Classic newspaper Volume 25 Issue no. 3

Vol. 25 No. 3 February 2009

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aS SIC Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367

Lati·n club aces Certaimen

by Ariel Brodsky The discipuli of the Latin

Level I team; senior Ashley Guzman ·and juniors Sujata Gupta, Maria Stamatelatos and Keegan Valbuena comprised

advanced team from Harris to compete for the first time. Ms. Club, coached by foreign Mars noted that "it was a treat language teacher Jonathan for us to win" against schools Owens, won all three with established advanced levels of the second teams. annual New York The competition tested City Latin Certamen, students' knowledge of held February 6 in the mythology, daily life, auditorium. history, grammar and "It's always rewarding etymology. Harrisites were to see the students each assigned a "focus," that I've worked with such as Roman culture, succeed," said Mr. in order to make up Owens. "It makes me what Mr. Owens feel good as a teacher." ~ described as a "wello He added, "You can see ~ rounded team." They your efforts manifest { faced students from themselves - in trophy u institutions such as £ Brooklyn Latin High form!"

"We're very pleased ]A School, the Bronx with the outcome," said High School of Assistant Principal of Science, the Brearley Languages Other than Sophomore Murari Aidasani displays the trophy School and Stuyvesant English Lisa Mars, who received by Harris' Level I team at the Certamen. High School. · helped to organize the "There was quite a bit event. "The students worked the Intermediate team; anq of excitement since it was the tirelessly." seniors Lily Hsu, Stephanie first [Certamen] of the year," Foreign language teacher Jin, Peter Michelli, and Reena said Maria. "There was also Marianthe Colakis also helped Sam formed the Advanced quite a bit of pressure to do to organize the Certamen. "I team. well because it's terrible to was thrilled for the students .... I Although students engaging lose at your home base." admire how much they've in independent study have Murari said, "When it was participated at the advanced announced that we had won, done on their own." she said.

Junior David Blanco level before, the introduction it was exhilarating and I gave . and sophomores Indira of an Advanced Placement a huge sigh of relief. It was a Abiskaroon, Betty Chu and (AP) Latin course this year great experience ....! can't wait Murari Aidasani made up the made it possible for an until the next Certamen."

'S·c ioly' teams sweep regionals

by Katherine Valles

Harris captured the first, fourth, and eleventh place spots at the New York City Science Olympiad ("SciOly'') regional competition, defeating Stuyvesant and Benjamin Cardozo High Schools, which came in second and third place respectively.

Forty other schools also competed in 24 different events in fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering on February 7.

The A, B, and C teams earned a total of 30 medals, a new school record, for a total of 26% of all the medals awarded at the event.

Fifteen people chosen from the three different teams will go on to compete at the State competition, which will be held at West Point on March 20 and 21. This will be the fourth consecutive year that Harris has moved on to the State level.

"I was confident walking into Grover Cleveland High School [where the event took place] on Saturday morning that the three Science Olympiad teams would

kick acetate!" said Science Olympiad president Amalia Stavropoulos, senior. "The efforts of the entire science department, our dedication to the team, and our passion for science contributed to our success - not to mention the countless hours spent buried in biology text books, titrating with Mr. Sangiorgi in the lab, or building robots with Mr. Jones." ' Susan Brustein, Assistant Principal of Science and Technology, said, "I believe that our success in Science Olympiad has several components, the most important being the brilliance, creativity and dedication of our students. They in tum are supported by an incredible Science faculty who volunteers countless hours to helping them prepare for the individual events, and volunteers at the Regional Science Olympiad to run events and advises the team."

Helping to lead the teams to victory was science teacher Katherine Cooper, who replaced Thomas Sangiorgi continued on page 4

Seniors ru·le as winners of law-themed SING!

by Pearl Bhatnagar and

Esther Whang The curtains closed and SING! commissioners CarmelleAlipio and Tracey Li, seniors, announced the winner of SING! -the senior class.

This year's annual studentrun production, held in the auditorium from January 31 - February 2, focused on the theme of "laws," and was judged by teachers and about 40 alumni.

SING! commissioners Giovanni Barcenes and Natalie Noboa, juniors, chose the .theme.

The seniors based their play, "Murphy's Magic Mishap," on Murphy's Law, which states that "everything that can go

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.a The victorious cast of Senior SING! celebrates after their final performance.

wrong will go wrong." The juniors developed their show, "The Real World: Brooklyn," around · Hammurabi's Code, or "an eye for an eye." The freshmen and sophomores,

Advice to President Obama pg. 3 T

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collectively known as the sophomen, worked together to put on their production, "Catch a Falling Star," which was based· on the Bible's Ten Commandments.

Lopez named Intel Semi-Finalist pg.4 T

Coordinator of Student Activities Adam Stonehill, who oversaw the SING! proceedings, said, "SING! is a reestablishment of the school community."

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Nepal fundraiser pg.8

Harris pets pgs. 6-7 T

Senior SING! advisor Ellen Fee, Assistant Principal of Organization as well as of Mathematics and Physical Education, said that although "it's possible to have a year where people are more competitive in a negative way, SING! is a great way for building community within the grade and that in itself is worth it."

It was senior SING! director Jane Whang's second time directing her grade's show. She chose Murphy's Law because it "was the most flexible law and had the most room ftlr creativity and new ideas."

The seniors' story revolved around a camper, Murphy, continued on page 11

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The Classic

1

I 2 I Fight for Funding: A Call to Rally I

February 2009

The passa~e of the $787 oilton st:imui:Us packas,e, the Arnerloan Recovery Reinvestment .Aet, means that New Yot!k State and City will together reeeive over $-2.5 bilion in gen.eral eaueation fim<liag, as repertea mlire latest edition ef the United J.iletiel'attan of Teacllers (UFT) news.J)aper. Wllile this welcome news meat.tS that severe budget outs, feared to be as high as llO.lb ft>r New York Ctty pub.lic sch00ls, are not as lik~zy to occur fer the 2Q(i)9-l {) scllool year, it is stitl toe soon to celebrate. It has yet to be determine« how much ai( City sohtJoi:s such as Harris wilt receive, and tD:e threat of sUiostantial cwts sf.'Hllooms l!Jefore U!S. Therefore, The CltlSS'ic strongly enc0U!I'ages the Harris comm'l.l!nity to atteaa a UFT-sponsorea rally on Tit!J1Jl'sooy1 March 5 at City Hail, 4:00pm.

The p1111p:ose of the rally is "to make the stimulus a reality iA our classrooms and make sur~ AlOany anti the oltancetlor Elo right by our Ide." according to UFT .President Randi Weingarten (New Ysrk 'Feder, 2/1 9'/.,).• This semester, 5'8% of the buaget for per-session spending, the m0ney

r 4

a)locateti 1lo f&Y teadiers f0-r advising extracurriCJalar activities, has t>een cut.

Should the stimUilus bjJt package not pr0vide Harris with the e:tll11fbnt level 0f ~funding for the 21009-10 school year, 'this porti:.0n of the bud:get, accoreing to Principal Kenneth B'Onamo, might have to be rem'Ovee conlipiete~y. Jif we are £aced wii!h an ewn larger budJet oot, the scltool wilt be £or!(J$d to reeuce instructit:ulal programs.

AEltfi'tionally, there is stiU the llhreat of cicy'-'Wide faewlty Jarg_'ffs baselil. 0n seni'Ority within lieense area. A reduction :in H'arris''s teaclling w0uid efitmnate elective classes, meaning an:ylling not: r~uiredl>y the state.

Harrisites have come tQge$er bef0re to <\lefena our eclucational tights as evidenced by the letter-writing ooqaign to elected 0£.leials at tlhe en:d. o;f last year as well as tlurlng the recent raU:y to keep the Q74 bus tme mrmin.g.

By stueen:ts tm:itmg with tlheir teachers at tD:e mlly on Maron 5., we will be igh:ti1!lg n'Ot eniy f<t>r Harris"s fil.ture, 'but f0r the fiatute of ail New Y'0tk City's chitdren.

sta«

Watching the inauguration: Obama's call to action

by Rebecca Seidel Standing on a podium before the nation on January 20, minutes into his presidency, Barack Obama proclaimed, "There is nothing so satisfying in the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task." These are words of wisdom, from a man who endured the long haul of a campaign, and faces an even bigger challenge in light of his victory. But more than that, his words are a call to action that we must all heed.

Here at Townsend Harris, we face unending challenges. The work piles on, growing and multiplying until our

brains are a huge mess of collaterals, essays, and tests. And then, just as we get a second to breathe, a new semester begins, and the process starts all over again.

This is a cycle Barack Obama is familiar with. He began his campaign as an underdog, confronted by barriers of competition and race. Through inexhaustible perseverance, he made his way to the top, defying the odds to become the first black President of the United States.

But he has no time to bask in the glory of his victory. His "new semester" is beginning, and with it

View from the auditorium: . . . Harrls~- c6rri mun ity··-·un·ites:. ·.

by Thiahera Nurse Togetherness is an ideal that our school holds in high regard. From our communal responsibility to uphold the Ephebic Oath to our involvement in our close-knit community, we always try our best to utilize this concept in our daily lives. The decision of the school to allow U!S to watch the Inauguration together is something that I believe we all are grateful for.

As we prepared to watch the event, we were rowdy and fidgety. Some were · just happy to get out of class. However, when all of us saw the 44th president of the United States on the television screen, we came together in unified cheers and applause. Even the teachers joined in with us. Though I didn't know everyone I was watching the Inauguration with, I began to talk to

everyone around me. Even strangers shared the same feeling of excitement and renewal that I was experiencing.

The feeling of oneness amongst us was undeniable.

This feeling was heightened by ABC's broadcast of the Inauguration celebrations from all over the globe.

No matter where we were, we were all connected in that moment. Townsend Harrisites and Kenyans were unified for th.is celebration.

As students, we often take for granted the support that we get from this school. Sometimes we are so caught up in our stresses, our grades and our own personal lives, we neglect the concept of togetherness. The fact that the school let us welcome a new America together speaks volumes about the importance of unity for all ofus.

Co-Edi.tors'"'iD'"'cwer Ariel Brodsky

Benjamm Snycier

Sara'h Mahmoea Editor-at-Large Pearl Bhatnagar

Rebecca Seiael Editors-in-Training

comes niore burdens and obligations than ever. Yet his attitude remains the same. President Obama knows-as his historic campaign has proven-that however Elaunting a task seems, "giving our all'' is always worthwhile.

Some people may say, "Why bother?" Why work beyond the capacity of comfort, when there is no apparent reward? It is a relevant question, and President Obama has a definitive answer. "Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less," he stated in his inaugural speech. "It has not been the path for the faint-heartedfor those who prefer leisure over work,

or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame." Our country's greatest heroes don't sit around and watch the world go by. They are proactive. They go beyond the bare minimum, in pursuit of a clear goal. Their actions reap the greatest reward of all: a sense of true accomplishment."

Our country's economy - and reputation - is in turmoil. But President Obama is not shying away from what needs to be done. If we face our challenges with the same forethought, willpower, and perseverance as Barack Obama does, nothing can stand in the way of our goals.

Viewing history in the making

by Caroline.Eganr , .... I . couldn't help but feel a swell of . pride in my fellow Harrisites as we watched the Inauguration of Barack Obama together as a school. In the classroom I was in, every student who watched the Inauguration Ceremony looked incredibly enthused, which is no wonder; after all, the whole school was extremely involved in the Election Simulation. This enthusiasm, while not necessarily expressed in words, came through in each student's actions.

Some students were so excited, they keeled over face down on their desks to take a nap. Others were so overwhelmed with emotion, they lost their ability to stand; by the time the ceremony called for people to rise, only three people out of the 30 students in the classroom had retained that ability.

Some students were so overcome with the magnitude of the event that they could hardly focus. Because they loved to hear our new president speak, out of sheer joy and in celebration, they ·felt

News Staff: Alison Bennett, Jasmine Daniel, Hayley Desmond, Shelby Mecht, Cllisline Khan, Bunic.e Lau, Sydney Lowe, Nicholas Lupo, Freddy Milan l'r., Lory Martinez, Rupeshi Shah, lliae.e Shin, Rebecca Suzuki, Tracey Wang

the nej;:d to ~peak as well, alongside him, during his speech. With a swell of strong emotion, I listened to a few girls holding a wonderful and intellectually stimulating conversation on Gossip Girl in which, I'm sure, they were somehow connecting to Reverend Jeremiah Wright's Inauguration sermon.

Other students, responding, without a doubt, to the emphasis Obama placed on education during his campaign, decided to study and do their homework. Several boys were furiously copying down the answers to the week's Chemistry lab. Others had whipped out their AP World review books, getting ready for the final the following week.

So, while in Washington, D.C., millions of people gathered to watch the Inauguration of Barack Qbama in a show of patriotic pride and hope for a new future, Townsend Harris students were conducting their own display of patriotism. We are the youth; we are the future; God bless America.

Townsend Harris .High School at Queens College 149-11 Melbourne~venue, Flushing, NY lB67

Feature Staff: Jindlra Abiskaroo11c, lleriselda BegaJ, Emma Court, Abigail Koftler, Steven Lange, Demetra Panagiotopou- The Classic is an open forum f&.r the ex• los, Shamrin R:ashoo, Katherine Valles pression of student views. The opinions ex-

Esther Whang

pressed therein should not be taken to repSpot:ts Staff: Kit<sten Guelly, Otiver Lee, Daniel Pecoraro, Ri- resent those of the administration. or faculty lin Per>t~~. Grace Shin, Arthur Tarley

or student body as a whale.

Ashley Guz:man Photography Editor Liz KU!Ssman Art Editor Principal - Kenneth Bonamo

Ashley Knight Sports Editor

Art Staff: Richie Bonilla, Edward Farquharson, Alice Hung, Readers are invited to submit letters to the ediSafa Siddiqui, Katherine Vahles, Amy Wang, Esther Whang, tor. Letters should be placed in Ms. Cowen's Amy Yuan

Heriselda Begaj

Business Manager

mailbox or e-mailed to thhsclassic@gmail.

Photography Staff: Aliza Altman, Pearl Bhatnagar, Rebecca com. The Classic reserves the right to edit all Chu, Angie Dylgeri, Sharmin Rashed, Alexander Sabatino, letters. Letters must include name and official

Advisor - Ilsa Cowen Angglelia Sutjipto

class. Names will be withheld upon request.

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The Classic February 2009

Letters ·of advice to President Barack Obama

Dear President Obama: You have expressed your support of merit-based pay for teachers. The idea of rewarding achievement is honorable, but when put into action, it can backfire.

This summer you were quoted as saying, "Where they [teachers] do succeed ... , I think it's time we rewarded them for it." But what's to measure success? Students can only work to achieve their personal best, and attempting to set a standard for everyone is unrealistic and unfair to both students and teachers.

In addition, only so much of the learning process can be measured by tests and grades, and teaching just to achieve these superficial numbers is not desirable. Students will be forced to focus less on learning and more on the standardized tests. This can also very easily lead to corruption among teachers who might be tempted to change their students' grades in order to pad their own paychecks. The classroom environment will be destroyed if teachers care more about the grades than the students.

I urge you to please keep the current system of payment based on seniority and education of the teacher in place. The system of merit pay is unfair to any student who goes to school to get an education rather than just to pay the teachers' bills.

- Elizabeth Kussman, junior

Dear President Obama: As a symbol of change in our country, you stand for the idea that we are all created equal. However, gay Americans have not been getting the full deal.

In history, when African Americans were segregated and unequal, they fought for their rights and won. When women were seen as inferior to men, they fought for their rights and won. Now it's time to make this country equal for everyone once and for all. In the same way it doesn't matter what race and gender you are, and what religion you follow, it shouldn't matter what sexual orientation you are In one of your speeches, you quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. about "the fierce urgency of now."

If now is the age of change, then I urge you to bring change to the rights of gay people in this country.

Good Luck!

- Sheryl Rivas, sophomore

President Obama's inauguration viewed

by Emma Court and Sarah Mahmood They watched with rapt attention in dark classrooms, their eyes affixed to the glowing screens. They crammed into locations all over the school, from the auditorium to the gym and even the lunchroom. The date was January 20, and Barack Obama was being inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States.

The decision to view the Presidential Inauguration live for the first time at Harris was made by the ParentTeacher Association (PTA), the School Leadership Team (SLT), the executive board of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and the administration.

The Alumni Association also helped out financially.

Co-president Craig Slutzkin said, "The Alumni Board of Directors was more than happy to do this. The inauguration of any president is a historic occasion and an excellent display of the transfer of power that helps define our democracy. This election was historic on so many levels, and in particular garnered an unprecedented level of participation of young people, so seeing President Obama's first address to the nation as president, in our opinion, was even more relevant to Harris students. It

was a great learning tool and extension of participatory democracy."

The greatest difficulties were technical. Although ABC News had set up a website that would provide live streaming of the event for New York City schools, there were concerns that the site wouldn't be able to handle the massive number of viewers tuning in.

Therefore, the school opted to watch the inauguration using a cable system that had never been used before.

Assistant Principal of Humanities Susan Getting said that although schools are supposed to receive free cable for educational purposes, "in the past, nobody's really pursued it."

To watch the Inauguration, a new satellite dish and three more cable boxes had to be installed. Principal Kenneth Bonamo, Assistant Principal Ellen Fee, and her husband, Craig Fee, worked over the three-day Martin Luther King Day weekend to make sure the cable television worked all over the school.

Mr. Bonamo was especially motivated to show the inauguration at school because of an experience he had had as a child. He was in elementary school when the Space Shuttle Challenger was launched, and the event was highly publicized as the first mission to put a teacher in space. Unfortunately, the space shuttle

4

~Y

exploded within minutes of its launch on January 28, 1986, resulting in the deaths of all the crew members.

"A lot of schools around the country were watching that because of the teacher, and I remember feeling that I missed out on a time in history because we weren't watching it. And so I feel that if we know in advance of something of a historic nature that's going to happen, we should provide a way to allow students to experience it first-hand," said Mr. Bonamo.

Many students appreciated the initiative.

"I think I speak for the school in · appreciation for the effort that the administration put together to have us see this ... historic event. I know that Mr. Bonamo and Ms. Fee spent a considerable amount of personal time working to get this all put together and their initiative and drive helped all of the students enjoy a great day," said senior Ryan Urquidi.

Sophomore Zachary Tenkin agreed. "The opportunity to see the Inauguration in school gave me a strong feeling of actually being part of the political process. It helped me realize how important it is to our generation and how much we are actually affected by it," he said.

"To think that every person in the

all

school was sharing this experience together made it feel like everyone was united. We cheered together, stood up together, and applauded together. All of us were really privileged to watch the ceremony," sai.d sophomore Deborah Yu. Some students were disappointed with the behavior of other students during the viewing.

"Although I was happy with the respect most of our students showed during the event, I have to say I was very embarrassed by the actions of some underclassmen. I heard laughter and idle conversation during Obama's speech and I have to say I found that totally disrespectful," said senior Shama Rahman.

Others did not welcome the school's efforts to show the inauguration.

Junior Jennifer Rojas said, "I have friends who are big McCain supporters, and they felt uncomfortable there."

However, Mr. Bonamo said that he, along with the faculty, decided to "continue to show inaugurations every four years to be nonpartisan. It would be important for us as a school to say that an inauguration is a special day, and that we would try to accommodate the students viewing the inauguration in the future."

Leadership program takes Harrisites to inaugu·ration

by Rebecca Seidel · As most Harrisites crowded into the auditorium, cafeteria, and classrooms to watch the Presidential Inauguration on television, three students were braving the cold in Washington, D.C. Seniors Katherina (Kat) Balram and Simone Webster, and freshman Rebecca Banis were among the over 1,000,000 people who witnessed the inauguration firsthand on January 20.

Kat, Simone, and Rebecca are members of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC), a program that sponsors leadership conferences for students in junior high school -through college. This particular event, called the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference (PYIC), ran from January 17 -January 21. In addition to attending the inauguration, CYLC members went to the Inaugural Opening Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial on January 18. They also had their own .Presidential Youth Inaugural Ball at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, with a performance by Daughtry.

The Inauguration was the focus ofthe Kat added, "Every time I think of trip, and was a memorable experience this woman," I get chills, and I doubt for the CYLC members. "There were that I will ever shake the initial feeling so many people waiting in the cold with of awe." us just to hear Obama speak," Simone In the days leading up to the recalled. "We were waiting for almost inauguration, CYLC members two hours in the 20-degree chill for heard many speeches emphasizing him to become our president." the concept of equality.

Among Once the ceremony was underway, the program's guest speakers were Rebecca noted the significance of the former Vice President AI Gore, former moment she was experiencing. "As I Secretary of State Colin Powell and watched the inauguration, I realized Archbishop Desmond Tutu. "Their that a new era was about to begin," she · speeches were inspiring," said Simone, said. "Obama's speech was amazing, adding that they "helped prepare us for inspiring, and touching to me, and most the inauguration by stressing the fact likely many other people." that we can all make a difference."

For Kat, one of the best moments Simone continued, "The most came not from the speech, but from the memorable part was Desmond Tutu's audience. "I noticed an elderly woman speech, where he had the audience holding onto a woman I assumed to chant, 'I am a V.S.P.; I am a Very be her daughter, and in the other hand, Special Person."' held a sign," she recalled. "The sign The conference also featured a read: 'I am 98 years old. I helped performance by the Creative Coalition, Martin Luther King, Jr. lead the March a group of actors and actresses who on Washington, and I never thought delivered inspirational quotations I'd see this day come. I am glad to related to both Martin Luther have been proven wrong. God bless King Day and President Obama's President Barack Obama."' inauguration. Kat was particularly

moved by actress Ellen Burstyn, who told the audience about her own encounter with racism as a teenager.

"As Ellen herself would later point out in her speech, it was the effort of younger generations that have helped to ease the injustice of her own," Kat said. "More importantly, it is the responsibility of our generation to work towards ending racism completely."

The three attendees say they have learned from the inauguration and the events surrounding it, and will continue to reflect on their experience. "I know that PYIC has changed my life," said Kat. "I think that with time, as I get older and experience more of the world around me, I will truly understand and appreciate the historic nature ofBarack Obama's presidency."

Simone agreed, adding, "[Obama's] speech was very moving, and I'm glad to be a part of this experience."

Rebecca said, "Not only will I remember it forever, but being able to experience an event that will go down in history books was too amazing for words."

4

The Classic February 2009

Lopez named Intel semi-finalist for physics project4

by Heriselda Begaj

Senior Reynaldo (Rey) Lopez was named a semifinalist in the 2009 Intel Science Talent Research Competition and awarded a $1,000 scholarship. The 300 semifinalists chosen out of 1,608 applicants from 46 states and around the world were announced on January 14.

Rey conducted a physics research project entitled, A Statistical Study of the Masses of Supermassive Black Holes and their Host Galaxies.

When he learned he was a semi-finalist, Rey was in disbelief. "Honestly, I didn't have much of a reaction because I thought that they were pulling some kind of prank on me ... .I was happy, definitely."

Assistant Principal of

Science and Technology Susan Brustein said that she is "excited and pleased. All the students worked very hard, but Rey simultaneously completed two Intel-level projects." His second was on nano-particles.

She added that through this achievement, Harris "gains validation for the hard efforts of the student researchers and the teachers who work so hard to support them."

Rey started his project during his junior year as part of the three-year Science Research elective. He said, "I was initially interested in microbiology. Then, a guy from Columbia [University] recommended me to a Tae Kwon Do buddy of his who worked in astronomy at Queens College."

Being interested in

astronomy, Rey jumped at the opportunity to work with the distinguished professor, who allowed him to pursue his interest in black holes.

Ms.Brustein explained that through his project, Rey "took data already gathered about the masses of galaxies and compared them to those of super massive black holes.

When correlating them on a logarithmic scale, he found that linear correlation exists between the two."

Rey said that his research was difficult at first, but with the help of his mentor and various science teachers, such as Ms. Brustein, Katherine Cooper, Irwin Steinberg, and Philip Jones, he was able to understand the subject better. The relationship that he discovered will now allow

astrophysicists to locate and identify the presence of super massive black holes in galaxies . not yet discovered.

Rey hopes to continue working 0 on his project by .& ·~ adding "more data Cl:l .;;:! points to strengthen "5b the correlation or disapprove it." He also .w>. ,r:J aspires to become B an engineer and .§. study at Columbia University.

He said, "I wish to continue my research and hope to one day be on the CERN [European Reynaldo Lopez, recently named an Intel Semi-Finalist for his research on black holes, Organization for speaks at the Intel ceremony applauding Harris's Nuclear Research] achievements in science in November. team in Switzerland."

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Queen·s College ·s cience Day fosters participatign

by Nicholas Lupo

Homemade silly putty, hand-made Styrofoam, and ice cream made with liquid nitrogen were all part of the Queens College Annual Science Day on January 7.

Students from chemistry and science research classes, along with students from other schools, ventured to the Queens College Science Building in the rain to take part in the event. Everyone had the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities, including many hands-on experiments.

Science teacher Thomas Sangiorgi said that "what we teach in school is more of a history of what we already know," and hopes that through

Science Day, his students are as the nitrogen was poured into able to "get a glimpse into the bowl so that the ice-cream some of the real research that would become creamy. goes on in science."

"The ice cream experiment Science teacher Katherine was my favorite because I Cooper has taken her science learned a cool way to make research classes to the annual it," said sophomore chemistry event for the past five years for student Diana Malec. "The ice a similar reason. cream came out great too!" She She said, "The sophomores added, "The people running the go to support their interest in ·- activity were very enthusiastic science and to start getting about their presentation." ideas for their independent Monica Panjwani, projects." sophomore, agreed. "It was One of the most popular great eating the ice cream activities was the liquid when it was done," she said. nitrogen ice cream experiment.

Another favorite was Students made ice cream by the Chemistry Show, which adding liquid nitrogen to a consisted of over a dozen combination ofmilk, sugar, and experiments to encourage either chocolate or strawberry students to enjoy chemistry. syrup. They stirred the mixture Mr. Sangiorgi helped start the

show 12 years ago and has taken his classes to the event ever smce.

Sophomore Louis Calabro said it was "cool watching them blow things up," in demonstrations such as the carbonide cannon, the exploding soap, and the dynamite birthday candle.

"The Chemistry Show was my favorite because it made chemistry look fun, but dangerous too," said sophomore Murari Aidasani.

Aziz Rahman, a junior and a tour guide for one of the groups, said that even though he saw the Chemistry Show last year, "it never ceases to amaze" him.

All of the science research

students were required to take notes throughout the day in order to increase in-class participation.

Sophomore Eunice Chou, science research student, said, "There weren't so many notes to take because a lot of the activities gave lab sheets that described what we were doing."

However, the experiments without lab sheets were more c~allenging.

"In some activities it was. difficult because we were working with our hands the whole time and some of [the experiments] were messy," she said, but she added that "overall, it was a really fun experience."

Science Olympiad teams victorious in regionals continued from page 1 occurred when Mr. Sangiorgi was named Regional Coordinator for the Science Olympiad New York City high school division. He is now responsible for selecting the official events that take place at tournaments and scheduling regional competitions.

"There would certainly be a conflict of interest issue if I were to continue in my role as Head Coach after I have seen the actual event questions," he said.

Since the start of Harris's Science Olympiad, Ms. Cooper has been involved in virtually every aspect of the club. In fact, according to Ms. Brustein, "Ms. Cooper re-assumed the head coach position [and] was the person who established the club and first team five years ago." Mr. Sangiorgi added, "She was always heavily involved and was essentially my co-coach."

According to Amalia, "Ms.

Cooper has been able to juggle he wanted the regional such as CDs and coach's Science Olympiad, SING!, competitions to be more manuals. and all of her other million organized.

"There was never a rigid activities successfully [in the "I believe I got promoted set of responsibilities that he past]. We could not have asked because I was vocal about the had, but rather, [he] helped for a better Science Olympiad problems that had occurred whenever he could," said coach." during recent Science Amalia. "Whether it was For his new position, Mr. · Olympiad competitions," he copying the living daylights out Sangiogi worked closely with said. of our resource CDs, helping John Pritchard, out with the Regional our pretzel Site Coordinator and drink 'I will miss giving the direct assistance I and Assistant fundraisers, would provide in preparing, assisting, and or coaching Principal of supporting the students in preparation for students in Science at Grover Cleveland High events such the NYC regional competition.'

School, and as 'Chemistry Alice Kasten, Lab' or the Regional 'Elevated Coordinator for Bridge,' Mr. the middle school division.

As head coach for the Sangiorgi has always been a Every year, over 600 Harris teams, Mr. Sangiorgi large part of the club." students typically compete supervised the club's weekly Mr. Sangiorgi said, "I will in the Regionals. "It is a meetings, met with the miss giving the direct assistance monumental task that cannot club's executive board to I would provide in preparing, be done alone," he said. approve club activities, and assisting, and supporting the Mr. Sangiorgi did not apply organized fundraisers. He also students in preparation for the for the position of Regional prepared the teams for each NYC regional competition."

Coordinator. He suspects of the competition events and "He used to be able to talk he was promoted because distributed study materials to us and give us advice,"

said senior Deborah Duke, technical secretary of the club.

"He's still available; he just can't do it as openly."

Ms. Brustein and other science teachers will take more active roles in the club, coaching · and supervising students in the different events they can compete in.

O!her than that, Mr. Science Sangiorgi and Olympiad members don't expect the club to change much.

"Since the club and team are really all about the students and they have an incredibly smart, energetic, and supportive person guiding them [Ms. Cooper], I don't think anything will change," said Mr. Sangiorgi.

"We've done so well in the past two years," said Science Olympiad team member Rachel Rosengard, junior.

"Everybody's good."

Additional reporting by Benjamin Snyder

The Classic

5

February 2009

Manhart's 'dream comes true' as n·e w Parent Coordinator 4

by Esther Whang

New to her job but not to the Harris community, Dafne Manhart, former Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) president, arrived this December as newly appointed Parent Coordinator.

Ms. Manhart, mother of two alumni, returned after six years and said it "was like coming back home."

As Parent Coordinator, Ms. Manhart's responsibility is to act as a liaison between the school and the parents.

Through e-mails and phone calls, she guides parents through any school issues or concerns they may have.

According to the New York City Department of Education, the Parent Coordinator "focuses on creating a welcoming environment for parents ... [and] will identify parent and related school/ community issues and work with the principal."

As a member of the School Leadership Team (SLT), which meets regularly to discuss such issues, Ms. Manhart keeps herself updated and ready . to fulfill her duties.

Ms. Manhart also wants . to connect with the students.

"I understand you guys," she saidw'·~J , ,undetstand. · -that 1the

Both of her sons went to spend as much time traveling books are heavy and that not everyone is lucky to have college and "did very well." with _them, something she mommy drive them to school. Thomas went to Rensselaer enjoys very much. However, I understand the pressure ... Polytechnic Institute and she ·still "discovers the and I'm a pretty open-minded graduated with a degree in undiscovered," especially computer science, while in the city, by researching person." interesting locations and She also believes visiting them. In addition, that her experiences in she has traveled to many the medical field will places, including London, · be of great help in her new role. Considered the Caribbean, Greece, the "handy woman," and a total of 13 states.

Ms. Manhart's love and "counselor," for New York City and "therapist" by her coAmerica as a whole comes workers while a medical from her background as a manager in a doctor's foreigner. She was office, Ms. Manhart handled a variety ~ born and raised in of tasks, including ~ Argentina, but came communicating with ~ to New York at the ~ age of 12 and attended the staff. She said, "I · haven't had a chance to ~ Forest Hills High ,0 put all my experiences ~ Scho.ol. She skipped into practice, but I -& sixth and seventh grade and entered definitely can and eighth grade. As a result, wilL" she had difficulty adapting Furthermore, she to the new culture, believes that her especially because she did experience as a parent of not speak English. She two Harrisites, Thomas, '01, ·and Douglas, '03, New ~arent Coordi~ator Daf~e Manhart distrib- said, "It was very hard.

But to me today, this is will be of assistance utes tickets at the Wmter Camv1al on January 26. to her. Ms. Manhart, my country.... People who has a. good relationship Douglas attended Cornell don't realize how good it is. with her kids, was very University and received a You have to be a foreigner to involved with her children's degree in economics and know." schooling and recognizes the management.

Ms. Manhart was involved challenges faced by bot}?.. high ~. _9,_,1}~,11. 1J.xf. ~O, S9J~..,Wf?!J.~Jg;.; i"\\l l?~€i!JJ: l prg~ti,q~ .. fRT .~J school students · an.&,pareu.ts.~ ~- · college,M-s"Manhart; eouldn~t., total! ·of l7 yeaFs, : starting at

her sons' nursery school and ending at Harris. During her six years on Harris's PTA, Ms. Manhart was very active and helped raise school funds through events like the Phonea-thon.

Ms. Manhart watched both former principals Malcolm Largmann and Thomas Cunningham on the job, and now has the chance to work under Principal Kenneth Bonamo.

"Each principal brought something great to this school, she said. "Dr. Largmann was the founder. I think he did a superb joh.... Mr. Cunningham was a great liaison between the parents and the school. He really listened to the parents and was always open to talk to any of them. He also kept the ideas of Dr. Largmann. I see Mr... Bonamo following the academic principles of the school. ... He loves this school and is a great asset to it. I think he will bring great things to . ,, this school."

As for herself, Ms. M~art is enjoying every moment here. "I love this school. The kids are the best kids in the world, and I love the staff.

Never in one million years did I ,~ink I WRJ.Jld C9ffi~ ~k.rl~~n like a dream come true." ~

Current Events Forum focuses on children in Uganda

by Daniel Pecoraro

Ochoro Otunnu, Chairman of the Board of Directors of uNight, an organization that aids children of northern Africa, spoke at the first Current Events Forum. The event, held January 16 during lunch bands, . was organized by junior Sarah Mahmood and focused on the difficulties of these children and the importance of taking care of Africa. · Mr. Otunnu was born in Uganda, and said he "lived a very privileged life." However, that changed during the rule of dictator IdiAmin. Mr. Otunnu's parents fled to Kenya when he was 10 in fear of getting killed by the regime. Left alone with his siblings, he worked as a fisherman until he could pay for their passage into Kenya.

There, he lived in a refugee camp where he was able to get schooling, thanks to United Nations Refugee Services.

With this education, he was able to attend Dartmouth College, Oxford University, and Columbia Law School.

However, children in northern Uganda currently are subject to very different experiences, Mr. Ottunu said.

To avoid forced impressment into the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel force organized almost a quarter-

century ago, children have to flee their towns and villages and go to the city by nightfall.

They then return in the day tQ their homes and schools.

According to the uNight website, over 40,000 of the "night commuters" do this daily. If they are abducted, they are forced to kill their loved ones; according to uNight, over 25,000 children have been put into the LRA. For the last two decades, they have been overlooked by the world community, leading to their name the "Invisible Children."

Ugandans have also been forced to live in refugee camps that have neither running water nor electricity, with several families to a small hut. "The structure of society has been destroyed because of the settlement camps," said Mr. Otunnu. The lack of education and job training has led to 95% unemployment and the . dependency of northern Ugandans on international aid.

According to uNight, 1,000 people die each week in the camps, with three times the rate of violent death in Iraq, according to Oxfam.

"The suffering and pain of the children in Uganda is unimaginable. It still hasn't

fully sunk in yet that six-'yearold children are being forced to kill their own families.

It still hasn't fully sunk in yet that mothers regularly commit suicide because they are unable to protect their children," said Sarah. "We all get upset when we learn about crimes against humanity in our history classes. We all empathize with the victims, despise the perpetrators, and wonder why most people did nothing to stop it. For all our passionate feelings, we are no better than those people if we silently watch the evils in our day go on."

According to Mr. Otunnu, aiding the people of Africa should not only be from a humanitarian perspective, but also from an economic and global one, as many resources come from Africa.

For example, Mr. Otunnu stated that 80% of minerals used in cell phones are mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. "Africa will be the gateway to the 21st Century," said Mr. Otunnu.

"I'm very grateful to all of the teachers who brought their classes down," said Sarah.

"I was very worried that Mr. Otunnu would end up speaking· to five people in each band.

Thanks to the teachers, this

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t Activist Ocboro Otunnu addresses the effects of genocide on the children of Uganda.

didn't happen." She continued, "I'm also very grateful to each and every person who paid attention, asked questions, and showed interest. It made me very happy that we have people who care."

Many students who attended were inspired to help.

"I had never heard anything about the trouble and hardship of the children in Uganda before. Now that I know, I plan to make people aware about what is going on," said junior Jeannette Raymond. "It is not only people [in] Darfur and Sierra Leone suffering.

Hopefully there are petitions and other societies that need volunteers because I would

truly want to get involved with the effort."

Sophomore Georgiana Irina noted, "So many people are in need of help or protection."

Some students, however, were not as affected by the forum. "I have to admit, I was a little disappointed in some of the students in sixth band.

Some of th~m were carrying on conversations and sleeping while Mr. Otunnu was speaking about children being forced to kill their own family," said Sarah. "Not on1y did I think it was extremely disrespectful to treat a guest of ours like that; I was also surprised that people . could find this tragedy boring or not worth their time."

6

The Classic February 2009

'

Pet Pride: Humanities ioc1 Te4

Junior Rebecca Suzuki snuggles her cat, Oreo.

B,ear, th;e g:old,en retrieve,r ~om in. Hungary an« formerly name« Dante, the golden retriever was taken. into sopllomore Ash~ey Cho's family when her mother saw rum in a pet store. Smce tllen, the goi<len retriever, w'hose name was cbailged to Bear, has llad. his ton:pe oitten by a turtle, p~led Asldey's sister face.-first inro the s+idewaHc, and leapt into tne kea:rts of tne :fam<fly.

Bear hecrune a member of Ashley"s :fami,ly wnen ller mother sawmm b.eing gr,oemed in: the pet stare. "'Sne was imm:ooiately attacnoo to b>:im,~' Ashley saiel ·~w-e were mademl"y btrowsiag a near@y pet store. We were not plan:aing on getting a do:g.., Despitce the unexpected addi4:ie tQ the femily, everyone manag-e4! to it in th.e daiily routlne o:f a €log into their ives.

Bear is :fed dry dog ft>od and water every day. He is brushed daiil.y and taken ou:t on a walk. Elepending on tb.e weather.

"When be goes out i&r a w'*lc, he Iilees to l!U aroond and ind balls th.at people b.aiVce lost. Then he 'brings them b.om.e,'' Ashley said. .Bear miget snore very loudly and "can be Elumb at time_s," but according to Asbley, be's •-very cuddly and cute." He can also sense when s0meone is in a bad moo4, prompting rum to put ms head on the persen's lap. .Reporti~ by Eunice Lau

Soa,, """;., ,..,• .,.c.,,.,.., L"" ••ddJ

l>

es ";;eggae and CalYpso Levi.

Dare~ ofM~

awin1

Some students consider their peers "teachers' pets." However, for some tt As they spend the day in the classroom, many teachers have pets awaitin~ family. Ellen Fee, Assistant Principal of Organization, includes her dog Dare she said. "It's really fun to see her get happy, and cheer us up when we're sa Like family, pets sometimes bear resemblance to their owners. Social stu that she and Libby look alike, especially when Ms. Byrne's ties her hair up friendly," she said.

Even though they may share traits with their owners, pets have nnique pe: and Calypso. Although their names go together, their personalities do not co "(Calypso] is an indoor dog. Reggae is an outdoor dog; even when it's fre, it comes to going to the veterinarian. While Calypso is "a trooper" at the ve drag him there," she said.

Social studies teacher Chris Hackney's golden retriever, Hannah, is not f« said.

Mr. Hackney's cat, Chloe, has gotten into her share of mischief as well. ' is generally a lot calmer, however. According to Mr. Hackney, Chloe "view~ Although pets may act differently i:p. certain situations, many do share an teacher Sara Liu also has a dog with a huge appetite. She once caught Bobo, on the kitchen table, only to find it gone upon retmning. Bobo, meanwhile, v Despite all the mischief their pets might get into, teachers still love havin a dog. Ms. Liu said that because of Bobo, she "look[s] forward to going horr

Junior Nadine Mansour's cat, Misho, peeks out from underneath a cap.

Lynam, president of Students Age byDemetra Panagiotopoulos After

Junior Pearl Bhatnagar's turtle, lkoccoti, na:vigates his tank's waters.

Pearl's turtle, BFoccoli, is 9-years-olcl. Broccoli l0ves eating and s:leep.in;g, an<l partlcularly enjoys bluet>erries, •<wmcb. is weira fer a. turtle,'' Pearl said. Pearl added tnat :Bl'oceoili recognizes her fam~ly and mends "ant'l gets nealiy h.ype11active arol111:d tnem," \)u;t "arolllld Str4mprs, it hides in its snel."

R9ortt.ng .Atlfs.CJnllenrre'it

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watching Animal Police, a television show that depicts emergency animal situations, jnnior Sanne Lynam "realized what a problem animal cruelty is." Sanne, now president of the club, Students Against Animal Cruelty, or SAAC, says she hopes to reduce animal cruelty through education and awareness.

To learn more about animal cruelty, the members of SAAC watched videos arid

discussed issues on the subject. According to Sanne, it is important to do these things, because "people need to realize that there is so much animal cruelty going on that we don't even know about. The more people learn, the more supporters there'll be for organizations against animal cruelty."

Sanne has always had a passion for helping animals.

She said, "Since I was little, I've always loved animals and been gentle with them.

I'v~ had a lot of pets, and all of them have been given to me by other people or fonnd on the street. Most of them

we've kept for no more than a few months, nntil we find them a better home."

For instance, Sanne once took care of a chicken that "came out of nowhere."

"I took her home with me," recounted Sanne, "My parents .

L were pretty upset, J umor 8 anne yn b~t they didn't dog, Charlie. make me put her back on the street. We only . frit: kept her for two days, and nar then gave her to my mom's sta1

The Classic

7

February 2009

; doesn't just apply to humans

4

:hers' Pets

Freshman Alexander Sabatino pets his dog, Dennis.

Puppy, the bea:gle

.

pet of Assistant Principal of Organization and tatics and Physical Education EDen Fee, sports tfit.

. ' ..,.,dieS teacber .Jalllle soc\\\1 s~~

:J>uppy, a bea~le, has beem in junior J'€aimlette Raymonti's famrly pet for about two yeal'S. 0n the first ooy he entereti J:eannet;te ..s ho:use, be climbeti on top> of tlile .ldteh.efl ceuaier wltere tbere was roost beef, took a peice, fld for unknown reasons, just sat wilfih it in the living room. ''1 have to adtnit, it was r~ally cute," said J:eannet;te. s;Jae ootieves that :J>uppy•s

\l rne bo\dS \).er dog, Libb"i· :'j

ters, that spot may already be taken. ir return home. They are greatly attached to their pets, even regarding them as members of the her annual family portrait. "Darcy is really responsive to the events and moods of my family,"

personality traits resemoie some of her <>wn l>eeause \Jo1:h aFe passiv~, mellow. amd easy-goillg.

Reporti.ng by Rebecca Suzuld

:teacher Jaime Byrne feels this way about her Shih Tzu, Libby. Ms. Byrne's friends often say ;ide from appearances, the two also share personality traits. "We are both outgoing ... and are talities. Social studies teacher Charlene Levi, for example, has two Yorkshire Terriers, Reggae de. tg outside, he wants to go out," Ms. Levi said. The two dogs also have differing attitudes when .eggae hates going. "Whenever he has to go to the vet, he'll lay on the floor, and you have to of the vet, either. During one visit, Hannah "jumped up, ran across the table, and ran off," he ~had

a scented candle and Chloe walked over it, and set herself on fire!" he said. Chloe's life rself as a princess, and sometimes ...orders Hannah around." nity for eating. "Once when I was walking [Libby], she ate a rock," Ms. Byrne recalled. Math r Yorkshire Terrier, chewing up a computer wire. Another time, Ms. Liu left a plate of chicken hiding under the bed. tern around. Ms. Byrne enjoys Libby's company so much that she highly recommends getting

Meet junior Katherine VaDe's dog, Rocky.

Reporting by Pearl Bhatnagar, Rebecca Seidel, and The Classic staff

All photos courtesy of the pet owners.

st Animal Cruelty, hopes to raise awareness her. When I came home from school, she would run down the street to meet me," Sanne .laughs at the memory. "I hadn't known that chickens could be so affectionate."

Bringing home animals, however, has sometimes been a problem. "I guess my views sometimes cause arguments between my dad and me. I always want to take in stray animals, like dogs and cats, and he always spends some quality time with her refuses to let me," she said.

However, Sanne has l, who lives on a farm. We had the opportunity to care d her Betty, and she would for animals as a volunteer ~rying every time we left at an animal shelter, the

New York Animal Care and Control. As a volunteer for the past two years, Sanne had a very · memorable time there, but had to stop working last year, due to her tight schedule and their having too many workers.

Although she no longer volunteers at an animal shelter, Sanne has her own pet to love and take care of, a cockatiel, named Petie.

Sanne says that Petie, a gift from a friend, is fun to be with, and is "great company." She continued, "It's nice having Petie on my shoulder while I'm doing homework."

, Sanne, , however, believes that pets are not just entertaining. "I think it would be great for everyone to experience having a pet.... Having a pet teaches you to respect animals, and ... [it] can be like another family member. I think the best way to make sure your pet is happy and healtliy is just by making sure that it's cleaned and fed and spending time with it," she said.

Sophomore Turquoise Brown's dog, Ginger, greets the camera.

Tut<}U<ilis'O 's dog, Ointger, is a fem.a'le R<\lt;tweiler. Tur€J.lilOise receive<! Giager as a p>resent on her seventh l>irtllday. ''The worst thing my pet tiid was tear np my <!act's pants one <lay when he le.f t them in the kitchen.," she saiti.

Tu:Fqou1:se atidoo, 'Vy favorite memory 0f my pet is p:laymg with her w~efl she was a puppy because sbe was so small anti cute.''

Bepo:rti:ng h:y G:race Shi1J

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fundraiser aids enslaved Nepalese girls

students set a goal of $1,050 - enough

by Rebecca Suzuki Imagine someone suddenly scoop- "to free three girls from indentured sering up an innocent young girl, placing vitude," explained freshman Jay Alves her in his home, and expecting her to - and ended up surpassing that amount. work for his family every day, havThe money will be contributed to ing her address him as her "master." a program called the Nepalese Youth In the South Asian country Nepal, Opportunity Foundation (NYOF), girls.are sold as slaves on a daily basis for which protects girls by giving the parsmall amounts of money. The freshman ents of potential slaves a goat or pigclass held a fundraiser from January 20 let to raise and eventually sell. This to 23 to help end the practice and raised provides the same amount of money $1,505 to free four girls from slavery. that the parents would have received if The fundraiser was organized by they had sold their daughter into slav· Franco Scardino's freshman Advanced ery, thus ending the need to sell their Placement (AP) World History class and daughter. In addition, NYOF provides run by freshman volunteers. At meet- the family with enough money to pay ings during lunch bands, participating for the girl's education up to lOth

grade, which is equivalent to graduating high school in the United States.

The fundraiser volunteers worked during all lunch bands, going from table to table explaining the situation in Nepal and asking for any donation, starting from a dollar.

"We've been given a lot, so we have to give back," said freshman Sugam Manocha.

"We are all glad to be helping people."

Freshman Heidi Chang added that the purpose of this fundraiser was "to give the girls in Nepal an opportunity that we take for granted in America."

"I supervised the students' efforts.

They made posters and fliers, [and] set

up schedules for students to raise money during lunch bands," said Mr. Scardino.

Posters were plastered all over the walls of the staircases and encouraged students to donate money for the cause.

The positive response to the fundraiser has motivated the freshman class to continue their effort throughout thei,r high school years.

"We plan to keep doing it, even until graduation," said Sugam.

"Everyone deserves help, and it's important that we learn this as high school students, especially in Townsend Harris where we have the chance to come together and set fundraisers," said freshman Gabriela Guerron.

Winter Carnival raises money for clubs, sports teams

by Daniel Pecoraro The annual Winter Carnival on . January 26 featured both food and games to help raise money for clubs and teams. According to Coordinator of Student Activities (COSA) Adam Stonehill, despite lower attendance, the Carnival earned a total of $1718, comparable to previous years.

Many booths presented interactive games and events.

"I liked the Club of Women [booth] ... .! think the idea of feeding the starving model did well. I thought that Salaam [a club that focuses on Muslim issues] did well with the 1!;riCLt1 lOffllJ{ ,1:;v~

1 .~.iLLLI J>..u.ti~ JllJ

henna [tattoos]," said senior Diana Buchhalter.

Other booths included those of the Boys' and Girls' Volleyball teams, who held their now-classic ping-pong toss to win a goldfish, as well as that of the Girls' Handball team, who held a handball toss to win a hamster named Suzy. Mr. Stonehill noted that the volleyball team collected 706 tickets, topping the earnings of all other booths.

The Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) Club and the Trivia and Knowledge Club made their debut at the Winter Carnival tl.lis year. The DDR J'' 1. Olub allowed Camival .goers."to ·· play the game on which it Was founded.

"I thought the DDR Club was pretty cool. It was very original. It was like an arcade," said . sophomore Steven Frommer.

The Trivia and Knowledge Club had a roving booth, as they presented an adaptation of the. Discovery Channel game show, Cash Cab. "I liked the Cash Cab [booth]. It showed a lot of hard

MHrEft C1.flJ!JVAL

work and was fun- until I lost," said junior Cynthia Perez.

Clubs also served food at the Carnival. The literary magazine The Phoenix made smoothies; the senior class § made smoothies and sold pizza, Free the Children sold icecream sundaes, and Students ~ :a Against Animal Cruelty set up a chocolate fountain. £ Several factors contributed ~ to this year's lower attendance.

-a Social studies teacher Maureen Lonergan pointed to the senior trip, which took place during ... the preceding weekend, and ~ · =the celebration of t'Hri~ N6W Year, which began that day, as "" ~~~ possible reasons.

"I think we had good Science Teacher Katherine Cooper manages the booths, but I think we had Science Olympiad booth at the Winter Carnival. fewer people as well," said Mr. things: games of skill, games of chance, Stonehill. the video games. In past years, there ''Normally, Winter Carnival is so was too much Of one thing." packed you could barely breathe, but Freshman Sarah Chowdhury said, this year you could move," said junior "It wasn't as fun as I expected."

Yena Purmasir.

Steven said, "If they charged one or "I thought it was vecy good. It two tickets· less, you· colilld have done wasn't as crowded," said Ms. Lonergan. a few more things, experienced a few "I think there were a great variety of more clubs."

~

<

Alumna brings improvisation workshops to drama classes

by Pearl Bhatnagar and Rebecca with his students. Having worked began with warm-ups, then exercises point of improv, after all, is to have Seidel extensively with him in past school followed, and finally the students fun, have fun, have fun."

"Beyond their ability to think well, performed completely improvised SashaDiamond, '08, taughtmembers productions, Sasha agreed. the students were funny and apt at scenes," she added. of English teacher Joseph Canzoneri's "I loved Mr. Senior Jung learning the material," she said. drama elective to think on their feet Canzoneri's Mr. Canzoneri said, "Sasha is a Yo Kim during a six-day improvisational theater drama class naturally gifted teacher. She knew workshop, which began January 8. when I .was a 'The point of improv, after all, sai~ . ~hat the The workshop, dubbed "Six with p~rt of tt, ~nd is to have Jun have fun have · actlvttlesSas~a when to reinforce an idea and when Sasha," focused on the techniques smce teachmg ' ' employed m to try a new strategy when something behind unscripted acting. Sasha · ~~a~ ~' ~~~ wasn't working," he said.

Junior Cora Kim said, "Sasha is an developed the classes based on way to learn, I the class were skills she learned at Washington was glad to take " t h o u g h t - excellent teacher, even though she's University in St. Louis, where she up his offer," provoking, not much older than [we are]. She was is a member of an improvisational she said. exciting and super entertaining. The very encouraging, and spoke to us as group called Suspicious of Whistlers.

Sasha arrived well-prepared and best part of the class was the hardest equals."

Jeannette Raymond, junior, agreed.

"In many ways, improvisation ready to instruct. "Sasha submitted improv exercise," she added, describing requires a different skill than scripted outlines to me before she came," said an activity in which two people acted "She was loud [and] entertaining acting does," Sasha said. "The Mr. Canzoneri, "so we knew what out a scene based on a random word. and made sure everyone - including improvisers that I've seen and those that she was looking to accomplish." "The word could be anything from Mr. Canzoneri - got involved. I was Sasha kept her new college 'doctor' to 'lobster.' This game often fascinated and could not help but I admire in Suspicious [of Whistlers] are quick on their feet and can create experience in mind during the produced unbelievably witty and become interested," she said.

Sophomore Kerry McEnerney thousands of interesting, diverse workshops. "I used the methods that hilarious scenes." characters in a matter of milliseconds." were taught to me for most aspects This is the type of reaction Sasha felt that the workshop was beneficial After hearing about the of the class," she said, explaining hoped to elicit from her students. "I towards the classroom dynamic. "We improvisational group, Mr. Canzoneri that she would teach skills through tried to make the lessons as fun as all became a lot more comfortable invited Sasha to share her knowledge various games or exercises. "Each day possible," she said, adding that "the pe~~~rmin& with each other/' she said. ~

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The Classic

9

February 2009

Semi-annual art exhibition p,resents ''vibran~' pieces

by Cristine Khan An array of artwork decorated the lobby on Decem0er 15 at the opening of the semi-annual Art Show, sponsored by the Art Club.

The pieces were formally presented by juniors Felicia Magnan and Inti Rojanasopondist, Co-presidents of the club. Aside from the Art Cl:uh, the works displayed were taken from beginner and advanced art classes, as we:lt as the photography classes. Art teachers Margherita Wischerth, Melissa Potwardski and Anthony Morales selected the W{)rks for the show.

Ms. Wischerth gives much credit to Inti and Felicia for their "hard work." "There's a lot of insight and skill that goes into producing the art show that Inti and Felicia really brought," said Ms. Wi:scher:Uh. First year Art Club advisor Rafal Olecnowski inspired participants to create art by playing music and reading stories. A1thoug11. some pieces were "not glorified;" he said, "they capture the talent of students who don't realize they nave a talent."

Junior Vivian Chen, who had two of her works displayed, stated that the show helped her confidence. She said, "Every time some0ne comes up to me in the hallways to compLiment me about my artwork, I feel like 'Hey, it's not perfect, but it does not need to be."'

"It is important that the Art Club and art classes get a chance to show the school what they have lleen working on al'1 tltlis time. ln some ci:l:ses, this doesn't happen i:n other schools," said Inti. "All of the art bas exposed me to the artistic minds of its creators. They have inspired me to try different things and be more aware of the art in my everyday surr0unclings," said Fe,licia.

Tne show was wdl-received by both teachers and stude:nts. "The artwork really shows the talent that is present in our school. There was a great vibrar1cy that shone throughout the works collectively," said sen-ior Stephanie Jill.

Junior Angela Ly especially notecl the di:flfere»t styies used. "The artworks depicted everyday thimgs as well as abstract concepts; I :ffound that very intriguing. I am definitely looking forward to the nex.t one." said Angela.

For the next one, saicl Mr. Olechowslci, ''I would liike, to see more involvement.'' A second art show is platmed fnr this spring.

The Cutting Edge:

Obama inspires 'change' at winte_r poetry reading ~ :.9"' 0...

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Motivated by President Barack Obama's campaign theme, junior Thiahera Nurse reads a piece that exemplifies "change" at the Poetry Reading.

by Maddy French and Liz Kussman Inspired by President Barack Obama's campaign, the Phoenix's second poetry reading, held in the library on December 18, centered on the theme of change.

Students from all grades as well as teachers were given the chance to read aloud their own work or the work of an author they admired.

Topics ranged from adolescence to experiences on the bus to feminism.

Robert Babstock, English teacher and advisor of The Phoenix, began the event with a poem of his own entitled "Year of 2 Stadiums," referring to the construction of Citifield to replace Shea Stadium. One senior read the joke his grandpa had written on his

birthday card, while another reader admitted to having written her poem in the previous band. English teacher Rafal Olechowski .«ead a "poem" that consisted of various words from the different poems that had been read.

Sophomore Jasmine Multani said that she "liked the theme in relation to a new president." Junior Cynthia Perez described her reading experience as "exhilarating" and a "natural high."

There were not as many students in attendance compared to the last poetry reading due to an emergency concert band rehearsal that was taking place at the same time. However, junior Kibret Yebetit said that students who attend any of the readings "get something out of this school that they can't get any other way."

She added, "They get better each time."

Ice-skating trip unites grades at the rink

by Tracey Wang and Lory Martinez The city's brisk temperatures did not keep Harrisites at bay on January 27 as the members of all grades off for Regents Week assembled for the sophomore-sponsored trip to Central Park's Lasker Rink. Sophomore grade leader Aquib Yacoob and physical education teacher Lauren Caiaccia organized the event in two weeks.

The idea came just before Christmas break, and the final plans were approved late into finals week. Despite problems with publicity, 81 Harrisites attended. "[We] could not make any announcements over the loud speaker because it took away from testing time.

That was a major setback. Because of that, many people were not aware that the trip was open to everyone [all grades]. However, the turnout was great," said Aquib.

The trip was originally planned for only the sophomore class; however, Ms. Caiaccia decided to open it up to the entire school.

She said, "Well, we had reserved four buses and they gave us a group rate, but because of finals week and everything... [not] being able to advertise for the trip, and the way it fell right after the holidays made it tough to get a bigger group. So we figured, why not try to have more Townsend Harris

spirit by inviting everyone?"

Faith Kim, freshman, took the opportunity to "hang out with her

want to come when it was opened to everyone else."

Upperclassmen who did attend were

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Sophomores Freddy Millan, Jr., Dina Chowdhury and Linamarie Miller lend each other support as they enjoy their trip to Central Park's Lasker Rink with their classmates,

sophomore friends." "I never had a chance to hang out with them outside of school, so this was a good chance," she said.

Sophomore Emily Siu said, "There were . . .not as many people as I thought there'd be, probably because it was originally advertised as a sophomore trip, so the upperclassmen didn't

all from the wrestling team. Wrestling team coach Raymond Adamkiewicz, one of the six chaperones, said, "I thought it would be a good idea that instead of practice, we could have an ice skating trip. The whole wrestling team is here."

He added, "It was based on the family concept. We like to hang out

and do things together."

Harrisites shared the rink with a group ofstudents from a city elementary school. Some sophomores even skated with the kids.

"I feel like the trip brought a lot of us together," said sophomore Philip Kim. "Everybody was teaching everybody else how to ice skate and some people even helped the little kids that were at the rink, too, so it was nice to see how well we [as Townsend Harris students] can work together as a group."

Aquib agreed. "That trip showed Harrisites at their finest. What other students do you know who will just stop doing what they are doing and help some kids they've never seen before in their lives, and will ever see again? You won't find that anywhere else." He added, "It was priceless."

Some disagreed. "I think the trip was a lot fun, but instead of having the entire rink, ... the elementary school children were there, which made it very difficult to skate because we always had to be very aware of where they were so we wouldn't hit them," said sophomore Riya Ismail.

Sophomore Jane Lee said, "The kids were cute, but I thought [the rink] would be closed off and it would be us only."

The Classic

10 Winter Concert celebrates the holiday season February 2009

by Lory Martinez The annual Winter Concert brought holiday classics to life through the Chorus, the Chamber Ensemble, and the Jazz, Intermediate and Concert Bands. With junior Michelle Ciesielska as Master of Ceremonies, this year's concert, held on December 18 in the auditorium, included both holiday songs and jazz classics.

Friends and families poured into the auditorium as conductor Peter Lustig led the Intermediate Band in "The Star Spangled Banner." Other songs performed included "The Marche Militaire," "Two Hebrew Folk Songs for Chanukah" and "The Sword of the Kings." During the song "Flip, Flop, Fly," all the band members put on sunglasses.

Intermediate Band member Edwin Rosendo, sophomore, said, "I had a lot of fun practicing, and the results were awesome."

Next, the Chorus, directed

by Florence McKinley, sang a Spanish version of "Sing a Song," followed by an upbeat tune called "I Love a Piano," with the accompaniment of Sunny Cho and Michelle on the piano. Michelle was also the flutist in the Concert Band.

"It made me really happy to be a part of so many things.

The music was wonderful and after it all ended, I missed it. I am looking forward to the next concert, hoping I will play a prominent role like the one I

4

played [in this concert]," she of my favorites so far. I had ensemble also played Winter, explained. said. so much fun as an audience the first movement, from The band also played The a capella version of member and as a performer. I Vivaldi's The Four Seasons "Disney at the Movies," a "Fa-La-La Fantasie" followed was so sad when it had to end, with senior Jeffrey Wong 路 as medley of songs from classic suit. Ms. McKinley said this especially when I remembered soloist.

Dishey films such as Mary was the Chorus's most difficult that I still had homework to A vocal trio of seniors Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, challenge. do."

Carmelle Alipio, Divyamary and Aladdin. Their final song "I was amazed that everyone The Jazz Band's final song, James and Jane Whang was another version of the was on pitch.

"Ukrainian Bell Carol."

[It was] a Mr. Lustig explained, commendable "[The] two groups' versions job," she said. were completely different.

"Arms The Chamber Ensemble had a around the mellow style, while the band World" was had a fast version." the final song This was Principal sung by the Kenneth Bonamo's first "0 Chorus, with J:l Winter Concert. freshman vocal "It's beautiful and ~;::: soloists Kyra reflects many hours of 路~ Leeds and hard work and students ..c: Ul Leighvanni involved. It's wonderful :>, Sison. ~ the way families come Kyra felt together to celebrate the gratified that holiday season," he said. "after all the The concert culminated work and with~ skit arranged by faculty members: "The Twelve Days rehearsals, the audience .One of the Jazz Band's pieces, "Blues Machine," conducted by Peter Lustig, featured imof Townsend." Mr. Lustig's . d prov1satwn by sol01sts at th1s year's Wmter Concert. apprec1ate daughter, Melody, came on it." Sophomore stage to sing along with her Ashley Lecaro declared, "It "Blues Machine," consisted of presented the "Ukrainian father. rocked!" many solos from the trumpet Bell Carol." "Once Upon a Mr. Lustig said, "I like the Ms. McKinley was very to the clarinet. Mr. Lustig said December," from the movie fact that she's comfortable on happy with this year's he always chooses one song Anastasia, was then performed stage. It makes me proud." performance.

"I invited that the students can improvise in Russian by vocal soloists Jennifer Gersten and Erica outside colleagues because I on in the Jazz Band.

Francine Pinheiro, sophomore, Yu, freshman violinists, The Chamber Ensemble and Kari Wei, freshman. were both satisfied with the was impressed with what I've followed, directed by Mariko "Pachelbel's Christmas" ended turnout. "It definitely met my heard in class," she said. expectations," Erica said.

The Jazz Band, under Sato. The group performed the violin performances. the direction of Mr. Lustig, George Gershwin's "I Got The Concert Band performed Concert Band member Ariel continued the concert with "We Rhythm," and a violin quartet last, beginning with Aaron Prochowski, sophomore, said, Wish you a Merry Christmas." composed of senior Amy Copland's "Fanfare for the "The concert was fantastic ....

Vocalist Reisha Cadelina, 路 Cha, junior Sheena Tsai, and Common Man." Mr. Lustig My favorite part was when freshmen Jennifer Gersten and looked forward to this piece the Concert Band played their junior, performed "Misty."

She said, "This Winter Kari Wei played Gershwin's most. "It's the most challenging highly anticipated 'Disney at Concert was definitely one "It Ain't Necessariy So." The for me as a conductor," he the Movies."'

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Alumni Co-presidents hold press conferences

by Allison Bennett "You can be whatever you want to be [if you attend] Townsend Harris," declared Tanya Odom at a press conference on January 14. Ms. Odom, along with Craig Slutzkin, met with Ilsa Cow.en's journalism classes and the staff of The Classic to talk about Harris's earlier days, their careers, and their duties as Co-presidents of the Alumni Association.

Ms. Odom and Mr. Slutzkin graduated from Harris in 1988 and 1991, respectively.

When asked why she applied, Ms. Odom said, "I had no choice." Before the fall of 1984, her mother had seen an advertisement in Newsday for Harris, which at the time was just re-opening its doors since the original Townsend Harris High School had been closed in 1942.

Mr. Slutzkin also said that Harris had not initially been a dream of his. He listed Stuyvesant as his first choice while Harris was his second.

writing.

While she is glad to see that the traditions ofFounder's Day, SING!, and Spirit Week have been maintained, Ms. Odom said what pleases her

because "if you're scared to come to school, you don't do well, period."

Mr. Slutzkin agreed. "The faculty [also] gives students a unique advantage .... Townsend Harris teachers have a high level of dedication," he said.

Both felt Harris prepared them not only for college and their careers, but for life itself.

When Ms. Odom attended the ... school, she said, "We were ~ told, 'You are highly self] motivated students,' [and] ~ knowing I was bright helped ~ me go a long way." She now 拢 works as an organizational ~ consultant on issues such "B. as diversity and educational equity in schools around the world. "[Harris taught me how to] Tanya Odom and Craig Slutzkin, Co-Presidents of the Alumni Association, have pride in and strengthen answer questions from students in the journalism elective. my voice," said Ms. Odom, who chose her career path glad that the error led him to most is that the strong sense with the desire to "speak for Harris. He said that he loved of community and safety people who couldn't speak for (and still loves) the Humanities has lived on in the school themselves."

Mr. Slutzkin, who is the focus, commitment to learning throughout the years. She said classical languages, and that such an environment is Chief Financial Officer of emphasis on reading and essential to a good school, New Leaf Venture Partners, a

"I missed [Stuyvesant] by one question," he said, referring to the examination for specialized high schools.

He added that while he was very disappointed at first, he is

venture capital firm, said that Harris gave him the ability to research and the ability to articulate.

"I think Townsend Harris prepared me for everything in life," he said. .

During his years at the school, Mr. Slutzkin was a dedicatededitorofThe Classic.

He said, "My experience on The Classic didn't help me choose a career - it helped me excel in writing," which helps him to articulate his thoughts clearly on a daily basis.

Ms. OdomandMr. Slutzkin also spoke of the importance of community service at Harris, as emphasized in the Ephebic Oath, which is recited by incoming freshmen and sophomores on Founders' Day. They consider their volunteer positions as co-presidents of the Alumni Association "extremely important."

While both believe that Harris has taught them a great deal, Mr. Slutzkin said that the most important rule he learned here was, "Have fun!"

The Classic

11

February 2009

Blood drive yi-elds 'les,s blood'

by Shelby Be(tht The New York Blood Center rai-se<i 31 piots of blood at the Bt-ood Drivoe OB Ja~tuary ~, tdoWB 1irom 45 pm~ £rom the semester's irst drive en September 2:5. In totat, ~ Hrurlsites aged 16 aBd: older donated.

Aeoor4ing to Coordinator ef $ctuden;t Activities Adam

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$\tQneml!, ~'There was less blood liionated "because· ef the move<i date. Et was last minute be.canse we moved the Elate t@ right &r vaeatioa.'' He ~~lai111ed. that because JaAuary is a ·~shol'G\ge month,~ the l'Ocat hospital refJ11estoo that the date oemove.tl.

•'Everybod;.y [who anates] gives oioa.d to hel!p save -ee liv.es,·~ said senior Sadlk: Uddm. lmdent.s wll 9e given mo8 aetice aool!tt the n-.t blood ckive, an:d org.anizers expect that more studen.ts mit pariieifate.

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director Melanie Ngo said.

"I am so proud ofall the hard work and dedication everyone put into making Junior SING! such an amazing success," said math teacher and junior SING! advisor Aleeza Widman.

The main character of Sophomen SING! was Ursila "Star" Smith, who steals her principal's car. She is then visited by her guardian angel, who advises her to reform her irresponsible ways and to fix her broken relationship with her family.

A subplot involving a love triangle between Star's family and friends further stressed the importance of morals in this story.

"I chose the Ten Commandments because it was a challenge and I love challenges ... .I knew that there was a way to get a story based on a sensitive and religious topic without offending anyone," said director and writer Yasmine Shabazz.

Choreographer Gabriella Pizzitola said, "I think that [the freshmen] are ready to take the next step and produce their own SING! next year. They have so many people who can act, sing and dance so well that I regret having to let some of them off."

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by Hayley Desmond The first Tragic Muse Day featured choral odes performed by the third termAncient Greek classes of foreign language teacher Andrew Hagerty on

· • · ·. Day." "[It didn't become boring] because [we] were in a new environment each time," said junior Dino Demetriou, who performed on Tragic Muse

Jan~:e~~~tservedasagraded Da~.I was glad to have a break

project forth~ students, who · performed the1r arrangements advisor Ilsa Cowen conducted Department of Educat10n. Not of the odes for various classes two workshops on the Freedom only was it very informative, during third, fourth, and fifth of the Press. but it was also interesting to bands. Teachers were able to Classic Co-Editor-in-Chief learn about the concerns of request appearances.

Benjamin Snyder, senior, students in other schools."

To prepare for the event, particularly liked a seminar The conference concluded the students divided into about creating "a conversation with key-note speaker Diana groups, each of which was with the readers of the Mitsu Klos, a supervisor of assigned one of three tragic newspapers such as The New the High School Journalism poets: Aeschylus, Sophocles or York Times that appear online. Initiative.

Students also Euripides. They then browsed I believe this is extremely interacted with young tragedies in the school library, important and hope that one journalists from other schools. picked choral odes to perform, day The Classic will have its Classic Art Editor Liz and rehearsed them in class. own interactive website as Kussman said, "I thought Mr. Hagerty, who organized well." it was so cool to exchange the event, drew inspiration Senior Ariel Brodsky, papers with other schools. It from Comic Muse Day. He Classic Co-Editor-in-Chief, gave us some possible ideas said, "As a Greek teacher, I "especially enjoyed the for the future. I'm so glad I got automatically thought there seminar on how to cover, the ,_. ac.hance to.go..'.' ~-- · ~TR~ ~~ 'Should ,.,,l:fe = a ""'fiagieMMuse

Seniors capture SING! continued from page 1 who recited a spell to make everyone forget that he had been rejected by his crush.

The spell backfired when the campers forgot who they were and began to imitate celebrities and fictional characters, such as Britney Spears and the Disney princesses.

Sophomore Jane Lee said, "I thought SING! was one of the best I've seen in my life.

I've been to many SING! performances from different schools, and I thought this senior SING! was very creative."

In Junior SING!, seven contestants appeared on the MTV reality show, The Real World: Brooklyn. The contestants each embodied one of the seven deadly sins - lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride - and attempted to organize a fundraiser for Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin's wardrobe.

Junior Co-director Ashley Newman said, "I feel that being director two years in a row has been beneficial. I've learned from my mistakes and now, more and more people have become aware of how SING! works," she said.

"I definitely think SING! helped unite our grade," Co-

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Jou rna Iism conference addresses Chang .lng media through seminars.

by Cristine Khan and Jasmine Daniel Seven Classic members attended Baruch College's journalism conference on December 15. Professonal journalists explored the theme "Times Changing" through various workshops.

Sponsored by the New York City High School Journalism Program and the Baruch College Department of Journalism, the conference aimed to explore the everchanging journalism field.

Students attended four workshops of their choice, and joumalismteacher.and Classic

Tragic Muse Day honors tragic poets 4

from class, and the. actor~ were all very pass10nate, said sophomore Isabell Dumitrasconiu, an audience member.

Mr. Hagerty explained, "We just wanted to enrich and entertain, [and] bring tragedy to the people in a new kind of way." He added that one goal of Tragic Muse Day was to "transform the space" in order to transport the students out of the classroom.

"Most people responded very well to our performances," said Kellie Gergoudis, a junior Gr~ek student. "Students were attentive and interested. I can't wait until next year's Tragic Muse Day." .hnnti

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The Classic February 2009

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IFans cheer on triumph,ant wrestlers

by Ashley Kni~ht Ther~ W«$ an air of exG;item.ent as f4ln8 of the w:res!littg team. skuftled in,t o tke Harris gym. January 13 to see 1ihem. com.}!>0!e in a meet against Francis Lewis. The avid sup.porters roared as th-e Hawks ran 011to the WFest1ing mat wi1tli loud Q:ueen.l!l\111sic adding to the din.

National Anthem. by jlilllier Joseph Spitaleri.

Tlte meet started wi1ib the singing of Then both teams stood. across ftom. one an0t~er on the mat as their names were called out. Fol10wing the n:ame calls, Hawk seniors Abass Bay:a Awoyem.i, Damian Cllades, Barbara Cveaic, Vicente Martinez, Oaumb lteja a11d :Raoul Valencia were h0Mre6 wl:'th medals in h0n:or of their inal year of high seh:oe1 wt'eStitng.

The meet kicked eff with the 96-polill!ld weight class. Fr-eshman :Brian Hctm de!f@ated Lewis sophemore Davitt Maeng with: a scoxe of '-0. Both Hum. and M;aeng usett tkeir peti:te laodies lio their advallli1ages as tkey <tllliekly trQJlSlitioned oetwe.en their moves.

Jlill!lie.rs Wawen Cl:tang anti AU:Eb»y Agas, as well as Cl!tades, won oy fodJcit. ..f'm. really upset I wasn't ao~e to co~pete," sai« ClJarles...I was ttt>set I couilGn't wrestle$ tt{)n.t of my menas but at tlte same tUne I was happy that I coultt ooatrili>ute to tlte team ey bringisg .i n six poin,t s!'

Junior Lucas Kni~t i1r0m 1ihe 16(:}-polill!la weipt olass pinned his o:p:p.onent in one mmltte anti 4(1) sec0t1<ls. ..1 had never pinned someone so quickly in a match. I was happy I was a.Dle to do it while atl my friends and teammates weJJe there," said Kn;£pt.

Tne wrestling team supp0rted th:e senior class by splitting the pr0ceeds made thr-ough ticket sales oa game day. 0\lservers could bU>y seats for $5, $3, or $15. The 'heneat was suocesg;•l in ra4~Sing a,prO;:Ximatel:y $1,400.. Several studeats left with lru;ge smiles on their faces aier tkey won either tbe W3 player, $5t Am:ericMt Express oar.tt, or snowboartt in tlle raflie.

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Lady Hawks bounpe ahead of Van Buren

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Runners compete at Mayor's Cup based on my expectations,"

by Grace Shin The sound of teams she said. "I PR-ed [personal cheering their members on record] in both my events and during this year's Mayor's I was very satisfied at the end Cup filled the Armory Track of the meet."

Seniors Keiko Okuda and and Field Center on January 31. Throughout the day, the Amanda Kaja placed third ~d Boys' and Girls' Varsity Track sixth, respectively, in the pole teams yelled encouraging vaulteventandreceivedm.edals words, such as, "You can do and shirts. Both were excited it!", "Pass him!", and "Pick it ~ about their performances, and the two hope to do better in up!" to their teammates.

Senior Chris Guerrero their next events. Sophomore placed sixth in the boys' 1600 Ezra Ok came into 17th place and 3200-meter runs, and in the boys' 55-meter hurdles senior David Vaughan placed in the preliminaries and did eighth in the Boys' Varsity not make it to the finals. .Kerry McEnerney, 600-meter run. · "I definitely sophomore, said, "I think we all did pretty well," said Guerrero. did not perform the way I "Especially David and me. We expected." She added, "I was both broke school records." also extremely disappointed Vaughan added, "It was pretty that I was not healthy enough competitive, and it shows us to compete in my second that there's always a need for event."

Sophomore Anne Bae improvement."

Sophomore EllieWuplaced injured herself during one of sixth in the Girls' Varsity 1000- her races. "I am. somewhat meter. "I performed very well disappointed I couldn't break

a personal record," said Bae. The boys' team didn't make it into the top 10 for the freshman and sophomore 4x200 and 4x400 relays. The girls' team. wasn't able to take a top 10 place in the freshman 4x200 meter relay or the 4x400 meter freshman relay either.

Some of the races ended ambiguosly, and after some disqualifications, the team. won a few more victories. Senior Amy Cha placed first in the girls' 1500-meter race walk, and sophomore Samantha Vila placed sixth. The girls who participated in the 4x800 meter relay finished in first place after the teams who had been in front of them were disqualified.

While several students were disappointed, most were satisfied with the results of the meet. Coach Timothy Connor of the girls' team. said, "What an amazing day. Not one, not two, but three PRs!"

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Sophomore Caroline Egan moves to block a Martin Van Buren High School athlete.

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by Daniel Pecoraro return.

The Girls' Varsity Townsend Harris surged Basketball team. defeated out of the gate in the second Martin Van Buren High half, going on a 7-2 run with School, 56-45, in the ·final 2:37 remaining in the third home game of the year on quarter, leading 43-40 at the February 3. The Lady Hawks end of the third, and never held the Lady VeeBees to just looked back, going on another five points in the fourth quarter, scoring spree, this time an 8-3 while scoring 31 points in the run with 3:29left in the fourth second half. The win brings quarter. Along with being solid their record up to 10-5 with on offense, in the second half, three games left to play. the Hawks defense held the After being behind 13 to 12 . VeeBees to only 5 points in the at the end of the fust quarter, fourth quarter. the Hawks went on an 8-2 run Caroline credits the win with 4:55 remaining in the to the seniors. "It was the last second quarter to take a 20-15 home game of their Townsend lead. The VeeBees responded Harris career. They certainly with an 11-0 run, capped by a had an adrenaline rush," she buzzer-beater from. half-court said. by senior Lauren Williams, to ,The seniors, guards retain a 26-25 lead.

Angelica Young, Cecilia However, this didn't matter Ehresman, Julia Fusfeld and to the Hawks, said sophomore ~ Stephanie Yim, along with guard/forward Caroline Egan. guard/forward Francesca "We beat them. [Martin Van Bartalini, combined for 24 of Buren High School] earlier the 56 points of the afternoon. in the season, so we knew we Junior guard Allison Donovan could beat them and would led the Hawks with 15 points, beat them.," she said. Caroline, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds, who had two points with an while Van Buren sophomore assist and two rebounds, left Toni Gooden led all players with a knee injury with 5:49 with 21 points, 13 assists and in the third quarter and did not 8 boards.

Players of the Month: Halkias and Donovan '80 ~

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Pre-game sua,c;k: Hot md1e sunaae pop tart Hero: LeBron James Outside Team: None