Vol. 26 No. 8 Anniversary -zutO
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25th A nnive'lsa'ly Townsend Harris High School at Queens College
149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367
Revived Harris celebrates alumni's dream come true
Editorial Board Sarah Mahmood Editor-in-Chief Pearl Bhatnagar News Edito r Rebecca Seidel Feature Editor Esther Whang News Editor Elizabeth Kussman Art Editor Sharmin Rashed Photography Editor
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Editors-in-Training Frank Corazza Hayley Desmond Lory Martinez Freddy Millan, Jr Rupeshi Shah Tracey Wang
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.Advisors lisa Cowen Caroline Cross
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Principal Kenneth Bonamo T
by R eb ecca Seidel were many alumni who felt the to the small building on Parsons July of 1984, ... there were more than Old and new - those are the same way. In 1979, after years Bou levard that now houses Robert 20. Of course, they became the new two words that first come to mind of dormancy following the F. Kennedy High School. Though school mascots." in recall ing the history of Townsend schoo l's demise, alumnus Irving it was within walking distance of As the student body grew, Harris. Gerber founded the Townsend Queens College, . it wasn 't right the building became so packed There was the "old" school, Harris Alumni Association. The next door. "Many students called that a move was necessary, but an all-boys college preparatory organization gained members the school Townsend Harris High the school once more encountered academy that lasted School near Queens College," strong community opposition - this from the turn of the said Harry Ratt ien, the first time from those living near the 20 th century until 1942. head of the schoo l's Math proposed Queens College sites. 'We were terribly hurt and Now there's the "new" Department. After numerous delays , Harrisi tes schoo l, still thriving 25 deflated when Mayor LaGuardia The school became finally moved into their brand-new years after its opening notorious for its lack of space building on the Queens College shut the school down.' in 1984. as more and more students campus in 1995. Within this new enrolled. Graduates fondly "I remember when the new school's relat ively""""""""""""''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' remember the "cafetorium," building was finished and we short existence, it a combination cafeteria and 'marched'to the new building from has occupied two homes: the "old" exponentially in its first few years, auditorium, as well as the perilous the old one," said Mr. Rattien. "I building on Parsons Boulevard, and and served as a common ground for trek through the hallways between was the leader of the march and I from 1995, the more spacious "new" reminiscence and reunion. classes. refused to carry a walkie- talkie, I "While I attended Townsend building here on the Queens College "Students were encouraged jogged from front to back a few campus. Harris, it didn't occur to me that not to wear their bookbags during times to make sure everyone was Each of these transformations this was a very special place," said 'passing' because they just banged fine." triggered very different stages in Ted Peck, '42, who helped found into other students in the very tight Dr. Largmann said, "T hat we Harris 's history. But at the same the Alumni Assoc iation . "Now I hallways," said Mr. Rattien. were able to have a new building time, the school has maintained a real ize how very special it was." Students formed very close built within our first 10 years was certain continuity that has lasted the Wanting to give contemporary friendships, literally. "We knew a major factor in our success . For jo urney of years. Academic rigor high school students the same each other - very well," said Tanya this we must thank Claire Shulman, and a high-ac hieving student body opportunities that they had Odom , a memb er of the first former Borough President of are what Harris has always been experienced, theAlumniAssociation graduating class and Co-Pre sident Queens, who believed in our worke d hard to resurrect Townsend of the Alumni Association. "We students and our program." kno wn for - even in the old days. "By today's standards, many Harri s. Much like in the '30s and did not have all the technology, In 2001; Thomas Cunningham of us might have been considered '40s, they struggled against a hosti le equipment, or even space that other succe eded Dr. Largmann as nerds," said Murr ay Berger, '4 0, who community that was adverse to the schools had, but we explained that Harri s was originally school 's existenc e, not wantin g an were encouraged 'Those early months were a prep school for the City College "el ite" school to whisk away the to be creative and to of New York. As such, its level of best students. maximi ze what we exhilarating. ' coursework was much higher than Despite the opposition, the did have." that of a typical high school, and alumn i forged ahead, obtaining During the getting admitted was very difficult. the consent of the city Board of school's first years, Harris's forerunn er was the Sub- Education. The new school - now the Harris family worked hard to principal. Under his leader ship, Freshman Clas s of City College, coed - was to be closely affiliated establish itself in the metro politan the school acquired state-of-the-art with a curriculum designed to bring with Queens College. After area. As the only specialized high technology, and continue d with the boys up to college level in one year. securing this connection - which school focused on the Humanities, traditions it had maintained since Beginning with the class of 1899, included the promise of a building its admissions process was highly 1984, including the Bridge Year it expanded into a three-year high site on campus - the next step was selective. program with Queen s College and school. In 1905, the school relocated to choose a principal. Following The workload was intense, the annual Founders' Day. uptown and was renamed Townsend several interviews, the alumni remini scent of the demands of In 200 8, Mr. Cunni ngham Harris Hall, after the city 's biggest chose Malcolm Largmann, a former the old CCNY prep school. "We retired and was replaced by Kenneth proponent of free public education. high school English teacher, to lead had our hours of homework and Bonamo,formerly principal ofStaten In 1930, the school relocated the new Humanities school in its collateral preparation," recalled Island Technical High Scho.?l. Just to a building of what is now Baruch earliest years. Craig Slutzkin, '9 1, the other Co- like students do in their first year at College, and was renamed Townsend "After defining the aim and President ofthe Alumn i Assoc iation. the school, Mr. Bonamo recited the Harris High School. outline for a new THHS , it became However, he added, "Although Epheb ic Oath during the Fall 2008 Many of the young men of clear that to open the schoo l by there was this high volume of work, Founders' Day ceremony. Townsend Ham s came from September 1984, a full staff would the faculty did impart. ..the need for Throughout Harris's renewed disadvantaged backgrounds, yet they be needed," said Dr. Largmann. "I us to round ourselves out through existence, the Parent Teacher were some of the highest-achieving had only six months for the entire extra-curricular activities ." Association and the Alumni students in the community. process to take place: select staff, Graduates cite their Association have been instrumental The school generated a recruit a first class ofstudents, find a extracurricular activities as some in funding school programs and of school building, order supplies and of the most rewarding parts of the events . With their assistance, Harris disproportionate number distinguished alumni, in a variety equipment, convince parents and Harris experience. "Being a THHS has managed to stay afloat despite of fields. One could attribute this the public that we were a worthy student, a swim team member, a monetary shortfalls in the public Classic editor, and working during education system. in part to the school's dedication to experiment, et al." serving the community - graduates The school did manage to open high school taught me to excel A lot has changed since the recited the Ephebic Oath back then, in 1984, and the Class of 1988 under pressure, seek balance, and days of Townsend Harris Hall, but too. became the first new members of strive to always be well-rounded," fundamentally, Harris has kept up In 1942, citing budgetary the Alumni Association in over 40 said Jeannemarie Hendershot Kim, with its founding principles and restrictions and the so-called elitism years . traditions. Class of '98. of the school as key factors in his "Those early months were Legacies of the old building "I do believe the school has decision, Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia exhilarating and filled with include the infamous hiss ing remained true to the original vision axed Townsend Harris from the discussions, problems to be solved, cockroaches, whose descendants that we had in mind 25 years ago," education system. For many, it was new relationships to be formed with are still housed in the Science said Dr. Largmann. "As long as the college, and young students Department. tile THHS community continues the end of an era. "We were terribly hurt and who became very much part of the "Four hissing cockroaches had to honor the values on which it is deflated when Mayor LaGuardia creation of the school's traditions been given to me the year before I founded and builds upon the finest shut the school down ...shortly after and the formulation of its rules and came to THHS as a gift - I know, educational strategies, we shall regulations," said Dr. Largmann. our graduation," said Mr. Berger. that's not normal," said Susan Appel, produce outstanding young adults Thankfully for Harris, there The newest Harrisites flocked the first head of the department. "By to lead our society."
2-The Classic June 2010
Classic Moments The current Classic staff sent questionnaires to former editors about their experiences working on the newspaper. The following are some of their recollections:
Antics "Halloween was unforgettable. We made the dark room into a jail and the editors and myself dressed up as fashion police and arrested teachers that violated fashion code and redressed them to our liking." - Erika (Zwetkow) Larkin (' 98) "I rememb er one evening having a rolling chair race down the hallway with other editors when we needed a break." - Jamie Gullen ('03)
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"[The editors 1were tired, hungry, giddy from the stress. And then one of us, off to the side, says, ' Guys, come sec this! ' We all , ~ [rushed] to join them.at the window, and silently we [watche?] the sun setting over Queens and the skyline, an~ somehow that . [gave] us a second wind and we [went] hackto work." - Daniel Bloch ('03) I~ "I will never forget staying until 9 PM with Ms. Cowen and the editors, ordering pizza dinners ~ and struggling to follow deadlines while knowing that we had tests to study for and collaterals to finish. Only we understood why seemingly simple aspects of publication, -=~ such as layout design and proofreading, were actually enormous, time-consuming efforts, and we always supported each other when stress level s ran high." - Ariel Brodsky ('09)
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"During my second year as Editor-in-Chief, I was one of the few seniors on staff. As such, I had my driver's license while the other editors did not. While it was stressful to edit countless stories and finalize layout, 1 always enjoyed piling the other editors into my car to drive them home. Some nights it would take me over an hour and a half to get home (when I only lived 15 minutes away), but I always appreciated having that time with my fellow editors to share in some down time after our long days spent doing what we loved." - Allison Slotnick ('02)
Office Space and Production "I just remember that we did not have a Classic office because we were housed in the old build ing. We had a few computers that were sitting on desks in the nurse's office, and we would cram in there as a team during the school day to type, edit, work on layouts, hold team meetings, and brainstorm story ideas. It got awfully crowded in there." - Randi Korobelnik ('93) "Weren't we working inside or outside the nurse's office at one point? I have recollections of being a relatively homeless staff in the old building." - Diana Tuite ('94) "I just remember physically cutting out those articles with exacto -knives and getting them to fit onto the boards at the last minute." - Jennifer Mattucci Santoro (' 93) "I remember running to One-hour to get pictures printed in time for a deadline, knowing that [if] I tried to develop them myself in the dark room, they would never be done in time. 1 would have died for a digital camera, but they didn't exist in 1998!" - Erika (Zwetkow) Larkin ('98) "We shared the production room with photography students, the yearbook staff, and other groups, so I remember having to occasionally sneak out to somewhere quieter to edit articles . A favorite spot was down the hall in the Math Department's textbook storage closet." - Lauren Paley ('00)
Clowning with Cowen
New Experiences
"We once dressed up Ms. Cowen for an April Fool's issue in which we claimed she had gone skydiving. Complete with goggles and what I think must have been a cape. We had her pose on one ofthe gated-in balconies of the school. It was a windy day, so our , photographer didn't have to try too hard to make it look real." - Lauren Paley ('00)
"Having an outlet to express my view s outside of the classroom helped to balance out the stressful academic atmosphere and helped me to develop my own per sonal voice ." - Jamie Gullen ('03)
"Ilsa Cowen was the first writin g teacher I had whose red edits weren't scary. That' s because they came with an explanation .. .It made me want to push myselfand my writing further...These days I make my own red edits on mY~ colleagues' writing, but I always ~ follow it up with a conversation." - Lauren Paley (' 00) .'.
"Those stressful moments made me feel important, special, like I was part of something bigger than myself, which is a great thing to feelwhen you're a teenager!" - Jennifer Mattucci Santoro ('93)
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"My role as Co-Editor-in-Chief also helped me grow tremendously as a person and leader. I now have more selfconfidence, and find it easier to speak to other people." - Benjamin Snyder ('09)
"As for Ms. Cowen, she is still advising The Classic, fourteen years later, so 1am pretty sure she's immortal." - Seth Cohen ('95)
"I remember feeling enormous pressure to do the September 11 coverage justice. In the end, we solicited students and faculty to share their thoughts and reprinted them verbatim. In such a difficult time, it is often most helpful to let the masses have their voice, rather than impose your own." - Allison Slotnick ('02)
"I remember Ms. Cowen's journalism class that got me to work on the newspaper. I have never forgotten the inverted pyramid and have always used principles that she taught to analyze the journalism that 1 read." - Kelly Villella-Canton ('95)
"Our free bands and long hours after school spent at the Classic office did not always come with substantial rewards... However, we came to value each published issue as a representation ofour personal efforts and achievements, whether or not we received praise or awards. " - Ariel Brodsky ('09)
The school newspaper was launched in 1984, with Heather Nash (now social studies teacher Chris Hackney's wife) as Editor-in-Chief and English teacher Sheryl Rubin as its advisor. Dr. Nash's father suggested the name 'The Classic' for the newspaper to reflect the school's commitment to the Humanities. artwork by Amy Yuan
The Classic June 2010
Picturing the Past
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Photos reprinted from 1988, 1989, 1994, and 1997 yearbooks. Special thanks to the Crimson and Gold!
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The Classic
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June 2010
'88Aluml Members of the new Harris s first sraduat 1I
I by Sarah Mahmood "An hour before you called, we had a missile strike 200 yards away," said Sean Gralton in an interview with the Classic. Mr. Gralton, a lawyer who works in "the political and governance reform field on the international level," was in Baghdad, Iraq at the time of the interview. "I work a lot in election implementation. New or transitional democracies often need a lot of international assistance in running the first elections," he said. "There are no laws on the books to deal with the electoral process.They have the kind of laws that you would have in a dictatorship or one-party state." The extent of his assistance differs from country to country. In Kosovo, for example, he and his colleagues wrote laws, which they then passed on to a special representative. In Iraq, they helped the sovereign Iraqi government "design a system that achieves its goals," he said. "The government could decide whether or not to accept our advice." In Kosovo, as well as Afghanistan, Mr. Gralton also worked in election adjudication where, he explained, "the idea isthatyoutakevotercomplaints and create a process by which you can come to a conclusion. If the complaint is correct, can you correct it? If not, does the election have to be rerun?" Mr. Gralton's involvement in politics began when he went to Washington D.C. after law school to work in the government. When his girlfriend got the opportunity to work in Macedonia, he accompanied her and found a job in Kosovo, right across the border. Although Mr. Gralton
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Sean Gralton points out that his job makes it difficult for him "to have a lot of things you think are a part of normal life," he enjoys his line of work. "When you're thrown into a place where you don't even know the language, you're required to be alive in a way you don't have to be. There is an opportunity to learn so many new things every day," he said. "The people are very interesting. The experiences have been generally great, just absolutely extraordinary," he continued. "I've been able to do all sorts of things. I' ve lost track of the 60 countries I' ve been to." Mr. Gralton, who always wanted to be a lawyer, likes "the idea of understanding the structure of society, and law is basically the foundation for society." Mr. Gralton is being honored at the Alumni Association's 25 at 25 gala event for fulfilling the Ephebic Oath, a pledge all - Harris students take promising to leave their community better than they found it. "I think I' ve tried to make places better, but you have to measure these things very generously," he said. "Some of them are very difficult places to work and have been pretty messed up for a long time, so it would be the height of humor to think you can come in and fix everything." Mr. Gralton encourages current Harris students to forge their own way of giving back to their community. "You can't really make a change in the world if you follow along the same path as everyone else," he said. "Think outside the box for success." Mr. Gralton has not visited the school recently, but "went back to the school for a career
day event a while ago." He noticed that "folks in the school seemed to be really focused on grades and getting into the best schools and then doing the tradional jobs." "I don't think doing that is a bad thing, but people really need to think of what would really make them happy and not worry about what traditional measures ofsuccess are," he said. Mr. Gralton credits his teachers at Harris for giving him and his classmates "the ability to really think" for themselves. "I think the teachers I had in law school were excellent and I would put many of the teachers I had at Harris on the same level- really top quality," said Mr. Gralton. "I learned a lot from them and they helped develop our critical thinking skills [and gave us the] ability to really think for ourselves," he said. Mr. Gralton has good memories of his high school days. He recalled that "people were happy to be there [Harris] for the most part. It was hard work and a tough place, but people enjoyed the challenge and were happy to have the challenge." Mr. Gralton particularly remembers dean and Physical Education teacher Wanda Nix. "I assume Ms. Nix still looks 32 years old," he said. "At this point, I probably look five years older than she does." In her class, "I was in tremendous pain but also in the best shape of my life," he said. "It just doesn't feel like it was so long ago," he said about his high school experience. "Students will be suprised at how quickly they wind up in my shoes."
Tanya Odom
was not as.well-known as it is by Rebecca Suzuki TanyaOdom,Co-President now. "We were new, and the of the Alumni Association,was city, state, and country were dedicated to the Harris learning about us," she said. Ms. Odom believes that community since her days as Harris was a great public a student. Ms. Odom feels very school that helped her sharpen committed to Harris, as it was her skills for the work field. After graduating from a special place for her. "I enjoyed my high school Harris and then Vassar College, years; I can vividly remember Ms. Odom became a Diversity classroom discussions, spirit and Inclusion consultant and days, and some of the trips coach. "I work with corporations, we took. Many of my close friends are friends that I made schools, universities, and at Townsend Harris," she said. organizations on issues of She recalls that during the diversity and inclusion," she time she attended the school, it said.
Ms. Odom hopes .to help communities, organizations, andschools"leverage diversity, and strengthen environments where all can feel connected, safe, and able to reach their full potential." She also teaches part-time at Georgetown University. Townsend Harris aided Ms. Odom in strengthening her skills and voice, which are very important factors in her career. She is happy that she was able to attend a school where she felt safe and supported. "I know what schools can
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Kevin Kim
by Daniel Pecoraro Kevin Kim knew he was going to go into public service as soon as he entered his freshman year. "Believe it or not, [my wish to serve the public] started with the recitation ofthe Ephebic Oath freshman year," said Mr. Kim, Deputy Director of Community Affairs for Rep. Gary Ackerman CD), and 2009 Democratic City Council candidate in District 19. "If you take the words to heart, then choosing to serve the public is a worthy cause indeed." While Mr. Kim lost the race to Daniel Halloran, gaining 47.5 percent of the vote to Halloran's 52.5 percent, he credits the help of Harris students, former faculty, and alumni for his campaign getting as far as it did. "Some of my biggest supporters were classmates from Townsend Harris. My treasurer, Rhoda Weinstein, was my former history teacher," Mr. Kim said. "What I learned from my time at Townsend Harris was the importance ofgetting along with people from all walks of life. When you are privileged to attend a school with so many exceptional young men and women, you have to understand that you get out of your experience at Townsend Harris only as much as you put into it." Mr. Kim states that current Harris students should get to know their alumni and teachers. In addition, Mr. Kim advocates getting involved in clubs and teams. "This is where you will form friendships that will
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last a lifetime. It takes work in keeping these important friendships after you leave Townsend Harris, but it'll be all worth it," said Mr. Kim, who was senior liaison,Archon President, and Varsity Tennis captain in his time at Harris. "I also want to take this opportunity to thank so many of you for coming out to volunteer in my campaign. The 'anny' of Townsend Harris volunteers during the summer played a major role in me winning the Democratic Primary in September," Mr. Kim added. Additionally, Mr. Kim thanks Harris for setting the foundations for his law career. "The emphasis on the humanities and critical reading skills during my four years at Harris helped me hone the skill most valued as a lawyer - writing and communicating effectively with others," said Mr. Kim, a founding partner of Yoon Sub & Kim LLP. "We, as the first graduating class, recognize how lucky we were to have such an incredible group of human beings as our teachers. Each embraced the pioneering spirit that made Townsend Harris so unique," he continued. Mr. Kim believes that the class of '88 contributed to路 the traditions Harris holds today. "We had a special bond knowing that everything we did would affect all futureHarris classes and we took that responsibility seriously," he said.
I look and feel like; I believe in the importance of public schools, and am proud of my public school education," she said. Because she believes in giving back and sharing what she has learned, Ms. Odom is on the alumni Board of Directors and remains connected to Harris. "I respect the history of the school, and the spirit and hard work that continues to make Townsend Harris a unique center of learning for students in New York City," she said.
artwork by Richie Bonilla
The Classic June 2010
1111 Look rig class
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share both their past and present experiences.
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Suzanne Offerman
by Katherine Valles Suzanne Offerman is now a Customs and International attorney at Baker & McKenzie. She deals with the movement of goods across the border, and advises clients on how to import their goods. She went to the State University of New York at Binghamton before attending Brooklyn Law School. "There are a lot of unhappy lawyers out there, but I'm a happy lawyer," she said. To Ms. Offerman, the most interesting part of being a customs and international attorney is learning about the various industries that her clients represent. "What I love about my job is that we represent... any kind of
industry you can think of," she said. "That keeps it challenging and fun." Ms. Offerman first became interested in law during high school as a member of Student Government and the Mock Trial team. "Try to do stuff," she advised. "My experience in Townsend Harris was improved because I got involved with extracurricular activities." "What really amazes me is that people have actually heard of Townsend Harris," she remarked. Ms. Offerman advises students to "try to get to know [their] teachers and get involved with activities." "It makes a difference," she continued. "I had a friend
I who was only there to do her work and leave. I think she missed out." Ms. Offerman also highlighted the importance of self-motivation and discipline, which "go into being a good student and a good professional." "You needed it to go to [Harris]," she said, "because if you didn't keep up, you were going to fall behind. Everyone expected you to be self-motivated." Despite the demanding schoolwork, Ms. Offerman said that high school "is one of those few times in your life when you don' t have much responsibility. Even though you're working hard, try to enjoy yourself."
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Robert Mendoza
by Katherine Valles what is being taught to you," "[Attending] Townsend he advised, describing the Harris helped me learn that curriculum he was taught as you really only succeed in life "leftist biased." with hard work. I apply that to He also recalled Wanda my career and my home life," Nix's gym class, and said, "We all hated it back then, but said Robert Mendoza. Mr. Mendoza decided on looking back, I see the value a career in accounting. He in her methods. I look back secured a job with Ernst & on Ms. Nix fondly as one of Young after graduating, and is the most character-building now a Director at Deloitte Tax, teachers in my life." As a new school, the future where he has been working for of Townsend Harris during nine years. of a Mr. Mendoza's attendance As head team that sells . tax was uncertain. He recalls that consultingservicesto corporate the temporary school building clients, Mr. Mendoza most on Parsons Boulevard was enjoys the unpredictability of "pretty bare-bones," and that his job. "things were pretty chaotic "Every day doesn't seem during the first semester." Not to turn out the way you planned only were students lacking in books and supplies, but it to be," he said. Mr. Mendoza feels that his they didn't even know, as Mr. involvementwiththeAcademic Mendoza describes, "if [they] Olympics while at Harris was were going to have a future as a valuable experience, saying, a schooL" "It taught me the importance "In the end," Mr. Mendoza of being a team player." stated, "I'm glad I stayed at Mr. Mendoza urges current THHS, especially given some Harrisites to learn to think of the lasting friendships I for themselves. "Challenge made there."
Alumni Association reopens Harris's doors by Pearl Bh atnagar "When I first came up with the idea of an alumni association, I envisioned it as a forum for camaraderie among the alumni," said Townsend Harris Alumni Association (THAA) founder Irving Gerber . ('43). The idea came to him in 1979, 40 years after the original school had closed . The re-opening of his alma mater was not yet part of his vision. Mr. Gerber began his search for Harris alumni nearly 40 years after ~ Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia shut the school's doors in 1942. He placed ~ advertisements in numerous newspapers and by 1981, with a few "Cl equally enthusiastic others, assembled enough alumni for an official ....~e meeting at the Holiday Inn at LaGuardia Airport. ~ "Many of us, when we met, would recount with pride our years at t 15 Townsend Harris," he continued. "" Soon the THAA would meet for a different reason: the re~ -=I:l. founding of their alma mater, with alumnus and board chairman Henry Shereff. Twenty-five Years Ago: The Alumni Association Board of Directors meets to discuss the refounding of the school. "The idea for the re-founding of the school began at a meeting of the original alumni early in the 1980's. These men were eager to see THHS re-established on a college campus. Their hope was to give highly motivated students interested in the Humanities the opportunity to study in an enviro nment similar to that which they had experienced as teenag ers. Most of these men believed that the •. THHS experience was the turning point for them in their education," said retired principal Malcolm Largmann. "When the Board of Education met to decide whether or not to re-open the school, many of us attended the meeting - and some of our directors actually spoke," added THAA Director Ted Peck ('42). With the Board of Education and Queens College backing their missi on, the THAA succeeded in establishing Townsend Harri s High School in 1984 on Parsons Boulevard. In 1988, the THAA welcomed its first set of members from the refounded building - a younger and now co-ed group of Harrisites. The generational and gender divides between those of the original building and the newer alumni seemed unimp ortant to both parties. "I remember one of the older alums coming up to me and telling me, 'We want you on the board.' It was that type of welcoming feeling ; as if to say, 'We want you to be there and we value what you have to say," said THAA Co-President Tanya Odom ('88). "Our current goal is to get funds to help sustain Townsend Harris over the course of many years," she added . These funds ensure that current students have access to the quality educati on the alumni once had themselves. " [The THAA ] is incredibly supportive of things we need," said Assistant Principal of Humanities Susan Getting. Money donated by alumni pays for the Hebrew language teacher as well as professional development. The "Townsend Harris Forever Fund," organized by Mr. Peck, helped to "create several 'endowment' funds that will be used to support the high school in perpetuity," according to the THAA website. With more than 200 alumni joining the association yearly, recruiting members is no longer as difficult as it once was for Mr. Gerber. He said, "In our early days of organization, around 1980, we were so intent on building up our membership that we never removed any names from our membership list. We wanted to appear to be large and powerful. If a member asked to be dropped from the mailing list, we ignored him . Our motto was the same as the Mafia's -'Nobody leaves our organi zation alive.' We weren't as violent about it, however." additiona l reporting by Lory Martinez
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6-The Classic June 2010
The Student Has For years, they woke up early each week to arrive at their lab on time, after staying up all night to finish their collaterals. Now they're back to do it all again - from the other side of the teacher's desk. Known now by their last names, these former students joined their old educators in teaching new generations of Harrisites. -Demetra Panagiotopoulos
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ShiBi"g She"
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said Mr. Jones. "[She] always by Demetra Panagiotopoulos Biology teacher ShiBing spoke her opinion. She was Shen ('92) first walked the always participating. I always halls of Townsend Harris as a heard something from her, at least a few times each band. She was a sophomore. "At the time, I'd been [in dynamite student." "We had physics zero band, America] for about one and a half every day. With her years....My guidance . voice, she'd wake us counselor...[told me] up, the whole class," he that it was a good continued. "Let me put school and talked to my it this way: I would still parents. I was actually remember her today surprised that I got in," even if she wasn't a Ms. Shen said, noting teacher here." that her scores on Initially, Ms. Shen standardized exams Photo from Crimson did not study to in English weren't high and Gold, 1992 become a teacher. then. "My parents were "I came from a very different learning environment," teachers," she said. "What they she said. "School started at 6:30 had said to me all my life was, [am] and ended at 5 pm [in 'Don't be a teacher; it's a thankless China]. We went home for lunch job. The pay is low, and it's a lot of and napped. So this school was work.''' she said. "My parents wanted me to be actually easier for me....To me, the workload [at Harris] was light. a doctor. I was on the pre-med In China, I would go to sleep at 12 track ....1was a biochemistry major.
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Philip Porzio
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by Rupeshi Shah After attending Binghamton Science teacher Philip Porzio University and graduate school ('98) believes that "science is at John Jay College of Criminal everywhere, and permeates every Justice, Mr. Porzio enrolled in the action we take in our lives. It is a education program at Queens foundation of every other College. .He became a subject of knowledge, and understanding the student teacher foundation allows you at Harris and was to create magnificent soon offered a structures." job in the Science Mr. Porzio was Department. interested in science even Mr. Porzio's as a student at Townsend favorite part of Harris. teaching is the Mr. Porzio describes students. "The his freshman year as students' desire difficult and "humbling." to learn motivates Photo from Crimson and Although he had to get Gold, 1998 me to make my accustomed to the heavy lessons as fun workload, he felt more accepted and interesting as possible, so that than in junior high school and . when they leave my classroom, enjoyed the close community of they continue to think about what students and teachers. we did in class," he said. He regards science teacher He believes one ofthe greatest Adel Kadamani as his most feelings in the world "is seeing memorable teacher. He recalls and hearing 'that is so cool' after the first day of class, when Mr. performing a demo, such as the Kadamani break-danced for the gummy bear sacrifice or the liquid students. Mr. Porzio also once nitrogen shattering ball." accidentally threw boiling copper His parents were teachers
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Science teacher ShiBing Shen teaches an elective in psychology.
[midnight], and I would start my homework the minute I got home. Here, I would always go to sleep earlier than that." Some of Ms. Shen's teachers, including science teacher Philip Jones, are still part of the current faculty. . "I got him [Mr. Jones] off smoking. I used to take his cigarette and stamp it out. I would see him [smoking] outside the school doors and I would yell at him," she recalled. "She was not a shy student,"
I took the MCAT [the Medical College Admission Test]," she recollected. "I stopped at the interview. The pre-medical advisor was a jerk. He got me thinking on a career change." "I took a scholarship and taught a few classes," she continued. "I fell in love with teaching, and I've been doing it ever since. My mom made jokes, saying it was in my blood." Now, 18 years later, Ms. Shen can do what she loves at her alma mater.
Science teacher Philip Porzio asks a question in his junior Science Research class.
sulfate solution at Mr. Kadamani. During his senior year, Mr. Porzio hosted the Founders' Day ceremony. He gave the opening speech about the purpose of the event and the goals of the original administration in reopening Harris. He also participated in the senior skits, which, he said, "at the time poked a lot of fun at the teachers, rather than Townsend Harris life."
and he always looked up to them "and the work they did, giving selflessly and oftentimes with little appreciation." "I knew I wanted to do something with my life that would leave a lasting impression on others," said Mr. Porzio. "And what better way to leave my city better than I found it than by coming back to Townsend Harris?"
The Classic June 2010
by Rupeshi Shah . Athletic Conference and New "Collaterals are fun! You get York State Championships in the to learn so much," said Lauren same year. Without Wanda Nix as a Caiaccia, Health and Physical Caroline Cross volleyball coach, Ms. Caiaccia Education (P.E.) teacher. practice room] all the time, during by Demetra Panagiotopoulos Ms. Caiaccia ('92) had plenty said that volleyball would not Although this is the first year her free bands. There was a group of experience with collaterals have played such an important new English teacher Caroline of students that...would always (which they had in every class, role in her life. Cross is assigning collaterals to hang out here [during] all their free including P.E., when she was a After graduating, Ms. Caiaccia students, it is not the first time she bands, lunch bands... As seniors, student). This is her third year of came back to visit Townsend they'd be here half the teaching at her alma mater. has encountered Harris once or twice a year and day." them. Ms. Caiaccia attended high stayed in touch with several Mr. Lustig recalled school at the 'old,' smaller Harris teachers, including Keith Hanson, Ms. Cross that Ms. Cross was building. The seniors were usually Physical Education teacher, and recalls the stress "very enthusiastic... on the college campus, meaning Ms. Nix. the projects brought and always happy. the juniors were "king of the hill," her as a member of Since college, Ms. Caiaccia You think of the term she said. the class of '97. has been teaching, tutoring, and 'band geek.'" "I literally sat She had Adel Kadamani, coaching. She has been a college Ms. Cross looks science teacher, for physics coach and an administrator at in my living room, back upon her high during his first year at Townsend Hunter College. She was the rocking back and school experience Harris. "He was hilarious!" she head coach of a college team at forth, saying, 'I'm fondly. not gonna finish 24 years old. said, adding a "YO, YO!" "It gave me a this, I'm not gonna As part of her requirements She described Debra finish this.' I think Photo from Crimson and place where I felt Michlewitz, English teacher, as to receive a teaching degree, she Gold, 1997 accepted," Ms. Cross someone who "always made me had to do observations at a school, I had about four said. "Before, I was laugh." [collaterals] due," and chose what she always the nerdy kid. When I was she recalled. considered "the best Ms. Caiaccia said she "I specifically remember [doing] in middle school, I was awkward enjoyed "the dynamic in the school;" Townsend my physics collateral," she said. "I because of that. Afterwards, I classroom." She noted, "I Harris. During these was up until two in the morning. didn't mind, because people had appreciate a lot of different observations, she It was about relativity and the accepted me. It gave me my teachers learned that coach for different friends, my sense of self." Beatles." George Rio was reasons." Becoming colleagues with Mathematics was another retiring. Besides teachers, Ms. some of her former teachers has' Caiaccia's other Townsend source of anxiety for Ms. Cross. She immediately "Math and I did not get along. I been "a little bit strange." thought, "Oh my Harris memories include Photo from Crimson only took math through job..:. God, I wantthat lunchtime. and Gold, 1992 . sophomore year. Then, who wouldn't want to "We used to get the they wanted to put me in pass and hang out in the music work at their alma mater?" Ms. Statistics. I argued with Caiaccia never pictured herself room," she reminisced. my guidance counselor, Referring to the school safety with this job, but said she "always who said that I wouldn't agents, she said with a grin, "I was thought it would be cool to be a get into a good college, known for doing some imitations coach." and I said, 'I don't care,'" She believes that the "lia ndsback in the day." she recollected. - Sports teams were also on teaching moments in coaching" "I ended up in important in Ms. Caiaccia's high are what motivated her to become Creative Self. I took as school experience. She was on . a teacher. many writing classes Ms. Caiaccia exclaimed, "I'm the volleyball, basketball, and as I could. I loved softball teams. She mentioned a career changer that's teaching Eng lish ....Li nguistics that she was the last one to leave a subject I absolutely love at the with Ms. Michlewitz was e school every evening and still the best school in the best city in the fascinating, and I'm so ~ first one to get there in happy I'm teaching it" ~ the morning. she continued. ~ Despite all her Ms. Cross was on ~ commitments, Ms. the writing staff of the ~ Caiaccia went to bed at 9 literary magazine The i pm every night. "I refused Phoenix, then advised =- to sacrifice sleep for by English teacher anything," she explained. Helen Rizzuto, who After high school h t h f English teacher Caroline Cross revisits the band room she at Townsend Harris, was er eac er or frequented as a high school student. four different classes. she said, college at "I had a different relationship Binghamton University Ms. Cross was also a member of the Concert Band, conducted with them when I was a student, was "a walk in the and now I'm a peer," Ms. Cross park... 1felt so much more by Mr. Lustig. "I was a very proud part of said. confident." However, she added, Concert Band," she said. She was added to the "Ijoined BeginnerBand [playing "Everyone's been really nice, University's Athletic Hall the flute] in freshman year. I had a supportive and welcoming. It's of Fame while in college. friend in Concert Band who went really good to be learning from She considers this her on and on about it, so I decided to other teachers. They know how to "athletic claim to fame." work up to it. I gave up my lunch teach, they've been doing this for She was a record holder years, so in that way it's a whole in volleyball, putting [band]," she continued. Mr. Lustig remembers Ms. new apprenticeship." Binghamton University Physical Education teacher Lauren Caiacca ('92) runs As her first year as a teacher at volleyball on the map. on Cross clearly from her years as a the Queens College track with Harris students. Harris draws to an end, Ms. Cross Ms. Caiaccia was also student. "She took to the flute very looks forward to continue her post the captain and leader of the best state in the greatest nation quickly....1remember she used to as the Classic's advisor as well as university's first team to win both in the world.... That's liVing the hang out in this room [the music a freshman English teacher. the State University of New York dream!"
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The Classic
8
June 2010
Reprints from Old Issues of the Classic and the Stadium (the Original
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Harris Newspaper)
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"Our school windows recently received their semi-annual bath. When the Latin tacher wasn't looking, we got to talking with the daring young man on the windowsill. He informed us that, on the average, it takes three-quarters of a minute to wash one window pane, four and one-half minutes per complete window, and twentyseven and three-quarters minutes for all the windows in a room so that one may see clearly to the building across the street. " -Arden Perin ; December 11, 1936
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"Well, just look at us. School is almost over and just
a while ago we couldn't wait until winter vacation. It looked pretty bleak back then, when we first stepped into that tiny brick schoolhouse instead of the picturesque high school with the football field that we had all imagined. We didn't have textbooks, which at first seemed to be a blessing, but when all the rexograph copies of assignments(and books!) were handed out and soon last, the blessing turned out to be a curse in disguise. And remember our bare library? It was nothing but gleaming empy shelves . Another overwheming encouragement was the absurd 3:1 ratio "Don't take away our coconuts and rubb er duckies!" of girls to boys." -Cheryl Shustack, June 1985 pleaded a. 1994 Classic editorial as the school considered banmng all unofficial passes.
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Back In TIme:
Recalling The Ear~ TH Days
by Chery'l SchmlDd. memeries. like thc comers or ml mind: misty water-colored memories
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the way we were.. .•,
Are tltree years of In¢! schoolreal,
II behindus" It seems so difficult to beheve. Images of our first ~mxi(lus
day' at Harris HiSh have turned into a hind of flip-boo.. movie, rich with memorit-s of our successes and despair. el<periencedthroughout the frenetic year~ neft".
Existing On Blind Faith At first thestudent bed) had to exand rexcgraph sheets. Whoever heard of a school without te"1><,,,I;.,> Well, wewere In for man} more surprises. In honor of Townsend Harrts. Japanese amt>a>>ador. We ~dcpted the country'> rradllJon of s,lti ng on the floor rhrou¢!oot the sehool day Actually, Hanh dido'r ackoowledge the mvennon of thechair until iall!September ·S... Remember the library? The
J" on blind faith -
mahogan) shelves were very anraclive .• even without boob. And as if taking lWO or three languages weren't eoov,gh, we had to Jearn'TownsendTalk' as well. Even ' collateral. . ' house,plan•. 'cafetorlum,' hand, ' and 'enrich, ment' weren't properly defined in ocr omnipresentdictionaries. Another boon to the 'special ' Townsend Harm studelltS was the assignmem of ruening worldw,de cboasIntoorder. Althoughwedidn't succeed on an intemational hasi., school>plrit (a phrase that wasnever far behInd 'special' ) compelled us to excel furt her than we had ever imagined in tho"" rather bleak frlat months at Townsend Harris Nigh.
Female Gripes The female .'Illdent body', grip'" abwl thelackof malerompanlonship in the school\611 pereent were girls) were allayed with the busy schedule of imramural activities. Although
October 1936 "I draw the line at kissing" she said with accents fine. But he was a footba ll player so he crossed the line. "Just saw a baby raised on Elephant's milk and gained ten pounds a day." "Ten pounds a day! You are a liar," "S'truth, so help me." "Whose baby?" "The elephant's."
·CAN VOV SHOW Ul1A't fIND . SO 0-('4 IN1'£.r.:lf5T\NG?" -
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The Stadium ran a joke column each issue called 'The Hourglass," Here are some excerpts:
someevents were Constant reminders of oer four-year service as guinea pigs, Sing andHalloweenSpirit Day are unfotgettable me~ which developed mmy frieodJbips.
fllllllly developedimo the "real high school' we all yeamed f<>r sinee the first time We set eye. on Tow_nd Harri. Almost But Not Really At Queens Col lege. S<> why. withall ofth.t bebiodns,
does the""'ling lhat sornc:wbere along the line the calendar skipped a year
Open Air Of Friendship The favorite pastimewas. and mil is, complainmg. Our whines "boot M. Nix's hellish forty minuteJC8$. the ' w" mlOngerins' peace officers and the llorel<Cent lockers ironically weavedthe open air of friendship at Harr l s. Even Mr s . Appel's eockroaebeswere. friendly. The achievement>attamed were a much needed boost to OUr ego. The C.....1c: SUlff will ne_er forget the swell of pride rell as Volome One, Number One rolled off the presses, The eagerness and <letermlnatlon whichhalf. beome the tredematl<of our school have blossomed into a multitude of victories for our IQ1Ig Iisl of new lCllrns, soeienesand clubs. We
persist" St!l<k'nt Heather Bennan sUllUllo'l:rized the sentiment. "time is gOlllg501"t. Weju JJteatnetoTownsend Harris - f remember it like if was yesrerday, Now we're worryiug about co llege . pph clltlotts and SAT lU ults. I Just don'! know where all the time went!"
October 1938 "The young man was taking his country girlfriend to her first movie, After a short time she declared she had enough of it. "The seats are so uncomfortable," she explained . "Well dear," excla imed her escort, "you'd be much more comfortable if you turned down the seat." Son: "What .happens when you're drunk?" Dad: "Well, you see those two men there? If I were drunk there would be four," Son: "That's one man there, Dad," Latin Teacher: "And what is our lesson for today?" Stude nt: "Jason and his Golden Fleas." December 1938 Whe n I asked her to wed, "Go to fathe r," she said. She knew that I knew That her father was dead. She knew that I knew What a life he had led. She knew that I knew What she meant went she said, "Go to fathe r." Prof: You should've been here at 8:30 Student: Why, what happpened? "Men's faults are many, Wome n have but two: Everything they say And everyth ing they do."
.. "Gym at Harris is a Pain" (to the tune of "If I Only Had a Brain" from The Wizard of Oz ) by Steven Torero TOWNSEND IIARRIS
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It la always a sorrow to aa,. aood-
bye to persons and placea that 'ha ve been closely anoelated with joya and pleasures. Each 1.ar a, · the craduatine cIa.. has left us to· CO on to further venture, 'We felt a losa for wh ich their success compensated . a. well aa the kno'Wledee that 'w e would have other classes to follow them and carryon the ideal. for which we have ever atood. This year It is a peculiarly polenant erlef to say a laat farewell to the century old center of our hopea and a«ectlonll-to apeale of "Townaend Harris" fo r the laat time a. a human entlty-a vital force In our dally lives whose Influence h a. moulded the IInell of each succeedInr 'class ·tbat followed its predeceaSOl'. B ut now there w1l be none to follow.
men
SCHOOL. I\1ONDA1', JUNE II. 1942
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The doaine of our 'Khorl Is like the burial of a friend. W~ grieve but we remember. We have had our troubles. we bave borne "th~", toCflther. We have had our Ilk":': and our dlallkes and Wfl bave learned 'toler a nce In the mldat of differences. We have fought for juatlee In the attempts t o save our achool from oblivion and we hava learned how to be c:oura&"!Oua In the face of bitter defeat. Nothing can take this from us. -, If Townaend Harrl, haa really meant anythine to us. we ahall carry forward through life the Ideala we developed and the atreneth we acquired here so that Its aplrlt does not die. To m,. eo-workera In an departments. my deepeat eratltude for the I~tenslty of your efforts In the per-
eltadbuuJformanee of all our obllgationa. Ma,. j'.. u find as deep aatlsfaetion in your .next fields of endeavor. To our students, wbolle loyal devotion to their aehool haa been over and above the call of dut,., the good . wiahea and prayers of all of us of the faculty and ataff co with you. wherever you may be. You cannot fall to be a credit to Townsend Harris. To your new aehoo l you will give the same loyal devotion and se rvlee that you have shown bere. Townsend Uarria men can do no Iess. Quit ye like men, be IItrong! To Townllend Harris High School: Ave atque Vale, " .~ Uail 'a nd Farewell• . ROBERT H. CHASTNEYj Actin. DI::reelo==r;:: . •:....'
:J must run for many hours Gym teachers have the powers
Oh 1 could tell you why Gym at Harris makes me cry
F orced laps out in the rain All my muscles have been
Perhaps I'd better wait a bit and
aehin' Oh I think 1 was mistak in' G ym at Harris is a pain.
What exer-cise will do to me.
Ah the pushups, squats and lunges Who feels like eating lunches?
I' m working out in vain. Then I get to climb to Bio
see,
I' tI be benchin' at one-fifty That would be rathe r nifty IfI don't go insan e I'll be stronger than a hon If I just keep a -tryin' Gym at Harris is stiH a pain,
Shouldn't rea lly wond er why' 0 Gym at Harris is a pain,
Performed on Founders' Day, 1999.
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