Issue 4: June - Volume 30

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Vol. 13, No.4. June 1997
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Townsend Harris High School.at Queens College
149-11 Melbourne Avenue. Flushing, NY 11367
Broadcasting studio ready, waiting to go
by Natalka Palczynski
Lights! Cameras! But where's the
Action! Everything needed to produce
a television or radio broadcast lies
within room 514 - a studio featuring
more than $200,000 worth of top of the
. line equipment. After a year of gradual
installation, ACE Audio I Visual Company completed the studio on May 21.
The studio features "the type [of
equipment] you would encounter in · a
small broadcasting studio. In fact if you
learned how to use most of the equipment, the studio would be a good stepping stone for a career in radio and television production," said John Stevens of
·ACE Audio I Visual. The studio is divided into five basic rooms : the video
control room, the audio control room,
~he simple edit room, the special edit
room, and the broadcasting room .
The Broadcasting .Room
The broadcasting room is where an
in-house production might take place.
There are large powerful studio lights
suspend.e d from the ceiling. Studio
lights are similar to .stage lights except
for the fact that they aren't as hot. They
are specially designed to supplement
natural light and get rid of shadows in
order for the cameras to obtain a clear
image~ They also help elimingte the two dimensionality that poor lighting produces on screen. Two Panasonic cam-
eras ranging from $6,000 to $10,000
apiece also occupy this room. During a
live production the two cameras can be
can communicate with the camera operators by headsets. In this room one can
'perform special effects, wipes, and dis-
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The audie control room is located
just to the right of the video control
The· studio's broadcasting equipment, all dressed up with no place to go, sits idly gathering
dust_
used interchangeably s0 that different
angle·s may be filmed.
The Video Control Room
The video· control roem controls the
production occurring within the broadcasting room. People in the control room
age seems to "wipe" off the other from
the screen" (634). There are two television monitors. One is the preview monitor. It enaqles you to see the effect before it is actually put on the air. The
second is the program monitor which
shows the final image. Arranged on a
, desk in front of the window that looks
into the broadcasting room is an audio
- console. An audio console has a lot of
_knobs and buttons that enable the user
to control the volume and other tech- ·
nicalities of sound that arrive from the
broadcasting room such as tone, pitch,
and levels of sound. All the audio is
fed into the console so that sounds can
be mixed. In addition, there are four
microphones attached and an outlet for
an addition such as a tape deck. There
are two CD players, one minidisk recorder I player, and one cassette tape
player. Eight different tracks of audio
can be played.
The Audio Control R.oom
solves. In the Television Production
Handbook, Herbert Zettl describes a dissolve as "a gradual transiti_on from shot
to shot, in which the two images temporarily overlap" (618). He defines a
wipe as "a transition in which one im-
room. It holds the. possibility for a live
broadcast on a radio station. The room
also allows you to do voice overs (the
sound placed on tape after the desired
image is selected). There is a program
monitor in this room as well, along with -
Continued on page 3
Link to Internet provided through-Queens College
by Beth Citron
The opportunity to create Internet
home pages, do research, and send email will soon be available to students
through a newly connected Internet
cable. This cable links Townsend Harris' computer network to the Internet
_through the New Science Building at
Queens College.
However, additional funds are necessary to purchase connector receivers,
which are repeaters that allow you to
use regular copper telephone wires to
extend their distance limit. Without the
repeaters, copper wires have a limit of
100 meters.
Although the access to the Internet
is not available yet, the cable had been
installed previously for use by the
School Construction Authority when the
new building was under construction.
According to Richard Tiffen, Technology Coordinator, the cable was l!sed by
the SCA office, so that the workers had
access to telephone lines. They
diconnected it when they left, but left it
tied to a light pole, which meant it could be reconnected.
When plans were being made for the
new building, Harry Rattien, Assistant
Principal of Mathematics, and Mr.
Tlffen knew that the school would want
to be connected to the Internet. However, Townsend Harris does not have a
commercial account for Internet access ..
"Since Queens College is connected
through a commercial provider, we
asked if we could be part of it," Mr.
Tiffeh said.
According to Mr. Tiffen, "The Col-
Chocolate:
'Food of gods'
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Once the money is raised, "the first
lege Academic Computer Center staff
has been very helpful and receptive to improvement will be to enable ourfuncour needs." Joseph Gong, parent of jun- tioning Pegasus mail system to send and
ior Evelyn Gong, was also instrumental receive Internet mail," explained Mr.
in connecting the cable. When Tiffen. At first, "staff will have access
_Townsend Harris decided to put in a to it, and later students will also be able
phone line to connect Townsend Harris' to use the Internet." However, "students
computer network with Queens would have to be accountable for what
College's, Mr. Gong realized that the they do online," he said, referring to the
SCA's .cable was already in existence ease with which one can get access to
and he strung it across to Townsend Har- inappropriate material. To prevent this,
ns.
the school will have to buy a Proxy
_ Until $3,000 is raised to buy the con- server, which controls Internet access .
nector receivers, the cable cannot be . I:Ie said that "students will have to .sign
used. Malcolm Largmann, principal, a release of accountability" before' behas requested help from the alumni, ing allowed to go online.
whose contributions have already had a
"It's really exciting that afte~: over
substantial impact on the school's com- two years in this building, our world can
puter programs. "We're so close," added finally be connected to the outside
Mr. Tiffen.
world," Mr. Rattien said.
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· Sexual Activity
of Harrisites
Pages 8-9
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Equestrian looks
~awards Olympics
Page 14
Girls' Soccer
" Page 16
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The Classic
June1997 .
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Music moves the body, soothes the soul
It's final and Regents exam time. It's
guaranteed there's a person in the hall
crying about some GPA that has plummeted. But the music comes on and ev- .
erybody smiles and sings along. "It's
just another manic Monday"; ahh, the
Bangles have always put things in perspective!
After every" band the music plays for
the three-minute exchange of classes.
Most people hum, some even dance, and
many are still singing after it has
stopped. Gloria, I think I've got your
number, Gloria," played several times
the week the music debuted as a replace- _
ment for the "ehh, ehh" of the bells.
"Can we bring in our -awn CDs?" .
ask the students who can't stand the singing and through their coffee-stained
Techno that unmistakenly must be at- teeth they whistle the melody to the rest
tributed to a particular young English of the lyrics, "she moves in mysterious
teacher. The students are advised to talk ways."
to the lyrical gangster, the Schoolhouse
A new sort of atmosphere has develDJ, Michael Carbone. And speaking of oped . People prance from class to class
schoolhouse, how about that "Conjunc- and have abandoned the old trudge.
tion junction, what's your function?" Well, most do anyway. There are the
from Schoolhouse Rock? Too bad it crowd pleasers that send the hallways
doesn't come on the loudspeakers dur- ringing in harmony. "Don't speak" by
NoDoubt is a favorite and everybody
ing his grammar quizzes.
"'It's all right, it's all right, it's all knows Madonna's melodies, even
right. .." yeah, wha~ever, U2. It's not all though some may have personal prejuright. We have this to do and that to do. - dices against the singer. "Take a bow ...
Our 'to do' lists are becoming scrolls," this masquerade is getting older..." Yes,
many unhappy campers say undertheir this masquerade is getting older, but the
breath. But it is all right because they're music certainly isn-'t. Selections are
Letters·to the Editor
All we need is fun
we want these dances as badly as we say
To the Editor,
With the S.U. and Senior Council we do (and I know I do), this should conelections in pros{ess, we the students, tinue. The senior class-sponsored boys'
have been hearing a lot of suggestions basketball game between the grades also
on how next year can be a better school did well this year. If we had more events
year. but I think we all know that with like this, we'd raise spirit and obtain
more fun school activities, the year money for the tarp, and maybe even the
money to train teachers to use the telewould be much better.
By "fun school activities," I mean vision and radio equipment. We could
more night dances, more sporting have girls' basketball games, boys vs.
events, and more spirit days. This year's girls basketball games, volleyball
spirit days have been so few and far be- games, soccer games ... the list goes on.
We could also have a field day. This
tween that I, among many, have repeatedly forgotten about them, and therefore would be held on a Saturday or sunday,
have not participated. When we had or even a Friday after school, at a park
spirit weeks in past years, more people such as Kissena_Park or Cunningham
participated because they were difficult Park. We would bring our own lunches
to miss. For one thing, they were more or equipment (the school should provide
widely advertised. Also , if by the end one or the other, if not both). We would
of the week, you thought that people had participate in tennis or softball or frisbee
been wearing their pajamas, hats, or anything else we wanted to do. Yes,
clothes from other decades, doing crazy ·we oan do this on our own with our
things to their hair, and sharing hugs for friends, but if vie did it as a school, we
the hell of it, you pretty much had to be would have more spirit. Maybe with
more spirit ,we would e-njoy our days at
an idiot.
On the dance front, this year was Townsend Harris a little more.
pretty good. We had three successful
Gina D'Andrea
dances, and one_of them was at night. If
Clarification of Senate
procedure, s·u elections .
To the Editor:
As Coordinator of Student Activities., I am writing to the Senate and entire Student Body to clarify procedures
regarding our recent student government
elections.
-This year, as in some years past, the
- positions of Executive-at-Large were
created- in close races for upperclassmen, including Senior Council, knowing that the S.U. and school would benefit from their experience and dedication.
At our last Senate meeting on May
28, a spontaneous "vote" was held on
this idea. However, this vote was not
binding, as it did not follow proper procedure: proposals must be presented at
one Senate meeting and voted on at the
next, and a m~jority of 70% is required
to pass. Neither of these criteria was
met. In addition, the S.U. Executive
Board and I had already decided to put
this plan into effect. I want the Senate
to know that if a proper vote had been
called and passed, I would not have
overidden such a vote. However, since
this was not the case, I used my authority as COSA to make a decision I felt
was best for the school.
More student officers on the board,
ap who have received significant -numbers of votes, can only help the S.U.
carry: out the work ahead of them.
I wish Ms. Garcia the best in her new
capacity as COSA, and I know she has
an excellent group of young people
working with her.
Judy C. Biener
rarely repeated, although artists are.
Some may argue that there isn't any
change in the building since the arrival
of these musical interludes, ·but no one
can deny the fact that a smile spreads
across the face of the individual who
recognizes a favorite or familiar song.
Music responds to our hunger for entertainment and thereby makes us more
alert. Some teachers call it noise, but
they are invited to bring in their preferences as well. All are welcome to take
advantage of the alarm clock radio that
operates via the PA (Public Announcement) system. The lyrical gangster will
put on your station next; all you have
to do is ask.
Election Results
Student Union Elections
President- Vicki Realmuto
Senior Vice President- YongTaing
Junior Vice President- Anthony
Quintana
Freshman/Sophomore Vice President Nefertiti Lovelact::
Secretary - Elizabeth Mo
Treasurer - Annette Delabarbara
Consultative Council Representative Julia Kohen
At Large Representatives:
Mike Pasinkoff
Nicole Strippoli
Hellen Kim
Senior Council
President - Lara Rios
Vice President- Ashika Jain
Secretary - Sabeen Edwin
Treasurer- Amanda Teitler
Consultative Council Representative Linda George
Student Union Liason - Arielle,_
Freeman
At Large Representatives:
Lyle Blackwood
Kristin Candan
Jeannemarie Hendershot
Heather Cohen
Janelle Iglesias
Runa R~jagopal
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riefl:y
Scholarship Recipients
Erin Troy, Ani Aydin, and Julie Abraham have been selected as the Smith Barney
Quality of Life Scholarship Competition semifinalists. Each received a $100 US
Savings Bond and .a certificate at the May 27th Awards Ceremony.
Yana Pecherskaya and Pamela Chhabra are MCI International Scholar Award
winners. Each won a $5,000 scholarship.
David Chau, Yana Pecherskaya, Eddie Perez-Cortes, Grace Lee, and Jose
Melendez each won. $2,500 NYNEX Scholarship Diversity Awards.
Despina Dallas, Jason Mandel, and Monica Patel each won $4,000 of United
Federation Teachers Scholarships.
Adrienne and Annie Socci each won $12,000 National Merit Corporate- Sponsored Awards.
David Chau, Lisa Ebe, Kelly Falco, and Dean Galitsis received National Merit
College Sponsored Awards in varying amounts.
Alexis Karteron won an $8,000 National Achievement Scholarship.
Gregory Alvarez won the Chase Smart Scho-larship which will cover his entire
four year tuition at NYU, a summer job, and an internship.
Continued on page 3
of
Natalka Palczynski
Editor-in-Chief
Hope Villella & Beth Mattucci
News Editors
Beth Citron & Lauren Sharett
Feature Editors
Amy Kommatas
Sports Editor
Erika Zwetkow
Photography Editor
George Motakis
Art Editor
Townsend Harris High School at Queens Collc~c
149-11 MelhnurncAvcnuc, Flushing, N.Y. 11367
Readers are invited to submit lellers to the
editor. Lellers should be placed in Ms. Co"!en"s
mailbox in the general office. The Classic reserve the right to edit ·all letters. Letters must
include name and official class. Names will be
withheld upon request.
Romina Perrone
Business Manager
Jennifer Pare
Copy Editor
Julia Kohen
Circulation Editor
News Staff: Dominika Bednarska, Helen Harillls, Jcanncmaric Hendershot, Mark Von Ohlen, Kate Ruhc, Rebecca Silver
Feature Staff: Bosedc Adcnekan. Afhm Baff, Andr'cw a~lldhcrg, Karen Halperin, Christina Lcsica, Nefcniti ,LI>Vclacc,
Elizabeth Mu, Stefan Muehlbauer, Rebecca Munoz, Anctle Or:t.echllwski, Yana Pechcrskaya, Julia PcrrahJre, Alexa Steinberg,
Maggie Yuan, Sara Yun
Sports Staff: Justin Fox, Mark Von Ohlcn, Alexa Stcinhcrg, Tabitha Hsi, Johnny Wong, Sara Yun
Photography Staff: Erica Carroll, Frank Chcren~.Jason Freedman, Arielle Freeman, Sara Gross , Athena Lcdakis, Millie Liu,
Nancy Luo, Kimberly Lydtin, Sofia Panagiolakis, Emilia Rackowicz, Lisa Schapira, Marco Trauzzi, A~!dley Wilson, Henry Wong,
Jason Wu, Young Yoon
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Business Staff: Steven :Scnnan, Pramilla Borhara, NicoJ.: Conroy, Andrew Goldbe.rg, Dara Goodman, Ian Katz, Ncferliti
Lovelace, Amcc Mateo, Alexis Menchin, Stefan Muehlbauer, Lois Scjarto,Chia Tung Tsai, Sara Yun
Artists:
Matrona Gikoumi, Lucy .Hong, Rachel Sperling, Melissa Tinio, Chia Tung Tsai
Advisor - Jlsa Cowen
Principal - Dr. Malcolm Largmann
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The Classic
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Briefly .. .continued
Juniors Jeannemarie Hendershot and Kate Rube won two of the three first
place prizes in the Henry Darcy Curwen Essay Competition. Each one received
$500 for her essay on her favorite fictional character. Sandi Intraub, junior, received honorable mention and won $100.
Omalara Thomas, senior, was the recipient of the Mayor's Unsung Hero Award.
Out of the 60 students accepted into the Sophie Davis Bio-Medical Program for
the fall, she was chosen to receive this $50,000 award.
Nancy Kim and Kavita Sharma won certificates for their essays from theAnnual Women's History Month Competition.
Natalka Palczynski won first place in the Executive Women's International
Scholarship. She received $2,000.
Adrien Fincke! and Kate Margelit placed fourth in music and literature, respectively, in the Bertelsmann's World of Expression .Scholarship program.
Erin Troy received a prize of $500 for being the 3rd place winner in the
Theodore Roosevelt Public Speaking Contest.
'Jose Melendez won second place and Michael Berger won third place in the
Sugihara Essay Contest. Honorable mention.s went to Tamika Turner, Andrea
Martin, Rebecca Silver, Erica Morales, and Felipe Gomez.
Art
Johnny Loi and Jesse Honigsberg each designed a logo for the Jamaica JAMS
contest sponsored by the Jamaica Arts Center.
Annie Yan designed a stamp for the 1997 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest
sponsored by 'the US Department of the Interior and the US Wildlife Services.
Mike Palma created a graphic illustration for the publication of the Exemplary
Programs.Project sponsored by the Office of the Superintendent of Queens High
Schools.
Danny Choi won the Superintendent of Queens High School's Certificate of
Excellence in the Fine Arts for highest achievement for oil painting.
Nina Pascal won a certificate for a portrait shown at the All-City Public School
Art Exhibition.
Math and Science
At the 1997 Mathematics, Science and Technology Fair sponsored by Polytechnic University's Center for Youth jn Engineering and Science, Laurie Fougere and
Jamie Tong won the Air Force Award; Annie Socci won the $500 first prize Explorers' Club Award.
, Eugene De Pasquale, Peggy Kong and Maria Wormack won the Army Award at
the NYC Board Of Education I .CUNY Biological Sciences Fair.
Kate Margalit and Maria Wormack were winners, and Romy Varghese, Julie
Abraham, Dimitri Papanagnou, Mirella de Rose, Mona! Patel and Becky Zhou were
finalists at the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium.
In the Otto Burgdorf Research Competition, Mirella de Rose and Kate Rube
were finalists, Eugene de Pasquale was a semifinalist andAni Aydin and Mona!
Patel won honorable mention.
At the New York City 1997 Science and Technology Exposition sponsored by
CUNY, the New York Academy of Sciences and the Board of Education, Stefan
Muehlbauer, Kate Rube, and Dmitri Papanagnou each won first prize and received
$50. In addition, Linda George won a four year CUNY scholarship, Stefan
Muehlbauer won the CUNY Bio Award and was ~warded $200, Dmitri Papanagnou
received $100 fr.om the Medical Society of Queens and Kate Rube received the
Victor De Leon and $100.
Broadcasting studio ready, waiting to go
.continued from p. 1
software specifically designed for audio. Any kind of audio can be fed into
the computer for manipulation.
The Simple Edit Room
The simple edit room is located directly in back of the audio room. This
room is for the sole purpose of making
basic cuts. Here one can view and log
footage so that one can decide where to
use special effects. The room has a tele- ·
vision monitor and simple e_diting machine.
The Special Edit Room
John Stevens · calls this the "fun
room" because it contains the most capabilities and allows the user to do some
"really fascinating things." The control
room is limited in the number of special effects it can perform, but the capabilities in this rooin are virtually unlimited. It has AB-Roll Editing which
means that the raw fo<;>tage is being fed
into the special edit machine from two
different sources: A-roll and B-roiL The
two can be used simultaneously to create the master tape (Zettl613). The room
contains several monitors for A-roll, Broil, and master tape viewing. Like the
audio worn, the special edit room also
has a computer loaded with special effects software including Adobe
Photoshop and Waveguide. Special effects include high tech dissolves, animation, slow motion, color manipulation, black and white, making of titles
and subscripts, and high tech wipes. It
has a small but powerful audio board and
a CD player and tape deck. The control
room is on-line whereas the fun room is
off-line. "A producer and editor would
hash it out in here," said Stevens. "This
is where an the creative genius is released." Video and audio from the control room can be sent to here. All rooms
are networked through wires, except for
the simple editing room.
In addition to the equipment in these
rooms, there are also four portable field in the studio may be difficult to manage self to hire an instructor for the broadcameras. You can film school events at first, but in a relatively short amount casting studio and oversee it's use. "The
both inside and out, do video year- of time you can become very good at studio would probably be co~curricular,"
books, then come back in and edit in mastering it," he said. "It's only compli- she said. "It would be used in conjuncthe rooms.
cated in the sense that there is so much tion with a class. Teachers would send
, Installation
of it right now. In a week, a person would in students in small groups to complete
Townsend Harris was designed with feel comfortable."
specific projects." Because of the small
the plan of having a broadcasting stuInstructor
size of the studio, it would not be posdio. However, the order for the equipAlthough the Board of Education pro- sible to have a regular size class, so Ms:
ment wasn't placed until a year ago. vided the funds for the building of the Greenfield has decided to eliminate the
The Board of Education hires a con- studio, the equipment, and its installation, idea of a broadcasting class completely.
sultant I engineer to draw up a bid of it did not allocate money for an instruc- Instead, there might be a class on radio
all the equipment necessary for the
production whose curricula would instudio and a general outline of what
clude the writing of scripts. The studio
it is to look like. The engineer that
would be used as a supplement. Accorddrew up the bid for Harris was Jerry
ing to Stevens, a small class of 20 students would be possible if students were
Eisenberg. The bid then goes to the
divided into groups of five and placed
Board of Education for approval.
The approval process takes several
in the separate rooms- five in the stumonths. Meanwhile, vendors are
dio, five in the control room, etc. "It's
chosen. Once thebid is approved,
really necessary to have a class that is
various companies offer their intwo periods long. Forty-five minutes
stallation services. The Board of
goes by fast," he said.
Education selects the one that
Assuming that the school gets the
funds to hire an extra faculty member,
promises the best quality equipment for the lowest price. ACE was
either full time or part time plans will
be made accordingly. "We've been putselected to install Townsend's
broadcasting studio as well as proting out feelers trying to find someone
with expertise," Ms. Greenfield said.
vide staff training under a one year
warranty.
"We already have several contacts," she
"All things considered,
added. An instructor might come from
[Townsend Harris] got it's broadQueens College. If the money isn"t availcasting studio relatively quickly,"
able for an instructor, Harris would look
Stevens said. ACE had also submitinto alumni 'donations and other reted successful bids for Franklin K. ·
sources for the means to hire at least a
resource person, similar to the assistant
Lane, the High School for Environ- The audio equiptment. in the technology studio has
Richard Tiffen, Technology Coordinamental Studies, and Tilden High been installed and is waiting for use.
School. "Conceptually, the studios
tor and science teacher, has.
are the same, but the equipment does tor. "[The Board of Education] operates
"We hope to have a lot of the equipvary," he said.
in strange ways," Stevens said. "Right ment in use by the end of next y~ar,"
now, the equipment is top of the line, the Ms . Greenfield said. Ms. Greenfield
Use
Stevens said that the studio is not best on the marl<et, but if you wait to use plans on using the studio for the may~
difficult to use. He drew an analogy to it, you '11 outgrow it, not because it wasn't · oral simulation conducted by the senior
learning how to drive a new car. When good when you bought it, but because participatory democracy classes next
a person drives a car for the first time, things change and improve through the year.
he I she is overwhelmed by it. After sl years."Source:
he learns how to drive, the learning
As~istant Principal of Humanities
Zettl, Herbert. Televison Production
comes very quickly. "The equipment Lynne Greenfield has taken it upon her- Handbook. Belmont: Wadsworth, 1992.
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June 1997
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Tunes resound through halls, replacing bells
by Hope Villella
last year, the administration encountered the songs every 55 seconds for a five you like, it cheers you up. Some of the
A new alternative to bells - music - problems which postponed its use. "It second period. This is due to the fact songs are appropriate, like "You Better
has recently become the trademark end- is unbelievably difficult to get compa- that the bell system is set on a time func- _Work," said junior Linda George. Physing of every period. A five compact disc nies to come . to do service," said Mr. tion, said Mr. Rattien. It is designed so ics teacher Phillip Jones also likes the
changer connected to the public address Rattien. "Once they've b~en paid and that it can do something different every idea of the music, adding, "I find that
system is used to play the music which · have installed all the equipment, they minute, and resets after 59 seconds so it's softer and more civilized than bells.
is then pumped throughout the building. think they're done." Thanks to the prod- that it can start the new minute. In this The bells make me feel like I'm workSince the c.d. player was hooked up and ding of School Construction Authority case it takes 5 seconds for the player to ing in a factory. The only thing worse
properly programmed in early April, the liaison Alex Pacheco, workers from the restart, therefore requiring a pause.
than bells would be a whistle blowing."
music has- played throughout passing company that built the sound system,
The musical selections played dur- History teacher Anthony Scarnati extime, serving both to entertain and to Bogen Systems, finally came in to fin- ing passing are decided by English pressed disappointment with the choice
infomi students that they should be in ish the job. Engineers at Bogen knew teacher Michael Carbone. He explains of music. "I tqink they need to play more
class once it has ended.
that it was possible to make it play be- that students can bring music they'd like Grateful Dead. I brought in a c.d. and I
The idea of music in the halls had tween periods, but they had never done to have played to him, but they must sin- only heard one song," he said.
been suggested by staff members while it before and weren't sure how to make cerely tell him that the album co.ntains
Others did not look upon the playing
still in the old building, but only became it work, explained Mr. Rattien, who is no indecency and that it is of a softer of music as favorably. "I think it's rea reality when Assistant Principal of in charge of operating the system. They tone that will be acceptable to everyone freshing to try something new; however,
Mathematics Harry Rattien heard that weren't sure how to connect the c.d. in the building. He is trying to play the immediacy of the music doesn't alan intricate sound system was being in- player to the p.a. system and the coin- _ music to cater to all tastes. "At first it low me to finish or to speak with stustalled that had eight different bell puter program that the school purchased was slow, but now it seems to be flow- dents after class in a normal conversasounds and could play music. Unaware to run the system was meant for techni- ing" he said. He has over 50 c.d.'s that tion," said history teacher Myron
of the original idea, he proposed music cians, not for schools, said Mr. Rattien. students have brought to him to play. Moskowitz. Junior Bryan Howell was
between bands, and planning for the "Ther~ were problems with the pro- Because the changer plays randomly, also disappointed' with the new time
music began.
gram," he explained. Finally, a cable students must be certain that the entire markers, explaining, "This music is the
The system was installed when the that was needed to operate the system c.d. is acceptabl~. If they would like to · epitome of idiocracy. They need to play
building opened, although it originally was missing. "[The cable] took them .request a particular song, they may do new music."
contained only a one disc player. When fiv~ minutes to make and eight months so, but only before periods one, two,
Starting next year, there will be
the administration decided to play mu- to deliver," Mr. Rattien added.
three, five, and eight when Mr. Carbone contests in which the winners get to
sic, c.d.s were their only option since
With all the kinks out, the music sys- Is available to change the c.d.'s.
choose the music, and there will be more
tapes stop and the radio has commer- tem now operates daily and has played
There are varied reactions to the theme days, such as the U2 songs which
cials, so the player was changed to the music from the Electric Slide to I Will music among students and teachers. "I were played all day on Bono's birthday.
current five disk changer.
Survive to songs from Schoolhouse think playing music instead of bells is a Anyone with ideas for contests or
Though the player had been installed Rock. Harrisites may notice a pause in good idea, because when you hear things themes can bring them to Mr. Carbone.
Chancellor Crew to i'rilplement·-new standards
by Kate Rube
eighth, and tenth grades. Standards will examples of student work which is ac- alone in his effort to raise expectations
As part of his push for higher aca- be phased in over three years, beginning ceptable by the new standards.
for student achievement. Last April, the
demic goals in the city's public educa- with English in September. New science
Though Crew "doesn't anticipate any State Board of Regents, prompted by
tional system, Chancellor Rudy Crew and math curricula will be introduced real problems" with the adoption of new State Education Commissioner Richard
proposed last year that New York City in the 1998-99 school year, and the stan- standards, many, including educators, Mills, voted to require that every New
students should meet new system-wide dards for applied learning are scheduled have expressed reservations about the York State public scJ10ol student pass
standards. Crew's proposal, first intro- to begin in 1999-2000. Logic, analysis, proposal. If there are scheols which are Regents exams in order to attain a high
duced in December 1996, was discussed and explanation will be focused on, unable to meet the current, supposedly school 'diploma.
at a student press conference on March rather than memorization and multiple "low" standards, it is argued, how will
The Board of Regents has also sug6 to shed light on the "New Standards" choice questions.
they be able to meet these more demand- gested that credit for Regents exams inCourse outlines and requirements ing ones? Still, Crew remains optimis- clude completion of "hands-on tasks,"
that will set and then test students on
required curricula in English, math, sci- . need a complete overhaul, beginning, tic, stressing his faith in New York City which might include a research project,
Crew stated, with the way many teach- students and their capabilities. "It's time a laboratory assignment, etc. In addition,
ence, and applied learning skills.
Though other school districts nation- ers teach. One of the main problems with for students to realize they are brilliant because board members have called for
wide have adopted similar standards (in- the city's educational system is that de- and understand that they control their more demanding exams, testing sessions
cluding those in San Diego, Pittsburg, pending on the teacher and school, stu- own successes," Crew said.
inay be extended from three hours to six
and Rochester), New York City would dents in the same grade and class are
Although students will be required in order to allow students more time.
Crew hopes to begin standardization
to do more work in order to attain a high
be the first to implement very specific learning completely different things .
standards drafted by a privately financed
Crew expressed concern that certain school diploma and will be expected to this fall, beginning with English. S.cieducational organization. New Stan- students, because of their socio-eco- attain higher levels and pass more rig- ence and math standards, which will be
dards, a Washington-based corporation, nomic status or residential area, are orous tests, Crew maintained that stu- phased in later on.
Reported estimates of the cost to
developed the curricula and subject pro- given less of a. chance than other chil- dents are "going to have help all the
posals based .on national reports from dren in the school system and ar.:: ther.e- way." This help will come in the form adapt the new standards program•· are
fore at a disadvantage when they are of tutoring, smaller class size, increased over $300,,000. However, when quesschools and educators.
While educators like Crew try to im- graduated. "In especially the last ten access to technology, even extending the tioned about how the Board of Educaprove academic standards at a local years, there has been a wide variation school day or year for those who need tion will come up with such a sum, Crew
level, President Bill Clinton has cited in the schools; in 32 districts, we have the extra aid. However, Crew realizes could offer no specifics. "We mus~ reeducation as his number one priority for created 32 different educational sys- that this does not gua.rantee students will main confident in these standards, and
his next four years. One of Clinton's tems," said Crew. "When we have a wide take advantage of these opportunities.He , if we do, this confidence will spread to
goals is to raise America's scores on in- variety gf schools, we must still have the compared an individual's educational others," he stated, speaking of the
ternational math an,d science assessment same focus for the outcome of the stu- effort to running a mile. He attributed a Board's hope that some of the program's
tests, on which United States students dents. They must all complete a course third of the allotted distance to the sys- financial burden will be alleviated by
of study that, when they finish, will tem itself, a third to parents and teach- companies and corporations.'Crew did .
made a poor showing last year.
ers, and th~ last third to the students not mention any investors that have al. If these new standards are adopted make them competitive."
Special workshops and classes will alone. Though students who do not meet ready expressed an interest in funding
by the Board of Education, students will
take assessment tests in math, English, assist teachers in-adapting to the new the new standards might be held over, the standards. However, Crew realizes
science, and applied learning (using curriculum. In addition to courses, · Crew explained that without a basis for that such outside assistance is necessary,
writing/math skills in exercises pertain- Deputy Chancellor for Instruction Judith advancemept, achievements like diplo- considering the cutbacks to education in
ing to the business world) in the fourth, Rizzo stated that teachers will beshown mas become meaningless. Crew is not past years.
..
The Classic
June 1997
5
Cultures converge at Festival of Nations
by Romina Perrone
in the martial arts presen_tation brought directed these seniors, ·with the help of
"You can sing with all the voices of her teacher from her Tae Kwon Do class. Chorus teacher Florence Me Kinley,
the mountain, you can paint with all the to inform the viewers about the sport.
through the song "Lift Every Voice and
colors of the wind," sang Pocahontas in
Preparations for the event began im- Sing." Junior Margarita Rodriguez choc
the Disney animated film and so did the mediately after winter recess. Iri Feb- reographed the Spanish dance "Meparticipants of the Festival of Nations ruary teachers began to decide what acts . ringue Encendido." Natalka Palczynski
on International Night, May 15. The to put on. Some skits had been per- also choreographed her own dance. "I
event was bela in the "new" building for formed in past years. Dr. Ferguson's was awed by Natalka's Ukrainian dance
the very first time.
version of the assassination of Julius because she showed a lot of spirit and
"The Colors of the Wind" was the Caesar [skit] was first acted in 1994. It you could tell she was enjoying herself.
theme song that embodied the purpose of
International Night: to
share other people's
cultures and learn
about other's traditions. Its lyrics read:
"Have you ever walked
the footsteps of a
stranger?" Students
dressed in ethnic garb
performed traditional
acts ranging from
Greek dancing to martial arts.
"It was a beautiful
way of bringing students of diverse cultures together; it proChinese dancers whirl and twirl their colorful ribbons to the delight of a captivated audience.
vided an opportunity
for them to work together, share some was so successful that Ms. Walsh asked She was the only person who had the
traditions and have fun together," said him to present it again. Latin teacher courage to do it by herself," said sophoAssistant Principal of Foreign Lan- Margaret Landry always advised more Athena Ledakis, a performer of the
guages and Multicultural Coordinator "Gaudeamus Igitur;" a song originally Greek dance "Pentozali."
The "beautiful" costumes worn in the
about getting drunk on wint<, in which
Joan Walsh.
Applause erupted throughout the au- she changes the beverage to juice and performances were acquired by differditorium after pianist Henry Wong, jun- milk. On stage, the students hold milk ent means, said Ms. Walsh. The kimoior, and soloist, Madeline Cruz, senior, and orange juice containers, focusing on nos presented in the Japanese fashion
performed the National Anthem. The the Latin motto, "Mens sana in corpore show were a gift to Townsend Harris in
stage was lit with many bright colors as sano," a sound mind in a sound body. 1995 by its sister school, Shimoda High
the United Colors of Townsend Harris Along with the old favorites, new acts School, in Japan. The ribbons used for
High School, the international were featured. For example, this year the Chinese ribbon dance were provided
colorguard, marched onto it for the Latin teacher Maria Laderoute recruited by Pat Lo, the Chinese teacher at FlushNational Anthem. The United Colors students willing .to learn the Italian ing High School. Other students bor- .
was led by junior Natalka Palczynski dance "La Tarantella." Japanese teacher rowed their costumes from cultural aswho held the American Flag. Natalka Hiroko Muchiniki guided her students sociations, such as the Greek club which
wore a traditional Ukrainian costume through the Chinese ribbon dance. The provided wear for the "Pentozali" and
with a flower headpiece and colored rib- teachers worked with their students af- "Zorba the ·Greek" dances. Some
teachers and students provided their
bons. According to Ms. Walsh, differ- ter school at special practices.
"Students are becoming more in- own costumes. Dr. Ferguson's Latin stuent costumes symbolized the different
nations uniting like the colors of the volved and taking it upon themselves to dents who acted out the "Assassination
practice and choreograph acts during of Julius Caesar" made their togas fro~
wind.
Masters of Ceremonies, seniors Dean their free time," said Ms. Walsh. One sheets and tablecloths.
Immediately following the last act,
Galitsis, Michael Garber and Jennifer student, sophomore Becky Yi, learned
Wolf, introduced each group and a des- the Korean fan dance tht;ough friends Tae Kown Do, the entire cast of the Fesignated announcer for every act gave a and family and in turn taught her friends. tival of Nations formed a circle around ·
short description of its historical origin. Senior Hugh Reid formed the African the auditorium, holding hands. They
Sophomore Nanci Kim who participated American Gospel Singers group and walked counter clockwise onto the stage
to the "The Colors of the Wind." "It was
the perfect ending to a perfect evening.
.. .It was emotional to see that our country united so many people from different places who share the same value of
freedom," said junior Sandi In trail b.
The Festival of Nations was last performed in the spring of 1994. In 1995,
the "cafetorium" of the building on
Parson's Boulevard, where the event
usually occurred,
was occupied by
moving boxes.
Last year, the new
equipment in the
auditorium, includ~ ing the lights, cur:=:: tains, speakers,
] etc., was not yet
'0 functioning. Still
fG this year, micro~u phones malfuncB tioned during the
0
.
performance making voices unclear.
With revenues
from the show, Ms.
Walsh decided that
it would benefit all
activities to buy
boom microphones for the sound system. "I was really happy we were finally able to establish the return of the
Festival of Nations and we have a tradition to continue," said Ms. Walsh. She's
grateful to the graduating seniors for
their efforts. "All grades must [now]
keep the tradition going ... don 't let it
wear out," Ms. Walsh added.
Ms. Walsh feels that international
night is the highlight of the foreign language curriculum and as the theme song
says, it allows the students, faculty and
parents to "learn things we never knew
we never knew," about each other.
As the crowd watched the performance, Peter Lustig, Music/Band
teacher, was in back of the stage with
walkie-talkie at his side, directing students in the sound booth and others
working with the lights and curtains.
"Besides being a music teacher
extraordinaire, Mr. Lustig is a wizard at
stage craft and the auditorium sound
system. If it weren't for his valued assistance and patience, we never could
have put it together," said Ms. Walsh. •
-a
a
Talent show raises funds to=send child W·ith AIDS to· Camp
by Bosede Adenekan
Singing, dancing, music, and comedy acts elicited loud applause on June
2 at "Townsend Harris Goes OFF, OFF,
OFF. .. Broadway," the first talent show
to be produced in the new · auditorium.
Sponsored by the club Students Promoting Aids Awareness (SPAA), the show
raised money to send a child to Camp
Heartland, a camp for kids living with
AIDS.
The theme of the show involved rescuing SPAA advisor, Ilene Marcus, from
the hands of her kidnapper, Dr. Malcolm
Largmann, who would not release her
until there was more fun at school. Each
act was introduced by the hose, sophomore Anthony Quintana, as something
to please Dr. Largmann. At the end of
the show, the phony Dr. Largm~nn released Ms. Marcus only to force her to,
"make a fool of herself," entertaining the
crowd with her rendition of the song,
"My Boyfriend's Back."
Awards were presented to exceptional performers. Nick Calabro, who
played "Deux Nocturnes, Excerpts from
Yanni," won the prize for the best solo
instrumental performance. Sophomore
Jamie Kern, singing "On My Own,"
from Les Mise rabies tied with freshman the most entertaining group with their
Tina Shih who sang "Think of Me," for love triangle set in Ancient Rome. "It
best solo vocal performance. "She's very was so funny, especially the girl wearimpressive,' said Uuyanna Calvin, fresh- ing the sign 'tree,' a 'different tree,'
man, referring to Tina's performance. and 'first tree again,' said Lauren Paley,
"You can tell she's been practicing for a freshman, with a laugh. Stephen
Roxland,junior, cited his favorite act as
long time."
In their sequined blue costumes, his- "those risque girls from Chicago, Whoa,
tory teacher Anthony Scarnati's daugh- what an act!"
Although the talent show was fun, the
ter Amanda performed a tap number
with sophomore Sara Yun, which tied . purpose of it was not forgotten. Elena
them for Most Oustanding Duet, with Stavros, sophomore, reminded the aumother-daughter duo, Peggy and Kelly dience of the serious cause through the
Sabbagh. The cast of the mock soap song, "Hold On," written by Sarah
opera Forever Flavia, won the award for ' MacLachlan about dying with AIDS.
..
The Classic
6
Khan, '92, investigates peace ·issues ih·lsrael
June 1997
by Julia Perratore
"The land or expectations" is how
Shamir Khan, graduate of Townsend
Harris' class of 1992, often refers to Israel, the country that has been his home
for the past year. He lives and studies
there under a Raoul Wallenberg Fellowship, investigating Israeli and Palestinian culture. His work is dedicated to the
furtherance of human rights, democracy
and leadership, all primary areas of interest during his life as a Harrisite.
Every year, 12 college graduates are
chosen for the Wallenberg Fellowship
and given the opportunity to study at the
Hebrew Univerity of Jerusalem for one
year. Shamir and the other, students were
selected because of their excellent academic records and outstanding leadership abilities.
Shamir displayed these attributes in
high school as well as now. · "I had a
. great time at Townsend Harris," he said.
He was involved in a number of Clubs
and activities, among them the anti-drug
club Puffles, Students for the Preservation of the Earth (S.P.E.), Amnesty International, Save the Children, and the
Townsend Harris Multicultural Committee, a group that met to discuss ethnic
differences among students. He also
completed I 000 hours of volunteer service at St.. Joseph's Hospital and was a
four-year member of Archon, the service honor society. Shamir maintains an
e-mail correspondence withArchcm advisor and science teacher Odile Garcia,
who is pleased with Shamir's "peace
mission" in Israel. ''I'm all for it," she
said.
After high school, Shamir went on
to Haverford College. There he majored
in psychology, with a minor in neural
and behavioral sciences, and was graduated in M~ty of 1996.
When college ended,Shamir decided
to go to Israel. "I thought that the
Wallenberg program .would be a gr~<at
opportunity to contin1,1e to develop my
. leadership skills," Shamir explains. "I
wanted to come to challenge a lot of the
stereotypes and beliefs I had gotten
through the media and my community
and family .... I wanted to find out mor~
about the Palestinian/Israeli conflict....
It is so much a part of our lives, yet I
did not know that much about it."
Although Shamir wanted very much
to go to Israel, his family had mixed feelings about this trip because of their con-
Alumnus Sbamir Khan as he appeared in the
1992 Crimson and Gold yearbook.
cern for his safety. His Muslim background was also cause for concern.
Shamir is of Indian extraction, although he was born in Guyana. When
he was five years old, he and his family
moved to Jamaica, but ~e has been a
resident of the United States since the
age of seven.
"Being in Israel has made me very
conscious of all my identities - ethnically Guyanese, racially Indian, religiously Muslim, and culturally American," he wrote in a Classic interview via
the Internet.
Currently, Shamir lives in the dormitories of the Hebrew University on Mt.
Scopus in Jerusalem. He is learning to
speak Hebrew and Arabic, as well as taking classes in Israeli politics and society and other graduate courses.
"Jerusalem is an absolutely beauti-
ful city," he said. "I never realized,how quality of the refugee camps, are among
much it is tied to a.ll three major reli- Shamir's major concerns. This interest
gions and why there is such a struggle goes back to his days at Townsend Harto control it; the sites are just magnifi- ris. "I have always had some awareness
cent. But there are sharp contrasts in of human rights ... , particularly from my
economic conditions among various days of being part of Amnesty Internagroups living here which also surprises tional at Townsend Harris, but it was
me."
not really until I got here and immersed
Shamir is immersed in the culture of myself in the issues ... that I began to unthe area. He has had a variety of experi- derstand what 'human rights' is all
ences, from eating dinner with about. I think that in the States, many
Bedouins, to celebrating Chanukah with people do not really think that much
friends, to conversing with inhabitants about human rights, simply because, as
of the Arab market in the old city.
a society, we have many of our rights
The dorms on Mount Scopus' are guaranteed," he explained.
about 20 minutes away from Jerusalem's
Shamir wants to understand the role
old city. During times of unrest, Shamir of the child in Israeli and Palestinian
has remained unharmed, though he has society. "What does it mean to be a child
seen signs of disorder. Once, on a trip here?'' he asks. On one trip to Gaza, he
to the supe,rmarket, he witnessed tanks proclaimed, "Children, .children, everywhere, and not a drop to drink," refer0 going towards the West Bank. "When
~ you se.e tanks, you know this is serious,"
ring to both Coleridge's "Rime of the
~ Shamit said. "Israel had not used tanks Ancient Mariner" and the often contamiu
since the '67 war." He found this scene nated drinking water that the children
particularly upsetting. At times, he has of the area have to drink. In Hebron, he
had to take safety precautions. During · encountered a 15-year-old boy who, as
Chanukah, he \Vas t<'>ld to watch out for Shamir relates it, "in broken English
residents throwing rocks or eggs at him asked ·no you like peace?' I replied in
and the others in his group. When he the affirmative and asked him the same
went on an organized tour to Hebron, question. He too.. wanted peace more
"We were told that in case the army told than anything he could imagine." Influ-
'Children, children, everywhere, and not a
drop to drink'
us to leave, we would do so and hope
not to get arrested," Shamir recalled. It
turned outthat the Israeli army escorted
them around the city, but the warning
illustrates how carefully he must move
around the region.
Shamir has made few trips to Gaza.
He has been to Palestinian refugee
camps in this area, and could only describe what he saw as "depressing."
"The poverty is overwhelming," he said.
Human rights is.sues, such as the
a
enced by what he has seen, Shamir is
currently thinking about entering the
field of child psychology, dealing with
early childhood development.
·
Shamir's time in Israel has taught
him many lessons about human rights,
different cultures' conflicts, and people's
global responsibilities. "I wanted to understand my' wofld citizenship role," he
declared. "I was too caught up in my
American life. I needed to explore another culture."
Historic photos displayed at museum of archives
.by Andrew Goldberg
If you're looking ahead to next year's
Culture Vulture experience, having already exhausted the Ancient Egyptian
tombs at the Metropolitan, and are hoping to avoid large crowds at other preferred tourist attractions, why not plan
to find your culture in a place that is a
bit more obscure? Conveniently located
on the third floor, historic snapshots,
available for viewing free of charge, are
now on display at the Townsend Harris ·
Museum . of Archives, in an exhibit
showing the different buildings and locations of Townsend Harris throughout
its history.
Malcolm Rossman, Assistant Principal of Organization, is the knowledgeable source of assorted Townsend Harris tidbits, and like an archeologist, is
digging for information about the
sc;hool's past locations during the pre- sary collection was created to mark the
World War II heyday when Townsend sixtieth anniversary of the College of the
Harris was an all-boys' school. "All we . City of New York. "We now have 15
knew was that the school closed in 1942 pictures all together," stated Mr;
and reopened in 1984," said Mr. Rossman, but pieci.ng together t~e past
Rossman of his mission to discover is far from complete. Four more pictures
more. As a former social studies teacher w.ill be added to the building museum
fascinated by history, he was motivated located outside Mr. Rossman's office.
Those pictures which have been
to -share his interests with the student
body. "What I'm trying to do is to bridge framed and mounted on the walls bethe gap, to make people think about what tween the general office and Mr.
h~ppened before they came to this ' Rossman's office depict key moments
of Harris' past, The image of students
school," he explained.
Barbara Dunlap, an archivist at City arriving to school bedecked in black
College, is in charge .of the Townsend hats, shirts and ties grabs the attention
Harris colh;ction and has discovered The of the viewer and demonstrates what life
First Sixty Years, a publication contain- must have been like for students attending photographs of the old buildings ing school at this site, the Free Acaddating back nearly a century and a half. emy, during the antebellum period of the
Compiled by Philip J. Mosenthal and 1850s. This free introductory college
Charles F. Horne in 1907, this anniver~ program in New York City was estab-
lished by Townsend Harris, President of.
the Board of Education (1846- 1847).
But, the institution located at Twenty
Third Street and Lexington Avenue was
soon disbanded due· to overcrowding,
and in 1870, the Free Academy was
forced to relocate to another city site.
Does the following sound familiar to
any upperclassmen? The Twenty Second Street and Lexington Avenue location qf the old Townsend Harris. from
1870-1905 had a dual purpose room, the
"cafeterium," that served as a meeting
hall and a science room in an over~
crowded buildi~g. One snapshot displays this historic room Those who remember the "cafetorium" and other
cramped conditions at the Parsons Boulevard building will understand the reason for the school's next move.
Continued on page 7
..
-
1 The Classic
June1997
7
Chocolate revealed to be treat of c-hoice
· When chocolate was first invented in
Mexico, Peru, and other parts of Central and South America, there was no
such thing as white or milk chocolate.
Chocolate was originally made as a be~­
erage, like today's hot choc6Jate, by the
Aztecs. Explorer Hernando Cortes
brought the drink to the Spaniards from
his Mexican expedition; the firs.t thing
they did to it was add sugar, changing
its flavor from bitter to sweet forever.
The chocolate
drink eventually
spread throughout Europe and
was an instant
success; in the
seventeenth
century, "chocolate houses,"
along with cof- .
fee houses, became the popular social meeting places.
Since
as Sweedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus Cortes' delectable discovery, cacao
beans have become commonplace
classified it.
When you refer to "chocolate," throughout the world. The United States
you're going to have to be a little more alone imported .3 million metric tons in
specific. Plain, basic chocolate is 1977; demand for such a large supply is
formed by roasting and ,grinding cacao not surprising since presently an averbeans; this substance is called bitter age American consumes 10 pounds of
chocolate, baker's chocolate, baking chocolate annually. However, Switzerchocolate, .or cho_<:glate liquor. Wh!'!n . land surpasses all world records with a
sugar and cocoa butter are added, dark yearly consumption of 21 pounds per
chocolate and bittersweet chocolate are person. Although the average Harrisite
formed. And, of course, when milk is may not eat 21 pounds of chocolate each
added, milk chocolate is formed. But year, he or she might come very close,
let's not forget about white chocolate, since, according to the chocolate survey, ·
which, in a recent school wide poll taken 217 Harrisites admitted to eating chocoof 273 Harrisite&, ranked as the second · late daily.
Sophomore Avegaile Austria comfavorite kind of chocolate (behind milk
chocolate). However, white chocolate mented, "I love all kinds of chocolate; I
technically isn't chocolate at all because can't live without it. I'm addicted! I've
it doesn't contain the chocolate liquor. gone crazy because they've stopped sellInstead, it's made of sugar, cocoa but- ing peanuCM&Ms in school!" Speakter, milk, lecithin, and vanilla.
ing of M&Ms,. it ranked first among the
by Alan Fu
Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies.
Triple Chocolate Pretzels . German
Chocolate Cake. Cholcolate Truffle Tart.
Hawaiian Chocolate Brownies. How
many of these desserts have you tried?
How many of these desserts are you
thinking about at this very moment?
Most importantly, what ingredient do
they all have in common? ChocolateCacao theobroma, or "food of the gods,"
Harrisites polled as the favorite kind of senior Aleia Naylor, wrote, ''When I was
chocolate candy, narrowly bej~ting about four or five, I used to love plain
Snickers, which ranked second. As for M&Ms. My mother would hide them on
the favorite kind of chocolate dessert, top of the fridge, and I would climb from
chocolate cake came in first with 127 a chair to the ice dispenser and then on
votes, chocolate ice cream with 83 votes, top of the fridge. I did this because I
chocolate mousse with 43 votes, and thought they were calling to me, 'Eat
chocolate pudding, coming in last, had me, eat me!' and that was what I told
20 votes.
my mother."
You may be asking, "What is it about
chocolate that makes
it so popular?" Both
the Mayas and Aztecs
H\ l:Ucl.Yo~t, k.Y ~4\t.l.t \~ 't~\f\N
thought it was an aph\~Ul\T, ~~"t> 'f~ I \1' \S ~"t···
rodisiac; chocolate
l (.\.\()(..- ~bb\tT ...
does in fact contain
known stimulants, including caffeine and
theobromine. For ·
some sensitive people,
eating chocolate relieves depression , ree11ergizes the body
and satisfies hunger.
Who knows? Perhaps
it is these effects that
partially account for
Harrisites' attraction
to c~ocolate. In any
case, the poll showed
that all 273 students
eat chocolate.
Although chocolate remains a favorite
among
many_
Harrisites, the healthconscious may worry
about fat and calories. And they may
Sources:
have good reason to worry, since, one ·
Compton's Encyclopedia,
pound of milk chocolate contains nearly
America Online, 1997
2,500 calories, and one-third of it is fat.
Grolier's Multimedia
Also, approximately 50 percent of those
Encyclopedia, ·
Harrisites polled confessed to worrying
1992
about fat and calories in chocolate, yet
Rozin, Elizabeth. Blue
only 17 of the students admitted feeling
Corn and Chocolate .
guilty about eating it. In fact, one stuNew York: Alfred A.
dent wrote, "I deserve it!"
Knopf, 1992.
One other chocolate loving Harrisite,
\ AM
~- -~"#
0
Do 90U KNt>\.0 t.?R?
Historic· photos displayed Family living fei·g ns wedding
Continued from page 6
The first building to .be named after
the famous Townsend Harris became the
.home of the student body from 19051930. This three-story edifice, located
on the campus of Ci~y College, was
called Townsend Harris Hall. After the
student population was again bumped
from this elegant structure, so as to make
room for more City College classes, they
returned to the original site ofTownsend
Harris, at Twenty Third Street and Lex~
ington Avenue: The final horny of the
Harrisites prior to the 45 year interval
preceding its reopening was the city
branch of Baruch College. It'was at this
location that the final photographs exhibited on the third floor of .the
"new" Townsend Harris were snapped.
Hanging in the meetingroom adjacent to the principal's office are five
portraits of the Townsend Harris Directors [principals]. Situated in chronological order, they are John Robert Sim,
Mario Emilio Cosenza, James Carelton
Bell, George Marcus Falion, and_Rob. ert H. Chastney.
Mr. Rossman said that the process of
acquiring information is far from finished. "I thought that I had known about
the first five directors, and now I know
that there was somebody who had the
job before the one I thought was the
first," he said.
In addition to his work in finding and
orgamzmg old photographs of
Townsend Harris, Mr. Rossman is working together with art teacher Anthony
Morales to prepare a se·ries of pictures
and biographies of Townsend Harris
alumni who have made a name for themselves in their respective fields of interest. This "Hall of Fame" display, which
Mr. Rossman hopes will be ready sometime during the spring '98 season, will
be on display in the main lobby.
· For Malcolm Rossman, making the
trip back to the past has been a rewarding adventure. "I know that somehow,
somewhere,' there are things that belong
to the original school that are someplace
else," said Mr. Rossman. However, despite his striking finds, this.archeologist
is still digging.
·
by Natalka Palczynski
Wedding bells rang for four couples
in the Family Living class on May 28.
Teacher Ellen Schwartz arranged this
pretend ceremony to "comb~ne fun and
education" about the responsibilities of
marriage and the importance of life decisions.
Harry Rattien, Assistant Principal of
Mathematics, officiated at the ceremony
as the justice of the peace. He came to
bond the students in "high school matrimony." In the exchanging of the vows,
Mr. Rattien slightly altered the speech
from "Do you take this wolman to be
your lawfully wedded wife I husband ....
till death do you parq" to "Do you take
this wolman to be your pretend husband
I wife until next week when you depart?"
Also, "You may now.kiss the bride" was
changed to "Yciu may now shake hands
and kiss on the cheek to consumate the
•
marriage.'~
•
0
After Brian Levine and Jessica
Pettinger's exchanging of the vows, they
put a cup on the floor and stamped o~ it.
"That's right, this is a Jewi.sh wedding,"
Mr. Rattien said, referring to the Jewish
custom of breaking a glass to symbolize
good luck as well as the historic destruction of -the temple. After four COJ!ples
were married, the ceremonies were followed by a small reception complete
wi.th wedding cake and open bar (nonalcoholic).
Ms. Schwartz had a couple of words
to say during the reception. "Tonight at ·
the honeymoon·, an awful lot of
pregancies are going to occur. So make
sure you take care of your eggs!" she
said.
The eggs were brought in by the stu dents and were supposed to represent
their children. If an egg broke, the student was required to write a child abuse
report.
~~~
8
The Classic
·"'
June 1997
Peer educator works
to combat HIV/AIDS
'
-
Teen Se:
Sexual activity h
by Shahna Cohen
ough. They discuss cultural issues facing the .
Senior Jose Melendez has made himself schools and the way the curriculum is taught. ·
a busy man-. Besides participating in vari- He has suggested having a book dealing with.
ous ext~acurriculur activities, he has commit- gaynesbian issues in the curriculum to help · by Kate Rube
premarital sex. The omission of s
ted himself to educating teens about the dan- give homosexual students a sense of identifiThirty years ago, married couple Lucy and choice under the question of wh:
gers of AIDS.·
, cation.
Ricky slept in separate beds on "I Love Lucy." dents have not yet had sex provokec
Jose's bobby is dancing. "I've been dane~
He works for TOPS (Teen Outreach PreThis sanitized version of even married life was . cism from two teachers, althougt
vention Service) as an HIV/AIDS counseior ing since I was six. I love to dance," he said.
typical of the strong taboo against sexual con- · era! students cited moral/religiou
at Bellevue Hospital, teaching teens con- He was offered a $10,000 scholarship for the . tent on television at the time. It is a far cry sons under the option of "other" th;
victed of misdemeanors. His classes are part Martha Graham School for Dance, but was
from the saturation .with sex the media and provided under the question. "Ac
of a pr9gram inunable to go. Ma- all of society experiences today. With the in- ing to Catholic ideology, sex befon
donna, his role · undation of sexual images and messages contended to prepare
All Students:
. model, went to the
veyed in the cinema, in music, and on televithese kids for reinPercentage who have had sex
sion, it's .no wonder tl).at 70% of teenagers in
troduction into sociMartha Graham
the US have had sex by age 19. However,
ety. In addition to
School. He adTownsend Harris has never been a school that
classes on AIDS and
mires the fact that
corresponds with national statistics and acSafer Sex, the proshe is such a woncording to a recent poll of 560 students,* this
derful dancer.
gram offers free
area is no exception.
HIV and other mediOne of the
Among the 211 seniors surveyed, 32% said
things he considcal services. Anythey have engaged in sexual intercourse at
ers most valuable
one between the
least once, less than half that of the national
is his poster colages 14-24 can call.
average. For all the grades, the differences are
lection. He has
The phone number
D yes-17% • no- 83%
even more apparent: compared to the 57% of
about 86 posters
is (212) 263-8973.
New York City high school students having
~ of the "Material
TOPS offers mediSexually Active:
sex, 17% of Townsend Harris students polled
~ Girl." He says, "I
cal servic.es at a low
How often do~
N know. Madonna
said they are sexually active.
charge and some- ~
· Health teacher Ellen Schwartz was gener- times will cover the
~ because I've re. her. I'm
ally not surprised over the results of the sur£ searched
cost for services.
] a true Harrisite."
vey; she cited academic pressures, high lifeJose sees his job as
o..
There has been
time goals, and better sexual education as reaa way of helping
·one very strong
sons for the lower teenage sex rates in the
himself
learn
influence in Jose's
through educating
school. A study by Policy Studies Review
life : his grand.others. He gets a
showed that teens doing poorly in school, as
0 always- 54%
mother,
who
good feeling when
well as those who have lower educational asEE usually- 21%
Teaching in his own school, senior Jose Melendez
[ ] sometimes- 14%
he knows that he has
raised him until
pirations, are more likely to have sex.
presents an AIDS lesson to students in a health class as
•
never-11%
he was six years
Ms. Schwartz also pointed out that the dismade a change in
part of his job as a TOPS counselor.
old. "My grand- this school may have impacted on the results.
someone's life.
mother was my Statistics show that, compared to females, riage is wrong and I agree one hunt
Jose has been
mother to me, the 15% more males nationwide engage in sex. percent," said a female senior, "I tl
~ble
to
teach
Harrisites about AIDS during health classes person I loved most in the world," he said. "I "Adolescent males see it as proof of their that if teens were more committe·
through his job at TOPS. In addition to think she did a very good job. I admire her manhood," Ms. Schwartz stated and sure their religious beliefs~ teenage
Townsend Harris, various schools call TOPS for doing so much with so httle." Jose was -enough, one senior male said that having sex _ wouldn't be such a rampant probler
and ask for a group of educators to come and born in El Salvador during its Civil War. He made him "feel like a man."
teach health classes. One misconception Jose was raised by his grandmother while his parImpact of peer pressurt
finds many students still have about HIV7 ents came to America to make it easier for
Reasons for abstinence
the whole family to get here.
AIDS is that it is a gay disease .
Although teens in general can fit
When his grandmother died two years ago,
Among Jose's extracurriculur involveThe top reasons for the deci sion given by difficult to remain absitinent in the
ments are Varsity Cross Country Track, In- it was the worst time of his life .. Because of the 83% of those surveyed who have not had of peer and other pressures, there v
door Track and Outdoor Track teams. He her death, he began to question some of the sex were they had not met the right person disparities between males and fern
has been running since he was six years old. tenets of his Catholic faith. Also, he doesn't yet and/or they preferred to wait until older. in several aspects of the Townsend I
"I love [running], because it's a way of re- agree with all of his religion's practices. ''It's "Having sex is jumping into something reris poll results. While 75% of pollee
laxing," he said. "It's my war zone. It's very rigid, very structured, very Middle Ages," ally deep. Every teenager should realize how males who have not yet had sex felt rr
where I get to shoot bullets at people." This he said. Being gay, he doesn't agree with its individually spec ial he or she is and every
mal or no pressure to engage in se:
year he got to the State Championship for position on gay rights . He said, "I'm not single one is worth waiting for,'' said a fe- - intercourse, 37% of males who are .
Cross Country and the City Championship ·ashamed of being gay- I don't hide it."
male senior, who plans to save sex until after virgins indicateq, the pressure on tl
Jose will be going to Oberlin College in marriage.
for Indoor Track.
as being strong or very strong. Perl
Jose is also a student senator, and through Ohio in the fall and has won several scholarMany students expressed the desire to wait this reflects the differences in attitude
this role, he was elected a representative for ships, including theNY,NEX Diversity Schol- for marriage before engaging in sex. · "Kids
society convey~ to each gender. On
the Student Advisory CounciL(SAC), a com- arship, and the Sugihara Moral Decision are having sex today just to do it, without other hand, females who have alre
mittee founded by the Board of Education ~ Scholarship. He would like to get an under- fully realizing or understanding the responhad sex are more likely to feel pres1
It deals with the problems facing the schools. graduate degree in Russian History. Later, he sibility they're taking on," said one freshman,
to . continue having sex than do m.
Some concerns brought out in meetings in- plans to pursue a major in journalism. Jose who plans on remaining abstinent until marwho are also sexually active.
cluded gun control, overcrowded classrooms, also wants to continue running track, write riage. Religious and moral issues were a maOver the years, as sex has becon
and unqualified workers in the schools. He for a literary magazine, join a Gay/Lesbian jor factor influencing some individuals, as
more and more central part of pop
feels that being a representative of SAC has club and be involved in an HIV/AIDS Coun- demonstrated by their comments following
ture, teenagers have become subje<
been, "a great experience because it has seling Program:
to much added pre-s sure to have se>
the survey; indeed many r'aiths preach against
Jose doesn't think that he sets his goals too
taught me how to be a politician."
*The poll was dist~ibuted during classes ' in the· second week of January. Studt
He is also on the Multicultural Commit- high. "I came to this country for a reason, to
tee, headed by Assistant Principal ofF.oreign make something of myself!," he said. "Un- were asked to voluntarily fill out the poll, then fold it into quarters to protect their id
Languages Joan Walsh. This committee is less I can accomplish that, I've wasted my tities_. Statistics were calculated to even out the number of students from each gra.
though more seniors took part in the poll, their answers only counted for 25% of
made up of students and teachers in the bor- time."
results compiled for all four grades.
•
'
.
..-
The
Classic
June 1997
9
uality 101
•e proves far below national average
lion girls under age of 20 become pregremember a time, .not long ago, when the nant and one in four young adults are inbig issue was 'Do you kiss on a first date?' fected with an STD, like HIV or herpes,
Now it's 'Do you have sex on the first · by age 21. In New York City alone, 48,000
date?"' said one female senior. "Even young adults aged 13-24 are now infected
though people know more about sexually with HIV. Concerns about diseas~ and
transmitted diseases (STDs) and teen preg~ pregnancy were also influential reasons
nancy today, sex before marriage is more which prompted many Harris students to
prevalent than ever." The possible reasons wait on sex. Students having sex expressed
worries, especially those not among the
All Students:
54% who always use protection. "You
How pressured do
feel to have sex?
worry about pregnancy. You worry about
satisfying your partner. My family .doesn't
know; my friends worry that I should be
using protection. I'll probably start," said ·
one junior who, like 11% of those having
sex in the school , never uses birth control.
Even those who always use birth control have their fears and in some cases, re. grets. "It causes a lot of unwanted stress,"
~ strong
0 very
wrote a female senior. "I wish I was still a
~ minimal
~ nonexisitent
virgin." Though many people generalize
that se~ has only negative effects on teenSexually Active:
agers, the impact varies drastically accordHow many partners have you had'f
ing to the individual. While one female senior stated that sex "ruined her life," another said having sex "relaxed her and
eased tension." One senior male wrote that
"having sex has made my relationship with
my partner more intimate."
Though the decision is ultimat~ly a personal one, 61% of Townsend Harris students felt that teens should wait until they
0 one-55%
188 two-three - 27%
are 18 or over to begin having sex. Sev~ four- seven - 9%
flil over seven - 8%
eral of tho~e already having sex still designated this age group, though many indifor this phenomenon are many, but cated that no specific age can denote readiTownsend Harris students overwhelmingly . ness. A senior male said, "There's nothattributed rising teenage sex rates to a more ing wrong with having sex if both you and
general acceptance by society. Other top re- your partner feel mentally and emotionally
sponses were the effects of peer pressure ready and it's the right time." But one feand the influence of the media.
male senior warned, "If you feel mature
enough to have sex, be sure that you're
ready to handle the results."
Availability of birth control
----------
Though several students ranked the
availability of birth c~mtrol as a contributing factor to rising teenage sex rates, many,
including Ms. Schwartz, were adamant
about the benefits of increased teenage ac:
cessibility to devices such as condoms.
"The same number of kids are going to be
having sex , it's simply a matter of whether
they are using protection or not," said one
male junior. Schoolwide, 78% of students
polled thought that birth control should be ·
made available in schools, as it is currently
in Townsend Haqis, regardless of parental
knowledge. In addition, one female junior
felt that the school "should have a
program ... [dealing] with ways to handle
being sexually active, such as direct contact with a clinic." More than 510 junior
and senior high schools in the country have
this kind of school-linked health clinic.
According to the Centers fot: Disease
Control, more than 56% of sexually active
teens used no form of birth control the first
time they had _sex, contributing to sky-high
teen pregnancy rates. Each year one mil-
a controversial topic. Many, like one senior · and STD rates among teenagers, "we can't
male; feel that the topic of sex has no place in get discouraged," said Ms. Schwartz. As for
the school system and should be left to the Townsend Harris, well, the school has never
responsibility of the parent. "Sex education really conformed to the norm.
programs practically encourage kids to have
sex. By teaching about condoms and other
Sources:
methods of protection, they get the message
Coates, Thomas J. and Harvey J.
that it's okay to have sex, while their parents, Makadon. Does Sex Education Work? HIV
religion, morals, etc. may tell them other- Prevention: Looking Back, Looking ~head.
wise," he said. According to the survey,
Ingrassia, Michelle. ''Virgin Cool."
though: parents are not telling their children Newsweek. October 17, 1994: 58-62.
very much: 74% of students say that they
Shapiro, Joseph P. "Teenage Sex: Just Say
rareiy or never discuss sex with their parents. 'Wait'." US News & World Report. July 26,
That may be the one statistic that hasn't 1993: 56-59. .
. changed throughout the years regarding this
Webb, Wanda. "Teen Sexuality: Empowmatter.
ering Teens To Decide." Policy Studies ReEven in the face of rising sex, pregnancy, view. 1994; 13: 127-140.
SPAA show to benefit
Children with AIDS
by Jeannemarie Hendershot
Ilene Marcus, Spanish teacher
sor of Students Promoting Aid
(SPAA), has a favorite saying: ·'
save one life, it will all be ·:
club, which meets every Fri
done more this year than eve ·~ing to SPAA president Clai .
ior. Raising money to send a · 1
.to Camp Heartland, a camp f
fering from AIDS or children w 1
ily members with AIDS or HIV
major project this year. Camp Heartla
one brauc~w Jersey and one in Califor-
he lessons because they receive AIDS
health class.) "People our age
~ons across better; it's. easier
questions about things that
your tea:chers about, like
member Candice Giove,
students and peer educalessons were successful.
. t old them really had an ef. lly blunt abo~t it and I think
. hers try to get around that,''
·
· . unior~
hristi
.· urphy agreed.
· · · dents .fro
..
.· · ht to the
ooint and were~ .·
' ·.
.
rms that
d
Rising Teen Sex Rates
Rising teenage sex rates have sparked
a lot of concern from the government, from
school systems, and from parents. President Bill Clinton has a proposed $400 million campaign against teenage pregnancy
and in · attempts to offset the staggering thusiastic. The newest tee
amount of sex shown on TV, networks are Mike Giacalone, SPAA
running several commercials advocating brother Chris, reads "Don't
abstinence. The New York City Board of Away, Wear Your Life Jacket when
Education mandates a curriculum which promoting SPAA's safe and safer
stresses abstinence, but sexually active sages. "We promote abstinence
teens are encouraged to use condoms and you're going to have sex,
other birth control devices. The health said
junior
Li
course at Townsend Harris includes a segAIDS Awareness Day,
ment regarding AIDS education that is January 28, focused
taught by counselors from the Teen Out- dents a:bout the dangers
reach Prevention Service (TOPS), an ado- students from SPAA aJleJfctCV:a
. lescentAIDS/HIV clinic at Belleview Hos- North Shore
pital centered in Manhattan. In addition, a
team of students is receiving training from
North Shore Hospital to become AIDS peer
educators.
minute lessons thtft were taught to freshmen,
Sex education in schools has long been juniors and seniors. (Sophomores were not
they can to get
extremely
we don't know I:Iow Ihany people we' re helping, but we know we ~e-.,Jn..'ijJ(ing a differ- ·
jVa " ' ·~ \
ence," said Liron.
' ; l '1(. ""'' .
' I
'~
·10
..
The
·-~
Classic
June 1997
..,_-.
Battle of bands delivers:
Hard-core punk, fierce metal roc.k a·u ditorium
by Karen Halperin
' nouncing that two bathrooms were open, missed hearing Fuzzy Navel, they will ·
Falling off his drum set, Chris Militelo making light of the limited bathroom use be having a gig soon at Shakers in Flushof Triple Bypass certainly seemed to be that students usually get. This declara- ing. Ask Charles or Drew for details.
in tune with the wild essence of the tion evoked loud cheers from the crowd.
Code Red, another male band, played
Fuzzy Navel, was the only freshman two songs, "We're Back" and "Bitches,"
Battle of the Bands, held on Friday,
April 24 . Givwhich shook up the auditorium. The
ing into the fergroup's heavy bass and rageful singing
vor of the
poured out. Senior Dean Galitsi.s denight,
and
scribed his group's music, saying that
they were influenced by Agnostic Front
keeping the attention of the
and their music is in the style of "hard
crowd focused
core punk." According to the group
on the audito· members, Code Red wasn't nervous derium stage, gtlispite the fact that it was their first pertarist Anthony
formance as a band.
Gallow from
Triple Bypass, with John Vafiades as
vocals, paused in between one of their
Code Red followed Chris'
sets to ask the audience what type of a
song they'd prefer to hear, "punk, hardmood by taking
core, or alternative?" The .response was
off his shirt in
unanimous: hardcore._The MC's helped
the middle of a
Triple Bypass conclude their perfor_song. As he Vito Antefuremo from Stolen Fish steals the spotlight with a guitar solo.
mance by throwing demonstration tapes
reached to pick
it up and put it back on at the end, an band there, was the first to play. It was to the crowd_ if the trivia question that
almost Arsenio Hall-like response came . cheered on by upperclassmen. Charles they asked was answered correctly.
Mr. Sweetin described the Battle of
from the crowd, as they started to re- Steinmann, gui_tar player and backup
peatedly chant, "Keep it off." The - vocals, said, "The other bands really the Bands as "a great night." ''We sold
. decibal level remained high as the mu- supported us; there were no rivals." The 100 tickets and with the sale of sodas,
sic-filled evening continued to draw first song, "Hush," with lead vocalist we made a handsome profit which can
loud responses from the crowd. Drew Zombrotta, was an original from go to senior activities, the trip and the
As hands got stamped with the eight- the band and met with the approval of prom," he said. Students seemed to supbar code, the bands started to get ready. the audience. For their second song, the port Mr. Sweetin's opinion that the night
At 6:00 sharp, the Master and Mistress band played one from Nirvana. "Drew was wonderful and "really cooi." Freshof Ceremonies, Michael Garber and is a really good guitar player,'' said fresh- man Chris Munde said, "I feel sorry for
Kate Margalit, started the event by an- man Maria Bartha. For anyone who the pitiful freaks who didn't fork up $4
for this show."
The second to last group of the
evening was Stolen Fish, a senior band
that formed in their freshman year. Starting out with "Broken Man" and then following with "Mary-Go-Round" and
"Little Sister," Stolen Fish was soon cut
off due to technicalities with the sound
system. Also, their time was not as long
as Triple Bypass had gotten. Still, Senior Adrien Fincke) who plays rhythm
guitar for the group said that she loves
these· kinds of events. "The people are
very spirited; they just need to change
the rules around," she said. This group
(the only· coed group of the whole
evening) consisted of Ben Gt;rald, lead
guitar and vocals, Vito Antuosermo, the
"bassmastur," with Rachel Burck on the
drums and Adrien. They took pride in
the fact that they had a different style.
They're not quite punk or alternative but
as Adrien described it, people think "Oh
my god, they're good." Stolen Fish
came out with their demo tape, "White
Wine," on April 26. They also have an
E-mail address: Stolen Fish @ Aol.com.
Last to go was RPOD. After the huge
introduction given to them by the MC's,
the group was loudly cheered. Their
heavy guitar playing in "Police Oppression" had students dancing directly in
the front of the stage. The vocalist came
out with a huge blond wig as the group
went into the last set of the evening.
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The Classic
June 1997
11
Amnesty rallies for rights Read Aloud celebrates
Black history, women
Of female prisoners in
Third World countr-ies
same right to equal freedom of expresby Rebecca Munoz
Males and females alike marched sion as men do and equal expectations
around the Queens College campus on for personal comfort and safety, but
March 11 to protest the freedom of countries in Africa still accept that inspeech denied to women in Africa. The equality. The growing number of women
rally centered around the persecution who attend the UN's World Conference
and imprisonment of women all over the on Women is a sign of the increasing
world, particularly Africa. Members of support women have gotten. Amnesty
Amnesty International, the organization International hoped the march would be
that works to free prisoners of con- another sign of support.
Some marchers felt the event was
science, led the march across the campus to promote awareness of women personally satisfying. Freshman Kenny
Rubinov said, "I was glad to be a part
who are suffering in Africa.
The march began with a meeting in of this event and I hope that it made a
the Townsend Harris auditorium to ex- difference. It was refreshing to contrib- ·
plain Amnesty International's reason for ute to something I think can help raise
the event. "We are walking for the pro- awareness for suffering humans."
tection of civil and political rights, the Freshman Eva Hochman said, "The.
development of economic resources and eyent was very educational becausewe
care for all prison'ers of conscience·and learned about the suffering African
their family members," said advisor women endure from Amnesty members
·Odile Garcia. Prisoners of conscience before the march began."
Qthers felt the march was the right
are humans "detained anywhere for
their beliefs, color, ethnic origin, sex, re- idea but didn't really accompUsh its
ligion or language provided they have goal. Freshman Alejandro Fernande.z
neither used nor advocated violence," said, "I feel those who attended felt betreads Amnesty International's mandate. ter about themselves. The march eased
''It was a good turnout," Ms. Garcia said, the students' consciences by giving them
a reasonto feel they were helping hu"but it could have been better."
Each student carried a candle or manity. I believe more people should
poster that represented a suffering have gotten involved if we really wanted
woman in Africa. The sight of about 60 ·to accomplish the goal of making stustudents and the sound of Franzo Law dents aware of the freedom of speech
playing the trumpet drew attention to the they have." Freshman Matrona
Townsend Harris activists. Queens Col- Giakoumis agreed, saying, "I don't think
lege students peered out of classroom it promoted anything and I was disapwindows, read the signs, and smiled. pointed to see such a small turnout."
Ms. Garcia said, "We should do this Amnesty member Vanessa Matsis said,
again .... I am glad the students realize "The intention of the march was to get
the power of their voice and use it to the school involved in more Amnesty
events, but the turnout proved we did
make a difference."
The sufferings of women in Africa not accomplish this. It would have been
include harmful traditional practices, better if we had marched where we
unsanitary conditions, poverty, violence, could have gotten. more coverage."
Vanessa added, "Just by marching,
and unequal education. Women who
speak against the government to demand we expressed the freedom of speech that
better conditions are often humiliated or exists in America, but not in countries
abused. Women in America have the such as Africa."
by Jeannemarie Hendershot
Greeted by an audience of students
and faculty sprawled comfortably across
the library carpet, readers at the second• ·
annual Read Aloud on March 20 helped
commemorate the strife and triumphs of
blacks and women by reading essays,
poems, and short stories. Pieces ranged
from essays on discrimination to a poem
written in the voice of a Barbie doll.
"1 thought that the readings were par-
gian story told by sophomore Julia
Kohen, received a lot of attention. "I was
really impressed with that girl who
memorized a whole story," said sophomore Annie Yan. Julia read the same
story for the New York City Storytelling
Contest where she placed as the winner
for Queens.
An original · essay by Imani
Cummings, senior, discussed the prejudice she has faced becau~e of her light
skin, even
though she
considers herself black. An
anthology of
poems
by
various poets
compiled by
the Word to
Media class
was presented
at the Read
Aloud in celebration of
Black history
As part of the Read Aloud celebration, Dominika Bednarska recites two of
her original poems.
month; it ·also
included
ticularly good because they reflected the some originaf poems by students which
two_topics of Black History Month and were read at the event by juniors Sandi
Women's History Month," said Valerie Intraub and Kate Rube.
Billy, librarian and coordinator of the
Limited to a 40 minute period, the
Read Aloud._
scheduled presentation was too long_and
English teacher and Coordinator of not all readers on the agenda were able
Student Affairs Judy Biener kicked off to speak. "I was very upset that I didn't
the event with a monologue that she get a chance to read my poem because
wro.te telling why she chose not to takie of the time limit," said Annie Yan. "Next
her husband's name. "I wanted to be a year I hope to do it during ninth period,
part of the Read Aloud, so I went look- so if it runs a little over, we won't all
ing thro1,1gh old Ms. magazines and have to rush out before it's finished,"
found this article by Anna Quindlen, said Ms. Billy.
.
who wrote about the same topic, and I
Read Alouds are not new to
chose to write about my own experi- Townsend Harris. In the Parsons Bouence," said Ms. Biener. "She set a good levard building, they were held during
.example by reading; her interest and Enrichment.
enthusiasm were contagious," said Ms.
After this Read Aloud, many people
Billy.
expressed interest in having them more
Dominika Bednarska, junior, read frequently. "In a humanities school, we
"My Sister" and "The Conversation," should have more things like this," said ·
both which she had written herself, and Dominika. "I think it adds a whole other
a poem called "Women" by May dimension to political correctness. It
Swensen. "The Three Ants," a Norwe- makes things more personal."
Teachers j9in crowd at spring dance
by Vanessa Tan
Dancing and
music set the mood
for the last bash of
the 1996-97 school
year, drawing more
than one quarter of
the school's population. The Spring
Dance, held in the
Queens College
Student Union
Building, took
place on March 7,
from 3:00 P.M. to
6:00P.M.
"It's pretty cool
that [the school]
trusted us to have
another dance. It
Seniors Althea Holford, Michael Garber, Lauren Mione and junior Sarah Sidar kick off the
Spring dance at the Student Union building ..
shows that we can really have casual fun without any problems," said Ashika Jain, junior. The proposal for a spring dance
was ·approved because .of the successful mixer and. the first
Winter Remix. The burst pipe that ruined the gym floor caused
the dane~ to be held at the SU building.
Twice as Good, the D.J. from past dantes, mixed the music
as a crowd of students filled the dance floor. "The musiC was
varied and sounded good, especially the meringue," said Linda
Aponte, junior. She adds, "It was also nice to see the other
[wild] side of teachers."
Humanities teacher Adam Stonehill, along with new faculty members, such as physical education teacher Judy
Reisenman and Humanities teacher Johnathan Ferrante, created a circle in the middle of the crowd. "The teachers were
funny. They danced well, especially Mr. Ferrante," said Maria
Barreto, freshman.
Overall, the year was a successful one for dances. Ms. Biener
was happy with the way things went this year, adding, "We
will probably be able to have three dances again next year."
..
,.
-~
SO's toons revived through cartoon ·network
by Mark Von Ohlen
and new girlfriend}essie, Johnny Quest
Bringing back toons from the past, returns to the air on TBS, TNT, and CarCartoon Network's action-packed after- toon Network. The original show, ·simnoon programming entitled "Toonami" ply entitled Johnny Quest, aired during
has caught the attention of many devoted the '60s and '70s. Though technically
1980s cartoons fans. This revival be- · 'a '90s show, JQ reflects the pattern of
gan in March with two classic '80s nostalgia constant in Cartoon Network.
The greatest attraction of the '80s
toons: ThunderCats and Voltron. Joined
by The New Adventures ofJohnny Quest, toons is the characters. "The good guys
all three shows have made the quality were always willing to make great sacof television from the past available for rifices for the good of their societies. In
a whole new generation. Even TV Guide general they were highly moral, and
commended "Toonami," in its April 5 they always managed to find a way to
issue: "Whew, ThunderCats and Voltron become victorious without compromisin one sitting! That's about as much ex- ing their high ideals," said He-Fan
citement as we can stand before dinner." Jacob Quisenberry. The He-Fans, a
ThunderCats, airing first on group of followers dedicated to the pres- .
ervation of the '80s shows He-Man and
"Toon~mi," is an action-figure-based
cartoon which tells stories of a race of the Masters of the Universe and Shecat-like people whose home planet, Ra: Princess of Power, have established
Thundera, was destroyed. Thundera ex- · a fan club on the Internet with web
ploded from the center in a great ball of pages, a newsletter, and even a mailing
fire. Those able to escape managed to list.
find a planet called Third Earth and
. He-Man, another action-figure-based
settled there. There, they struggled series, aired from 1983 to 1986. Two
against the evil of the terrible mutants 65-episode seasons were produced tellofPlun-Darr and the devil priest of Third ing the story of the most powerful man
Earth, Mumm-Ra. The ThunderCats in the universe. Originally He-Man was
continually defeated their enemies and · just an action figure from Mattei, part
protected their new home from evil. The of The Masters ofThe Universe Collecshow premiered in 1985 and ran for ~wo tion. Then Filmation, an upcoming aniseasons. Though on for only a short mation company, began the cartoon
series. In the cartoon, Princ'e Adam of
time, it developed a loyal following.
"When I was little, I used to pretend Eternia was given a magical sword. By ·
I was Cheetara .... In one episode she ran raising the sword and shouting the
through a huge line of bad guys without words, "By the Power of Gray skull," he
getting hit. It
became Hewas the coolest
Man,apowerful warrior
thing,"
said
who used his
sophomore
Laura Liotta.
'These .b ig cats were true role superstrength to
"Each character
models because the code
protect his
was
brave,
they lived by: 'Truth, Justice,
home planet
loyal, and had
awesome powHonor, and Loyalty.' Wouldn't f r o m
Skeletor (an
ers. They were
you want kids growing up to
evil
sorgood role modthe
same
values
and
virtues?'
cerer)
and
els for young
defend the
people," added
secrets of
sophomore
Castle
Michael Doti.
"These big cats were true role _models Grayskull, the source of his powers.
She-Ra, the show's spin-off, prebecause of the code they lived by:
'Truth, Justice, Honor and Loyalty.' miered in 1985 and was directed at girls.
Wouldn't you want kids growing up to She-Ra told the story of Princess Adora,
the same values and virtues?" asks Adam's long-lost sister. The movie release of He-Man and She-Ra: The SeThunderCat fan James Wallen.
Like ThunderCats, Voltron: Defender cret ofthe Sword explained Adora's kidof (he Universe emphasi~es the power napping at birth and introduced viewof teamwork. Set on Earth in the 25th ers to a: new planet: Etheria. There, an
Century, five warriors joined forces to intergalactic army known as the Horde
defend the universe from evil by pilot- had enslaved many of the people and
ing a giant robot with a huge sword. n~w controlled all the kingdoms. HeVoltron is a combination of different Man travelled there and told Adom of
colored robot lions. The five warriors her destiny: to become She-Ra: Princess
called The Voltron force include four of Power. Using her super-strength and
men and a princess. It can be said that magical powers, She-Ra fought alongthis show gave rise to the hit children's side the Great Rebellion to free Etheria
. show Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. from the evil forces of Hordak. Nearly
Junior Anne Marie Dull said, ''I'm so every character on the show was female.
happy it's back on TV. I've been wait- The Rebellion was led by women and
they all had magical powers. "My faing for it to come back for 10 years."
The NewAdventures ofJohnny Quest vorite character was Frosta," said sophois the continuing story of a teenage boy more Jamie Kern. "I loved her ice power
and his scientist father. Joined by body- and blue hair. But I still don't under. guard Race Barron, fellow teen Hadgi, stand how she ran around fighting evil
of
in a mini-skirt and high heels." Though,
it is no longer being aired, He-Man and
She-Ra still have a large number of fans.
This wave of nostalgia seems to be
affecting many people, especially on the
Internet. There, webpages and even
Newsgroups are created in honor of TV
shows frorri the past. There are around
25 He-Man and She-Ra pages, as well
as an online newsletter and a mailing
list. "Both series are beloved, each containing quality stories and· animation,
along with morals and lessons. We
would like to get the toys re-released,
and for the series to come back to the
airways," said He-Fan Zadoc Angell.
The main ingredient for success in these
shows is that they are more than just
cartoons. "You can get something out
of watching it," said Alexandra Spears,
another He-Fan. "There are little morals at the end, some of which I'm taking to heart even now, at age 24."
Alexandra has web pages dedicated to
He-Man, Sh.e-Ra, and Jem, another classic '80s toon.
]em was a soap opera-like show also
directed at girls. It revolved around the
lives of bandmembers Jem and the Holograms. The bandmembers were not
-ordinary people, though. They didn't
have any super powers, but they could
change form thanks to Jem's magic ear~
ring. The band faced some problems
with the Misfits. They were the rude
and disrespectful villains on the show.
The show tackled big problems, like
drug use and illiteracy.
Other popular favorites from the '80s
include Care Bears, The Smurfs, My
Little Pony, Rainbow Brite, Silverhawks,
and Inspector Gadget. The Care Bears
currently air on the Disney Channel.
You can visit any of these sites on
the web: ·
The He-Man and the Masters of the
Universe Home Page
http://www.awod.com/gallery/rwav/
ctyner/he-man.html
(contact him to receive the He-Man
and She-Ra newsletter entitled "The
Scrolls of Greyskull")
The Unofficial She-Ra: Princess of
Power Page
http://galaxy.neca.com/-phoenix/
SheRalindex.html
The ThunderCats Fan Archives
http:/ I grimmy. san tarosa.edu/
·-mcaesar/tcats/tcats .htm#option
Voltron
http:/ /www.cs. bc.edu/cgi-bi n/
silvamd/Voltron.Cgi
Care Bears
. http://maxie.com/carebears/
survey says. cartoons
·
·
·
Better. •~~n past th' ·a.n now
·
have hour glass figures and tight, revealby Helen Haritos and Dominika
ing clothes. They are like sex-symbols
Bednarska
What do the Thundercdts, She-ra, for six year olds."
The eagerly awaited Saturday mornHe-man, G./. Joe and Sesame Street
have in common? Give up? They all top ing cartoons of their childhoods have
the list as Townsend Harris students' all- now lost much of their glamour. Sevtime favorite shows from when they enty-seven percent of the students think
were little. Here's another riddle: what that Saturday cartoons are . no longer
do the X-men, the Power Rangers, V-R- such a big deal. With more and more
Troopers, Spiderman, and Big Bad cartoons resembling each other, many
BeetleBorgs have in common? They're people can find it difficult to keep track
popular children's television shows to- of what is on.
Everyone could tell the difference
day.
But how do the old shows compare between Inspector Gadget, My Little
with. the newer cartoons? Of the 134 Pony and the Gummy Bears when they
Townsend Harris students surveyed, were young. How many little kids can
95% said that they thought that distinguish between Goosebumps and
children's television has gotten more BoneChillers? How about between
violent. "There are a lot more live-ac- Rocko's .Modern Life and Two Stupid
tion fighting shows," said junior Stacy Dogs? "I think that because of technolShanahan. "Little kids are going to grow ogy, the shows are geared towards kids
up thinking that it's O.K. to blow with less of an imagination. All the
shows seem the same," junior Elena
someone's head off."
Ninety-two percent of the students Hyman said.
think that there is more sexual content
in today's shows than
years ago. "The.re is
more sexual content, but
I think we see it differently now. The connota- - --- -- INC.
tions were always there
but we didn't notice them
NYC Licensed teachers
when we were young,"
Elementary thru college
Dimitri Christoforou,
All subjects and Remedial reading
junior, said. A sopho(718) 281-15118
(711) 211-GI22
more girl wrote, "The
women on cartoons all
@.
--· ~=~g
The Classic
June 1997
13
'You're out!' for '97:
Boys' Volleyball
Largmann. postpones
Bumped from court Field of Dreams
'
ally come a long way in the last few
by Justin Fox
While most sports teams battle prob- months," Dempster feels. She added that
lems on the field, the Boys' Varsity Vol- they have gotten tremendous help from
leyball team has had an additional obstacle to overcome
this season. Their home floor
is in shambles. Since December, the gym floor has swollen and expanded because of
a large flood. A PSAL volleyball net cannot be put up
in the gym. Therefere, they
travel to road games two or
three times per week. The
boys finished their season
with a 3-5 record.
gp
According to coach Eliza~
beth Dempster, who has come
~
from Bryant High School to
~
coach the team since 1986, the
£
0
deformity of the floor has
]
,;::>,
brought on numerous problems. "We cannot have any
home games, nor the crowd
support that comes along with
it," Dempster said. "Also, we
can't have any practices with
a regulation game net, which
puts us -at another disadvantage." As a result, Dempster
..t
feels that her team has done Senior Mark Tsai. send:ta serve flying over the-net.
"extremely welL" "It's been a
tough season, and I think
... they deserve a lot of credit," she said. junior Han Jo Kim and senior Daniel
Dempster puts this credit on a "very Gilkarov, both second-year players.
After last year'~ 4-4 record, and a
technical" starting six. Middle-hitter
Ben Chiu, center David Tse, and out- third-place divisional finish, Dempster
side-hitter Weijian Zeng, all veterans, still sees the team as not ready for the
along with new outside-hitters Gary playoffs just yet. David Tse, the team
Ngai, James Kim, and Mark Tsai, have captain, explained, "We have the potenbeen touted by Dempster as a good pass- tial, but not the playoff experience."
Jason Wu echoes this feeling, but still
ing team, and "the best serving team in
the city."Yet, all six of the starters (along feels the team has pe~;formed well. "Our
with two bench players) are seniors, and hard work hasn't paid off yet, and we
will be gone after this season. "I'll be still need to work harder," Wu stated.
looking for some good players next "Also, our'game time has been messed
up because of the problems with the
March I," Dempster stated.
Also contributing to the team's suc- floor." Yet, other players, such as James
cess are rookies: sophomores Fred Kim, have a more positive attitude.
Guerrier, Daniel Park, and Jason Wu, "We're definitely better than last year,"
and freshman Johnny Loi. "They've re- he concluded.
,, 1
. .
~
Boys' Tennis struggles
Through spring season
by Mark Von Ohlen
The Boys' Varsity Tennis Team completed its season with a record of three
wins, seven losses. It was the first time
in six years that the team didn't make it
to the playoffs. Rather, they were forced
to play the role of "spoiler," knocking
Bayside out of playoff contention.
Next year, the team will be losing two
starters, Ross Muken, who was forced
to sit out this season due to injury and
senior captain Dave Bleichfeld.
Bleichfeld won Male Athlete of the Year
at the Sports Awards Dinner held on
June 4 for his accomplishments on both
the tennis and basketball teams. Unfortunately, his performance could not help
the team to anything more than a 30%
winning record.
Murray explains that Harris played
in the toughest division ever and hopes
the team record will improve next year
as the freshmen will possibly move up
to become starters.
by Justin Fox and Peter Stampfel
The cost of uniforms was to be covered
The famous quotation, "Wait 'till · by the players themselves.
next year" repeated year after year by
However as time passed and the fate
Brooklyn Dodgers fans in the late 1940's of the team was still not definite, the
and early 1950's, can now be used in prospective players began to lose interreference to a Boys' Baseball team. The est and abandon their chance to play in
decision to keep the team from joining order to join other sports teams or get
the PSAL for the 1997 season was made jobs. By March, only 23 people reby Principal Malcolm Largmann in early mained committed to playing, which
April.
was not enough to make Dr. Largmann
Tryouts will be held in September confident in the future commitment of
of the new school year to avoid the un- players to the team. He therefore came
certainty of the past year. All of the spots to the defcision that Townsend Harris
on the team will be available to all could not have a baseball team in the
spring of 1997.
classes.
This past spring, the Townsend HarJunior Nick Diunte, who had been
working all last year researching costs ris boys played as three intramural teams
and the process of obtaining a team, and and the intramural season was very helpDean .and Athletic Director Wanda Nix, ful in renewing the interest of prospeccame very close to fielding a team to tive players.
play non.:Jeague games this year and of~
"Basically, I feel cheated," said
ficial games the next year (All new high Diunte, who was very disappointed by
school teams must play a schedule of the announcement that there would not
unofficial games for the first season af- be a team this year. "We raised all of
ter w~ich they are an official team play- this money, and we, simply, deserved to
ing official league games. The Townsend play.'' Another potential player, sophoHarris Boys' Basketball team had to do more Gregory Lew, added, "I really
this in their inaugural season.) How- wanted to play. It would have been value
ever, the thing that ended the prospect able practice and game experience and
of a team this year was the fact that there · I felt that we could have competed very
well. UnfortUnately, I can only wonder
were not enough boys trying ·o-ut.
It had earlier been agreed to by Dr. what could have been."
Doubts still remain, however, as to the
Malcolm Largmann and the parties
forming the team that there must be at future of the team. Presently, more than
least 40 people trying out for the team half of the intramural team members are
or else it would not go through. At an juniors and will be graduated next year.
early meeting in December 1996, the After they are gone, there may not be
required number and more were in at- enough players to support a team.
tendance. This encouraged Diunte and
Diunte explains that he has to hear
Nix to continue with the process of all his "teammates talk about all of the
forming a team. Funds totaling approxi- great things that they've done for their
mately $2,000 were raised in. order to school teams. I'll never be able to, do
cover the cost of equipment and offer that, and it hurts, skill wise, and emotionsome payment to coach Chris Hackney. ally."
Boys' Handball on the rise
by Tabitha Hsi
Inspired by senior Paul Im, the
only four-year player, this year's
Boys' Handball team was better
than ever. Looking back at the 54 record, coach Anthony Scarnati
feels that "this [season] marks a
significant improvement over the
1996 season,"
First singles, junior Mike
Giacalone, and third singles,
sophomore Ante Mustac, led the
team. The team would not have
b~en as successful, however, without rookie Martin Moline, senior,
who stepped up to play second
singles. Senior Dave Chau and
sophomores Chris Popp, Hugo
Navarro and Sakis Grammenos
rounded out the doubles team.
"The guys tried really hard and
even though our record wasn't A ball goes slamming back into the wall with a
·
very.impressive, it was definitely smack from Mike Giacalone.
a memorable experience," concluded Dave.
Triolo strives to com·pete in 2000 Olympics
by .Elizabeth Mo
are in .the short stirrup class. The class horse-back riding. As she puts it, "I love four summers. Out of 70 contestants,
In the year 2000, the Summer Olym- for advanced beginners Is called maiden. horse-back riding so much. I mean, I've Maria placed first in the flat class at the
pics will be held in Sydney, Australia. The novice·, limit and open neck classes been doing it for so-long, I just can't Hampton Classic. During the first year,
Junior Maria Triolo is just a step away follow in order of difficulty. ''I'm in the imagine it not being part of my life." she entered the flat class which encom_from qualifying to attend. She has prac- junior class for riders ·under 18," she Maria hopes to someday own a house passed the basic walk, trot and cantor.
ticed relentlessly in order to earn a spot said. Maria has to wait two more years ·with a ranch where she can keep her The basic walk is a four beat gait in
on the U, S. Equestrian Team. This before she can be judged in the adult horses.
which each leg of the horse hits the
Olympic hopeful, with a full academic class.
Maria remembers her earliest chal- ground separately, starting with the right
load, makes an hour trip daily to
So
far,
front leg extending out. The trot is a
Bedford, New York, to ride her horse, Maria has won
two beat gait wherein diagonal pairs of
Andy.
every competithe horse's legs -hit the ground at the
In horse-back riding, there are two - tion she has
same time. The cantor is a three beat
riding styles: the English saddle and the entered and her
gait in which the front legs and one of
Western saddle. The Western saddle
chances of apthe back legs hit the ground at the same
style features a horn in the front of the pearing in the
'time. The direction of the gait will desaddle for balance. Without the horn, Olympics are
termine which of the back legs hit the
the English saddle rider must rely on very high. For
ground .first. For example, if the horse
good posture to maintain balance. Maria to be
is heading towards the left, its right back
Maria's expertise in the English saddle chosen for the
leg hits the ground with the front legs.
style enables her to be a hunter-jumper. U.S. EquesWhile the basic walk is the slowest gait,
A hunter-jumper is an equestrian whose trian Team, she
the trot is slightly faster with the cantor
horse is judged based on its jumping has to win
-~ being the fastest among the three.
performance over a series of wooden three times in
~0
Maria lives in East ~lmhurst
where
fences. As a specialist in hunter-jump- the Maclay
i;;> very few people know about horse-back
ing, Maria believes that to compete suc- class, the adult
~ riding. According to Maria, "many
cessfully, you have to "throw your heart class, in order
80 people have the wrong idea about theover first, then jump over it."
to enter the fi] sport. They think it's only for rich and
As the rider leads the horse on a nal competi"" wealthy people. _Actually, anyone with
course of hurdles, the animal's posture tion held at the
proper encouragement can do it." Maria
is judged as either rounded or flat. If Meadowlands
laughs about the way people view horsethe horse's posture is round, it is said to this coming
back riding. "Going into a pizza store
be a better jumper. The skill of the November.
with my clothes on after a horse show,
equestrian is to find a "conservative Maria is relyeverybody stares. They have no idea
spot" for the horse to land upon in order ing on her ex_what it is in the city; they think I race
to produce a rounded posture. As a tensive experihorses or dress really strangely." She
hunter-jumper, Mari-a competes in ence in jumpbelieves the only' downside of horseshows that judge her performance on ing competiback riding is the politics involved in
posture, position, and control of the tions to help
competitions. "Judges often use perhorse.
her gain placesonal experiences to create biases that
Maria also competes in cross coun- ment on the
influence their decision regarding who
try jumping matches. In contrast to Olympic team.
wins. For example, a judge may see a
Maria Triolo soars over a fence during an equestrian competition.
M a r i a
hunter-jumping, cross country jumping
black horse which he may not like and
·requires jumps over fallen tree branches started horse-back riding, dancing and Jenge when she was required to ride the hold this against the rider."
ice skating lessons at the age biggest horse in the short stirrup class
She owns Andy, and pays approxiof five. She chose to continue for small children. Although she was mately 1000 dollars to board the horse,
with horse-back riding because afraid, she entered the ring on the enor- but she cleans him herself. She bought
she "always enjoyed the chal- mous horse. As she approached her first Andy when she was 10 years old belenge of working with an ani- jump, her horse went in the other direc- cause she needed her own horse for
mal." Her performances rely tion. Maria was disqualified but still competitions. "Buying a horse is like
' ..,. throw your heart over first,
upon her ability to manage and won a ribbon for her effort and courage. buying a car," says Maria, considering
then jump over it.'
With her great motivating spirit and all of the expenses such as trainers' fees,
motivate the horse. She entered
her first jumping competition Jove for horse-back riding, Maria be- horse show fees, and night watch for the
before the age of six.
lieves that she "can go very far." So far, horse that need to be taken into account.
A-B/ she reflects upon 10 her greatest accomplishment occurred at
While Maria is focused on her trainyears of dedication to the sport, the Meadowlands Qualifying Class ing for the try-outs for the Olympics, she
and lakes as the rider soars through the she recalls a particularly frightening ex- Competition. - Her horse, Andy, whose is also planning to attend a college that
woods. The timing of the jumps is criti- _perience at the age of seven that almost show name is Diamond in the Ruff, was will allow her to continue· horse-back
cal. If she is too early or too late in her ended her involvement in it. A horse she hurt and unable to compete. Maria bor- riding. "I want to go to a college that
approach to jump the judge deducts was riding was spooked by a bird and rowed a friend's horse to which she has an intercollegiate team," she said. If
points from her overall score.
"went crazy," going out of control and was unaccustomed. Despite the unfa- she wins the Maclay finals, she will have
In competitions, equestrians are or- raising its front legs; she did not ride for - miliarity, she won the competition. In to go to Germany for training and will
ganized i_nto classes based on age and a few weeks after 'the incident. Today addition, Maria has participated in Long be tutored there. Maria wants to p"ursue
ability. Beginners and young children Maria cannot see herself living without Island's Hampton Classic for the past a career in veterinary science.
Girls' Handball smacks its way to the top
by Tabitha Hsi
For the fourth consecutive year, the
Girls' Varsity Handball team earned a
playoff spot, placing second in Queens.
After winning the first round of the playoffs, however, a loss to Midwood in the
quarterfinals cut their championship
dream short.
This loss did not darken the team's
spirit. Rather, the players look to next
season optimistically. "We can beat Lina Lam were undefeated after 12
Bryant next year, and we will come in matches. Singles players Helen Jan,
first in Queens," said junior Selina Lee. sophomore, and-Veronica Valasek, seCoach James Jordan agrees "We did our nior, returned this year better than ever.
best this season, and we will do an even
The handball team would not have
befter job next year. All the members · been complete without the contribution
hope to improve their gam,e," he said.
of the rookies, according to coach JorDespite many rain-outs this season, the dan. "We have a lot of new potential to
girls shook up the competition. The first carry on the winning record," he added.
doubles team of Selina Lee and junior Jessica Castro, freshman, and juniors
Mahany Ortiz and Melissa Gibilaro will
step up to play indispensible roles next
season.
Since coach Jordan leads the Harris
Girls' Varsity Swim team in the fall,
many players were recruited to play for
the handball team. Sophomore Leslie
R~sa, freshman Rosanne Antonelli, and
junior Michelle Wolman as well as
Selina and Helen all came from the pool.
<'
---l'----------~~----~----~~--~--------------------~~------~
·Ketch·a m-Walters dances
New coach. introduces
To Presidential recognition
Different Track events
Of all DeAnna's many performances,
by Bosede Adenekan
DeAnna Ketcham-Walters, senior, the one she remembers the best is her
Alex Arriaga.
danced her way to the semifinalist round first performance. "I was 4 years old and by Mark Von Ohlen
"We. train really hard and our times
After a strong finish in the indoor
in the 1997 Presidential Scholars Pro- doi,ng an African piece. In the middle
gram. The Presidential Scholars Pro- of iny solo, my top fell off," DeAnna season, the Boys' Track team had an have shot down," explained Anthony,
"We're the strongest of the seven teams
gram recognizes and honors graduating_ said. "Usually kids of that age would cry. ev(11 more impressive outdoor season.
The team also did well in the Queens in our division. By the end of the year
seniors who demonstrate academic ex- But my first instinct was to finish the
cellence or exceptional talent in the arts. · solo. I didn't stop dancing. I kept go- Borough finals. There, senior Ben we could be fifth in the borough,"
Junior Alex Arriaga credits the
Each year 141 students are named·Presj- ing." This is exactly what DeAnna has Johnson finished first in the two mile
dential Scholars, representing the great- been doing ever since. She has man- run. The sophomore 4X400 team fin- team's success to the lower-classmen.
ness of young people, and De Anna ex- aged to juggle school and dance while ished fifth in the borough, which Coach
pects to hear this month if she will re- creating some time for herself.
"I wanted a challenge and Townsend Stonehill considered a
ceive this high honor.
DeAnna's path to becoming a semi- Harris definitely provided me with one," great accomplis·hfinalist involved several competitive DeAnna said.' She admitted that during ment. Stonehill prestages. First, she participated in the Arts her dance lessons, her mind sometimes dicts they will "domiRecognition and Talent Search, sending strays to her homework, tests, and re- nate in tne future."
In the City Chamin a tape of herself perfoming two so- ports. Yet DeAnna says, "Academics
pionships,
Ben
los. She won a Level One award and must be kept separate from dance."
Johnson
finished
a
DeAnna
aspires
to
become
a
memrec~ived $3000, and a nomination to
c
become a Presidential Scholar. Next, ber of the Alvin Ailey American Dance two mile run in 10:04,
0
"'
DeAnna submitted number of essays Theater as well as a child psychologist. taking second place.
~
and transcripts which were judged by In_addition to her career goal, ·she, also The s•enior 4X400
the Commission on Presidential Schol- dances for self-fulfillment. "Taking team finished seventh
ars. The Commission then selects the dance gives you a sense of responsibil- with a time of 3:33,
£
Scholars and invites them to Washing- ity, guidelines to follow, and keeps your their best time ever.
]c..
The team's record
ton D.C. where they will attend a cer- body in shape," said DeAnna.
She receives plenty of support from improved ·greatly as
emony in their honor.
"I was jumping around the house and her family. "My mom is my role model. every team member
screaming when I found out that I was a She keeps me motivated. She is my ev- medalled in the developmental championsemifinalist," said D'e Anna. "It's an erything," said DeAnna.
When DeAnna is not dancing or ships on May 14.
honor to know that out of so many kids,
I have a chance to perform for the Presi- studying, she can be found singing or Franzo Law, Steven
writing poetry. She is a student senator Shue, Hugh Reid, and
dent."
DeAnna is an experienced dancer of and has been involved in such school city-qualifier Ben
14 years. She now studies modern dance clubs as EIIE (Educate to Elevate). Johnson took a silver
and ballet at the Alvin Ailey American DeAnna doesn't regret the fact that in the 4X800. SophoDance Center in Manhattan which she Townsend Harris lacks a dance pr9gram. more Damon S'wift
attends daily after school from 3:00 to "This is not a performing arts school," earned a bronze
. medal with Shue,
7:00 P.M. "What I like most about DeAnna acknowledged.
"I never saw a need for a dance pro- Reid, and Johnson The Boys' Track team races around the Queens College track to
dancing is knowing that I liave communicated with the audience: It's like be- gram in this school but for other kids, when he substituted prepare fqr an upcoming meet
ing an actress, except you don't use this program could broaden their cul- for Law in the Sprint
tural sense. To society, dance is not very Medley. Swift's secwords/' said DeAnna.
Before every performance, DeAnna important," she said, " but I believe that ond medal, this time a gold, came in the "We're doing better than we've done in
tries to relax. "I get nervous every time The. Classic has taken the first step in 4X800 with fellow sophomores Felipe a long time because we have the youth:
I perform," she revealed. On stage, how- showing that this school realizes that Gomez and Anthony Prince and junior the sophomores and juniors."
ever, she transforms herself into the . dance is just_as important as academics."
character she is representing.
a
Bayside strikes out Gi·rls' Varsl·ty Softball team
•
lty Justin Fox
"We're a pheooHWnal t-eam with
lots of heart," said Gina Hl\}'eS, jitln.ior rigilt<lelder of the Oirls'Varsi.ty
Softball t-eam. Despite this, a loss in
the quarterf!i,n.al·s aga+ns.t Bayside
brought the Gids' Varsity Soahall
team's season to an end on June 4.
"We maee some care·less mistakes
and let them pwll ahead by twt> runs,"
tim bas-efllan Nieote S!trlppoli, junior, e~pclamed. "We really should've
wtJn, but next year we'll beat them."
Coach Larry Cerau!lo saw sophomor-e pitcher runa Parise as llbe k~
to the team this past season ...She is
throwmg beautiftrlly,'' Ceraulo sai:d.
•"The team bi•es on her·pedormatlee, ..
If she's hurt, (l)f nas all o£1-game. w~'te
in trou'ble:' Parise has put up "impressive" numbers, according to Ceralill:o,
wim a strik,oout to wall: ratio better than
21 to 1 ia the past five ~es, and aboliit
200 st:rikeotltiS this season.
As•for offense, Usa Millter has led
the team with a .551 batting average,
R.Blis, a11d nome runs. "Sl1e 's beet~ about
90 percent of my offense this year,"
Ceraulo says ...She has a back of ge,tting the big rut when we need it.''
The suppol'ting cast has also been a
hlli3e hellp. according to Cerauto. Mary
DeC'I<:co bas provid:ed good leadoff
help, nile Oina antil senior Jennifer
Arnol4 have provided g<>oeil defense for run aft-ernoon a;gai<nst Flushing on
""
Pal!ise behmd me plate. Cerauto also April 8.
Yet. the pla,--ers nave no rea:l reacsays that Junior V:arsity additions sueb
as- juniw outfieWers KiJn Finneran a11d tion to this attention. ''It really tloesn 't
Joal'lona Wa&sermat~, along wit!i matter who is watcehins, or who isn't
DeCice•o, nave made a diffe•renc-e. watebing," Dina said. ''We play the
same way; and try to win, even if no
Sopnom01'~ sltolltstop J'u~ia H~ was
honored with llbe ''Rot>'ld:e of tile \feat" one is watchmg us,~· added D:eC:icco.
awaFd on June 4 at the atltt\utl Sports Mr. Cera:uf:o fe~ls that tile c;oven\g~
Awards <£inner. "They are definitely doe:s belp. "It's always nice to be reeplaying be,tter than I tho:u,gh~~ tkey opized:, a11d to bacve yout name in the
wottld," Ceralillo says.. ·
pa,er,'' be said.
'Thes-e ,ast four years on tihe soft~
The team has alse garnereti much
media cotverage itt the las•t CElu.ple 0f ball team b;:tve been very memorable.
weeks. Ne:waday and the Da~ly News Thtoagh this, I've met a tot of great
people and made great friends,'' said
hav~ hithlighted Dina's two consecutive
·no-h-itters, along with the three home- Jennifer.
·
16
.
....
·i~
The Classic
June 1997
Girls'Tennisteam spends
Season ·smashing opponents
Girls' T_
rack
~peed walks
To victory
by Sara Yon
citywide individuals. Sophomore Erika
The greatest challenge for the girls
Despite ·new coaches and almost ·a . Strochlic was also very consistent last year as well as this year was by Tabitha Hsi
completely new set of starters, the
Cardozo High School. Cardozo had
Swaggering hips, locked knees, and
Girls' Varsity Tennis Team boasts of
several nationally ranked players on swinging arms. Sound weird? It's all a
a very successful season, with their
their team this year. Junior Claire normal part of speed walking, an aspect
only loss in the regular season to .
Schnabel commented, "They're tough of track and field that nytny people, even
Cardozo High School. They entered
competition. We just went out there members of the sport itself, often ignore.
the playoffs seeded second in their
and played a good match." Mr. At the City Championships on ·May 24
division with a record of 6-1.
Carbone said that strong commitment at St. John's University, freshman
Former coach Ellen Schwartz has
and determination to do their best ac- - Danielle Gendler, placing sixth with a
taken a one-term leave of absence,
c:ounts for the girls' overall success. time of 8:40.5, led her fellow walkers,
and math teacher Rachel Ruisi and
"The girls have shown a lot of dedica- Sarah Sidar, junior, and Lauren Mione,
English teacher Michael Carbone
tion and new energy;' he said.
senior, to a respectable finish .
have collaboratively assumed her poFor the girls playing doubles
"It's tough, and requires a lot of
sition this season.
matches, winning reR_uired many stamina," said Sarah. "Speed walking is
Along with new coaches, the ten~ things, including good communication not given enough recognition," com• ~ skills. Long rallies were a commonal- mented Danielle. Joseph Horn, coach,
_
_
nis team also has five new starters this
- --- --~~
· ······ - ~· ity this season, especially for the first agrees. "It is as important as any other
year for both singles and doubles
competition. First and second singles
£ doubles team. Sophomore Nicole event, and we train just as hard for it as
are once again played by junior Ilissa
~ Zuchelli de~cribed her experience playwe do any other event, yet not enough
Strolovitz and sophomore Jodi
-& ing doubles matches (!.S being similar respect is given to it," he said. Form is
Horton, respectively. They are two of
to a business environment. She used a essential in the 1500M event, and comworkplace analogy to show that you petitors are easily disqualified for a lack
the few veterans who competed this
need to "judge how to react to differ- of technical precision.
season. "Ilissa and Jodi provide a
strong backbone for the team," said
ent people (partners)." For the doubles
However, the walk is not the only
head coach Ruisi.
teams to succeed, the moves had to be event in which the team has been sucServing a ball over the net, junior Marina
Though all of the girls did well as
well coordinated, so that both players cessful. The City Ch1_1mpionships gave
Lyaunzon battles hercompetition.
did not attempt the same shot. Sopho- the athletes the opportunity to make
a team, singles players Strolovitz and
more Rebecca Silver said, "The tennis some waves. Christina Juva, senior,
Horton, and doubles pair sophomore
Eden Cruz and junior Marina Lyaunzon throughout the season with a record of team teaches you about more than ath- ·shattered her school record by more than
letics," referring to the dedication and 10 seconds in the 3000M, coming into
excelled and will be competing in the 6-1.
cooperation among team members.
fourth place with a time of 11:14. Christina was honored at the Sports Awards
Dinner on June~ for being on the team
for 12 consecutive seasons. To augment
by Amy Kommatas and Kate Rube
team entered the playoffs, steam ro11- 1997 season include "the fight" against the list of this year's accomplishments,
Though they have waited for three ing over Ri<;hmond Hill. in the first Van Buren, where a Van Buren student, senior Maria Wormmak became the first
years, the Girls' Varsity Soccer team will round. The girls met their first challenge angered by her school's loss, grabbed student ever in Townsend Harris history
continue to wait for a chance at the City of the season when facing Wingate on junior player Tara Paterson and pushed . to qualify for the City Champs in the
Championships after a disappointing
her to the ground. This sent punches pentathalon.
loss to Bronx Science in the semififlying with coach Keith Hanson
· The team also did well in events
nals on May. 28. Dreams of Harris
rushing into the center of the brawl ranging from the long sprint to the disvictory melted in the warm afternoon
to intervene. The rumble was even tance races. In all events, certain memas quickly as it took for a Science
documented in a News day article.
bers led the way to success: junior Runa
forward to score during a final sudSenior Adrienne Socci, winner Rajagopal in the 400M long sprint;
den death overtime.
of the Pegasus award in soccer Jed sophomore Heather Ibert in the 800M
The score was tied at 1-1 after
the team in goals and morale. In the race; seniors Kien Quatch and Christina
regulation play, each team feeling the
midfield, junior Tara Paterson pro- Juva and freshman Alexa Steinberg in
fatigue of a contact-filled game
vided the backbone for the team. the distance races.
against a tough opponent.
Her inspirational play caused even
The field team is a new addition to
A 20-mlnute overtime followed,
referees to comment on her perforHarris
athletics. Coached by incoming
where a goal by defender Vanessa
mance.
ninth
grade
social studies teacher Maria
Williams seemed to clinch the win
With juniors Kristin Candan and
Vita,
the
team
consists of seven girls and
for Harris. But things are not always
Kate Rube and seniors Amy
one
boy.
"It's
very exciting to actually
Kommatas and Annie Socci on deas they seem and Bronx Science
see
the
.
s
tudents
outside the classtoom.
fense, the goal was impenetrable
battled back to tie the score again
I'm
(!.mazed
at
how
well they're doing
with three minutes remaining. If a ·
throughout the regular and most of
for
their
first
year,"
said
coach Vita. In
game is still tied after overtime, there
the playoff season.
the
few
meets
the
girls
have attended,
This year's rookies stunned opis usually a shootout to settle the
they
have
already
scored
points
and won
score. However, in an unanticipated
posing teams and looked like seamedals.
soned veterans. Freshman Jessica
change of rules, the teams went into
Junior Lara Rios practices her heading before a
At a meet held on April 30, senior
Maidat, who took over the position
game.
sudden-death overtime, where the
Tarsha
Cowan placed third in the shotput
of right wing, has been described
first girl to score would bring her
with
a
throw
of26 feet 2 inches. Sophoby coach Hanson as "the_best rookie
team the win.
more
Dorcas
bavis placed sixth with a
The pressure was on. Tense, tight, May 22. Fast breaks to the ball and a lot
I've ever had."
throw
of
23'
5" and junior Vicki
_"It was an awesome season," said
tired but tasting the closeness of a win, of pushing and shoving defined the
Realmuto
qualified
for the city champs
Tara. "We' 11 miss all the ·seniors
the teams took to the field once again. game. Junior Melissa Hogan continued
with
a
discus
throw
of 73 feet. Freshgreatly, especially Ani Aydin," she
Within the first few minutes, the game her season of outstanding play, as did
man
Mindy
Lavergne
is another outwas over, the hero returni·ng to the Sci- junior Orli Sharaby. They returned
said. Next spring, the team will look
athlet~
with
a
lot
of potential,
standing
to freshman Theresa Plaza and sophoence bench. Harris had succumbed in bruised, yet victorious, with a final score
and
junior
Carlene
Ducan
also
contribmore AlbaneAcuri to fill the gaps left
the semis once agai_n.
of 3-0.
uted
much
to
the
team
in
the
long
jump.
by graduating players.
Undefeated in the regular season, the
Other memorable moments of the
g
Science:s-lips past Soccer team in semi's