Issue 4: June

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Townsend Harris High School at Queens College
Me, myself and 'eye':
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1
Art exhibit peers at
many images of self
I i t i 11)! ~~~~
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149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367
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by Danielle Lord and Jennifer Gong
"Eye: A Vision of Self," the third
annual art exhibit mounted by the Art
Club, opened after school on May 29 in
the main lobby. The artwork, including
photography, sculpture, and painting,
will be displayed until the end of the
semester.
All interested students could submit
their work. Emily Fishbaine said that the
exhibition uncovers "a lot of artistic talent that people don't know about."
"It proves that we here at Townsend
Harris are more than just 'brainiacs, "'
said sophomore Michael Borress. "We
Cookies, ~
The larger-than-life balloons of a rat and Uncle Sam<lramatize the message of the union members
picketing outside the Queens College gate near Townsend Harris.
Unions protest hiring policy
for Queens College construction
by Sarah Schnee
The giant icon of Uncle Sam, and the
huge, long-nosed rat that tower over
Melbourne Avenue's morning rush, are
there to protest the hiring of non-union
workers in the renovation of
Powdermaker Hall on the Queens College campus. The inflatable patriot and
rodent were placed there by the Bricklayers Allied Craftworkers Union and
Local One, New York.
"I was wondering what that weirdlooking rat balloon was doing in front
of our school, " said Inessa Khaimova,
sophomore.
"We're not saying they don't have a
right to work. They do, but we also have
a right to picket," said Zack Winbush,
field representative, Local One Bricklayers.
According to Mr. Winbush, the rat
is symbolic of DASNY, the Dorm Authority of the State of New York, which
owns all the real estate on the Queens
College campus and is responsible for
hiring the workers for the construction
site. The Uncle Sam, which is sometimes inflated next to the rat and sometimes by itself, represents traditional
American values such as fairness. The
unions believe that DASNY is being unfair by not paying workers the prevail-
ing rate. Although they admit they cannot prove this, the Bricklayers Allied
Craftworkers and Local One, New York
say that by not hiring union members,
the Dorm Authority is in any case cheating workers out of medical coverage and
pension plans.
"The City University and Dorm Authority do not require that every worker
be a union member. They do require,
however, that every worker be paid prevailing wages, which is what we do
pay," said Bob Landesman, Director of
Facilities, Queens College.
According to Mr. Landesman, the
reason the protestors are stationed so
close to Townsend Harris is that Queens
College identified the entrance where
the picketers were allowed to protest.
The one adjacent to Townsend Harris is
away from the main gates where most
students and faculty enter and exit.
The two unions began demonstrating
over a month ago and do not plan on
stopping until they have a meeting with
Queens College.
"They want to make trouble. They are
against the hiring of anyone who is not
a union member, even if they are being
paid fairly," said Mr. Landesman.
"The rat really creeps me out," said
Katrina Yee, sophomore.
punch and piano
music played by
junior
Ilya
Kalinik helped
create the atmosphere of a professional
art
show opening.
"I admit the
food draws you
in at first , but
then you see the
great works of
art and you really want to stay
to look around," Emily Rivlin-Nadler, junior, sporting a homemade shirt promoting
exhibit "Eye: A Visiol! of Self' is standing next to one of the many
said sophomore art
portraits created by her on display during the opening.
Ericka Joseph.
The exhibit was created under the actually have some artistic talent and it
auspices of Assistant Principal of Fine shows.·~
Arts Joan Walsh, Project Arts CoordiMs. Polansky explained that the annator Lois Polansky, art teachers An- nual art exhibition is an essential part
thony Morales and Elizabeth Crawford, of the student experience. "It is so imand the Art Club, ic!d by co-presidents portant that students are able to share
Emily Fishbaine and Emily Rivlin- their own artwork and experience the
Nadler, vice-president Frank DeBellis, artwork of their peers," she said, beand secretary Rachel Nepomuceno. cause art is part of "the basic core of all
Annie Yan, Class of 1999, played an in- our learning."
fluential role in the inauguration of an
The show was the beginning of what
annual art show and came to the open- Ms. Walsh called "Project Arts Week,"
ing this year to lend her support.
which ended with the Spring Concert
Previous art exhibitions, "Our Birth" May 31. "It was timed so that the par(1999) and "The Seedling" (2000) laid ents coming from the concert would see
the groundwork for this year's show. the work," she said.
The themes of the earlier exhibitions re''I'm happy to see it all come tofer to a symbolic cycle of life and gether, " said Emily Fishbaine. "I've
growth which has been expanded upon seen it all progress so much and it'_s rein the current title. "All art is a repre- ally great to see the work that's resulted.
sentation of self," said Emily Rivlin- But this is just the opening. I hope
Nadler, "and the title [Eye: A Vision of people stop by to see the work throughSelf] incorporates that."
out [the rest of] the year."
rr
u.
Comic Muse
pageS
Cell Phones
pageS
Pizza
page9
Autism
page 11
2
June2001
~
Deterring plagiarism
Scandal covered the front pages of newspapers and magazines
across the country last month when students attending the University
of Virginia were accused of plagiarism. A professor found 122 papers
in which most or all of one paper was the same as another student's.
These students face expulsion, and those who have already graduated
could loose their diplomas. These consequences have cut the amount
of plagiarism at the University of Virginia tremendously. If more severe punishments were instituted at Townsend Harris, maybe there ~
would be a decrease in this offense here as well.
This year, the number of cases of plagiarism caught has increased.
"It's not that the plagiarism itself is on the rise; I think we are just
getting better at catching it," said Lynne Greenfield, Assistant Principal of Humanities. Plagiarism has been found in all grades, but especially in the senior seminars. It is frequently discovered in essays,
homework, lab reports and journals.
According to Ms. Greenfield, a first offense in the Humanities department results in a conference with the parents and the student failing the-assignment, without a chance to make it up. A second offense _.__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _•
results in disciplinary measures, including suspension. Despite these
punishments that students who plagiarize face, it is still abundant.
Perhaps it's because students don't think they will be discovered, but
teachers have many techniques they_use to detect it, and more and
more teachers are becoming aware of the situation. It is also possible
that they believe that, even if they are caught, they won't be seriously
punished, and they figure it is worth the risk to get a better or an easy
grade. We can learn from the incident at the University of Virginia
and set tougher consequences for these violations. Maybe then, students would realize the seriousness of their actions. Plagiarism is
wrong because it not only cheats other students who do their work; it
also strips the original author of the credit that he/she rightfully deserves. This is a severe crime that should be treated as such.
A faculty committee was formed this month that will attempt to
make the policy uniform throughout the departments. It is composed
of volunteers and includes at least one staff member from each department in order to address the specific concerns of each department. The guidelines that the committee will create should include
specific punishments for specific situations, and students should be
well informed on exactly what constitutes plagiarism and what the
punishments are for each specific violation. This will hopefully give
us a more honorable and fair community where the students who actually do their work are rewarded, and the students who opt for an
easy way out have to face the ramifications of their actions.
Talking sense about cell phones
Townsend Harris currently bans any use of cell phones and beepers on school grounds during school hours, but does not penalize students for phone use after school, or for having phones that remain out
of sight while classes are in session. However, this lenient policy may
soon change when Townsend Harris ryviews it in light of new and
stricter Board of Education guidelines, which prohibit cell phones
altogether from school grounds. We urge the administration to con-
Alice Iosifescu
Allison Slotnick
Co-Editors-in-Chief
Sarah Schnee, Diane Tiao, Jessica Wang
Sports Staff : Rachel Acosta, Carolina Chang, Josh Fox,
Talya Liebennan. Ashley Pillsbury
News Staff : Beth. Dubin, ~mrny Favilla, Debbie Gopstein,
Desai, Jamie Gullen, Matthew Kirschner, Hillary Homier, Jamie
Akshta Kalla, Lorraine Kapovich, Bryan Kirschen, Danielle Lord,
Liu, Linh Ly, Laura Ng, Shara Siegel, Jennifer Sheth, William Yang
Rachel Mindlin, Michelle Potofsky, Carolina Pruss, Tian Ying
Artists· Raymond Baro, Ryan Dennie,Vivian Chang,Annie
Assistant Editors · JenniferGong,AngelaHom,
JamieGullen
News Editor
Feature Editor
Hye-Kyung Yang
Arielle Frost
Feature Staff : Jessica Berger, Nataliya Binshteyn, Marlo
Sports Editor
Dublin, Karen Hendershot, Stavie lsraeJian, Sybil Kollappallil,
Kerry Purtell
Emily Rivlin Nadler
Steven Lee
Online Editor
Townsend Harris High School at Queens College
149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, N.Y. 11367
Photography Staff: Juhn Boneta, Glnria Chi, Kavcct~
Danny Bloch
Photography Editor
tinue its present policy and not make any changes.
A main factor in schools having regulations on cell phone use is
their potential to disrupt classes and learning, but the reasons often go
further than that. Cell phones are closely associated with drug dealers
and selling drugs; therefore many are concerned with the possibility
of students using their phones for that purpose. While certainly this is
a citywide concern, Harrisites do not usually get into that sort of
trouble.
In actuality, a majority of Harrisites surveyed in a recent poll reported that the primary reason they want their cell phones is for emergencies and safety after school. (See "Cell phone craze starts trend,"
p 8.) Those who stay late for extra-curricular activities can call home
for a ride or just to allay a parent's worry. Some seniors say that they
need. them because they drive, and a phone would be useful in an
emergency such as a flat tire. If they leave a phone in the car while
they are at school, they argue, they risk the chance of it being stolen.
And students are not the only ones who think they need their personal phones. Most parents feel better knowing that their teenager is
carrying one. They are concerned with their children's safety and want
them to be able to call home whenever necessary.
Still, the legitimate reasons that exist for their having cell phones
are not enough to mean that students should be allowed to stroll down
the halls chatting away to friends on the other end of the phone line or
add to the lunchroom -clamor by screaming over the din. There is no
need for cell phones during the school day, .and we argree that cell
phones should be confiscated if caught in use or even in view during
school hours.
The policy as Townsend Harris has it now is reasonable and satisfies the needs of both the school and students. Harrisites can use their
cell phones after school, which won't disrupt classes in any way. w_hen
Townsend Harris reviews this policy, the administration should not
forget that we don't face the same problems as many other city public
schools. We have a good thing here. Why change it'?
Lau, Doris Onega. Janine Petmvits, Rachel Schiffman, EmmaXiao,
Stephanie Zapata
Terrance Lai, Steven Lee, Anna Olsen, Sunayna Ramdeo, Rachel
Layout Staff · David Belsky, Clarke Gradinger
Schiffman, Katherine Shi, Shara .Siegel, Tina Wu
Circulation· Clarke Gradinger
Art Editors
Advisor - Ilsa Cowen
Principal - Thomas Cunningham
The Classic is an open forum for the expression of
student views. The opinions expressed therein
should not be taken to represent those of the
administration or faculty or student body as a whole.
Readers are invited to submit letters to the editor.
Letters should be placed in Ms. Cowen's mailbox in
the general office. The Classic reserves the right to
edit all letters . Letters must include name and
official class. Names will be withheld upon request.
The Classic
June 2001
3
New computers, new courses signal
launching of Cunningham era ·
by Jennifer Gong
As principal Thomas
Cunningham walked through
the doors of Townsend Harris
on February 1, many students
and faculty members questioned how life would change
with the departure of retired
principal Malcolm Largmann.
The answer so far: not by much.
But Mr. Cunningham remains dedicated to his vision of
the school's technological betterment, and in this realm, the
school community will see major improvements in the fall.
Thirty-five IBM computers
have already arrived and are
ready to be placed in the library,
the new Intel research lab in
room 634, and a few other locations. Funded through the
principal's discretionary funds,
as well as by the PTA and the
alumni, these state-of-the art
machines will be installed during the summer. According to
Computer Coordinator Joseph
Mu Alpha Theta honors
top achievers in math
by Rachel Schiffman
Although Townsend Harris is known as a Humanities school,
many Harrisites excel in mathematics. Their achievements were
recognized May 1 in the auditorium with their induction into the
Mu Alpha Theta Society.
Meghan Gill, Craig Kennan, Susan Cheng and Jennifer 'Shi present
certificates and copies of Radical Ideas, the mathematics magazine, to newly
inducted Mu Alpha Theta members, including Bushra Ahmad.
The ceremony, held in the auditorium, admitted over 100 juniors and seniors to full membership in the national organization,
while around 50 sophomores became associate members.
The Mu Alpha Theta society honors those who have succeeded
in math. "[The ceremony] is a strong and positive event to make
the mathemat•ical department at Townsend Harris High School
more important," said Craig Kerman, Senior President of the Math
Team ..
Vivian Ng, senior, provided a musical interlude with her performance of a Chopin waltz.
The Mu Alpha Theta Society, literally translated from Greek
into English, represents the letters M A T H. The society was
founded in 1957 to encourage students to engage in math and promote its enjoyment.
Each studenrs math average, overall average, and dean's record
were carefully considered in order to determine who qualified for
membership in Mu Alpha Theta. Inductees were required to pay a
$5 membership fee. Nationwide, there are over50,000members
in the organization.
Assistant Principal of Mathematics Harry Rattien and principal Thomas Cunningham commended the candidates for their commitment to and academic success with the mathematics curriculum. "It's about time the quality of math in this school rivals any
other school in this city," Mr. Ratti en. Former principal Malcolm
Largmann also attended the ceremony to honor these students.
Each student was awarded with a certificate of honor and given
Radical Ideas, a mathematics magazine created by the students
and edited by Craig. Mr. Rattien served as their advisor. "The
goal of this magazine was to make inath more interesting by relating math to baseball, games, and other fun activities," said Craig.
Horn, the three computer Jabs,
414, 434 and 514, will also be
upgraded with computers,
monitors, servers, switches and
printers, all funded by the Board
of Education.
A new rolling computer lab
to be named Mal (in honor of
Malcolm Largma:nn), complete
with a high-powered data projector that can display various
presentations via the internet
and Powerpoint, is also in the
works. It will join the similarly
equipped Hal, which has been
wheeled into many classrooms
this year. Like Hal, Mal will be
funded by Project Arts and, according to Assistant Principal of
Art Joan Walsh, a third state-of
the-art mobile unit, to be named
Pal, is planned as well.
The Technology Committee,
composed of Mr. Horn, Ms.
Walsh, Assistant Principal of
Mathematics Harry Rattien,
and Assistant Principal of Science Susan Brustein, has joined
Mr. Cunningham on his quest
for technological improvement.
"When Mr. Cunningham
came to the school in February,
he promised that he would do
everything in his power to upgrade the school's computer
system and [he has been] true
to his word," said Mr. Horn.
"Mr. Cunningham has taken an
aggressive approach to the upgrading and utilization of technology and Townsend Harris;
and our school should be thankful for his efforts."
Upon his arrival, Mr.
Cunningham also talked about
his desire to offer more Advanced Placement (AP) and
elective courses. The fall of
2001 will see the inauguration
of AP courses courses in Psychology, and Environmental
Science, as well as three new
elective courses: Law and Finance (available only to seniors), Organic Chemistry, and
The Apple, which explores the
history of New York City
through literature and art.
Mr. Cunningham is also considering the establishment of a
summer enrichment program
and is discussing the idea with
the faculty. The program, which
could possibly start in July,
2002, would provide opportunities for incoming ninth and
actions between the college and
Harris students.
Despite all his plans for new
programs, Mr. Cunningham intends to keep the rich Humanities curriculum that is offered
and traditions from past years.
"Collaterals are one of those traditions that I don't intend to
change," he said. They prepare
students for college, and are
"part of the tradition of excellence."
While Mr. Cunningham
wants to make it clear that he is
by no means changing any of
Townsend Harris's traditions,
Gazing ahead at his future at Townsend Harris, prinCipal Thomas
Cunningham sees visions of new computers and new AP courses. Most
mornings, he can be found outside the front entrance greeting students.
tenth graders to earn up to two
credits during the summer so
that in the following year, they
would have room to take electives .
Mr. Cunningham has met
with the president of Queens
College, and they have discussed different course offerings as well as furthering inter-
he adds that by working together, "we can develop new
ones."
So far, Mr. Cunningham
says, he has had a very positive
experience as principal and has
been welcomed with open arms.
He said he is "pleased and proud
to be a part of [Townsend Harris]."
u~ri e fly ...
'Daniel Bushansky, junior, won first place inthe Salomon Smith Ba111ey Quality of Life
Research Competition and will receive a $10..000 scho)arship. JtrniJilr Stephanie
Moy won an Hol)or Award and $2;_
000 scho1arspip. Jq·niors Elizabeth Reni(!rjs and<
Mie:belle F~11nandes were. semi- finali~ts. a_s well.
The thr!.>.e t~p aW!1f4s for the Eng!ish-$peak:i:g_g Ul).ion's 16th Ann'uall'I~nry Darcy
Curwen Jtssay C0.mpetiti.on went to juniQrs Emily Fishbaine.,, Laura ~im. and, :Jane
¥oo. Bach winner received $500.
Fh:st anA ·third place hon:ors iti the ADJ;.}.Suglhara "lJo the Right 'flhing~· contest went
to jtini0rs E:r.khan Mur3d an_cl' Calo.g~ro Argento~ resp~:ct'ively: Freshm,an Shirley
Chan;·Junior Raymond Baro, junio_r'R:achel Gershman, freshman LI-nda Luu,
iU:nior S'arah Walter and junior M~i$a Cohen regei-v-e(!J'lon,or ~war!;Js.Jlrkhan's
ptize includes a trip to Japan.
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{tcislun~ k~sit~a ·~91ish. will' study·in.Jap:a.D· for the fi'fst wee}C.of,Jqt~:
The$ch0-GJ Aft Leag,\l_e' .bas nOn:O'red' two Sctnrors fot thei:r, skill: KPts:' P.ueyo won.' fh.e
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4
The
Classic
June 2001
SU, senior officers
elected after debate
by Akshta Kalla
Elections for the Student Union and
Senior Council took place on May 16
and for the first time in school history,
the votes were tallied and the winners
were determined on the same day.
The names of the winners appear in
the adjacent box.
Candidates addressed the student
body at a special debate assembly on
Monday May 14. Freshman Payton H.
Armstrong was not only running against
thre.e "lovely young ladies" for the position of Q-SAC representative, but also
against a high fever.
Angel Yau presented the audience
with her musical slogan "Vote for An. gel!" The only "missing" candidate was
junior Daniel Wallenstein, who won the
office of Consultative Council Repre• sentative.
Katarzyna Lewczuk, who ran for junior School Leadership Team Repres.entative, proclaimed that she could make
anything happen and "you won't regret
it, so don't forget it!" Junior Andrew
Galmer entertained the crowd with his
speech on changing the "national budget for alien and cyber contacts."
Laughter rang out as Andrew apologized
for reading the "wrong speech." In his
second speech, he asked his fellow
classmates to "put your trust in Galmer."
His opponent, sophomore Ashley
Pillsbury, said that he was definitely a
"tough act to follow."
Andrew McGloin, candidate for Secretary, told ·the audience how the school,
just like his new pants, did not fit just
right.
The Freshman/Sophomore VicePresidential candidates expressed their
strong standing on the dress code. They
would like to work with Dean Wanda
Nix and the students to determine a new
dress code oramend the existing one to
fit modem fashions.
· Senior Vice-Presidential candidate
Rio May Del Rosario, former Freshmen/
Sophomore Vice-President, revisited the
slogan that brought about her former position: "Vote for Rio May. Have it your
way, and have a nice day!"
Junior candidate for SU Vice-PresidentAlex Paulenoff talked about the rise
of "cliques" in the school, and disassociated himself from any such alliances.
Also running for SU Vice-President,
junior Jenna Sangastiano said that she
wanted to improve the school so that all
students would look forward to attending.
Rounding up the speeches was the
unopposed SU President, and former
Junior Vice-President, Marc Florman.
He thanked the junior class for "not producing" an opponent, especially since
it made his "life easier."
now
architecture
biomedicine
engineering
education
liberal arts
& sciences
The City College
of the City University of New York
Convent Avenue @ 138th Street
New York, New York 10031
SU Election Results
President: Marc Florman, Junior
Vice-President: Jenna Sangastiano, Junior
Senior Vice-President: Sabrina Banhan, Junior
J~nior Vice-President: Jamie Sackett, Sophomore
Freshman/Sophomore Vice-President: Michelle Wong,
Freshman
·Secretary: Andrew McGloin, Junior
Treasurer: Andrew Galmer, Junior
Consultative Council Representative: Daniel
Wallenstein, Junior
Public Relations: Jennifer Gong, Sophomore
Junior School Leadership Team Representative:
Amanda Chen, Freshman
Senior School Leadership Team Representative:
Maryann Tan, Sophomore
Q-SAC: Sophomores Rachel Schiffman, Martha Lapsatis,
Angel Yau
Senior Council Election Results
President: Meghan Gill
Vice-President: Amanda Green
Secretary: Sandra Ciccone
Treasurer: Sarah Walter
Consultative Council Representative: Jesse Ash
Executives-at-Large: Titia Chang, Michelle Fernandes,
Brooke Odie, Heather Stovall, Tam Tran
Crowd rocks with bands
by Diane Tiao
Lights dim. Curtains slowly open. Excitement is in the air. Stage lights tum
on ... and juniors Alex Paulenoff, Jo)m Emmanuel, Andrew Galmer and Andrew
McGloin of Red Valcyrie, a recently formed alternative band, are in the spotlight.
In a matter of seconds, music fills the room.
Members of Red Valcyrie were the surprise guests of the evening for the Battle
of the Bands on Friday, April 27 in the auditorium. The week-old band opened the
show, which feat1,1red five bands. "It felt good playing up there," said Andrew.
"We? We just bring in the funk," said senior Daniel Solomon of the 83'd Element. Daniel, also known as Rabbi Chaz, rapped alongside senior Ryan Sabin.
Seniors Robert Polintan and Justin Lee mixed the music. "I think since we were
the only hip-hop group, we were able to represent the different genres of music,"
Robert said. Break dancing was also included halfway through their performance
when a few students, including Justin, showed their moves on stage and on the
floor.
Senior Keith,Ng of Infinity Factor, a one-man act, performed on a keyboard.
He provided the vocals as well as background music from previously recorded
tapes. Most of his songs were original. He also amused the audience by playing
"Mary had a Little Lamb" on one key by changing the settings.
Although all bands were well-received by the audience, the group that aroused
the most response and participation was The Kezners, made up of senior Michael
Delaney, Alex Rivera and Mark Guerra of Howard Lehman High School and Joe
Bocagno of Mount Saint Michael Academy. "The Kezners are on a direct course
'to stardom and I wish I could be on that star with them," said sophomore Natalie
Spielberg. In fact, during the 35-minute performance, girls ran to the center of the .
auditorium and danced, shaking their bodies and heads in sync with tunes like
"What I like about you." Mike Delaney jumped off the stage and joined the girls in
the center of the auditorium.
Stratosphere, another crowd-pleaser, ended the night's event. Made up of juniors Richard Cupola and Marc Florman, and Jarrett DeSanti and Neal Veger of
Cardozo High School, the group performed original songs as well as numbers
such as "Under the Bridge" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Junior Ilya Kalinik
provided keyboard sounds. "We performed the best we've ever practiced," Rich
said. Cheers rose through the auditmce during their performance. "Rich's band
was one of the absolute best displays of what true talent really is ... and Ilya rocks!"
said junior Sabrina Banhan.
Masters of Ceremony Jenna Sangastiano and Meghan Gill hosted the event. "It
was a great event for the school and it brought a lot of grades together. Everyone
is related to music in some way," said Jenna.
"The show was amazing. God bless rock 'n' roll!" said Marc.
-
The Classic
~·:-· _ I June 2001
L
5
COmic Muse troupes invade halls, classrooms
by Carolina Chang
Vibes of good humor and lightheartedness zipped through the school on
May 3, Comic Muse Day, as English
teacher Debra Michlewitz and her two
Comic Muse classes greeted everyone
at the entrance and descended on
classes. Carefully cut comic strips and
variations on "knock-knock" jokes lined
the hallways, cn~ating the atmosphere
that Ms. Michlewitz described as "a day
to celebrate the tradition of humor in the
history of man."
Harrisites entered the building amidst
a burst of bubbles, and received
"laughle" tickets for a lunchtime raffle.
Following custom, the Comic Muse
classes, divided into troupes, visited
various classrooms during bands 3 and
9, performi·ng skits, telling jokes and
reciting comical poems. The acts included Sock TV, with sock puppets acting out television shows; a re-enactment
of the "Who's on First" skit done by
Abbott and Costello; teachings of the
"Timewarp," from the Rocky Horror
Picture Show; and a segment of "Lie's
I've Told."
In the dining hall, students could
watch classic "Roadrunner and Coyote"
cartoons, and were able to visit the firstever petting zoo, which consisted of a
shoebox with mini-animal erasers created by junior Maud Pryor. Through
lunch bands, candy and prizes were
given out to holders of winning
"laughle" tickets. Students also had the
challenge of finding sophomore Maya
Zachodin, .who was hiding in the cafeteria dressed up as the famous Waldo
of "Where's Waldo?" "Reinforcing this
day of laughter, junior Titia Chang pa-
raded around the school sporting a
multi-colored wig, clown outfit and
matching shoes.
Comic Muse Day was originally set
for April! to celebrate April Fool's Day.
However, for many years, this day of
practical jokes landed on a weekend,
causing the event to be moved to the
beginning of May. According to Ms.
Michlewitz, May 1 was a day in the pagan tradition that celebrated spring with
festivals and shows. "[In the future], in
the tradition of the spring festival, [I
would like] a May Pole in the atrium by
the cafeteria and a jester," she said.
"I felt more than last year like I was
part of Comic Muse Day," said junior
Rio May Del Rosario. "It was cute. It
brought laughter to the classroom,"
commented senior Jennifer Shi.
Freshman Saila Moni, who experienced her first Comic Muse Day, said,
"It was nice. The stories [Sock TV] were
good, but there could [have been] more
interaction with the class." Junior
Stephanie Lew said, "I saw Titia in a
clown suit. It made me feel warm and
fuzzy inside. It was very inviting. [But]
this year I only saw a clown and that's
it; no one came into my classes. No one
was jumping around in the halls. It was
very low key."
Ms. Michlewitz would like the spirit
of Comic Muse Day to reach everyone.
"[I would like to] publicize it [more] the
week before, [have] better announcements, [and] more prizes at the raffle,"
she said. In future years, she would also
like to bring in a comedian and show a
movie in the auditorium. "I would like
to make it like a second spirit day where
we can wear funny hats- [anything] to
Debra Michlewitz, Comic Muse teacher, admires juniorTitia Chang, decked out in a puffy wig, a red
clown nose, and a polka-dotted vest. Titia's costume contributed to the spirit of Comic Muse Day.
get more school involvement," she
added. "We welcome suggestions from
anyone." Although not every class had
the opportunity to see the skits, the effort was made to reach as many rooms
as possible. The band 3 Comic Muse
class visited 18 classrooms.
I didn't know the troupes would btt.
such a hit," said Ms. Michlewitz. "I'm
really glad. There was a lot of variety. It
even cost less this year than last year,"
she said. "To entertain the entire school
for a little bit only cost $46."
Comic Muse, an elective English
class named after the ancient Greek
muse Thalia, is not all fun and games.
At the beginning of the term, students
analyze works by ancient Greek philosophers, such as Cicero, Plato, and
Aristotle, who all had different views on
what comedy is. The class then applies
these theories of comedy to American
works such as Woody Allen's Without
Feathers.
"The purpose of Comic Muse Day is
to make Harrisites realize that there's
more to life than school. We want to
make people smile and be happy," said
junior Jade Calub, one of the participants.
Night of laughter brings controversial comedy
by Carolina Chang
What do two quarreling
brains of hormone pumped
teenagers, public service announcements from the Defense
Industries Corporation, and a
six-foot man dressed in a cheap
micro-skirt and halter top have
in common? They.were among
many of the acts featured in the
second annual Comedy Night.
Performances filled with
"Senseless Acts of Nothing"
ranged from skits, to improvisations, to stand-up acts, including one from the creator of
Comedy
Night,
Hari
KoQdabolu, who graduated last
year.
The show was written and
produced by students from all
grades. "This is the Fubu of
comedy shows- for us, by us,"
said junior Marc Florman.
The event's preparation got
off to a bumpy start, as the cast
had no designated place to rehearse and no supervisor. However, they pulled together and
with the help of physics teacher
Ray Rapaport who oversaw
practices, the show took form.
Stand-up comedians Jarmar headed .opera singer whose
Banks, Stephanie Bernadel, three "heads" sang one word
Marc Florman, all juniors, and each. Junior Ilya Kalinik prosophomore James Cleveland vided the piano accompanihopped from topics ranging ment.
from Michael
Jackson to overweight ladies
squeezing into
bus seats.
In one segment of the show,
audience members shouted out
topics that could
be used for improvisation. A
spin-off of Drew
Carey's Whose
Line Is It Anyway? put Jarmar,
Marc, and juniors
Paulina I)avis,
Daniel
Wallenstein and
Marina
Polyakova in Marc Florman, junior, w~rms up the audience at
situations where the second annual Comedy Night.
they had to spontaneously create funny acts. It
included a "guess what my
quirk is" scene and a three-
Other acts included Marc's
recoll~ction of when he was
forced to go to a beauty salon
for a facial, a look at what goes
on in the minds of two teenagers on a date, and a Jay Leno
interview with Fidel Castro.
Many ofthe issues that were
poked fun at dealt with race,
homosexuality, and violence.
Complaints were made and
Principal Thomas Cunningham
called a meeting with the comedians after the show. "In general, it was an excellent night.
However, events that are supported by Townsend Harris
should be in good taste, and be
acceptable,"
said
Mr.
Cunningham.
While the incident wiii not
jeopardize the tradition of
Comedy
Night,
Mr.
Cunningham hopes participants
next year will adhere to standards of toleration and decency.
When questioned on the offensive level of the show,
Stephanie replied, "Some of the
jokes were offensive, [but] it
was the opinion of some and
not all."
Marc responded, "People
find different things to be
funny. They laugh at different
times ... but I think we all did
excellent[ly]." "My goal was
to have a nice clean show that
offended no one," he said.
Some of the performers expressed disappointment with
the show. "It didn't run as long
as we planned; it wasn't as good
as we planned it to be," said
junior Justin Joseph. "For the
improv[isation], we were hoping for the audience to be more
creative," added Daniel.
There were mixed feelings
about the show within the audience. Some felt that it started
with a bang but lost momentum. However, sophomore Hilary Homier felt that it was
"funny ... [and that the] improv
was the funniest part."
Unlike last year, when funds
went to support the Elizabeth
Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, this year's proceeds paid
for the chaperones and materials for the show, with any surplus going to the Student
Union.
"In fact we many be losing
money, but the point is to
laugh," said Mr. Stonehill.
6
The Classic
June 2001
L ~~lllii .
Billy promotes
love of reading
by Danny Bloch
Reading Day enjoys a place in our
school's calendar, and the tradition's revival in the new Townsend Harris is
thanks to Valerie Billy, who applauds the
. idea behind the custom. "All of us are
very busy doing lots of wonderful
things, and we sometimes forget to set
aside time to read. So to read material
not in the curriculum is something we
would not necessarily do if we didn't
set aside a day for it," she said.
Ms. Billy is the primary force behind
another integral part of the school: the
library, recently named the Dr. Malcolm
G. Largmann Library in honor of its
just-retired founding principal.
"I come from a long line of librarians,
so it wasn't unusual," said Ms. Billy, explaining her career choice. "My mother,
aunt, and cousin were all librarians and
they all liked what they did. I also really love books and kids. Being a librarian is a nice way of combining those
things."
Ms. Billy grew up in Flatbush, Brooklyn and had different aspirations as a
young girl. "I wanted to be a gardener.
As a little kid, I got to tinker in our backyard; I thought it would be the best.
People who gardened always seemed to
like what they _were doing," said Ms.
Billy.
Armed with a Masters degree from the
Pratt Institute, Ms. Billy worked as alibrarian at John Adams and Fort
Hamilton High Schools before coming
to Townsend Harris. Ms. Billy arrived
at Townsend Harris in 1984, the year the
school re-opened. "The first library had
literally no books. We got about 10 from
donations, and I used to move them
around so it looked like there were
more," she explained.
With a little help from Board of Education funds and a whole lot of elbow
grease, a full-fledged library flowered
under Ms. Billy's guidance. "Most librarians come into a place that's been
around for a while. I established the library, which feels very fulfilling and satisfying," she said.
For Ms. Billy, one of the perks of her
job is consistently being able to interact
with students in an informal way. She
also says that her job keeps her younger
and sharp "since [students] sometimes
ask questions I don't know the answers
to. Every day is different in some way. I
feel that I grow."
How does Ms. Billy deal with that infamous problem of "the talkers"? "It's
boring to tell kids to be quiet," she laments. "I know how it is, though. For
many it's their only opportunity to talk
outside of class. Ifl were in their shoes,
I \<.now I'd be talking a lot."
In her spare time, Ms. Billy enjoys
traveling (especially in Europe), gardening, ice-skating, lounging on the beach,
and anything else involving the water.
Not surprisingly, she also likes to read.
"I personally enjoy Henry James, John
Updike, George Bernard Shaw, Maeve
Binchy.. .it's a very eclectic mix. I can't
choose a favorite. That would be like
having 10 children and having to pick
the dearest," she explained.
·'
.
_a ,
-
1-
Homiak lends
helpin·g hand
by Angela Hom
For last minute collaterals, the library is often the answer. However,
once within that quiet room full of
knowledge, the shelves and shelves of
Meeting the students and speaking
with them is one of the things that Ms.
Homiak enjoys about her job. Each year,
there's a new group for her to get to
know. "They're always interesting and
bright," she said.
Ms. Homiak has be,e n very
helpful to the students,often going beyond the call of duty. "I remember when I had a Spanish
project that needed to be typed,
but the library was closing early.
She was willing to stay behind
with me, even after the library had
o closed, so I could finish my
~ work," recalled senior Salma
Ragoonath. The teachers she has
assisted share the same sentiment.
Farah Khan, English teacher, said,
"She was always helpful to me,
no matter how many questions I
had as a new teacher."
Ms. Homiak has been working at the library since February
of 1986. "I love working here. It's
a great job; it's fun," she said.
"There's always something new
to do. It's not the same thing every day."
Working at a library for a long
Anticipating the students' arrival, Ms. Billy and Ms. Homiak are always ready to help with collaterals and
period of time has not dulled Ms.
answer questions.
Homiak's fondness for books. In
fact, one of her favorite things to
Actually, Ms. Billy has two children, books may seem intimidating. What do do in her spare time is read.
both daughters.
you do when you don't know where to
Currently, Ms. Homiak's favorite
Ms. Billy believes one of the main start looking?
book is Angela's Ashes by Frank
goals of her job is to create "an atmoCalmly walk over to the main desk McCourt. She enjoyed the story of how
sphere within these four walls where and allow Carol Homiak to help you Mr. McCourt survived his hard childstudents can feel comfortable, and have solve your problems.
hood in Ireland. However, she was distheir intellectual inquisitiveness and cuappointed by the movie version of this
Ms. Homiak, the library aide, does
various jobs. They include helping stu- New York Times bestseller. Ms. Homiak
riosity satisfied."
"I'm here," she said. "But it's the stu- dents find the books they are looking felt that the film lacked the descriptions
for, checking books in and out of the that made the bookenjoyable.
dents' library."
library, making photocopies, and typSome other things that Ms. Homiak
ing pockets and cards for the new books likes to do include arts and crafts; spethat are received. When the Queens cifically wreath making, and playing
College validation stickers arrive, she
with her three y.oung grandchildren.
helps to distribute them.
Library named to honor
Largmann
Joshua Rosaler, senior, samples one of 300 Signet Classics paperbacks he won for the school library as part of his first-prize award in the Signet/
Penguin Putnam Scarlet Letter Essay Contest.
Joshua, whose essay focused on the symbolism of
the marketplace and the forest in Nathaniel
Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, also won a $1000
scholarship. "I don't think there's anything better
than a brand new book," said librarian Valerie Billy.
"Scholar, Visionary, Consununat~ Educator and True Lover of Learning, who nev~r demanded excellence, but simply expeoted it.'' inscribed in
gt>ld'lettering on a shiny black facade, tbe$e :words h<mor ft>rmer Townsend
Ha.tris ptincipal Dr." M~celtn G. 'Largmann. And thls dedicattm:i can be
found outside the ne~ty named Dr. Malcolm G. Largm:ann Library.
Naming a location in the scbeol in honor of Dr. Largmaqn was "discussed before llis relirement, '' said librarian Valerie Billy. "And we couldn't
think of a more •appropriate place [than the library], given the fact that he is
a, schobu:, that he supported the library so heartily and also because he flreqpefited i:t.';
Plans to dedicate the library were announced at Dr. Largmann 's tetire.ment: party in March, and before spring vacation the plaque ha(J been installed. Harry Rattien,, head of the Math department, was res,ponsihl~ for
having the plaque created.
..When Dr. Largmann came li>aok ,for Pdncf,pal. for a Day ancl saw th~
dedication, be was l:tt\ly moved by it," said Ms. :B41J):_.
~-:-~. /.'·:<.._ _" .
·"'~.: ~s-'·
tn.SU"!)!.'~
j
The Classic
June 2001
7
Performances celebrate cultural diversity
by Karen Hendershot
Dances, skits, and songs from many
nationalities allowed students to embrace their cultural roots at the Festival
of Nations on AprilS. With over 15 different cultures represented, this international night reflected the diverse population of Queens, one of the most culturally mixed communities in the world.
Assistant Principal of Foreign Lan~
guages Joan Walsh kicked off the
evening with a multi-lingual greeting,
begging pardon for any mispronunciations. Students performed dances they
had practiced for weeks.
"It took a long time to prepare for
the dance .... Most of us knew the dances
already, but we knew different versions
of it, so we all had to learn one way,"
explained sophomore Martha Lapsatis,
who performed in the Greek traditional
dance.
The majority of the performances were ethnic dances. The Latin American Salsa combined modern and coordinated costumes with traditional Latin
moves and music. There were two Israeli dances, one performed by members of the club E2E (Educate to Elevate), which also performed the Irish
Reel, and the other by several students.
of Hebrew. The French Haitian Creole
Dance showcased a fast dancing style
of the Caribbean with traditional beats
and modern moves. An Italian "Taran-
tella 2000" Dance, which was choreographed by junior Lauren De Vita, combined classic Italian folk dancing with
faster, more modern music.
Led by sophomore Rachel
Nepomuceno and her mom, the Philip-
pine "Candle" Dance featured lit candles
in each of the dancers' hands .The Korean Fan Dance produced "ooh's" and
"aah's" from the audience as the traditionally and colorfully costumed students created various shapes and illu-
Joining in the festivities of Festival of Nations, Sarah Laderoute, language teacher, and James
Murray, guidance counselor, make a cameo appearance during the Japanese Fashion Show. Ms.
Laderoute, who wore a traditional red wedding dress donated by Townsend Harris's sister school,
Shimoda, in Japan, and Mr. Murray, who portrayed a Shogun Warrior bridegroom, were both
personally dressed by Hiroko Muchnicki, Japanese teacher, who spent hours helping them as well
as the other performers with their costumes.
sions with their fans. The Buharian, -Indian and Chinese dances used a combination of traditional and modern music.
The American Swing Dance, "Zip Gun
Pop," performed by members of the
Terpiscore Club brought American culture into the mix of foreign
performaces. "Since there are so few
guys in this school and in the club, Lily
[Chu; junior] and I had to dress up like
guys in order to complete the traditional swing dancing couples," said
junior Stephanie Lew.
Other highlights from the festival
included an Indian and a Japanese fashion show. Sophomore Ashish Hansoty,
who participated in the Indian fashion
show, said, "I appreciated the chance
. to share my culture with other students
and to learn about other ones besides
my own through cultural dances."
Also in the mix were a few skits and
songs. The skits included "Don Juan
in Hell- Man & Superman" by George
Bernard Shaw, in Spanish; scenes from
Le Petit Prince by Antoine de SaintExupery, in French; and Androcles et
Leo, in Latin. Students in Maria
Rodriguez's Spanish class sang
"Amor," and an Italian duet, "Vivo per
lei," was performed by senior Bettina
Blanchard and junior Joseph Failagao.
Also, several students sang the African American Gospel song, "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
Cultural fest highlights heritages
by Lily Chu
A new Townsend Harris tradition was
brought to life starting April 2:
Multicultural Week. The school-wide
event consisted of Food Day, History
during lunch bands, and a long line of
students and teachers stretched around
the cafeteria, Mr. Stonehill expressed
amazement at "all the different cultural
food[s]."; there is a lot of food, andremember it is free."
"] didn't expect so many
people to participate," junior
Mayuri Saxena said. "The food
was very delicious."
Following Food Day was History Day. In the morning, students made announcements and
recited the pledge to the flag over
the loudspeaker in several languages, i-ncluding Russian and
Greek. Teachers and their classes
celebrated the day by sharing historical artifacts and stories from
their cultures with each other.
Entertainment Day, Wednesday, featured ethnic songs played
during lunch bands. Also, instead
of the usual classical music, selections that students brought representing their cultures played at
the change of bands."The music
was an interesting alternative to
what we usually hear," said junior Stacy Wong.
Bedecked in traditional jewelry, May uri Saxena
.On Costume Day, flags of
wears her lehnga, an Indian party dress, to classes on
Greece,
Turkey, Puerto Rico, El
Costume Day, April 6.
Salvador, China, Trinidad and ToDay, Entertainment Day and Costume bago , as well as other countries, covDay. Adam Stonehill, Coordinator of ered the walls and even some students
Student Affairs, and the Student Union who came dressed in them. During
lunch bands, the Fashion Club judged
organized the activities.
On Food Day, which took place on the"best" multicultural costumes. JunMonday, the smell of foods such as ior Christine Perez, who sported the
meats, breads and sweets filled the air Puerto Rican flag, won the contest dur-
ingsixth band. I'm Puerto Rican, so big
up to Panama and Puerto Rico!" she
said.
"Multicultural Week was a wonderful experience, and I hope there are
more," said junior Divina Ramkarran,
who was dressed in a shalwar from India.
Junior Stephanie Bernadel, who wore
a Haitian flag, said it was "nice to see
everyone appreciating all the beautiful
cultures."
Kalasapudi dances in India
by Talya Lieberman
After years of practice and careful study of her culture, Bharati
Devi Kalasapudi took the stage in
India on January 11, ready to pass
into the next phase of her dancing
career.
Bharati has recently returned
from her six- week trip to India,
where she performed her
Rangapravesam. "Rangapravesam
is a dance program organized by the
parent and teacher of the danseuse
to formally present her to the public. Many people came to my program to offer their congratulations,
as well as critiques, which is very
important for a dancer's growth,"
said Bharati. This graduation-type
dance recital was given in front of
about l ,000 people in her native
city of Visakhapatnam, in Andhra Dressed in traditional dance attire, sophomore
Bharati Kalasapudi prepares for her Rangapravesam,
Pradesh. It marks the first phase a recital to be performed in India.
of Bharati 's dancing career, as she
now moves into the next phase. For sible to fulfill for such a long time, and
Bharati, it was a very emotional expe- now, that it's finally over, I don't unrience, and a realization of a long time derstand what has just happened," she
goal that will take her some time to di- said.
gest. "I still don't really grasp the fact
Bharati is a student of Kuchipudi, a
that I've had my Rangapravesam. It's form of Indian dance that comes from
been a dream that has been too imposContinued on p. 13
8
The Classic
June 2001
Cell phone craze starts trend
to pick it up. But, as a result of a recent Board of Education memo,
Townsend Harris will review its policy,
which then might change. According
to this memo, cell phones are not allowed on school grounds at any time,
including before and after school.
Some students feel ~hat they should
be able to use their phone at any time
during the day, even if it's on school
property. On the other hand, the Board
of Education argues that students are
in school for educational pursuits rather
than chatting away on a cell phone all
day. "It was only recently that we had
cell phones and we all managed before
that," Ms. Nix points out. She also re- .
sponds to students' arguments of
"emergency calls" by saying
that the phone in the guidance
office or the pay phones in
y=Hx)
the lobby may be used. If par~(J<)"' f.{ l( ~ +-'1
ents wish to contact their
children, they may always
call the school and the message will be passed on to the
5x+l.f2=7
student
as long as it is indeed
x:::-7
an emergency.
The New York City Board
of Education regulations are
very restrictive compared to policies in Europe. There, cell phones
have become such an obsession that almost all students have them and can
be found talking up a storm while walking through the halls. They have even
found a way to cheat using their
phones. A popular feature is the Short
month com- Messaging System (SMS), which alpared to $100 a lows them to send short text messages
month when cell to others for a small fee. This has become a problem since the phones can
phones were new on the market.
In a recent poll of248 students, it was be put on vibrate and won't be heard
found that 44% own a cell phone. Ap- by a teacher administering an exam, alproximately 15% want a cell phone and lowing students to exchange answers
are thinking of getting one; 21% want secretly via cell phone. Therefore, they
one; but won't get one; and the rest, have to be routinely confiscated before
any test.
about 17%, don't want one.
Many teenagers have •their cell
Cell phones in the U.S. do not have
phones at the request of their parents, this feature of the European cell phone
who wish to keep track of their children. craze because of this country's "backThe poll showed that 47% of parents wardness" in wireless technology. In
want their children to have cell phones, fact the U.S. is approximately "three
and 80% of the time, they also pay for to five years behind European counthe service. "It makes it easier for my tries when it comes to use of cell
dad to keep tabs on me," said junior phones," according to Travis Larson,
MariaAlexandrakos.lt also sets the par- spokesman for the Cellular Telecoments' minds at ease since teens can call munications and Internet Association
immediately if they are going to be in Washington (NY Times, 12/14/00).
home a little later than usual or are in
Another popular feature in Europe
some sort of emergency.
is the use of headsets, which allows for
Yet students seem to go both ways a hands-free conversation. These headon whether teenagers really need cell sets are also being considered in the
phones. Some say that cell phones are United States to prevent driving accigood for emergencies as well as a con- dents. Some localities have responded
venience. "They are essential to today's to this concern by passing laws banlifestyle," said freshman Maggie ning cell phone use on the road. In fact,
Passione. Others argue that cell phones Suffolk County was the first to do so,
are a waste of money. "It's only a trend," affecting an estimated 1.4 million inhabitants. Britain, Israel, Italy and
said freshman Divya Sauhney.
Under current school policy, students Australia have passed similar laws.
cannot use cell phones during school They feel that cell phone use distracts
hours. The penalty for their use is the the driver and will impair his or her
confiscation of the phone and one point road performance.
on your dean's record. The phone will
Many Townsend Harris students
not be returned unless a parent comes agree with this opinion. They feel that
by Jennifer Gong and Diane Tiao
With their brightly colored covers
and customized rings, cell phones have
become one of the biggest trends
amongst teenagers today. Although
these multi-functional gadgets are very
practical, many admit to having them
merely as a fashion statement.
As technology advances, cell phones
are becoming smaller and lighter, a factor which appeals to today 's youth as
do interchangeable covers, customized
rings and calling options, such as call
waiting. "Small and cute," as sophomore
Jane Serra puts it, is the way that teenagers prefer their cell phones. Wireless
phones have also become more affordable, with services costing about $40 a
How many Harrisites have cell
phones?
0
driving while talking is
have one
not safe, and 51% of those
llliJ will get one
44%
polled felt that it was nee- .
want, but won't get
essary to ban cell phones
22%
on the road.
•
don't want one
The other 49% of the
17%
students polled argued
that other daily car activities, such as applying
Do parents want their Harrisites to carry
makeup or settling kids in
a cell phone?
the backseat, might lead to
accidents as well, yet no10%
body is thinking of banning them. "If you can't
Yes
talk on your phone, then
23%
[ill]] No
that's the same as not letDon't know/
ting you listen to the raDon't care
dio or talk to other people
in your car," points out
sophomore .
Seyur
Raliyab.
Another concern that
Do Harrisites believe that cell phones cause
people have regarding cell
cancer?
phones is the scare that using them may cause brain
9%
tumors. Forty-three perYes
cent of the students polled
believe this to be true,
!IIJll No
while 46% don't think that
•
Notsure
the two are related.
"It's a phone! How can
it directly give you cancer? Sounds fishy to me,"
said sophomore Arianna
Freyre.
What are Harrisites' favorite colors?
According to a recent
study supported by the
14%
National Cancer Institute
No preference
and a separate, but similar study sponsored by the
~ Blue
17%
cell-phone industry and
[]. Silver
federal government, there
Black
is no connection between
0 ' ar
mobile phone use and malignant brain cancers .
Still, scientists say that the
studies do not cover a long
Poll of 248 students, all
enough time period to be conclusive.
grades,Januar~2001
They recommend that cell phone users buy headsets or earphones to keep
the actual phone and its radiation
agree with sophomore Danny Bloch,
away from the body.
who said, "Sure you don't need all the
Major wireless companies are begin- features, but it's fun. It's unconventional
ning to list the standard absorption rate when it rings 30 tunes, and I like that."
(SAR) of the radiation that their phones
emit. But these rates will be listed inside the package so that you won't see Sources:
Dunnewind, Stephanie. "Cell Mates: Teens using
them until after you have bought the
Cellular Phones to Keep in Touch with Family,
phone, and the only way to see these
Friends." Seattle Tzmes. II Mar 2000. Gnline
<http://www.seattletimes.com>
rates before purchasing your phone will
Friedman, Thomas L. "The Y2K Social Disease."
be on-line.
NYTzmes. IOAug 1999.
Despite health concerns, cell phone Hahn, Robert W. "Op-Ed: Driving and Talking
use in America is growing rapidly.
Do the Mix." NY Times. 12 Nov 1999.
Kelley, Tina. "Suffolk Votes to Ban Cell Phones
Many teenagers have become quite reon the Road." NY Tzmes. 4 Oct 2000..
liant on them, especially for such opKolata, Gina. "Two Studies Report No Links to
tions as caller ID and voice mail. With
Cancer In a Cell Phone's Use." NY Times . 20
these and so many other features, quesDec 2000.
tions are often raised. Are ail of these Lewis, Peter H. "Wireless Valhalla: Hints of the
Cellular Future." NY Times. 13 July 2000.
features really necessary in a phone?
Murphy, Dean E. "Two Continents, DisconDoes it really matter whether or not your
nected." NY Tzmes. 14 Dec 2000.
phone is silver or blue, or if you can play Neergaard, Lauran and Srinivasan, Kalpana."Cell
Phone Radiation Listed for shoppers." Seattle
video games and send pictures on it?
Tzmes. 17 Dec 2000. Online <http://www.
Shouldn't it only matter if it works when
seattletimes.com>
you dial? According to the students Toy, Vivian S. "Teen-Agers and Cell phones: A
polled, 22.8 % feel that these features
Match Made in Gab Heaven." NY Times. 2
Aug 1999.
don't really matter. The rest seem to
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9
Lure of the pie:
Pizza proves to be universal treat
by Danny Bloch
The comforting scent of wood-burning ovens greets customers as they walk
through the door. Puffy mounds of
dough send up clouds of flour as they're
kneaded. Vats of tomato sauce spiked
with basil bubble next to tubs of fresh
mozzarella.
Vo ices of great opera stars like
Caruso and Pavarotti, and giant murals
of Italian weddings, make it seem as if
a piece of "the old country" has been
plopped in the middle of modern
America. Or perhaps James Brown
screams away, his tunes blending with
the latest hits. An old man with white
hair, olive skin, and a charming accent
chats with the workers as he whirls disks
of dough through the air. Or maybe the
cooking is done out of sight and the staff
is as diverse as the ingredients.
Whatever the atmosphere, pizzerias
everywhere share a common goal: to
mix the ancient recipes with modern
tastes, sprinkle in an abundant love for
food, and presto! The piquant power of
pizza comes alive.
According to Packaged Facts, aresearch company based in New York
City, each man, woman, and child in the
United States will eat an average of 46
slices of pizza a year. "I once ate six
slices [at one meal] and didn't feel nauseous," boasts sophomore Michael
Borress.
The American Business Lists based
in Omaha reports that there are approximately 61,269 pizzerias in the country.
It's no wonder, then, that starting in
1987, October has been dubbed National
Pizza Month
The pizza pie, or rather the idea behind it, has been in existence since the
time of the great empires of the Mediterranean. According to "Pizza-pedia,"
an online history, Ancient Egyptians celebrated the Pharaoh's birthday with flat
bread seasoned with herbs. The word
pizza is thought to be derived from the
Latin picea, which the Romans used to
describe the blackening of bread in the
oven.
The popular opinion that
pizza is an Italian invention,
therefore, is not entirely accurate. But it was in the central
port-city of Naples where pizza
came to most resemble its modern-day cousin.
During the Middle Ages, the
Neapolitan peasantry used what
little food they had (in this case
wheat flour, olive oil, lard, cheese,
and natural herbs) to make their own
round bread, garnished with herbs and
cheese. Mozzarella, however, didn't ar~;ive in Italy until the 1700s, and originally came from the milk of Indian water buffaloes.
And what about il pomodoro? When
it was first introduced to Italy in the 16th
century by Spanish explorers returning from Peru and Mexico, the tomato was considered to be poisonous. It wasn't until the late 17th century that Italians overcame their
fear, and included tomatoes in their
pizza recipes.
The pizza pie crossed class barriers in 1889 when Queen
Margherita paid a visit to Naples.
A tavern owner named
Rafaelle Esposito
prepared a special
pie representing
the colors of the
Italian flag-red tomato sauce, white
mozzarella cheese,
and green basi 1
leaves in her honor.
Esposito's creation
evolved into the
standard tomatoand-ch!,!ese pizza, also known as the
Pizza Margherita.
The first true pizzeria opened in
Naples in 1830. Pizzas at the Antica Pizzeria Port' Alba were cooked in ovens
powered by lava from Mount Vesuvius,
the infamous volcano resting nearby on
the Bay of Naples.
But pizza didn't remain uniquely Italian for long. In the late 1880s, the wave
of immigration to America brought
thousands of Italians to New York. By
the early 1900s, there were many Italian bakeries that sold groceries and past,ries, as well as pizza. In 1905, Gennaro
Lombardi opened Lombardi's Pizzeria
Napoletana on Spring Street in Manhattan, the first pizzeria in the United
States.
Americans' love for pizza mushroomed with the return of Gls from
World War II. Soldiers tried the dish
while serving in Italy, fell in love with
it, and created a nationwide demand for
pizza upon arriving back home.
The simplicity of pizza soon gave
way to creativity, with new styles and
pies piled high with toppings. Pepperoni, onions, extra cheese, and sausage quickly became favorites. Soon
enough, anchovies made appearances,
as did green peppers, pineapple,
chicken, seafood, and artichoke hearts.
"I usually eat the weird pizzas, like
the ones with everything on it. Baked
ziti pizza is really good. It's regular
pizza with a layer of ziti, and you have
to eat it with a knife and fork," said
sophomore Diana Hsiao.
"In Italy, we used to put capers on
pizza and it was exquisite!" raved Tina
Teutonico, a school aide originally from
the town of Mola Di Barri in the south
of Italy. But, Ms. Teutonico continued,
"I truly believe that the pizza [in
America] is superior in variety."
Countless cultures have welcomed
pizza into their lives, with pizzerias
sprouting up everywhere from Shanghai to Sao Paulo. According to
Domino's, pickled ginger and tofu toppings do very well in India, whereas
Brazilian~ favor green peas. In Japan,
Mayo Jaga, a mixture of mayonnaise,
potato and bacon, is a popular topping.
Tofu? Mayonnaise? Would Rafaelle
Esposito and the pizza connoisseurs of
Naples have gasped and shook their
heads in disdain?
Maybe, but probably not. The
many masks of pizza reflect its worldwide popularity and accessibility. To
Americans especially, the dish has become a cultural staple, both socially
and gastronomically.
"Eating is a social event," explains
sophomore Ashley Pillsbury. "Going
out for pizza is a big 'teenage' pastime. So without pizza, my social life
would be really different."
And here's the best part: pizza
may be good for your health! Flour
in the dough contains carbohydrates and amino acids, which
are vital for protein synthesis.
Olive oil, while it is a fat, has
been linked to the long life expectancy rates common in the
Mediterranean, and is a good
source ofvitamins A, D, and
E. Tomatoes are abound in vitamins A and C. Mozzarella is
rich in lysine, an amino acid
that helps prevent high cholesterol and hair loss. Basil
leaves are said to aid in digestion ("Pizza and Health").
"Pizza's a good thing," remarksjunior Sabrina Banhan.
"In my opinion it's one of the
healthiest foods in the world. It tastes
good, and cheese equals calcium!"
Jessie Chou, junior, calls pizza healthy
''because it contains elements of each
of the food groups. Well, except for
fruit, unless you have pineapple."
Pizza is a convenient choice for
those whose schedules are too busy for
them to cook. "Pizza is the perfect food
for the on-the-go person," says sophomore Reshma Rafllkellawan.
"It's a wonderful food to eat when
you're too lazy to make anything," adds
sophomore Angela Hom.
Sources
Pizza-pedia: "The History of Pizza."
Online. Internet. 13 Dec. 2000.
http://www.geoci ties.com/Heartland
/Flats/5353/pizza/history.html
"The History of Pizza." Online.
Internet. 13 Dec. 2000. http://www.
ghgcorp.com/coyej/history.htm
"Pizza Trivia and Facts from Fricano's
Pizza." Online. Internet. 13 Dec.
2000. http://www.iserv.net/-fricanos
/trivia.htm
"Pizza and Health." Online. Internet. 18
Jan. 2001. http://www.brandi.it/en/
salute.html
The Classic
10
Sigety, '39, connects
classes with history
·
J
June 2001
•·
of fun things that you can do with your
by Sarah Schnee
History and writing classes got to money. As a Townsend Harris student, .
handle rare historical documents, auto- you have phenomenal chances at begraphs, and newspapers dating as far coming successful, and you will have
back as the 18th century, when Charles to make decisions about what to do with
Sigety, a Townsend Harris alumnus of your wealth. All I'm advocating is that
the class of '39, along with Bruce your hobby can frequently be combined
Gimelson, dealer of autographs and fine with your career," said Mr. Sigety, who
paintings, and Mark Mitchell, collec- began collecting deeds about 40 years
tor of newspapers, made hands-on pre- ago as a lawyer.
"I was glued to Fox 5 every night
sentations of their rare collections in the
during
the Bush/Gore election. I didn't
library April 5. Their visit marked the
know
what
was going on - apparently
citywide program known as Principal
the
newspapers
didn't, either," said Mr.
for a Day, which also brought a visit
Mitchell,
a
historian
and dealer with a
from recently-retired principal
huge
collection
of
African
American art,
MalcolmG. Largmann,
"It's fun to share
with the youth of
America," said Mr.
Sigety, who passed
'I never thought I would hold the deed
around an original
deed from 1791 of a
to Washington D.C. in my hands.'
piece of property that
was later to become
Washington D.C.; a
signed photograph of
Thomas Edison from 1888, after he had as he held up a copy of the NY Post
invented the light bulb; and a deed writ- which had a premature headline of
ten in 1667 in Dutch by Peter "Bush Wins" in big red letters after
George W. Bush won the Florida elecStuyvesant.
toral votes.
"It was so mind boggling. I never
"Old newspapers are almost like a
thought I would hold the deed to Washington D.C. in my hands," said time machine," said Mr. Mitchell,
whose goal is to collect the inauguraAlexandra Lore, sophomore.
"The purpose of making these pre- tion papers of every president. His most
sentations is to show you new ideas and valuable newspaper is a 1789 copy of
things you can do in your life that you The Virginia Gazette, a Revolutionary
wouldn't ordinarily do," said Mr. newspaper, valued at approximately
Gimelson. He became involved in the $75,000, which contains a copy of the
business of selling rare documents Declaration of Independence.
Mr.Sigety is an avid member of the
when, as a child, he was sold a letter
written by James Garfield for $12. It Alumni Association of Townsend Harwas in an old book shop in Philadel- ris, which has raised about $3 million
phia, and he paid off the cost with a for the school, money that goes towards,
quarter a week. He later sold the same among other things, scholarships and
letter for $15, and that was the begin- financing labs. "The Alumni Association has a whole lot of loyalty and nosning of his career as a collector.
"My goal is not to be a historian. talgia for the school," he said.
Continued on p. 15
lt'sto persuade y,ou that there are a lot
History projects win recognition
by Talya Lieberman
Amateur historians who had triumphed in local contests brought their
"Frontiers in History" projects to
Cooperstown, New York on May 4 for
New York State History Day. Sophomores Talya Lieberman and Cristin
Strining won First Place in the Group
Performance category, and will participate in the National History Day competition at the University of Maryland
from June 10-14.
Talya and Cristin 's performance was
on colonial newspapers. Shrimati
Balram's individual documentary on
non-violent protests also made it to the
state competition.
Many of those at the state level were
experienced History Day participants,
while those from Townsend Harris encountered it for the first time. "At first I
was very intimidated by the elaborate
costumes and props of the other groups,
but in the end, content prevailed," said
Cristin.
·The preliminary round of competition took place at Pace University in
March for New York City History Day.
There, Townsend Harris stood its ground
among a variety of private and public
schools from around the city.
Competing against those who had
better resources was a factor for some
Harrisites in the Documentary category.
Mr. Hackney pointed out a specific example of one girl from a private school
who interviewed former president
Jimmy Carter in her documentary.
"I was frustrated because the private
school kids obviously had an advantage
in terms of guidance, available resources
and equipment. Nonetheless, I was
,,
.1
Cohen pr~ises place
he helped establish
by Jessica Wang
grams of excellence, I think there's
Saul Cohen, a member of the New room for three or four more," he said.
York State Board of Regentts, played "We need more [schools like]
a major · role in the rebirth of Townsend Harris."
Townsend Harris in 1984. Originally
Dr. Cohen would like to see the
invited along with Charles Sigety, expansion of Advanced Placement
alumnus of the
class of '39 (see
adjacent article), for the
Principal for a
0.0
Day program,
~'o.o
Dr. Cohen visc
ited the school a
:Z"'
day earlier, on
April4.
As president
of Queens College at the time
the Townsend
Harris Alumni
Association
sought to re-establish
the
school that had
been closed in
1942,
Dr.
Cohen
was
asked by the
New York City
Board of Education to col- Saul Cohen, the President of Queens College from 1978-1985, chats
with teachers about academic standards and Townsend Harris's.
laborate in its relationship with Queens College. Dr. Cohen helped forge the collaborare-founding. tion between the two schools.
Dr.
Cohen
agreed to provide space on the Queens and college programs at Townsend
College campus for the new school.
Harris. He would like Harrisites to
Dr. Cohen played a role in having have more classes at Queens College
former principal Malcolm G. in order to get more credit. Cutbacks
Largmann appointed to head the. new at the college make this difficult,
school. He helped ensure that for the which disappoints him.
first three years, Dr. Largmann could
Dr. Cohen's involvement in public
hire any teachers that he wanted, with- education is extensive. In Queens, he
out regard to Board of Education se- also helped found Intermediate School
niority. He praised Dr. Largmann as 227, the Louis Armstrong Intermedibeing a "wonderful, gifted principal" ate School. On the Board of Regents,
and credited him with "helping mold he drafted regulations for new test
the school the way it is now."
standards that he called "minimal for
The first teachers at the new someone at Townsend Harris."
Townsend Harris received praise from
In addition, Dr. Cohen has been inDr. Cohen as well. According to him, volved in raising standards for teacher
teachers get worn out at other schools, education. As a result of higher stansince teaching is a demanding career. dards, all new teachers in public
He complimented the first teachers schools will have mentors, a program
who are still working here, saying, which Townsend Harris already has.
"They're all alive, interested and en- "That's part of what's nice about the
gaged." He called the interaction be- atmosphere here," he remarked.
·
tween students and teachers a healthy
Although he admits attracting
and terrific one, adding, "When you teachers for the public school system
come to a school like this, this is the is difficult enough because of the low
ideal."
pay, Dr. Cohen believes setting high
Very pleased with the school, Dr. standards is worth it. "By making
Cohen believes that a Townsend Har- teacher education standards tougher,
ris education is equal to that of a pri- we may get fewer teachers, but they
vate school. "In a city like New York will be better and they will rise to the
where we have many schools and pro- occasion," he explained.
~
proud of my work, and was happy to
have had the History Day experience,"
explained sophomore Bernadette Cruz.
Participants from Christobal
Hackney's Social Science Research
class explored their topics for months.
They then compiled their work, analyzed it, and tried to come up with original theses that reflected the theme. This
year's theme, "Frontiers in History," lent
itself to projects ranging from blue jeans
to the Apollo Theater.
-
The Classic
June 2001
11
A wo rl d of distortion:
How an autistic child sees life
by Raluca Paltenea
Adrian walked in the house with an
unusual beaming face and informed our
mother about the graduation speech he
supposedly .would give next week. That
night, we spent about 45 minutes trying to help Adrian memorize the speech.
It was all in vain. Truth be told, Adrian
had stolen the paper from a fellow classmate ai Queens Occupational Training
Center (QOTC) and had written his
name on it..Why would my 21-year-old
autistic brother do such a thing?
Autistic individuals are sensitive just
like the rest of us. Adrian wanted to be
the center of attention. I could see tears
forming in his eyes when he had to return the speech to the person to whom
it belonged.
Autism was first identified as a syndrome by psychiatrist Leo Kanner in
1943 when he was studying schizophrenia in children. Certain children in his
study appeared to be suffering from
"extreme autistic loneliness." Autism is
presently considered to be the most
common condition in the developmental disorders category. According to the
American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), autism is a "severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development: reciprocal_
social interaction skills, communication
skills, or the pressure of stereotyped
behavior, interests and activities" (APA
1994, 65).
Adrian is able to interact with others but this interchange has its limits.
Beyond the routine "How are you?" and
"I'm fine, thank you" perfunctory questions and replies, he is unable to react
to one's feelings and thoughts . For instance, if I tell him I'm tired, Adrian
will not suggest I go to bed nor will he
ask why I'm in such a state. Unless I
put words in his mouth, Adrian will not
interact out of his own volition. His
world is of the here and now rather than
a continuous cause and effect situation.
At 21, his level is that of an eightyear-old. However, he is quite striking
in certain ways. When he cam_e with my
parents from Romania in 1993, he
learned to speak _English faster than
anyone could imagine. Also, if he hears
something over and over, it will eventually become implanted in his memory.
Adrian is echolalic, which means he
imitates certain phrases others say. I say,
"Adrian come here!" and he replies,
"Adrian come here!" I hear my command in the echo of his own voice. His
echolalia is not as bad as -it was before
and psychiatrists believe he'll improve
with age . Improvement is the most we
can ask from these kids .
Adrian will arrange objects over and
over until they reach the position he
desires. I'd be asking him about a movie ·.
he saw and instead of listening to me,
he would be running in to the living
room since he remembered the pillow
on the couch was not arranged right.
Not all autistic children are like
Adrian, however. The types of autism
run the gamut from non-functioning in
speech and communication, to emotionally disabled, or to "high-functioning"
individuals who are talented in the arts,
music, and mathematics. These variations are partly due to the presence or
lack of mental retardation. Studies show
that more than half of all autistic children are mentally retarded (Weber 89).
But then again how can you assign a
certain IQ, or level of intelligence, to
those autistic children who are unable
to communicate?
High-functioning autistic individuals
are able to relate their experiences. "I
grew up on the fringes of typical svciety. I always thought I was weird and
strange ... We joke about 1,499 out of
every 1,500 people being born with typicality," a cum laude graduate told his
audience (Cohen 20). Autobiographies
of these high-functioning individuals
allow us to better understand their autistic realm (Cohen 9 1). Donna Williams, for instance, tells about her childhood in Nobody Nowhere : "At home I
would still spend hours in front of the
mirror, staring into my own eyes and
whispering my name over and over,
sometimes trying to call myself back,
at other times becoming frightened at
losing my own self." Born in Australia,
she now lives on her own in Malvern
Hills, England where she writes, sculpts,
and even produced her own album. She
seems to have done more than a normal
individual would do, but she has her
own emotional problems brought about
by autism.
Some of you may wonder why I'm
writing a feature on autism. This article
is meant to promote awareness about
others whose view is distorted, clouded
and disconnected. Why should we be
aware? The disabilities of autistic individuals are pronounced, but their limitations may also be applied to the rest
of us when we are presented with certain situations. The autistic individual,
however, has to adjust to these situations
every second of his life . This shows all
of us that even people with severe handicaps can learn to cope, and they can live
fulfilled lives.
What causes autism? "The short answer is that we don't know," said Marie
Bristol at a meeting of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1996. It is
associated with genetic complications
that bring about abnormalities in ~'both
the structural and nervous aspects of the
nervous system," Ms. Bristol elaborated.
What cures are there? Drugs and intervention programs have been developed to improve the behavior of autistic children. Drugs may modify certain
behaviors but it is not yet known if they
may induce harmful side effects in the
long run.
What is known for a fact is that these
children need help. The more they are
involved in the community, the wider
their horizons are opened and they can
become a tad closer to reality. Until a
treatment is invented that will totally
eradicate the "core characteristics of autism," educational programs are the only
effective option (Cohen 86).
The PL 94-142, a federal law passed
in 1975, insures the right of every handicapped child to receive a free education.
Autistic children may thus be educated
in public schools until they reach the age
of21. From then forward, they may live
in residential homes or perform avocation suited to their abilities. Adrian himself was enrolled in a high school special education program as soon as he
arrived in New York. Then he graduated
from Queens Occupational Training
Center. Now, he currently attends programs at the YAI and YMCA.
There is a special education program
that has been running in our school for
about 5 years now. It has 11 autistic children in its care. Kathleen Stoiano, spe-
cia! education teacher, described how
she takes the kids out every day in the
community. They go to work at
Genovese, Payless Shoe Source, and
Visiting Nurse of New York. They price
items, place sensors on shoes, and place
nurse aids in packages . .
The special education teachers fortify the children's self-esteem and help
them view the world more realistically.
In the morning, th7 kids acquaint themselves with the basic news that occurred
in the community and thus, they gain
newspaper skills. Ms. Stoiano said that
these children are just like us. They can
be moody, depressed, outspoken, shy,
happy, and excited but they are restricted by barriers and cannot always
be in touch with this world. While I was
interviewing Ms. Stoiano, a 14-year-old
autistic girl was pretending to look out
.Continued on p. 15
Seniors spend time
helping autistic kids
Seniors Gillian Halperin, Ravina Vibart, Tanya Challa and Marissa Lustig relate their
experiences working with autistic children to Principal Thomas Cunningham, special
education teacher Laurie Rodin, and their advisor, Myron Moskowitz.
Seniors who worked with autistic children in the Autism Volunteer Program met with Principal Thomas Cunningham, special education teacher
Laurie Rodin, and Myron Moskowitz, who initiated the volunteer program,
on May 23 to share their experiences during the term, and to discuss plans for
the program's future.
Gillian Halperin, Marissa Lustig, Tanya Challa and Ravina Vibart helped
out during meal hours and worked with children in groups during math and
language arts lessons. The special education program meets in Room 415.
"I hope this [volunteer] program will continue," Ms. Rodin said. "You
don't realize the impact you have on the children; you fulfiii their desire to
interact with other peers and be a part of their normal functioning environment."
According to Ms. Rodin, the autistic children in her program range in functional levels, but share one thing in common: extremely big hearts. "Sometimes, when the volunteers came to help out, I would have to step back to
realize that the behaviors they witnessed were abnormal," she said. "It takes
a while for me to step back into reality and realize that we don't live in an
autistic world."
The children's day is based around a variety of_activities broken down into
forty-minute periods that help to enforce concepts of personal hygiene and
etiquette, basic math, reading, writing, computers and peer interaction.
The Autism volunteer program will be available to seniors in the fall, and
hopefully all year long. Mr. Moskowitz said that it all depends on the interest
of the new senior class.
"I loved working with the children," said Ravina. "Not only have I learned
to be a more patient person, but my horizons have definitely been broadened
by this experience. I hope that next year, more seniors take advantage of this
wonderful experience."
12
The Classic
June 2001
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M.S.B.A. Bus #N-20 or 21 along Northern Boulevard from Roslyn, Manhasset and Great Neck.
TRAINS: #7 or l.I.R.R. to Main Street Flushing Station.
Metro-Card available to NYC residents. Reduced fare l.I.R.R. also available.
DRIVER EDUCATION: Tuition $495.00. Call for Driver Education application. You
can take Driver Education alone, or it can be taken with one, two or three courses.
I
+-
The Classic
June 2001
Newest teachers end their first term
Ray Rapaport
by Shara Siegel
If you went to the opening of the art
show, the inter-grade basketball game,
or the Festival of Nations, you were
likely to see new physics teacher Ray
Rapaport in -t he crowd. By attending
such events, Dr. Rapaport has become
fami liar with students and the school.
He also served as an advisor for the
March 23 Comedy Night presentation.
Like Assistant Principal of Science
Susan Brustein, Dr. Rapaport came to
listening to music, especially chamber
music, are among Dr. Rapaport's other
pursuits.
Angelo Pappas
by Jamie Gullen
After his first term teaching Global
Studies and American History, filling the
vacancy left by history teacher Judith
Fried, Angelo Pappas has enjoyed his
time with his students. "I really felt at
Charlene Levi
by Bryan Kirschen
Charlene Levi joined the social studies department and is enthuisiastic when
it comes to participation in extracurricular events. She is the advisor for the
newly formed drama club and encourages students to get involved in afterschool activities.
Oil
When asked to compare Townsend
~ Harris to Newton and Grover Cleveland
gp High Schools, where in addition to Glo~ bal Studies, she had taught English, Ms.
~ Levi replied that she finds her new home
:;, to be an "amazing and totally different
~ environment, with the kids ~ore will~ ing to learn." Ms. Levi says that this
asset makes teaching all the more pleasurable for her.
Ms. Levi likes students to have open
discussions because she feels it is more
beneficial when everyone is given the
opportunity to interact and contribute to
the class dynamic. "If we get a laugh
out of something, it makes the lesson
more enjoyable and memorable," she
said. She feels that lecturing is just
Ray Rapaport
"feeding the kids with information,"
Townsend Harris from Stuyvesant High which does not make the students want
School. He taught there during the to learn.
When Ms. Levi was a senior in high
1997-1998 school year and again in the
school, she had the opportunity to be in
spring of 1999 to the fall of 2000.
As an undergraduate at the Univer- the movie Above the Rim with Tupac
sity ofMichigan, Dr. .Rapaport was ini- Shakur, Duane Martin and Marlin tially interested in human behavior. As Wayans.
Ms. Levi's most memorable experia result, he decided to pursue cultural
anthropology as a major. In his junior ence occurred last summer when she
year, he performed research in Brazil,
studying the society in a fishing village.
However, Dr. Rapaport later discovered that he no longer wanted to pursue
his anthropology career track. He made
the switch to chemistry and biochemistry because he felt these fields deal with
more objective experiments. Dr.
Rapaport eventually obtained his Ph.D.
in biochemistry, and two post-doctorate
degrees in neurochemistry, one at the
University of Michigan and the other at
Harvard University.
But once again, Dr. Rapaport felt
unfulfilled. He decided to take up teaching because he believed that a career as
a research biochemist would be too impersonal. "It is much more interesting
in terms of human interaction," he said.
At one point in his career, Dr.
Rapaport was teaching mostly chemisCharlene Levi
try. He also taught a physics class and
liked it. He jokes with his physics went skydiving with one of her previclasses that "physics has better toys ous bosses. The 20,000 foot drop
showed her that "life is short and you
[than chemistry]."
Dr. Rapaport has many other inter- must enjoy it to the fullest."
Taking this motto to heart, Ms. Levi
ests aside from science. He has engaged
in tai chi since 1983, and he began teach- is making the most of her teaching exing it nine years later. He teaches pri- perience by being both a student and a
vately in the city and taught a tae chi teacher simultaneously. She is currently
club at Stuyvesant last year. "Teaching attending St. Johns University, and extai chi is very different from teaching pects to receive her Masters degree this
physics," he said. Running, sailing and month.
~
0
-§
~
~
~
home and well-loved. I m:;tde many
friends and it was a truly enlightening
experience," said Mr. Pappas.
A Queens native, Mr. Pappas formerly taught at Flushing High School,
and "fe_els honored to be here."
Mr.Pappas first heard about
Townsend Harris through alumni he met
at Queens College and relatives who
have gone here. "I wanted to come here
to experience first hand how every
school in the country should operate,"
said Mr. Pappas. He was placed here by
the Board of Education and in his first
few weeks, he faced several challenges. "Adapting to my new surroundings, new administration, and my new
students have been the hardest things,
but the staff is so helpful and supportive," he said .
Mr. Pappas wanted to be a teacher
because he says that he appreciated his
education and would not be successful
in life without his past teachers. His
approach to teaching in Townsend Harris is different from his fanner way. ''I
had to raise the bar and proceed at a
quicker pace. I assume the students are
understanding me and I am constantly
learning from them," said Mr. Pappas.
He describes his teaching style as "aggressive, progressive, humorous, exciting and traditional."
When he was younger, Mr.Pappas
wanted to be a police officer, but when
that didn't work out, he turned to his
love of history and became a teacher.
"History always repeats itself and I enjoy studying about past people and
events," said Mr. Pappas. When he's not
teaching, he loves playing baseball,
rooting for the New York Mets, and
reading. "I love autobiographies, especially stories about people who go from
rags to riches, because it's very inspiring," said Mr. Pappas. He also loves
traveling. He has been to Bulgaria and
several parts of Greece.
13
Kalasapudi
dances in
India
Contlnued frpm page 7
:Per birth state of Andhra Pradesh. in
southern India. Kuchipudi is a
tradition that dates baelc thousands of
years and is based on the detailed
writings of the sage BharataJn his
treatise, Natya Shastra. The dance
has evolved over the years to include
women, and is either presented in
solo or group _performances. This
kind of dancing not only requires
physical abflity, bqt a deep understanding of Indian literature, musie,
drama, and spiritl.lality.
The·purpose of the danee is to convey a storyline based on Hindu mythology and philosophy. This is done
through faeial expression, hand gestures, in.tx:iG,ate rhythmic seque:nces
and somet1ntes speech. This music
often has lyxics in Telugu, the language
spoken In Andhra Pradesh, and S:anskrit, the qtQther S?f ~llst Ind;iaJ:llangu&ges. In orl1et to attain .,a level af
lllMtery t!l l<:uc-hipud1, one must be
weil versed in: Hindui:sm, Carnittic
music, the iShufhem.Indian farm <>(lindian Classic:al.Mtrs:ic, and the various
Indian langu~~··
'B harati was frrst iQspired to pm:sue
th:is danc:e by, seeing etllers perferm.
'-'I was neve~ formallly introduced tE>
Kuchipadi, I was just alw~ys awestruck by a Kuchipudi ctan-cer and was
d~te_ntti:~~ to leam the art myself,"
she eXiplained.
Getting to a1point of dexterity ·and
exp.ertise in Kuchipudi takes a 'l ot ef
dete.rminati0n. hard wol'k. and practice. Bhrutati has studied for five years
l!{lder her cm;rent teacher, Sadha;_na
f>aranji; and practices three. to four
hours daily. CQ~rt:u,mti!ng 0n h:Qw she
handles l!n>-th the workload at
Townsend H~ris and her dance c0mmitment, sh~ stated,, "If you lo·v e
something enough, you will make the
spac_e and time -for it in your li-fe.'-'
Her love and passion for ~he art is
the' maj,ar motivation behin:d her dance
studies, as are the cultural cdnnecticms
it provides. "I 'tearn Kuchipudl because it is a way oj keepi--Qg my eulr
ture and heritage close to me and''a
medium of expr-essing mysdf and my
culture to other people. I tive 1()~000
mil~s away from 'home', s-o this is my
thr~ad to my language and culture,"
she said.
Indian Classical Danee b knli>Wn
thioughout Jndia as a form of medita·
tion, and Bh:;trati appreciates the peace
.of mind dancl,n,g provides her.
Although Bbarati r~eognires· her
future .carlter goal$ as more centered
around academics than dance, she
plans to continue and expand her lifelong comini'tmeot to Kuchipudi forber
own enjoyment and well being.
14
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The Classic
June 2001
Roaches, rodents
run around in rooms
by Rachel Schiffman
"I was horrified to discover that as I opened my gym locker, about to put away
my clothes, a slimy, large roach also shared the locker with me!" exclaimed sophomore Inessa Khaimova. Roaches, water bugs, and even mice, are only some of
the reported 'critters' that have haunted and continue to cause commotion among.
many Harrisites on a daily basis.
.
These long-acquainted residents of Townsend Harris do not seem to disappear.
"Since I was a freshman, there has always been an issue over bugs," said sophomore Amanda Hafeez. Although th.e school has been exterminated on several occasions, including over spring break;,no permanent way to rid the school of insects and mice has yet been found. The situation, however, is currently under
control, according to Joseph DiGiacomo, Custodian Engineer who is a licensed
exterminator.
"In order to rid the school of the rodents, we need the cooperation of all," said
Mr. DiGiacomo." It is imperative that as residents of Townsend Harris High School,
faculty and students are educated to treat this school as if it were their homes and
only eat their food in the designated areas. The rodent problem can be controlled
but not eliminated unless the students and staff are more thoughtful about where
they eat their food in the building and are careful to clean up after themselves."
A small mouse was recently sighted in the library, but Joseph Horn, a mathematics teacher, caught it and it was later donated to the science research lab.
The number of roaches and water bugs in this building is more concentrated on
lower levels, near the basement area and the locker rooms. "The only roaches I
have seen other than the ones in the locker room," said sophomore Jennifer Sheth,
"are the caged roaches in the science research room. Some of the students in the
science research class, After performing behavioral studies on hissing roaches,
some of the students in the science research class, seem to be less fearful when
dealing with these creatures. "I think I have become immune to roaches, along
with many other students. When the boys in the locker room see a roach on the
floor, no one even screams," said sophomore Geoffrey Ng, who is not in the science research class.
"We're probably more of a threat to them then they are to us," said science
teacher Rosemarie Eaton. Although this might be true in some cases, the trauma
. of the sight of a roach could be a terrifying experience for others. "One day, when
my friend was opening her locker, there was a roach starring right back at her. All
of the girls in the locker room shouted in fear and backed away. Could you imagine the thought of having a roach crawl into the clothes inside your locker?'' asked
junior Danielle Pashun.
Students are also divided about what should be done to exterminate the critters.
"I know people who feel that it is unethical and immoral to kill a living creature,"
explained sophomore Sarah Schnee. Other students say that the school should do
whatever it takes to eliminate the intruders.
"Every 21 to 28 days, a mouse will give birth to 12 to 18 offspring; every 14 to
18 days, a roach will give birth to 50 offspring. These rodents procreate rapidly
and even if the mother of a group of roaches dies from poisoning, its future offspring will become immune to this pesticide.," said Mr. DiGiacomo. "Then," he
continued "a whole series of different pesticides must be used to prevent a future
outbreak. If a mouse appears, it is likely that there is another mouse in no more
than a fifty-foot radius in either direction."
The problem is being handled by the Board of Education's certified pesticide
control program. "This school is one of the cleanest schools in the city, with eight
people working on the custodial staff. Although the problem is being controlled,
the infestation will only worsen unless there is a way to educate the staff and the
student body about carefully following sanitary conditions," said Mr. DiGiacomo.
15
Archon inductees reaffirm
commitment to service
by Tina Wu
The Archon tradition has spanned 15
years, but this year's May 15 ceremony
featured two new faces: Principal Thomas Cunningham and new Archon advisor Adam Stonehill.
Mr. Stonehill welcomed the audience
and informed them of the many hours
of service preformed in hospitals,
camps, and community centers. "I never
realized how many hours students in our
school dedicate to the community," said
junior Aimee Teng after hearing Mr.
Stonehill's speech.
Mr. Cunningham, and Queens College Liaison, Dr. Marvin Leiner, also
spoke. Mr. Cunningham read a poem
on the importance of service by William Wordsworth. He also stressed the
importance of selflessness in an age
when most ask, "What do I get out of
it?''
Another highlight of the ceremony
was the five seniors honored as fouryear members. Michael Chau, Allison
Barz, Alice Iosifescu, Angela Lee, and
Richard Wong received plaques for their
service to the community.
Senior Vice President Melanie Diaz
read the speech in place of President
Monica Trauzzi, who was unable to attend. The executive board members of
this past year passed on roses to the
newly inducted leaders, symbolizing the
transfer of power. This exchange was
followed by the affirmation of the Ephebic Oath.
Induction into Archon requires that
each member performs at least 80 hours
of community service and participates
in two school-based activities. Archon
members also must take part in at least
three walks and sell daffodils for the
American Cancer Society.
cont~i:nuetl
from p. 3
The Jewish J;J'eri{~geWriUUcg Contest h<:mi'>Ited;freshman Katl1teripe Shl with
first _p lace and"junior Sitepnanie Kujawski, with. second pla~e-.
The DailyN'ews'sY:SigTown Chmni.cle~,., ess_a.y contecst s:elected freshman
Anna KQzanecka as the winnex.
Planing first in the Gtils·l;Iandreap DM:<Sien, seni<Jr Danie<lle Ult(t'f~ow,fe:d in
the Coca-Ci<Yla S'eihoJrarsflisti) ta1:111nam-ent and qutd:i:fiecff'or fh.e state ·o~m­
pelltion.
Winners in the J.ery Gold'berg Tomnarnent 0f the J.P. ~argan~Chase Lincoln
Dmrglas Debate in'i:,tuded seniors Alison Ba'r-z•.Viv.i!):n Intermount and
Jennfier SW.
Comp_efttors in this ye:rur's New Yol:k State<~oterrsicsfotrmanreht in Albany
included juJJior ltumifer B·attlett, sQpht>.~OFes. Clarke Cb.;.adtn-ger ·and
Bbafati Ka'las~pudi, and fres11m~ .~eri:-g·e &W,
Selec;tM with 12 othet 1stu:d~"rlt.s- t,lom a tfe1d of;i'n-olT~ tnan 50~. s~Jrior Em~
Kuttiako~. represent~ld Townse11:d Ma,.,{is,-and Ne-wYark' Clty at die
United States Sc-ien-c~e an'd 'lfngine--edng Fair.
CettifipateN of w.'e,.FiCftl.rfbe l"OOJ 'Blmll-l}}tt1 Coi~gl;f~BS E§say eontest went
to juni'cfrs.~Ie.'Ssica B·each, ]iaime I!'tl".an:,:'l.rene te:w, Van:yna L0.uis,
thesS;a ·~pmrJt!}y a,ti."d .Syl:via Stario)~w
Ereshmenless'i~a Be.rge.r, $ardb.l;€handlil<:a,&had<l¢i Gui!l1'a:ume. N-arlssa PUran
and·Sl!~>V-Jln Vay~oerg wer¥· amen·g·'the w.i'nne.ns o'f the' 2001 Seholastic
Writing Awards'.
'Phis ~ear·~ ~ati,on~ ~?ri'~~~b;~lafspip ~&tS inl:i\uded~senit~ts .Alrs(}n Bar:z5
an.d Joshua R~sider. Seni'0F. tl-e.atber C31ter was named-·a National,
A~ble"Vem~nt f,iq!lJ'ist. s_· e_·~ n'(ors :S"h~lly· Qiaz~Dlilna ~s-tluttei' 'and Thomas
~~ .
.
1
M_an:ha.rt; ~t;e ch"osen ia~.Natld~ltl Nispanie"8ahol:ru:s. IIi ·
Ro.naldAlleype, senior,-will receive a.ft>lir-"yl(~ s~hQiJP;stnp l¥ ~..40tH N.e.w
YQrk,Times FounHation sdrota:r. R.( fnald anct,C~rv~ ·1:1ther ·students w,ere
cncrs.en from t40b 3addi<fates.
Autistic child sees distorted world Sigety connects classes to history
Continued from page 11
the window when all the while, she
was paying attention to our conversation. Ms. Stoiano told me she is one of
the brightest in the group.
The integration of the autistic program into the school mainstream is one
of Ms. Stoiano's goals. In fact, the kids
were going to be involved in the regular music program here, but the schedule and the staffing did not correspond
with that of the special education program. Several seniors, however, come
to room 415 to play with the kids in their
free time for community service.
The realm in which Adrian and other
autistic children dwell in is full of confusion and is disconnected from the
world in which the rest of us live. However, by interacting with these disabled
people, we can help bring their universe
as close as possible to ours. Thus, we
help them and receive from them at the
same time. The beauty of their innocence enriches our understanding of
ourselves and makes us value the everyday skills and joys we take for
granted.
Sources:
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders. 4'h ed. Washington, D.C.: American
Psychiatric Association, 1994.
Cohen, Shirley. Targeting Autism. Berkeley:
California Press, 1998.
Weber, Ellen. Readings in Autism. Connecticut:
Special Learning Corporation, 1984.
Continued from page 10
do," said Mr. Sigety. "Start your own
"All he [Mr. Sigety] ever talks about business, make up something th~t's
is Townsend Harris. I wish I had known · never been done before, and do it in a
about this school," joked Mr. Mitchell. different way. Bingo! Bill Gates," said
Mr. Sigety recommends that the Mr. Mitchell. "You can do anything you
school create a Hall of Fame to celebrate can dream of. The opportunities are just
the achievements of its alumni. "And it endless."
·
shouldn't just be about the people who
"When you turn on the television,
made the most money," he said.
you see shows with low-level plots filled
"We've got to make a stand here and with teenagers talking about mindless
start teaching people history," said Mr. stuff. At Townsend Harris, you have a
Mitchell. "People, in general, both stu- convergence of intellect and passion for
dents and adults, just don't know his- knowledge that you don't find anywhere
tory." He would like to ·put on shows else;" said Mr. Gimelson:
for high school and college students in
"I'd be happy if 10 years from now,
order to get history out there. "I try to one of the students said 'I remember that
make history come alive," he s aid.
old guy who was talking to me,"' said
"For a good career, enjoy what you Mr. Sigety.
~
•
16
The Classic
1
June 2001
8~!"'•'"~'':' t-
·-~'f..'-: 'A<£":;::·.
The Class of 2001 : Who's Going Where?
Abraham, Jacob
Abrams, Daniel
Acasio, Jenny
Acosta, Isaac
Ahmed, Imrana
Ahmed, Sajjad
Ajam, Nancy
Alleyne, Ronald
Alongi, Samantha
Rensselaer Polytechnic Instit. (Medical)
Manhattan ville
St. John's University
St. John's University
CUNY Brooklyn
(Honors)
Georgia Tech
St. John's University
Columbia University
George Washington
Garraway,
Jacqueline
Gelbwachs, Ilan
Georgas, Sotiris
Getlen, Melissa
Giacopelli, Michael
Giordano, Joseph
Giouroukakis, Mary
Gong, Philip
Gootnick, Heidi
Gopstein, Deborah
Amorillo, Lauren
New York University Grabowska, Olivia
Arcella, Charles
St. John's University Grammeno~,
Argudo, Rafael
SUNY Albany
Aphrodite
Arora, Ashish
CUNY Queens
Guerrieri, Emma
Arriaga, Nicole
Columbia University Gupta, Anjali
Austrie, Audrey
Vanderbilt U.
Halpern, Gillian
Bacchus, Michelle
SUNY Stony Brook Herzog, Amy
(WISE)
Huang, Sandy Yu
Backiel, Jacek
SUNY Stony Brook Ting
Baldwin, Tiffany
University of Miami Intermont, Vivian
Barz, Allison
Bowdoin
Iosifescu, Alice
Bawa, Pratibha
Jang, Joon Ho ·
CUNY Queens
(Honors)
Jeros, Joanna
Bazile, Okhela
CUNY Baruch
Kalogiannis, Athena
Belekios, Basiliki
St. John's University Kang, Barindervir
Bindra, Loveleen
Wellesley
Kapovich, Lorraine
Binns, Liana
CUNY Hunter
Katz, Lauren
Blanchard, Bettina
Fordham University Keenan, Michelle
Boiardi, Michael
CUNY Hunter
Kenny, Tammy
(Honors)
Kerman, Craig
Borawska, Karolina CUNY Hunter
Kernisant, Bianca
Bova, Angela
CUNY Queens
Khanna, Nee!
Brailsford, Adrienne CUNY Queens
Cabrera, Patricia
St. John's University Kim, Sarah
Carlino, Danielle
CUNY Queens
Kirschen, Tracy
Carter, Heather
SUNY Albany
Ceyyur, Nishant
SUNY Stony Brook Kojalowicz,
Challa, Tanya
CUNY Sophie Davis Anthony
CUNY Queens
Chan, Cheryl
Kompancaril, Beryl
Chan, William
U. of Michigan
New York University
Chang, Vivian
Boston U. (Honors) Koprencka, Belma
Chau, Michael
SUNY Binghamton
Chen, Ting Ju
Koudellou, Georgia
Cheng, Katharine
Cornell University
Kowanetz, Victoria
SUNY Albany
Cheung, Ka Wah
Krolak, Lukasz
CUNY Sophie Davis Kron, Jonathan
Cheung, Nancy
Cho, Shun Chi
U. of Michigan
Kui, Crystal
St. John's University Kui, Stephanie
Choi, Katherine
St. John's University
Choinska, Justyna
CUNY Baruch
Chu, Christopher
Kuo, Christina
CUNY Queens/
Ciolli, Anthony
Kupershmit, Holly
Cornell University
Kupperstock, Sophie
Cofsky, Jonathan
Dartmouth
Cooperman, Brian
Tufts
Kuriakose, Emy
CUNY Baruch
Costello, John
Costogiannis, Maggie CUNY Queens
Kwa, Diana
Rowan
Dauria, Matthew
Kwong, Olivia
New York University Lagman, Jarvis .
Davis, Danielle
St. John's University Lam, Barney
DeBellis, Frank
De Claro, Yzza Joyce St. John's University Lambrianidis, Fotini
CUNY Baruch
Delaney, Michael
Landesman, Jonathan
Adelphi University
Demetri, Androniki
Law, Karen
Columbia University
Diaz, Melanie
Columbia University Leatham, Donysa
.Diaz, Shelley
Di Mango, Andrea
Penn State U.
Lee, Alice (Hao-I)
Dodell-Feder, Jessica Syracuse University
(Newhouse)
Lee, Angela
SUNY Stony Brook Lee, Justin
Donoso, Stephanie
Cornell University
Dounis, Catherine
Lieu, Van Thuy
Ithaca College
Downing, George
Lindenberg, Liana
SUNY Binghamton
Dua, Elissa
Liu, Janie
St. John's University Liu, Ruby
Ebarilli, Roberto
CUNY Hunter
Elreda, Neggme
Loheide, William
(Honors)
Cornell University
Escuder, Diana
Lok, Kevin
SUNY Binghamton
Everhart, Lauren
Lord, Danielle
Five Towns College Luber, Gabriel
Farina, Matthew
New York University Lustig, Marissa
Favilla, Emily
Boston University
Fayfman, Maya
Ma, Jennifer
Marist College
Ferraro, Rosemary
SUNY Binghamton
Ferreira, Lilliana
Macri, Lauren
SUNY Binghamton
Forest, Jamie
Maerkle, Jill
McGill University
Frost, Arielle
NYU (Stern)
Fung, Andrew
Makrozahopoulos,
SUNY Stony Brook Dimi
Gacad, Jeofrey
u.
SUNY Stony Brook
Manhart, Thomas
SUNY Binghamton
CUNY City College
U. of Wisconsin
Drew University
Fordham University
CUNY Queens
CUNY Baruch
(Honors)
Boston University
SUNY Binghamton
SUNY Buffalo
St. John's University
Maninakis, Irene
CUNY Queens
New York University
Skidmore
Northwestern
Columbia University
U. ofWisconsin
Columbia University
New York University
Hofstra University
Fordham University
SUNY Albany
CUNY Baruch
SUNY Binghamton
SUNY Albany
CUNY Queens
Cornell University
SUNY Binghamton
CUNY Brooklyn
(BA/MD)
Wellesley
U. of Massachusetts
(Honors)
SUNY Stony Brook
Manis, Lawrence
Marasia, Sabrina
Marino, Angelo
Marmon-Halm,
Philip
Martinez, Melanie ·
Mathes, Erik
McNeal, Raymond
Mendez, Alethia
Mendez, Paul
Miah, Shamsunara
Miaw, Chun An
Moonsammy, Tracy
Mungiguerra,
Jennifer
Narine, Ryaz
Nawaz, Noman
Neptune, Nathalie
Ng, Keith
Ng, Laura
Ng, Natalie
Ng,Vivian
Nobel, Rachel
Oberfield, Talya
O'Brien, Lex
Orozco, Armando
Ortega, Doris
Orzeszek, Katarzyna
Paladino, John
Pambukian, Natalie
Papadonis,
Stephanie
Parisano, Lauren
Partivit, Jenny
Pean, Cassandra
N.Y. Institute of
Pearson, Chanelle
Technology
Petrovits, Janine
(Medical)
Phumtim,
Syracuse University Patcharawan
SUNY Stony Brook Pierre Louis, Melissa
St. John's University Piramzadian, Arin
Harvard
Polintan, Robert
Cornell University
Barnard
Polyakova, Galina
St. John's University Popovetskaya,
(Pharmacy)
Bronis
U. of Michigan
Potofsky, Michelle
SUNY Binghamton Prasso, Jason
CUNY Baruch
Pruss, Carolina
(Honors)
Pueyo, Kris
SUNY Stony Brook
(Medical)
SUNY Stony Brook Ragoonath, Salma
CUNY Queens
Rajwan, Odette
Middlebury
Ramdehaul, Emily
SUNY Stony Brook Rao,Amita
Fordham University Rau, Jessica
Brandeis
Regen, Marcia
New York University Rhodes, Asha
(Stern)
Rosaler, Joshua
SUNY Stony Brook Rossein, Ilana
SUNY Stony Brook Rubinstein, Emily
(Honors)
Russo, Andrew
U. of Pennsylvania
Rzonca, Henryk
New York University Sabin, Ryan
SUNY Stony Brook Sadlak, Stanley
New York University Salamon, Daniel
Smith College
Samaras, Evaneglos
New York University Santana, Jennifer
CUNY Queens
Santorelli, Anthony
(Honors)
Scheftlin, Mark
Penn State University Schumacher, Dena
Hofstra University
Seidenfeld, Steven
Syracuse University Sherman, Melani
SUNY Buffalo
SUNY Stony Brook Shi, Jennifer
(WISE)
Hofstra University
Shliselberg, Aviva
SUNY Stony Brook/ Sideris, Alexandra
Binghamton
Penn State University Sideris, Vasiliki
.Silva, Alexandra
- - ----
Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute
St. John's University
(Pharmacy)
Columbia University
U. of Maryland
St. John's University
Wesleyan
Nassau Community
Tulane
Kathe~ine Gibbs
SUNY Stony Brook
Boston University
CUNY City
SUNY Binghamton
St. John's University
St. John's University
Simpson, Sancia
Singh, Sachindeep
Smith, Tessa
Song, Sarah
Spalding, Collette
Temiz, Mare!
Theoharopoulos,
Chris
Thompson, Kendra
Tilitz, Sara
Timmons, Theresa
Trager, Eric
Trauzzi, Monica
Tsang, Linda
Tsang, Lynn
Tyrrell, Jill
Tzannitis, Aristidis
Vanek-Mcilwain,
Hannah
Vibart, Ravina
Vourderis, John
Wachtel, Jordana
Walkowiak,
Michelle
Wan, Shu Wai
Wang, Amy
Weinstein, Zachary
Williams, Diedrian
Wing, Dawn
Wong, Kimberly
SUNY Albany
St. John's University
Columbia University
Cooper Union
New York University
CUNY Baruch
(Honors)
Columbia University
Brandeis
Brown University
St. John's University
New York University
SUNY Binghamton
Pace University
Wong, Richard
CUNY Queens
Wong, Wai
CUNY Hunter
Wooley, Melissa
CUNY Baruch
Wu, Ronald
Yang, David
Boston University
Yang, Hye-Kyung
Brown University
Yirilli, Michael
U. of Maryland
DePauw University
Cornell University
SUNY Stony Brook
SUNY Albany
SUNY Stony Brook
CUNY Brooklyn
(Honors)
New York University
Cornell University
Wellesley
Columbia University
Fordham University
SUNY Fashion
Institute of
Technology
CUNY City (Honors)
Albert A. List College
Bentley College
Wellesley
SUNY Stony Brook
Cornell University
Williams College
Harvard
Wesleyan
Tufts
St. John's University
CUNY Baruch
SUNY Binghamton
SUNY Albany
SUNY Binghamton
Fordham University
Concordia
Cornell University
SUNY N~w Paltz
Iona College
Cornell University
University of
Pennsylvania
New York University/
Cornell University
New York University
CUNY Queens
(Honors)
New York University
Northeastern
'
- ·- --- - - - --- -- --- -- ------·-
Yu, Jennica
Zajkowski, Agata
Zee, Rebecca
Zervos, George
Zhang, Di
SUNY Stony Brook
SUNY Albany
Howard University
Cornell University
Brown University
Hofstra University
CUNY Queens
New York University
Rutgers University
(Honors)
Howard University
Harvard
Syracuse University
(Newhouse) _
Cornell University
SUNY Albany
Villanova University
CUNY Queens
Columbia University
Penn State University
St. John's University
U. of Maryland
SUNY Fashion Ins tit.
of Technology
SUNY Binghamton
Carnegie Mellon
Cornell University
SUNY Stony Brook
Wellesley
U. of California (Berkeley)
NYU Stern
U. of Michigan
SUNY Stony Brook
New York University
Cornell University
Carnegie Mellon
U. of North Carolina
(Chapel-Hill)
Boston College
CUNY Baruch
SUNY Albany
St. John's University
George Washington
University
As of June 13,
the class of 2001
has earned over
$18,000,000 in
scholarships.
- - - - - - - -·-
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