victor Taransky, a director on the verge of failure ~ He has just been fired by his exwife/producer when he is ap. proached by a rrian obsessed with technology. Taransky is saved from his imminent doom by Simone, or Simulation One, a synthetic actress who is digitally created to perfection and becomes an instant hit; saving him from obscurity.

The main conflicts ·in the film surround Taransky's ability to keep Simone hidden from the public, _w ithout arousing suspicion about her lack of public appearances. Although the many different attempts

to publicize Simone and prove her reality are funny, they carry on a little too long.

The major problem comes when Simone's success gets out of hand and Taransky becomes overshadowed by, and jealous of, his digital creation. As he attempts to solve this problem, the movie really runs into trouble: the road to the resolution is long, winding and frustrat. . mg.

Making cameos in the movie were

EmmaXiao Rebecca Romijn-Sta111os. Although these appearances were enjbyable to watch, they didn't do these actors justice as they were very small and simple roles.· Although Simone is not without fault, it is worth going to see, if . not for the film itself, for the very important issue it raises. The concept be~ind the l)lovie, Pacino's performance, and several laugh.out-loud moments are enough to make Simone an enjoyable hour and forty-five minutes at the movies.

Possession: -film version lacks Byatt novel's sparkle scholar Maud Bailey, played by out the parallels between the lives of the of the letters are read aloud.in the scene

by Angela Hom Gwyneth Paltrow (The · Royal two pairs, while treating the audience where Roland and Maud find them, but A.S. Byatt's much lauded literary · Tenenbaums, Shallow Hal, Shakespeare to some gorgeous _landscape views of the lengthier poems are not. detective novel,Possession, has finally The character of Roland Michell was ~he is studying a minor Victo- Great Britain and France. in Love) . graced the silver screen 12 years after also changed for the film, thus losing However, the essential aspects of the rian poet named Cristabel LaMotte its publication. It is the romantic story some of the charm that the Roland of novel are not preserved by the film ad(played in flashbacks by Jennifer Ehle), of two couples, one passionately in love the novel gives to his growing relationaptation.

The main storyline and its rowho turns out to be the receiver of Ash's but restricted by the social rules of the ship with Maud. One gets the. impresmance remains, but details that make the letters.

Together, Roland and Maud find Victorian era, the other struggling with book and its characters stand out have sion that Byatt's original Roland is a bit a cache of letters between the two sethe idea of love in the face of modern been omitted.

What makes Byatt's novel nerdy, quite unlike the bUff and more _ _ cret lovers, and they try to pursue the society's looser take on commitments. unique was the poetry and letters of Ash charismatic Roland that Eckhart plays , story to its end before their academic The tale begins when sch_olar Roland and LaMotte that ' a re slipped into the on screen. rivals do .

Michell, played by Aaron Eckhart (In Paltrow's portrayal of Maud is truer The film is unabashedly romantic, story at the beginning of chapters or the Company of Men, Erin Brockovich, sometimes encompassing whole chapto the· book, however. She is convincseamlessly moving back arid forth beNurse Betty), discovers two mysterious ters by themselves , They are delightful ingly.aloof, ·and she is able to express tween the love stories of the Victorian pages of unsent love letters written by to read because Byatt convincingly · the insecurities toward love and comIt does this and contemporary couples. the nineteenth-century poet he is studyevokes the writing style of the Victorian mitment that her character feels. This . in a way that leaves the audience meming, Randolph Henry Ash (Jeremy . era.

They also fill out the characters of sometimes makes for awkward scenes bers rather touched as they watch Northam in the film's flashbac-ks) . the poets, giving the reader a better sense between her character and Eckhart's, atRoland and Maud retracing the steps of Roland then begjns his ·search to find of their personalities than what the m6v· though the better chemistry be!ween th~ Ash and _ LaMotte's travels and emothe ·mystery woman and to see if the coriegoer receives from watching the acactors who play Ash and LaMotte makes tions . The director of the film, Neil -respondence continued. tors in their brief scenes on screen.

Some up for it.

Roland's inquiries lead him to fellow LaBute (In the Company of Men); points

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The Classic October 2002

11

Eclectic music selections enrapture listener

by Daniel Bloch Dave Matthews on the inspirational ring than the rising sun.

1 ICs one of the age-old questions of "Iwoya."

Classic Yo-Yo, Yo-YoMa: Somehow high schoolers: How do we make the If you're in the mood for music that or another, we've all heard of Yo-Yo Ma, summer last longer? I know that I've ,will lift you up and challenge your whether we saw him at Carnegie Hall wrestled with this question for years, senses, get in touch with this soul. this year with his. Silk Road Project, ad~ only to give up, exhausted, by diving Jazz Impressions of Japan, The mired -his artistry on the soundtrack of headfirst into a pile of leaves.

Dave Brubeck Quartet: Even if you're Ang Lee's Crouching . Tiger, Hidden I'm old enough to realize that I can't a novice when it comes to ja.,:;z, you've Dragon, or were moved by his playing postpone the seasons. But I do know that _ probably h·e ard the Quartet's "Take ..at Ground Zero o~ the one-yearanniI can keep within my reach the things Five," which is, to me, the definition of . versary of 9/11. that . made my summer memories so . "cool." fond, particularly the music.

But this legendary For some reason, my personal group {Dave Brubeck on soundtrack this summer was especially piano., Paul Desmond on memorable. It was a mix of rediscover- · alto saxophone, Et!gene ingold favorites and tuning into new and Wright on bass and Joe exciting voices that Crisscrossed jazz, Morello on the drums) classical, ethnic and contemporary should be just as well known for this 1964 alrhythms.

Here are my top fourCDs of the past bum, which was inspired ~ .-·.d' by their Japan tour that summer: Black Ivory Soul, Angelique Kidjo: same year.

One of the greatest This album is by far the best I've bought this year, and also the most musically thin.gs about the eight fascinating. Kidjo is a young singer from songs on Impressions is Benin and i'd only heard her name in ' their variety : "Tokyo passing in the context of the world mu- Traffic" is a catchy mod- . ' ·.·· · sic scene. But Kidjo's music is too cre- ern track, while "Koto > • ·... ative to only come under the narrow la- Song" is_rooted in Japanese tradition, although bel of "world music."

Andrea Shliselberg Her 12 songs blend her native West Desmond's sax effortThis album, released last year, covAfrican influences with rhythms frOil) lessly fits into the ancient-sounding ers all the bases of Ma's skill and love the Brazilian province of Bahia, there- melody.

The simplicity of the Quartet is its for the cello, taking selections from his gion that received many of the millions of Africans brought to the Americas other virtue . The band is intimate other CDs and also featuring new and during the slave trade. Kidjo's soaring enough that each instrument can carry ·, previously unreleased tracks; it's a kind and emotive voice sings_in four differ- itself wonderfully, but also jam and gel of "best of' compilation.

Starting promisingly with a brief but ent languages , and she does a duet with with the others. The result is no less stir-

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impressive cello suite by Bach and ending with a slow but engrossing "Appa~ lachia Waltz," Classic Yo-Yo also features pieces by composers like Dvorak, Gershwin and Argentinean tango maestro Astor Piazzolla. "The Eten1al Vow," the haunting-theme from Crouching Tiger, is also here. ,As if all that weren't enough, Ma is accompanied by varied and talented artists such as violinists ltzhak Perlman and Isaac Stern, and vocalists Alison Krauss and Bobby McFerrin.

Ella and Louis, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong: If you ever wondered · what pure fun sounded like, listen to this 1956 release and you might get an idea.

These two giants in jazz mythology match each other note for note, wh~ther they're asking the eternal question "Can't We Be Friends?" .or remembering "April in Paris." Vocally, Ella and Louis could not be more different - her voice is beautiful in the purest sense of the word; his is weathered and scratchy. · Yet, their two styles somehow mesh like they were designed for each other.

Louis' sig~ature trumpet (though not as solid as it was in his younger days) and both singers' generous senses of humor only enhance the quality of the songs, along with flawless backup from Oscar Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass and Buddy Rich on the drums.

This is music that you can't heip but nod altmg with, because it all seems so righL ·

Mardi Gras brings New Orleans to New York

by Marlo Dublin Even while the foli age of autumn begins to blanket the city sidewalks, you can guarantee tfiat spring is still in full bloom at Mardi Gras in Forest Hills.

Nestled in the heart of Austin Street, this Louisiana Cajun-style restaurant is sure to please everx pa.lette.

Featuring a diversified menu of traditional bayou favorites such as seafood jambalaya, crawfish and blackened chicken, (lS well as your run-of-the-mill · steak, ~lazed pork cbops and pasta, Mardi Gras is a great place to bring friends and family to enjoy-a cuisine that · celebrates the savory flavors of New Orleans' annual Mardi Gras celebration.

Although one might associate Mardi Gras primarily with parties and masked galas, the holiday has its roots in Catholic custom. Traditionally, Mardi Gras (meaning "Fat Tuesday" in French) marks the last day that Catholics can eat meat before Lent, as well as the beginning of the spring season. Falling anytime _between February' 3 and March 9, but always 47 days before Easter Sunday; Mardi Gras is preceded by a twoweek celebration during which the streets of many southern states are born- · barded by parades and live music.

On Fat Tuesday, however, New Orleans is especially notorious for its extravagant carnivals, food festivals and

costume ~hows. If you have never been has tempted even the lame-tongued for to Louisiana during Mardi Gras season, years.

I was pleased with my first experithen visiting this restaurant located at .

70-20Austin Street will surely give you ence at Mardi Gras ; the festive, yet intia taste of the atmosphere prevalen.t dur- mate ambiance created by the small dining area, as well as its gaudy masquering that time of year.

•

One of six locations throughout the nation (one other being in Queens, two in Manhattan and two in Florida), Mardi Gras of Forest Hills opened five years ago ana is famous for its homemade hot sauces and cornbread. Furthermore, they claim that their Voodoo Chicken and Shrimp dish is a perennial favorite amongst customers. Featuring two blackened chicken breasts and three jumbo shrimp glazed in a garlic butter sauce on top of a bed of asparagus and jalapeflO mashed potatoes, this entree

ade deem' made me feel as if I were a true tourist in New Orleans. I ordered crawfish popcorn for an appetizer and particularly enjoyed the sherry-plum horseradish sauce served with it on the side. The popcorn wasn't greasy, !lOr did it leave me with that heavy feeling that most fried foods often do.

For an entree, I enjoyed the Voodoo Chicken and Pasta, which was a delectable combination of blackened chicken cutlets tossed over spicy creamdrenched linguine. The service was

prompt and .hosp itable, and, surprisingly, the manager made a genuine effort to talk with his customers while they were eating. However" the prices of the dishes were quite exorbitant; $10 for a scanty portion of shrimp, and $15 .95 fo r ' the Voodo ensemble, which was served ala-carte.

I usually do not enjoy very spicy food, but Mardi Gras fare had a kick rather than a flare of spice, . which made it easier to stomach.

Samira Zaman If yqu want a taste of Louisiana but do not want to take a steamboat down the Mississippi to get it, make sure to stop by Mardi Gras. You will not be able to make a reservation in advance, but by calling the restaurant's phone number, (718) 26 I -8555, you can find out when the best times to dine are.

Open seven days a week from 4pm12am on Monday- Thursday, 12pm-2am on Friday- Saturday and 12pm-l2am on Sunday's, authentic Cajun cuisine is just around the corner.

Rating: Four forks (Out offour)

12

The Classic .

October 2002 .

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9/1,1 •• On;e year later, we rememtle·r To commemorate the lives lostin the World Trade Center buildings and the Pentagon on September 11, Harrisites participated in two schoolwide moments of silence and, in some classes, group discussions: The fo~lowing pieces were corr:piled from Harrisites through Englzsh, .Wrttmg Process and Journaltsm classes.

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'I write this letter to you ... ' Dear America: .It has been one whole year since your greatest symbols of economic power, political strength and freedom were demolished. Sometimes it feels like I 0 years ago, other times like only yesterday. Yet, either way, everything about that day is still real in my mind. Images of fire and smoke .and debris, the putrid smell of smoldering steel, and the te(\rS of those who knew victims will always remain deeply engraved in me.

Not normally a crier, I succumbed to tears today. I cried out of mourning, like I know millions of other New Yorkers and Americans around the nation were doing. Andl cried out of happiness- happiness for ana-

tion still standing. You are still here. yve are still here. We are, because we are strong; we can mourn our losses and then move on with our lives.

I write this lettter to you, .America; because I want you to know how much I love you. You ; give me freedom, you give me r pride, you give me the strongest

yourl~aders

serrseofpatriotismicanimagine.: and your :: government in whatever they do.

I love your flag, and what it represents. I stand behind you all the way because you are my country and I love you.

I support

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-Jason Novick; junior

~We still have far to go ... ' To the future generations: go. There are so many more things we One year ago, two planes crashed can learn, so many things we can change into the two towers ofthe World Trade in our world. The Tragedy of NineCenter in an act of terrorism. I have no Eleven- as it will be forever known·- is doubt that you will fi~d this event in proof of this. the pages of your histbry books when It is my hope that in the future, many you are old enough to learn about it. more lessons will have been learned, Countless men and women died i'n this many more changes made in the world. act Of hatred, and I am certain that you Maybe when the whole world can live will be shocked in finding that it did . in peace, and all its people can really live not happen quite so long ago, just as I ~the meaning of freedom, equality and am shocked and saddened that it hap- happiness, someday, we can really · say pened in this day and age. that "we have come so far."

Many today would say that we have Always remember the events of Ninecome so far as humans ... And yet now, · Eleven. more than any other time in my life, do I realize that we still hav_e very far to - Francesca Pizarro, sophomore

"

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"I've enjoyed life more. I know it sounds 'corny but I feervery lucky that it wasn't me. It gave me a sense of purpose. I've sorted out rriy priorities since .The two towers sta.nd, high and clean, then. · A postcard picture paints the scene., Even though it isn't popular belief, , Up in th~ window, way up high, · I think that many people came together Sunshine fills the morning sit)'... in false patriotism. It's a nice gesture with all the flag waving, but it only en-: •A ·silent J)ause, a deafening trash, courages the government to wage an P$ertured s<;reams, what they 'heard 'endless war.' Real patriotism is point.last, ing out what'-s wrong to make your A gi·ant lurch, a painful bump, country better. People should've come People flying as they ju.mp.. together to find out how America 'may' have provoked something like this ."

Running fast, they. smell the smoke, Coughing, heav.ing, as they choke, - Emily Tam, sophomore Gasping, they take one last breath, A short, convulsive,, ~hilling death. ."I understand that [what happened

9-~ 11.01

Heroes die, and C{J\¥l:lfds live, The entire city wants fo ·give, Help the cause, and do their p.art, Showing that they have a heart.

The towers fall, so many die, People crying, asking why, A little girl, she sits at berne, Thinking how she's· afl al'one.

- 'EUsabelh Ponsol, freshman

on 9/ll is] bad but the fact is that the media is making it ridiculously absurd the way they are cove.-ing it. They show the planes crashing like at 20 different · camera angles. It's almost like a football game or something. 'Oh wow an. other instant replay! Well let's see it on this angle, Jim.' 'Sure, Bob.' 'Look at the plane! Oh wow, yet another exclusive arigle. Wow, Jim, that's awesome. · Let's see it through there too.' .. .1 hate the media. They make this into some sort of enterprise."

-Alan Fishman, senior

•·'.•• ··•~•·..·-:·.··. ·..s. ·'tt'lll ~~ .

·Rachel Schiffm&n, senior

~'It showed me how to be a real person. I was touched by how the people who weren't even living in New York came to help the ones who were injured during the attack. They donated blood. ' They donated food a,nd money. They helped America and that's what I think, is holding America together: our good . spirits to help others in need."

- Stefany Liao, sophomore

"We are a nation that is based on freedom . However, no one can truly be free with hatred surrounding him or her.

In order for us to be a strong nation, we need to band together and look past one .ano_ther's differences." · - Caitlin Ryan, freshman .

Sophomores Jennifer Kamler, Janice Ren and Paolo Roy conducted interviews for this page.

The Ciassic

October 2002

Getting to know you:· . ~

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New arrivals meet, greet at orientation

by Jamie Gullen The orientation for new students, held August 30, introduced incoming_ freshmen and sophomores to not only the school building, but also to the t~achers, fellow classmates, some upper classmen and some basic rules and

around the ·building. procedures.

Through the mentoring program, Some of the included activities were each new student was assigned an up- a computer workshop in the Writing per classman to be their guide. These Process room to introduce the freshmen .mentors escorted their men tees, provid- . to the Harris network, a tour of the ing them with a student's perspective, school to acquaint them with where as they traveled to various activities they'd be going, and lunch in the din-

ing hall along with an icebreaker game to help everyone get to know each other better.

Below art -some glimpses of the freshmen orientation accompanied by cartoons depicting f~eshman life at Townsend Harris .

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Vivian Shibata

New freshmen get acquainted with the school building and facilities as their mentors and mentor leaders give them a tour.

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"I'll bet you $2Q bucks I can get to the second floor in 2 hours ..."

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S arah Schnee, a senior mentor leader, helped split up tbe incoming freshmen stude.nts into groups and assigned them their mentors.

CLASSROOM, ONLINE, TUTORING

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Find out more about our classroom, online, and tuto·ring programs.

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Seats are limited. Call now to enroll.

www.PrincetonReview.com IB00-2Review ~SAT is

a registered trademark of the College Entrance-Examination Board, whtth was not involved in the prodUction of, and does not endorse. this product. The Prmceion Review is not affiliated w1th Princeton University or ETS.

Andrea Shliselberg

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· The Classic October 2002

11.!1"!,'7.,, .. ~

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Strining returns tO multi-cultural Camp Rising Sun -

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by Jamie Gullen A typical day i.n senior Cristin Strining's summer could include a hike · through the woods, a canoeing trip in the Adirondacks, or the ability to chose from a wide range of activities from art, to nature, to woodshop. Although these things greatly contribute to the ·experience at Camp Rising Sun, they don;t begin to describe the purpose and meaning that the camp represents.

Camp Rising Sun (CRS) was origi~ nally an all-boys camp founded in 1930

by Freddy E. Jonus, and in 1989, the girls camp was founded. It is located in Rhinebeck, New York and is a scholarship camp, meaning it is free of charge for the campers, who range in ·age from 14 to 16. Prospective campers have to apply and are chosen on the basis of their grades and personal characteristics which the camp directors feel will contribute the best to the camp environment. Campers are chosen from all over the country and the world.

The camp is funded by the Louis August Jon us Foundation after Freddy E. Jon us's father. Although most campers only attend for one year, a handful

of campers return for a second year, and tivities from which to chose on a daily an even smaller number of campers re- basis. There is no set structure for which turn for a third .year. This past summer activities are done each day, and a great was Cristin's second year ai: CRS . . emphasis is placed on the. individual - The mission of CRS is to expose choices of the campers. "The whole young adults to other people of differ- idea of camp is that it is not structured. ent genders, races, ethnicities and other We have the ability and responsibility backgrounds and teach them leadership to do what we want," said Cristin. skills and the value of community. HavAlthough there are many unique and ing teenagers from all over the world enjoyable events at CRS, the one that creates an environment iri which very was the most meaningful to Cristin this caring, conscientious, and diverse summer was an interaction called Art people can learn to bond together as a · Manifest. During this day, both the community. To enhance this mission, boys' and girls' camps come together each camper is responsible for a com- to share a variety of artistic presentamunity project which gives something tions and performances. "I participated . back to the camp. Cristin's community a lot thatday and it gave me a chance project this year was going through the to express myself. That was very diftrails in the woods, c~ earing out old ferent from school where I'm always trails, and even finding new ones. so concerned about school work," said To further augment the idea of com- Cristin. munity, there is something called counIn addition to Art Manifest, Cristin cil where the campers have an open fo- also valued her canoeing trip as a very rum to express their emotions and open special camp event. The campers went up to their fellow campers in a judge- in groups on a canoeing tdp in the ment-free environment. This fosters a Adirondacks covering 30 miles in only closeness and understanding among the three days. Being so faraway from evcampers. eryday life was very peaceful for There are also a plethora ofother ac- Cristin. "It was a completely stress-free J

.Getting attends seminar on colonialism in London

by Tina Wu use of primary documents like the works .Imagine living in London, England . of John Locke and Jean Jacques for six weeks, exploring the history, cui- Rousseau. ture and social diversity of the c ity.~ Su"And because we looked at [the san Getting, Interim Assistant Principal books] from the historical point of view of Humanities and social science re- and the English point or view... I could search teacher, received the opportunity _ bring them into my Global History to do so this summer, attending an in- classes. I can [also] use it in American terdisciplinary seminar program offered History," she said. by the National Endowment for the HuAs part of the program, Ms. Getmanities from June 24 to August 3. · ting also visited a "state-run" school, The program consisted of educa- similar to a public school in the United tiona! activities, both inside and outside ·. States. She lived in an apartment with the classroom, surrounding the seminar two roommates and got to do things that theme, "Colonialism's Impact on the she wasn't able to do before. Because Shaping of the British National Iden- she had already been to London, this tity." "The academiC load was very time she went she had many opportu-. heavy ... [including] a lot of reading, nities to visit ·the British Museum, the . writing and discussing. In the after- British Library, the theatres, and other noons, ... you could go out and study the attractions. She also met Tom Stoppard, peciple .. . [and] the culture," she said, a famous British playwright. ":..It was a lot of work; but it was [also] Among her many experiences in a lot of play."

London, Ms. Getting also "fell in love The· seminar was taught by two with Bollywood." Bollywood is the Inprofessors from Oberl in College of . dian equivalent of Hollywood in 'India.

- Ohio. The participants, 15 teachers from it produces a genre of films that is very across the United States, spent each popular in India and around the world.

Monday through Thursday, 10 AM to I "I want to show one of them as an after PM studying the diverse community of school movie presentation," she said.

London that has resulted from the imAfter the six week seminar, Ms. pact of colonialism and a rising immi- Getting continued her vac.ation by visgrant population. The academic study iting Ireland, and Scotland, where her . included reading books like Robinson father was born.

Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, ·Frankenstein Looking back on her adventures

by Mary Shelley, The Buddha of Subur- this summer, Ms. Getting encourages bia, by HanifKureishi, and The Enigma · "everyone to take any and all opportuofArrival by V. S. Naipaul. :'The books nities that allows them to combine work; we had to read for the program were ex- study and play, whether it's here in the traordinarily diverse," said Ms. Getting. United .States or in other countries beThe historical portion also included the cause .. : [it is a] great experience."

environment. We were so focused on our goal and there was a great sense of accomplishment. l may not be able to run a mi-le in under eight minutes, but I ca. noed 30 iniles in 3 days," said Cristin. A very striking moment on the trip was when the. campers were on· one side of the river and on the other side, there was a town .

"We could hear songs and see street lights, but it was like we were on a completely different planet," she said.

CRS's diverse environment can be an enriching experience, but it can make staying in touch with camp friends difficult. "It's hard, but alllazing that I have friends all over the world. We have an egroup to help stay in touch," said Cristin.

Of the friendships she made at camp Cristin said, "The camp environment is so free of judgment that even though you're only thyre for two months; some friend~hips are deeper than ones I have had for years ." Anyone who is interested in attending the camp next summer should visit the Camp Rising Sun website at www.camprisingsun .org, for more infor_mation .

~enin

spends s.u mmer studying at Harvard by-Lina Lee who held very high political positions.

Whi,le some Harrisites were tak- Ms. Benin was even able to meet ing summer courses to fulfill their Michael Dukakas, the .presidential candreams of attending an Ivy League didate who ran against George Bush for school, Laura Benin, teacher of Com- the presidency in 1988 and Natalie munication Media Arts and Writing . Jacobson, a renowned journalist. She Process, was actually experiencing that also had the opportunity to have lunch education first-hand. She stayed in with James Roosevelt Jr.., the grandson Cambridge, Massachusetts for a week of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. "They in July in order to attend Harvard Uni- were so nice and they were glad to be versity. "I always wanted to do it but I with us," said Ms. Benin.

"The only thing I regret is that I never got a chance. I actually applied didn't have a chance to hang out because last niinute and I'm glad I did," said I was studying most of the time I was in Ms. Benin.

Boston.

My peers were wonderf~l and I The program was intense and was actually very surprised that I felt so lasted for seven days. It ran from eight in the morning until eight at night and comfortable there," said Ms. Benin .

She recalls this summer as the best required constant reading, as well as a great amount of concentration. "1 didn 't she has ever had . "Set high goals and think I would get in but I'm so glad I take any chance you get because it might did because it was definitely worth it," turn out to be the best decision," she adsaid Ms. Benin. She met professionals vised.

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The Classic

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Girls' Volleybal_ l bounces back Cunningham, running marathon, against Bayside, be.t ters record looks to establish ~cholarship ·

by Josh Fox

October 2002

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After win_ning the first game of the season again-st Flushing, and losing the second game against Benjamin Cardozo, the Hawks came 1back to defeat Bayside by a score of ,two games to one to improve their record to 2-1 .

The co-captain's, seniors Nicole Wauters and Kristin Newman, led the Hawks to victory in its most recent ace complishment. Wauters led the team · with 16 assists, while Newman led the team with 15 kills : ..c:: The team had contributions from its ] - newer stars in its opening game. New ~ starter Bernadette C_ruz, senior, had a § . team high of eight service po"ints, as " ";, well as an assist and two kills. The other ~--- q new starters, junior Rachel Acosta and sophomore Grace Lee, also played welL ·Veteran member Alexandra Lo Ref senior, added eight service points and four · Sophomore 'Grace Lee aims for a successful set kills. Lo Re might not be able to par- during a recent game. ticipate in the remainder of the season because her. hand was injured during as the team sat a victory away from bepractice two weeks ago. She will un- - coming New York City champions. This dergo tests to determine if her hand has - seasem, with three new starters,' it could been fractured. If it is not, she might be be a different story. "We must learn ho\V able to return. to play with each other and trust each "When I was injured, at first I was other, which takes some time," said ' · really upset, but now I've been trying cpach Wanda Nix. Coach Nix feels that it.is difficult to to support the team as much as possible by going to all the practices and games," pinpoint how far this team can go. "If said LoRe. we are ,able to. gel as a team soon enough, Last season, just about everything we can really go- a long way. The talent · went right for Girls' Varsity Volleyball is certainly here," she added. ~

~

by Josh Fox pleased to be doing this witb. her.

A common gripe of freshmen in "I am inviting everyone to come general physical education_classes out to the city, cheer us on, and wish is the challenging gym program that us well," he said.

Townsend is knowri for, particularly His training has been intensive. _ the several-mile runs . Principal "Having my job makes it slightly difTh0mas Cunningham, however, en- ficult to run as much as I would like joys running long dist;mces as. he is to because of the meetings and set to run .in the rigorous annual · hours," he said, "but I make it work."

New York City Marathon on No- His weekends usually include one vember 3. long run of at least 15 miles, but now, Aside from just participating in in preparation for the race, he has inthe marathon, Mr. Cunningham creased his distance to 18 miles . Qurwould like to found a scholarship ing the week, he manages two to fund for Townsend Harris students . three five-mile runs and he lifts .

He hopes to obtain the money for .weights once a week . this scholarship by having parents In the falL of 2000,. · Mr. sponsor. him for the marathon. .·. Cunningham ran the grueling race of A recipient of the proposed over 26 miles across the city and fin-_ scholarship would not be "the great- ished the run in just over four hours . · est scholar nor the greatest athlete," He was, however, unable to particibut "one who has managed both pate in the marathon last year betasks and done well, who wouldn't cause of an injury in his Achilles ten. normally get a scholarship in either - don . ·field," Mr. Cunningham explained. . Running has been a part of Mr. He feels that the marathon is "a Cunningham's life for a long time. great physical challenge that I arn He ran cross:country and sprinted excited to do." track for his high school team, and He will be running the long race has been running for most of the last with his wife, Julie, who partici- 30 years . Running is something that pated last year. She began running Mr. Cunningham really enjoys doing . seriously three years ago. He com- and he can usually be found on both mented that his tim-e this year may weekdays and weekends running be slower than it has been previ- _ with his wife. They usually do their busly because he will be. running running either at St. John's Univerwith his wrfe, btlt he 'is nonetheless. sity orin the~ area ' around· Bayside. ·

.

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The Classic

October 2002

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Turtles spla~sh .in·t o new season

by Karen Hendershot In the first two meets of the season, the perrenial Queens Champs ·did not disappoint. After weeks of training and preparation, the Turtles, the Girls' · . Varsity Swimming team, looked polished, prepared and excited as it beat Benjamin Cardozo on October I and Bayside on October 14. · The medley relay team consisting of seniors Katarina Kristic and Karen Hendershot, as well as juniors Dorota Sawicz and Kristin Angelopolous, won in 2:01.5, and Angelopolous also won the 50 freestyle in 26.2 seconds.

"We were third in 2000, second in 2001, and now it's only natural that number one in the city will be this year's title," said Team member Kristin · Angelopoulos,junior. Each year, the 12- . time Queens Champions Girls' Swim Tea~ comes close to clinching the top spot in PSAL swimming, but have yet to attain it.

Boy~-

9n good -track '

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despite los~ Of runn·ers ·

This year; CoachJim Jordan be'Iieves by Stephen Berger "With . this year's freshmen After a 'very successful season last the Turtles may have good chance to and most of the other runners on the secure that top spot. "All the girls have year, in which the varsity Boys' Cross . team having another year of experience, been working very hard and getting _ Country team finished second in the this is a much inore confident team. I ready.for our first big meets ofthe sea- Queens Championship meet, coach think that confidence is what is going son," said Mr. Jordan . "They really want George Rio is confident that the team to win Queens Champs for us," stated that first place trophy at the ~nd of the will do a,s well or even better this David Bass, junior. The team's main season. season." competition this season is expected to This year's team is missing .two A makeover of the Queens PSAL coTile from Bayside High School.

Gids' Swimming has resulted in a new strong Iong-di~tance runners who graduIn order to fulfill the goals that the type of league with A and B divisions. ated: Alejandro Gonzalez and Jon team has set; solid performances will be Townsend Harris, al~ng with Bayside, Schwartz. In order to make up for this - needed from the team's capuiin, senior Benjamin Cardozo, Francis Lewis; Long loss of talent, the team ·w111 rely on a Carlos Chincha, and other seniors Zak Island City, and G-rover Cleveland High . strong core of freshmen ahd the im-· Anolic, Mikhail Khaimov, Seth Schools, is part of the newly formed provement of -its returning runners.

Steinhoff, and Dmitriy Yukhvid, as well · "What makes the freshmen runners . as sophomores David Bass, Stephen Queens A division . Under this new division, the Turtles will face each team" that we have this year special is that not Berger, Andrew Rivera, Matthew twice before competing in the Queens only are they talented, but they are also _ Duelka, Nick Kolios, Anthony Diehm willing, to work hard in practice," said and Prabhjyot Saini. .

Championships.

As for the future, the pool will really Rio. Many members of the team believe The team seems to be ready, espe- , heat up in the middle of November, · that this will be the deciding factor, leadcially the runners who attended running when the Turtles take on Stuyvesant ing to a Queens championship for the camp in the summer. "I think that runHigh School and Bronx High School of Hawks after they lost by two points last ning camp will really help our team," year. said Duelka.

Science.

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Defending_Queens Fencing champions lunge their way into promising season

by Stephen Berger After winning the Queeris Championships and placing third overall in the city last season, the fencing team came out with the same intensity and desire in its opening bout with Jamaica on October I. The Hawks were victorious by a 9-2 score. In the "A" game, co-captain and · senior Waqas Shaikh and junior James Lavin each wontwo bouts, while in the "B" game, sophomore Kimberly Manis and co-captain and senior Jessica .

Cardona contributed for a combined two-bout victory.- Finally, the Hawks "C" game squad, consisting of juniors Steven Gross, Matthew Hat! ex, and Chu Wa Hung combined for the three-bout -· : win. : Coach Debra Michlewitz has high ,· ,, aspirations for this year's squad. She says of the team's co-captain, Waqas Shaikh, "He consolidates grace, leadSenior Jessica Cardona and junior' Jonathan Gross stand their guard at a Fencing Team practice . . ership, and excellent fencing talents. He

truly plays the game of physical chess."

If the Hawks hope to advance into the playoffs, it will need to be an entire team -effort. That does not worry coach Michlewitz, though ~ "Townsend Harris students' ability to focus and concentrate is an invaluable trait in fencing," she said. Michlewitz _ believes that the team will be 'greatly helped because I 0 members attended fencing camp over the summer.' "The -~ depth of the team makes us E . ready to follow in th.e footI.e,0 steps of past teams," she ] added. · · "The Hawks have won Queens Division Championships for the last four years and PSAL Championships in · 1998 and 2000.

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Girls~

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Bowling.strives for first place _finish

junior Aida Branez had a ·116. byJdsh Fox The dirls' Varsity Bowling team was The Girls' Varsity Bowling easily first in Queens and finished with~ 10-0 defeated Thomas Edison High School undefeated 200·1-2002 season. "We're . on October 7, 2002 by a three games to going to finish num~r one this year, none score. The games were played at and we're going to be undefeated," said Jib Lanes and featured a brilliant perCoach Ellen Schwartz. formance by senior Megan Davidow Though they will suffer a loss of four with a score of 187. Junior Meryl seniors at the end of this season, three Soriano bowled a 165, and freshman ofwhich are starters, the addition of two Sandi Von Ohlen and Michelle excellent freshmen have given this team Montgoris contributed with scores of promise for the years to come. Rookies 159 and 136,"respectively.

Michelle Montgoris and Sandi Von In the "B" Game, senior Susan · Ohlen are new to the Townsend Harris · Chang bowled a 154, junior Sara Hochrad had a score of 144, senior varsity team, though Von Ohlen is not Tashia Chin contributed with a 117, and new to bowling.

Von Ohlen h!ls ·been in a bowling league since the age of five. Her older brother, Mark Von Ohlen; graduated in 1999 from Townsend Harris and holds the record for the highest game.bowled.

Following in her brother's footsteps, she feels "nervous, but really excited." She is a talented and promising addition to this varsity bowling team. · With a defiant start, the Girls' VMsity Bowling team quickly moved into first place in Queens, so far undefeated.

With high hopes to do well in the playoffs, this team is full of potential in th~ir younger players, as well as their veterans.

Gi:rl:s ra:ce toward oha.mpi~onshlp ~i'n

by Stephen 'B erger The Girls • Cross-Country Track team's ,p ath to a State Championship began with impressive finishes in their most recent races.

On Septem:ber 28, at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, nine Junior Varsity members placed in the top .50 during a 4.5 mile race.

This included.sophomores Rebecca Lynch's fifth plac~finis'h and Emily Tam's siJ~th place finish. Sh runners frem ~e varsity team finished in 'the tQp 20 in the 2.5 mile race.

One o'flhe runners was senior Jessica Krivac, whose 17 minute and 42.S4 second run gained her fourth place ,jn the city. She al~o finished in first place at Van Cortlandt 'P ark on, S.e pttimber 21 ·w ith a run oi sHghtt, o¥ey 18' minutes.

The. leaders ef the 2002 squi;ld -a re ~eniots Andrea S.trauss, Sharon Chin, Victoria Btigis; and Krivac.

Other sJgnncant c;Qntributors in~ clude,Juni'ors Se,l("1na Singleton, Erik~ Russi, Joan;na Rey,notsJs, Kathr·y,n Dubow-s'ld, .J.fllian Dec.: havez,, "Faith · Cu:tnQli-ng:s, Ro~al]m:l,Aoams,- as well as sophomo{i¢s "s:tra,u,nte B·ob.atJm,Hm,, Jaeq~el Chanc~r~ ·H azei Chi,.~liza~ beth Ftder, Maria Paschalid~.• and the. newfteshmen.,Inna·Bursbtey•ni Sarab Pattika, Anq Mat~ws, Zina Sanchez, ·and Stephanie Santana\ The maQy freshme.n on the team

give it"moredepth and'Sope for the fi_lture. • ·BawD trained hard'dut"' in'g ,the,summer;;and most attended a~trk ilanq> fol'a week when~ 'they ·ran 'intt:nse'~y., ~·t think that all' of the,

rul;ln:e{s tbat went to cantp improv~d,"

said,qubow.ski.