Upload
trinhkien
View
241
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
• aNsus
2ic
NON-PRORT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID PERMIT NO. 163 COMMACK, NY
Townsend Harris High School at Queens College 149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367
~Seedling' grows at professional show · by Alice I~sifescu ·
"The Seedling" has sprouted. Graduate Annie Yan's idea to professionally display students' artwork has blossomed into a full-blown annual art show. "The Seedling," the end result of an open call to the entire school to submit works, culminated in the exhibit which opened on June 12 in the school lobby. Art teachers Anthony Morales and Lois Polansky worked with Annie to make the show into a major school event.
The artworks made their debut in a professional setting as if they were displayed in an art gallery. Art in varied media, including painting, photography, origami, sculpture and fashion design, was mounted on black felt boards. Punch and cookies were served while students played the piano, completing the ambiance. Visitors had to sign a guestbook.
Members of the student body along with some important dignitaries attended the opening. The administration, faculty, and representatives of the Office of the Superintendent of Queens High Schools John W. Lee , Stan Nussbaum,
Director of Arts Education; and Monique Darrisaw, Coordinator of Multicultural Education; as well . as Marvin Leiner, Queens College liaison, all came to the opening of the "The Seedling."
Despite the fom1ality of the opening, the atmosphere of the show itself was relaxed; visitors could view the art at their own pace. "I like the mood that was created," said sophomore Sylvia Stanojev.
using cosmetics as a medium. "Everything is unique. I. think it's a nice way for people to
A highlight of the opening ceremony was the presentation of awards to students who par
ticipated in the Olympics of the Visual Arts. Participants submitted works of either fashion design or drawing. This is only the second year Townsend Harris has participated in this event.
The show is an eclectic mix of techniques and themes. Freshman Emma Xiao used the Beatles as inspiration for her painting. Junior Frank
Phinting themselves in front of one of many displays, sophomores Donysa Leatham and Ryan Dennie admire the art work at "The Seedling" on June 12.
"The Seedling" is a testament to the students' desire to pursue art. "'The Seedling' took off because of the real desire of the kids," said Ms. Polansky. Many students worked at home and during lunch. According to Ms. Polansky, most students would drop by whenever they could to ask for suggestions and critiques.
DeBellis modeled his works around the Pop Art movement,
express themselves," said sophomore Akshta Kalla.
Annie Yan taught the members of the Artists' Workshop the way to dis-
play their work. "This show is proof that if you're dedicated, you can make time and accomplish almost anything," she said.
Annie conceived of the idea to start the show last year while she was a senior at Townsend Harris. "I was doing my work here independently, and I met other students in the same situation. So, I thought this would be a great way for the talent to be recognized," she said.·
This year's "Seedling" is a continuation of last year's art show, "Our Birth." "The idea behind the seedling theme is that with the success of last year's show, this is something to be nurtured," said Ms. Polansky. Although the art did not necessarily have to be in keeping with the seedling theme, the students' work is symbolic of growth and progress, like a seedling.
Recently, the art opportunities at Townsend Harris have been growing. The Art Club was last year's addition to the school's extracurricular activities. Now known as The Artists' Workshop, the organization is
Continued on p. 3
Garcia, Scarnati, Curran, Bloom bid fond farewell by Bosede Adenekan
Odile Garcia, Coordinator of Student Affairs; Anthony Scarnati, Social Science Research teacher; Brendan Curran, Assistant Principal of Science; and Robert Bloom, Phyical Education teacher, will be leaving Townsend Harris next year. Through their leadership and foresight, which led to the creation and development of many academic and extracurricular programs, these teachers have not only gone beyond their duties but have also helped shape the character of this school.
Odile Garcia Ms. Garcia is retiring after
working here for 16 years. She
ll
has many plans for her future. She is moving in September to
Spain, where she will be an advocate for human rights, particularly working against the mistreatment of wives. Ms. Garcia intends to join commit-
tees like Amnesty International and to start Global Youth Connect in Spain so that children can volunteer and become involved. She may also continue the research she started last year at Cumplytense University in Madrid, while she was on sabbatical, and is considering teaching English as a second language. She is a bit skeptical about this idea, though, saying, "If I start teaching I can't do all I want because my schedule would be fixed. That's one of the reasons why I am leaving."
Ms. Garcia has other reasons for her decision to retire and move to Spain. She prefers the working atmosphere there.
"People are much more relaxed. There is a different way of living. We started our work
day at 9, then at 11:30 we went for coffee. We took a two hour lunch and worked until 8. After that we'd go out to socialize," she said, referring to her
Spring Concert
Who's Going Where?
Summer Entertainment
p.3 p.4 p. 7
sabbatical spent in Spain last year.
Although she feels that it is "time to see the world," Ms. Garcia claims that her experience here will never be forgotten. "The students made me learn lots of things. The faculty really cares about all the students. I have an incredible
. amount of respect for Dr. Largmann. I am going to miss everyone ... because everyone has touched my life in some way," she said. She recalled an instance at the old building that occurred during a carnival. "Because of my accent, balloon I<iunch became balloon lunch," she said with a smile.
Continued on p. 3
Athletic Awards
p.8
1-
2 The Classic
Summer 2000 l ~~·•PJU.,!I __j
Senior prank turns fowl The idea of an administrator grabbing a large garbage bag and heading on a
"chicken run" bare-handed through the halls in pursuit of a large, flapping bird sounds, much like a comical scene out of a new cartoon movie, undeniably hilarious. But unlike those students who flocked to the scene to laugh at the two chickens let loose in the halls of Harris last week, those teachers compelled to take charge of their capture were immediately crying foul. Although their anger was understandable, and as predictable as the administration's own overreaction to what was only intended as a nuisance and a joke, those seniors who hatched the. idea should not have expected any less. After all, more absurd than even the sight of a clucking chicken waddling through the halls during the change of classes i~ the thought that the entire senior class and the administration could ever agree on what might constitute a successful senior prank.
In fact, this year, the seniors weren't even able to agree amongst themselves. If the idea of a senior prank is to display a final sense of class unity and school spirit, as seen last year through the setup of hundreds of cups carefully positioned to spell outHseniors '99," then this year's class failed. From blow-up dolls to vaseline to a letter announcing a new set of report card comments to chickens, the wide spectrum of separtist senior pranks ran the gamut from the amusing to the downright dangerous.
No, not every act of rebellion this year was for the birds. It's just that the clever attempts at humor, which, unlike the chickens, did fly with the faculty, got overshadowed in the hunt for the ruse(ters) responsible for letting livestock loose in school. Furthermore, just as many pranks were more gentle, others were decidedly more dangerous. Banisters greased with vaseline presented a much greater potential for injury than did the remote possibility of being bitten by the one-in-amillion chicken carrying the West Nile Virus or some other deadly disease.
There's no question that those who released the birds failed to clearly think through all the consequences of their actions. Aside from just making a mess, their decision to fly the coop before cleaning up the poop or taking responsibility for the chaos they created. could have put people and animals at risk, had teachers not selflessly stepped forward to take control of the situation. Still, when it comes to senior pranks, there's a thin line between the humorous and the malicious. While it's one thing to expect that seniors will refrain from doing anything destructive, it's another entirely to always assume that, in planning a prank, they will feel compelled to do something for which they can be. commended. To think so would be as unrealistic as to assume that by harshly punishing this year's perpetrators, the administration might make those thinking of doing something similar next year chicken out.
Letter to the Editor To the Editor:
It's a shame that many students do not know or even care about what goes on behind the closed doors of Room 412. They would be surprised to find out that it is not a place for the "retarded" or "special-ed" kids, as many students assume; rather, it is an academically and socially enriching environment for children diagnosed with autism. Autism is a neurological disorder that affects the way the brain functions, particularly in such areas as social sinteraction and communication skills. Autistics have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions and leisure activities.
I, along with other seniors, volunteer with these children. This program gives the volunteers an opportunity to foster social skills in autistic children.
Everytime I walk into the room, I am astounded by how hard the three teachers, Mr. Donald Rubino, Mr. Kenny Henderson, and Ms. Glenda Berrios work to make these children perform well in school. I marvel at Mr. Rubino's and Mr. Henderson's abilities to improve their reading, writing, and comprehension skills. Ms. Berrios is excellent with teaching them necessary computer skills. The teachers take personal interest in the problems of these youngsters and teach them through necessary love, sympathy, and encouragement. Mr. Rubino, especially, strongly believes in "tough love." I remember one instance when a student stubbornly refused to cooperate. Mr. Rubino, however, re-
mained firm; he was determined to get an answer from the student. He rephrased the question about fifty different ways and repeated it about fifty times until he finally got an answer. He then hugged the student for doing such a good job. This just shows the effort the teachers put in each of the students.
These teachers also carefully plan lessons and present them in a lively way so that the pupils are interested in learning. They often use the effective technique of hangman to improve each student's memory and vocabulary.
Learning also takes place beyond the walls of the c;Iassroom. The teachers involve the children in such activities as working in the library and in the Queens College cafeteria, going out to lunch, and going bowling. Mr. Rubino, Mr. Henderson, and Ms. Berrios bring out their latent creative talents in such a way that leads to the balanced development of their personalities.
I would be very grateful if The Classic and the rest of the school acknowledged the efforts of these hard working teachers and thanked them for their tenacity and patience in making each one of the children feel important. I encourage all to volunteer in this program during their senior year. Once again, I would like to thank the teachers involved in this program not only for cultivatingthe minds of these autistic children, but for also restoring my confidence in the existence of good people in this cruel world.
Ajita Kundaikar, 124
Editors' Goodbye On these sultry summer afternoons, when it seems the rest of the world is out basking
in the sunshine and burning at the beach, we're here in Room 511 -just preparing to be read. In our office, our veritable home away from home, we've not only stared from dawn till dusk at our monitors, begged our in-comp-etent machines not to malfunction during long afternoons spent working in the face of each looming deadline, and panicked as our tired printer seemed, minutes before the deadline, lower on ink than we were on energy; we've also napped here, lived off of bags of Ms. Cowen's pretzels, and fed off our own drive to publish a professional product which always made us proud.
Of course, as readers, you've only seen the "issues" we were able to publish, but haven't lived through the ones which might have kept us from the printer. To this end, we must give a special thanks to Ms. Polansky, not only for rooming with us and providing our board and the last-minute photos which always saved us, but for never being too busy to make a suggestion or to offer her help in revising an article. We are grateful to the tech squad and Mr. Tiffen for fixing our computers. Thanks to Mr. Rattien for his phone, his food, and his sense of humor, and for staying after s.chool when Ms. Cowen had to leave and we needed to work, and to Ms. Rotter for loading her car with thousands of copies of our last issue to deliver to the alumni.
This year, our graduation coincides with the departure of many teachers whose influe!lce on Townsend Harris will not soon be forgotten. We thank them, and everyone else we've ever harrassed, not only for putting up with our constant requests for interviews, but also for following Dr. Largmann's lead in helping to create a haven for the humanities in which the newspaper has always been seen as an important, free forum for student ideas. Dr. Largmann, we are grateful for the discretion you've given us in allowing us to publish whatever we've deemed suitable. We can only hope that Townsend Harris doesn't stray too far from your example and your vision as you, like us, prepare to move on. -Andrew, Lauren, Rebecca, Bosede, and Brian
Planning for college: Don't specialize too soon by Noreen Bukhari
When it comes time to apply for colleges, everyone gets involved. Your parents, grandparents, teachers, and guidance counselors all want to lend their wisdom for this very important decision. Chances are the first question they will ask you, as the applicant, is what you want to be in life. Although an individual's career choice is an essential factor in the college selection process, students are increasingly being led to believe that college is solely a preparation for a profession. They are pressured to make their college education into vocational training instead of a tool to be used throughout their lives.
Our elders mean well. However, in today's competitive market, companies are searching for individuals with multiple backgrounds, not just for a person who has specialized in one field throughout college. Economists estimate that the average American will have eight different jobs including dramatic career changes by the time he/she is 40. This fact should lead us to the realization that college, for the most part, should not be a training ground for a specific profession, but rather a means of acquiring a solid academic foundation which will serve well in a variety of fields.
Philosopher John Stuart Mill said, "Men are men before they are lawyers or physicians or manufacturers, and if you make them capable and sensible men, they will make themselves capable and sensible lawyers or physicians." A college education, in accordance with Mill's statement, should serve to open students up to the world and prepare them for a multi-dimensional life. Students should take a wide range of humanities, sciences, mathematics, and theology courses to broaden their horizons. The intellectually rich environment of the university should enhance their appreciation of the wide spectrum of human knowledge and allow them to live enriched lives. Likewise, its culturally rich environment should help them develop an appreciation for the diversity of the world.
Once students have exposed themselves to a variety of fields, they can then enter upon a chosen field of study. A liberal arts education will enable them to bring to their specialty the greatest assets of resourcefulness, judgment, and ethical understanding. Source: Great Debate# 1"- Hobart & William Smith Colleges. Advertisement. The Classic. December 1997.
Andrew Goldberg Lauren Paley
Editors-in-Chief
Rebecca Munoz News Editor
Brian Griffing Sports Editor
Anthony Ciolli Carolina Pruss
Business and Circulation M•nagen
Bosede Adenekan Featuft Editor
Audley Wilson Photography Editor
Lucy Hong Art Editor
Townsend Harris High School at Queens College 149·11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, N.Y. 11367
Readers are invited to submit letters to the editor. Letters should be placed in Ms. Cowen•s mailbox in the general office. The Classic .reserves the right to edit all letters. Letters must include name and official class. Names will be withheld upon request.
News Staff: Afton BatT, Noreen Bukhari, Karen DeVita. Lonaine Kapovich, Alice Lee, Danielle Lord, Michele Potofsky
feature Staff: Tiffany Baldwin, Carolina Chang, Anthony Ciolli, Beth Dubin, Emmy Favilla. Jennifer Gnng, Dehbie
Gupstein, Karen Hendershot, Angela Hom, Alice losifest.."\1 Nadia Kahnaulh, Ricki Miaw. Valentina Nestcrovskaya. Anna
Olson, Carolina Pruss, Rachel Schiffman, Sarah Schnee, Steven Seidenfeld, 'Shara Siegel, Allison Slotnick, Sylvia
Stanojov, Diane Tiao,Sara Tilitz
Sports St11ff: Josh Fo•. Arielle Frost. Ashley Pillsbury. Eric Trager
Photoeraphy Staff: April Dimla. KeUie Ehe. Jamie Gullen, Hilary Homier. Alice lusifescu. Uwir• Marciszek.
Jennifer Sheth, Shara Siegel, Lisha Perez. Juliana Piedrahita, Eric Trager, Yveue Wareham, Dawn Wing,
Hye-Kyung .Yang. William Yang
~ Ray~ond Barn, Vivian Chang Annie Lau, 'lillian Lin, Doiis Ortega, Janine.Petrovits, Kelly Purteii,Emily Rivlin-
Nadler, Rachel Schitlman, Emma Xiau
Advisor • lisa Cowen Principal - Dr. Malcolm Largmann
Concert features new String Ensemble by Diane Tiao
Ars gratia artis, Latin for "for the Jove of art," was the theme of the Spring Concert 2000 held on June 1 in the auditorium. With the combined efforts of chorus teacher Florence McKinley, music teacher Peter Lustig, and Assistant Principal of Second Languages and Music Joan Walsh, the concert included performances by the chorus, band.s, and the newly formed String Ensemble.
two days a week from 7 am to 8 am to work with students who play string instruments. Jodi Fierstein, freshman, was one of Ms. Gutmann's students and invited her to instruct the group.
Seo, freshman, said, "I felt proud to perform for every
. one." After the chorus and the
String Ensemble came the traditional band performances.
The intermediate band played
c:: •• ] some patnot1c ~ songs and jazzy, :®' upbeat selections < such as "Go-~ Daddy-0" and ~ "ThatThingYou ~ Do!" The con~ cert band played
"For the first time, I was able
Band members keep their eyes on music teacher Peter Lustig as they perform in the Spring Concert 2000 on June I.
a variety of numbers, including "Variation Overture," a piece written for a high school band and tunes from West Side Story.
to hear the entire The night came to an end
with the presentation of gifts from students to both Mr. Lustig and Ms. McKinley.
The Classic
chorus and I felt that they sounded, by far, the best ever," said Ms. McKinley. Mr. Lustig added, "I really had a good time, especially because my new baby daughter Melody was able to come to her first con-
Members of the ensemble played a number of songs, including "Musetta's Waltz" from La Boheme. And to the audience's surprise, principal Malcolm Largmann interrupted the concert and expressed his happiness after the String Ensemble finished its performance. "The music sounded
'Seedling' sprouts in art show cert."
The String Ensemble was particularly enjoyable for many audience. members. "I am thrilled that our school has ful-filled its dream to finally have a string ensemble," said Ms: Walsh. In the past, there wasn't enough money to support a strings group, but this year, Shirley Gutmann, a professional violinist, volunteered
beautiful and harmonious," said freshman Jennifer Sheth.
The chorus sang "Festival Sanctus" in Latin and "Tell Him," a recent hit by Celine Dion. Male members of the chorus sang "Kiss the Girl," from the Disney movie The Little Mermaid. Tenor Ben
Continued from p. 1
reinventing itself. The Artists' Workshop is a fusion of the Art Club, which was a flexible group of students who met to share ideas and experiment artistically, and the Art Squad, a group of students who created the displays and scenery for annual productions. The Workshop's agenda, which is dictated mainly by the students,
includes trips, contests, school projects and individual critiques."When there's a good idea, we work on it," said Annie.
The Artists' Workshop was one of many new arts initiatives at Townsend Harris fueled by Project ARTS funding. Project ARTS is the outgrowth of a partnership between the office of the mayor, the Board of Edu-
cation and major cultural arts organizations designed to restore arts education in the city schools.
"I think this is a real step up for our school," said Frank DeBellis, referring to the exhibit. "I hope the students took with them a different feeling about art and a desire to create it themselves," said Ms. Polansky.
Departing teachers leave lasting impact Continued from p. 1
Besides teaching Biology, Integrated Science, Chemistry, Science Research, Conflict/ Resolution, Peer Negotiation, and Leadership, Ms. Garcia has been the advisor of many clubs: Amnestry International, Students for the Preservation of the Earth, Archon, Puffles, Save the Children, and Yoga. "I think I touched a few children by making them think there's more to life than just taking - that is what I strive for. It's the Emerson quotation, 'To know even one life has breathed easier because you have livedthis is to have succeeded,"' she said.
. Anthony Scarnati Mr. Scamati will be teach
ing Social Studies at Jericho High School in Nassau County next year. "They made me an offer I couldn't refuse. The financial benefits are much better. I'll be able to afford putting three kids through college," he explained.
During his · 10 years at Townsend, Mr. Scamati has
taught American History, Social Science Research, Global History, Economics, Law. Participatory Democracy, and Health. He phiyed a major role
is a challenge," he said. Mr. Scamati has also played
a major role in ·extracurricular activities, specifically JV Volleyball; Baseball; Basketball; Fencing; Handball and Model
• "' Congress, of which he was the :6 first advisor. He also started the
• -wi.At ... '?:.
B <ll fencing team and has coached ~ it for eight years. "I will never .,
.ii'' ~~ .§ forget winning City Champs for 8 fencing. It was a special mo-...... ''< .. -.. .
, . -....... . '..... ,. ~···~ "''~ ~ .. ..
" .. ~ •;. -. ~
£ ment, " he said.
._., ~ • f 1r .. ' ~ 1,.. " ~ •
.. "' i;, ' .. f:i ' • it' "' ' ~
~ Mr. Scarnati said he would f miss Townsend Harris. "For
r ,_ I .. '
' '
Anthony Scarnati
in designing the election simulation, and developed and expanded the research class. "Kids deserve stuff that goes beyond the traditional classroom setting. They have talents that heed to be tapped and are very ca·pable," s.aid Mr. Scamati. He has promised to help the current juniors with their research projects next year. ""The students allowed me to grow because every day
ten years it was a big part of my life. There are great people, colleagues, and administrators here. The students are the ones who make this place special. It's very hard to leave," he said.
Brendan Curran After three years of teach
ing here, Mr. Curran will be teaching Physics at Herricks High in Nassau County next year. "I'm sad to leave, but I need to have more time to spend with my family and my one-year-old," he said.
Mr. Curran has taught Sci-
ence Research, Physics, and Astronomy and has been the advisor of Quantum Cat, ~he science magazine. He explained the reason that he initiated the astronomy course. "Astronomy is a good way to change human ideas. Tln:ough developments in science, people's understandings change. We have a different universe now from [the way] it was years ago because we have
-
;. 1t -t!!f'j, ~·~ : r _, ·- .
Robert Bloom
a different understanding," he said.
Mr. Curran said that the Townsend Harris standard will always be present in his
classroom. "Wherever I go and teach, every day my students will have to write and they will talk in complete sentences. This gives students an edge in thinking clearly and expressing themselves clearly," he said.
"I am sad to leave," said Mr . Curran. "There are dedicated teachers and talented students here. The kids are bright and work hard. I love this place; there are wonderful people here. It was a hard choice to make," he said.
Robert Bloom Mr. Bloom will be teaching
at Forest Hills High School ne~t year. This job is an appointed one rather than the temporary position he would have had here next year. He was to have replaced Mr. Hanson, who is going on sabbatical.
Mr. Bloom taught Family Living, Physical Education, and Health. He also coached Fencing and Girls Tennis." I'm sorry to leave," he said, "I had a wonderful experience teaching and hope to keep my contacts through coaching,."
4 The Classic
Summer2000
The Class of 200.0: Who's Going Where? Shirin Aboujawde Boston University Stmon Hwang SUNY Stony Brook · Ramsey Peele Sophie Davis Bosede Adenekan University of Pennsylvania Christos lgnatiou Boston University . Theresa Plaza Fashion Inst. of Tech Alice Ahn Wesleyan University James Ingenito SUNY Stony Brook Magdalena Podlecka St. John's University Roseann Antonelli St. John's University Angelika Ioannou Columbia University Simoha Polyakov SUNY Stony Brook Monica Arora Fordham University Surabhi Jain Barnard College Kristina Poulos University of Michigan Sadia Arshad SUNY Binghamton . Jacek Jarczynski Sarah Lawrence Christina Psarakis New York University Joseph Augulis University of Connecticut Milene Jardine Rutgers University Roushan Rahman New York University Afton Baff University of Maryland Rakhi Jattani Carnegie Mellon Eva Raj Fordham University Pamela Baird SUNY Binghamton Yunhee Jeong Cornell University · Sheila Raj Hofstra University Yaara Bank New York University Jonathan Joseph University of Florida Aishwarya Rao St. John's University Candace Banks Cornell University Yoojin Jung · SUNY Binghamton Maureen Raphael Towson State Maria Barreto SUNY Old Westbury Melinda Kaplan Manhattan College Adee Rasabi University of Florida Maria Bartha Fordham University Melissa Kasoff University of Michigan Tashia Raymond Harvard University Brooke Bergman Towson State Ian Katz Penn State Jodie Reynolds SUNY Stony Brook Steven Berman Cornell University Lyudmila Khaytman New York University Vincenzo Riccobene New York University Lillian Bloch University of Pennsylvania Nancy Kim SUNY Albany Christina Rickheeram Hofstra University Jonathan Blum SUNY Binghamton Barbara Kirnos Pace University -~ Gioconda Rodriguez CUNY City College Pramilla Borhara SUNY Buffalo Susan Kishazy Northeastern s ·andra Roldan C.W. Post Jack Bouba Massachusetts College of Art Shannon Kodes Syracuse University Marzena Romanski Utica College Bessie Bouras · CUNY Queens College Hari Kondabolu Bowdoin College Krystal Roopchand SUNY Stony Brook Scott Branca SUNY Stony Brook Angela Kontopano Manhattan College Jesel Roosevelt American University Paul Bruno Jr. School of Visual Arts Abraham Koshy Polytechnic University Zhanna Roytman Tulane Sara Buchals)d George Washington Jasmin Kovarsy SUNY Binghamton Jackie Rubin Boston University Ariana Budner SUNY New Paltz Kimberly Kozma University of Michigan Konstantin Rubinov Adelphi University Noreen Bukhari Georgetown University Ajita Kundaikar Sophie Davis Loren Runcie Rutgers University Jessica Bynoe New York University Tai (Jen) Kyon Rochester Institute of Tech Candice Russo Fordham University Uuyanna Calvin Tufts University Suzanne Lam Fordham University Daniel Sanders SUNY Stony Brook Maria Cando CUNY Baruch Diana Lang Massachusetts College of Arts Catherine Santos Penn State Angie Carballo New York University Lisa Lau New York University James Sarkis Fordham University Samantha Carfi St. John's University Mindy Lavergne New York Institute of Tech Lois Sejarto SUNY Stony Brook Veronica Castillo Northeastern · Isabelle Lee Fordham University Kavita Sharma St. John's University Jessica Castro Adelphi University Jung Ho Lee Cornell University Sarah Shelley Lehigh Hsiu Chin Chang Bryn Mawr Tania Lee Washington University Tina Shih M.l.T. Peak Wei Choong CUNY Baruch William Lem New York University Brenda Sickles Adelphi University Jatin Chopra Renssalaer Polytechnic Christy Leonardi CUNY Queens College Mohammad Sidiquee Sophie Davis Jin Hee Chu Parsons School of Design Cathy Lin Boston University Emilia Silva SUNY Stony Brook Tenley Coffaro Rutgers University Esther Lin CUNY Queens College Liliya Simkhayeva . SUNY Stony Brook (Wise) Nicole Conroy St. John's University Teresa Liu CUNY Queens College Jessica Singh New York Institute of Tech Zully Cordoba CUNY New York City Tech Johnny Loi SUNY Binghamton Mohinie Singh CUNY Baruch Rashele Cross · Howard University Liza Lopez CUNY Baruch Kimberly Sobin CUNY Queens College Anjelique DaCosta Penn State Nefertiti Lovelace University of S. California Nicole Steinberg Brandeis University Joshua Deely CUNY Queens College Make! Lynch Fordham University Charles Steinmann SUNY Albany Stephanie Demas CUNY Queens College Patricia Maloney University of Pennsylvania Joshua Stern Boston University Jessica Desposito SUNY Stony Brook Stephanie Mandell Wesleyan University Jane Storck University of Pennsylvania Karen Devita Fordham University Robert Marianski Georgia Tech Corrine Tam New York University Venushobana Dhanaraj Smith Clare Marks SUNY Binghamton Venessa Tan Sophie Davis April Dimla Boston College Ralph Marquez New York University Rehan Taqi Sophie Davis lillian Drain New York University Leda Marritz Brown University Despina Teodorescu CUNY Queens College Eugene Dubovoy Penn State Aimee Mateo SUNY Binghamton Jacqueline Thompson CUNY Queens College Philip 'Duss SUNY Cortland Niriel Matsil SUNY Binghamton Ciarra Toomey SUNY Binghamton Kellie Ebe Hofstra University Vanessa Matsis Cornell University Haiphung Tran Pratt Institute Adrienne Eller CUNY Queens College Anthony McCoy Howard University Konstantin Tsirkas Hofstra University Heather Eng Boston University Auja McDougale University of Maryland Tara Kurso St. John's University Gregg Erspamer Penn State Julia Meier Cornell University Petra Vallila-Buchman University of Michigan Russell Essary Fordham University Jared Melzer Penn State Dawn Venckus CUNY Queens College Michael Evelson University of Michigan Alexis Menchin Indiana University Anthony Vittorino St. John's University Francalisa Falco SUNY Stony Brook Joyce Mendoza St. John's University Tristan Vizconde CUNY Hunter Andrew Falzon Hofstra University Kofi Mensah University of Rochester Kristy Von Ohlen New York University Mariya Fazlova SUNY Stony Brook Adam Mingione SUNY Binghamton Margarita Vrettos New York University Alejandro Fernandez Harvard University Elizabeth Mo Mt. Holyoke Bao Yun Wang SUNY Stony Brook Andrew Franklin SUNY Buffalo Lucy Mo New York University Donna Wasserman Hofstra University Jaclyn Franzese Manhattan College Kaarine Mohammed CUNY Baruch Joelle Webb Bryn Mawr Ariela Fryman SUNY Binghamton Taryn Moskowitz New York University Robyn Weiner Hofstra University Kumfat Fung Fordham University Stefan Muehlbauer Sarah Lawrence Audley Wilson Carnegie Mellon Ramon Gallegos St. John's University Christopher Munde CUNY Queens College John Winters St. John's University Karolyn Gavilanez Rutgers University Rebecca Munoz Boston College Eric Wong New York University Christina Gawiak Cornell University Yidid Murillo CUNY Baruch Marisa Wong SUNY Binghamton Danielle Gendler University of Delaware Shi.vana Naidoo University of Pennsylvania May Wong Carnegie Mellon Michael Getachew SUNY Stony Brook Annie Nandial St. John's University Larry Yip Rochester Institute of Tech Matrona Giakoumis SUNY Stony Brook Natalie Napoli SUNY Stony Brook Elizabeth Yoon New York University Andrew Goldberg Yale University Divya Narendra Harvard University Junghee Yoon St. John's University Rachel Gonzalez CUNY Queens College Arinna Nazli Tulane Sandy Chong Yoon· Boston College Timothy Gonzalez CUNY Hunter Michelle Nudelman SUNY Binghamton Sze Heng Yu SUNY Stony Brook · Dara Goodman SUNY Buffalo Taneka Nugent New York University Joshua Zahler University of Michigan Erica Graham Bryn Mawr • Krississ Ohneswere St. John's University Drew Zambrotta University of Maryland Brian Griffing Penn State Shakira Oliver Pace University Anne Zangos SUNY Bingh;1mton Jordan Grill SUNY Binghamton Seth Oliveras SUNY Brockport Zohrabian Vahe Columbia University Lauren Gutstein Boston University Darius Ortiz St. John's University Antoinette Guzman CUNY John Jay Anna Orzeszek St. John's University Eniko Gyuratz St. John's University Lauren Paley Bard Karen Halperin Penn State Kosta Paloumbas CUNY Baruch Kimberly Hoahing · Keuka College Louie Panagiotakis St. John's University Eva Hochman University of Maryland Alison Park Fordham University Lucy Hong University of Michigan Josephine Park SUNY New Paltz Diane Hopkins Clark-Atlanta Somina Park Fordham University Jia Yin Huang Cornell University Elizabeth Patti Penn State Joyce Huang New York University Steven Pavlov Vassar
The Class of 2000 was awarded $18,743,844 in
scholarships. "That's the most money ever,"
said college advisor Marilyn Blier.
The Classic
l u-w••'l,·•~ J Summer 2000 5 Despite risks, many teens still smoke By Narae Lee chronic bronchitis and emphy- blah ... stupid reasons that I was accounted for their decision to and her father, also a smoker,
Did you know that cigarettes sema; birth defects and repro- drawn into," said a sophomore avoid cigarettes altogether. die of lung cancer and stroke, contain formaldehyde, a mate- ductive disorders have been ris- smoker. A junior admitted to "I'm afraid that if ,I try, I might explained why she and her three rial used to preserve dead frogs ing steadily. In research done starting the habit "for the heck like it and want to keep smok- siblings have stayed tobaccoin science classes; cyanide, a recently by scientists at the of it. Everyone else did too." ing," said Yu-Lee Jun, a sopho- free. " It was so hard to watch substance found in rat poison, University of California, to- Other Harrisites noted peer more." My best friends and [my mother] unable to breath, and nicotine, an addictive com- bacco has also been proven to pressure, · stress., curiosity, family would kill me. I'll make to walk ... to watch her mind ponent utilized as insecticide in be an agent in causing genetic "coolness" and a method oflos- my teeth yellow and breath bug spray? damage. The findings showed ing weight as their motives for stink," said Katherina Yee,
Many American youths, that regardless of how however, do not seem to mind long smokers "puffed," the unwholesome ingredients or how recently they of cigarettes, for teenagers tak- quit, the alterations in ing up smoking as a daily habit DNA were clearly jumped 73% from 1988 to linked to the age at 1996, according to the federal which the smoker first Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Right now with about 3 million U.S adolescent smokers, the numbers are still escalating, with several thousand teenagers picking up the "puffing" habit every day.
"Every day, 3,000 young people smoke· their first cigarette.... Half of those, or one million young people each year, ·will become regular smokers. And one-third of these adolescent smokers will die of a smoking-related illness, such as lung cancer or heart disease," reported the CDC. As the cause of the most preventable deaths in society today, smoking claims more than 400,000 lives in the U.S each year, or almost one in every five deaths, robbing up to 20-25 years of a smoker's iife.
In the recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) vs. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation court case, the United States Supreme Court voted 5 to 4 on March 22, 2000 to reject the Clinton administration's claim that the FDA had the right t_? regulate cigarettes and nicotine. The FDA, with its jurisdiction over those drugs and "devices" intended to affect the structure or any function of the body derived from the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of
started smoking, with adolescent and child-hood smokers bringing the most permanent and lasting genetic damage to their lungs.
In a random survey of258 Harrisites taken in January with an equal-grade distribution, 64% agreed that tobacco should be regulated as a drug, while 12% disagreed with giving the FDA this authority. The other 24% made up the undecided group. "I don't think things like that should be regulated. People should be alrowed to choose," said social studies teacher Chris Hackney. "Yes, [it should be regulated as a drug] because smoking, if it's used in extreme, can kill just like a drug," said Aristotle Labiaga, sophomore, supporting the FDA. However, Jennifer Bartlett, also a sophomore, argued that, "It will not change anything because if people really want it, they will find a way to get it,." An anonymous senior wrote, "So many are dying of cigarette smoking . . . it's the job of the
trying tobacco. The age range in which
Harrisites experimented with their first cigarette varied from seven to 18, with 14 being the average age. While most stopped after their first "chok-ing," "gagging" and "puking" experience, a few, all of whom undeniably realize the health hazards of smoking, moved on
. to become daily smok.ers. " I know it's bad for you, but guess what: I'm going to smoke," said
1996, tried to prove that nicotine not only had obvious effects on body functions, but that it had been "intended" by the cigarette indus-
'I know it's bad for you, but guess what: I'm going to smoke .. · .. It's so long-term that I don't think about it.'
a senior smoker. " I don't have any firsthand experience [with the ill effects of smok-ing] and it's so longterm that I don't think
try to have those ef-fects. Now, the court decision throws the burden back to Congress, where meaningful legislation to control tobacco use has been thwarted for years by the powerful tobacco lobby.
Meanwhile, the death rates associated with the regular use of tobacco, including cancers of the lung, breast, mouth, pharynx, and. esophagus; heart disease and stroke; respiratory problems such as pneumonia,
government to stop it." In the same poll, 2% of
Harrisites called themselves "smokers." Although the other 98% declared themselves free ofthe nicotin(! addiction, 26% admitted that they have tried smoking at least once.
The same reasons for picking up a cigarette applied to both the smokers and the only "one-time" group. "My friends were doing it... blah, blah,
about it. You think you wouldn't be part of the long-term group," said
a sophomore smoker. Regarding quitting,
Harrisite smokers were split between those who desired to quit but said they couldn't and those who just wanted to keep up the habit. One junior smoker responded negatively towards quitting by saying, " I don't smoke enough for it to be a con-cern."
For the absolutely tobaccofree Harrisites, various reasons
freshman. Senior Elizabeth Yoon stated that smoking "never appealed to me; I know what it does," while Noman Nawaz, junior, exclaimed, " I don't want to stink, have black lungs and die!"
" I never tried smoking and I never will," said Maria Rodriguez, Spanish teacher, who, like many of her students, has kept cigarettes at a safe distance. Unlike Ms. Rodriguez, however, many teachers admitted to trying tobacco in their adolescent years, although all interviewed declared them-selves non-smokers now. " I wanted to fit in, peer pressure [in high school] ... then I gagged, puked and I never touched a cigarette ever since," said Robin Figelman, physical education teacher. Similarly, Mr. Hackney said that he tried smoking once or twice when he was about 13 "because of friends," but added that he didn't like it. The summer after graduating from high school, Georgette Wallace, English teacher, said, " I probably smoked four weeks and I hat!!d .it."
Ms. Wallace, who had her mother, a heavy smoker since she was 20, die of emphysema
going because her brain wasn't getting oxygen ... She did this
for pleasure yet we all suffered watching her suffer," she said. Feeling that her mom should have lived to be older, Ms. Wallace added, "Smoking is such an unnecessary thing. It's something that you initiate; you inflict this on your-
. self." Many experts be
lieve that young people are attracted to smoking through advertising deliberately t,llrgeted to their age group. Although Joe Camel, the advertising cartoon character of RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, retired in 1997, after critics including President Clinton said, " the character is a blatant example of cigarette marketing aimed at children," tobacco companies, includ
ing Brown & Williamson and Philip Morris, continued to attract under-age "potential" smokers through the med~a.
The prevalence of cigarettes in advertisements led to an initiative by 46 states in November 1998 to restrict major tobacco companies' public enticements. The restrictions forced the industry to withdraw all advertising from outdoor billboards, and no longer allowed tobacco companies to sponsor sporting events with a
. significant number of youths in their audiences, including baseball, basketball, football, ·hockey, and soccer games. Currently, tobacco companies are facing further advertisin"g restrictions, with the FDA fighting. to ban the use of color or images in tobacco adv·ertisements, especially ·in large-circulation magazines.
" I taught myself never to say I hate the cigarette companies because they are brilliant," said Elizabeth Whelan, president of the American Council on Science and Health, who has studied tobacco advertising in magazines for two decades. "They are brilliant manipulators. They look at obstacles and
Continued on p. 6
6 The Classic
Summer 2000 I tr:;:n"!~ .,_. . :: ;. . .., ... d' ,,.;. ) ·~":""·~.-~;:.:-':1~V: ,J."•:. . . . ··~- r
Despite risks, man·y teens still sm~oke Continued from p. 5 brilliant manipulators. They look at obstacles and ingeniously come up with a way around them. A new magazine here, a new campaign there. They are always and will always be 20 years ahead of us. I think that is significant for people who think we are winning the war against the tobacco companies because to imagine that we are is just naive."
"[The companies] are wrong. I understand that tobacco companies need to make money, but why do they target kids? Do they ever stop to think that it could be their kids dying of emphysema?" questioned
cause tobacco companies spent millions of dollars lobbying and making substantial contributions to the Republican Party. Although a major victory for the nation's cigarette-makers meant a major defeat for the supporters of the bill, including the President and public health advisors, the table turned in November 1998 when 46 states, in a legal battle, won over the industry and signed a $206 billion dollar settlement with the tobacco companies over the next 25 years. The industry now must pay every single penny of the $206 billion to the states
an anonymous freshman. One junior defended the First Amendment rights . of cigarette manufacturers, saying, "Companies are free to advertise to whomever they want; it's protected in the Constitution."
'Smoking is such an unnecessary thing. It's something that youJnitiate. You inflict this on yourself.'
An anonymous freshman stated, "Advertising does nothing to make teens start to smoke. It just decides whether the kid will buy Camel or Marlboro."
Besides facing advertising restrictions, the big tobacco companies have fought and are still fighting battles around the country. In June 1998, Senator John McCain's tobacco bill, which would have forced the largest restric- . tions yet on the tobacco industry through huge cigarette price increases, got killed by the GOP. Critics contend it was be-
so that they can recover the health care costs they have lost through smokers.
With 400,000 Americans dying from cigarettes annually, the costs of smoking bring staggering economic blows to the states. In 1993, The University of California and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) attempted to put some price tags on the medical costs associated with cigarette smoking. In total, they estimated that smoking led to medical expenses of about $50 billion in I 993, including
$26.9 billion for hospital expenditures, $15.5 billion for physical expenditures, $4.9 billion for nursing home expenditures, $1.8 billion for prescription drugs and $900 million for home health care.
One of the jobs of a health teacher in this school is to educate students about the risks of smoking." We can't follow you home. We can only present information. All we can do is educate you and convince you not to smoke," said health teacher Ellen Schwartz. Robert Bloom, also a health teacher, said that he concentrated on teaching the students about, " the various drugs that are found in tobacco, the statistics that the company won't tell you and problems associated with it."
Ms. Wallace, who has also taught health in the past, remarked, " I think it's a self-esteem issue as much as a health issue - it's not convenient, it doesn't taste good; it doesn't look good, why do it? I think people don't have enough self-esteem to not do it."
Of course, the best way to decrease the ~ealth risks of smoking would be to quit. However, a national survey of 250 smokers, commissioned by Hazelden Foundation of Minneapolis, shows quitting is very difficult. " The process of quitting for good took an average of 18.6 years, by which time irreparable damage could have been done to the smokers' bodies and lowered their chances of living out a normal life," wrote Jane Brody in her New York Times article, "Heading Off a Nation of Teen-Age
Smokers." Although quitting may not be .easy, experts recommend that youngsters quit as soon as possible with some help from nicotine replacement therapy or smoke-free organizations. The best quitting method, though, has remained unchanged for decades: cold turkey.
Sources:
"Big Tobacco Fights Legal Battles." Washington Post July.l999: Online.
Brody, Jane E. "Heading Off aNa tion of Teen-Age Smokers." The New York Times 17 Nov 1998.
"Daily Smoking by Teens has Risen Sharply." Associated Press 9 Oct.l998: Online. www. washington post.com/wp-srv/nationalllongterml tobacco/stories/teens 1 00998.htm.
Grady, Denise. "Genetic Damage in Young Smokers is Linked to Lung Cancer." The New York Times 7 April1999: Al7
Greenhouse, Linda. "Court to Decide FDA Power on Tobacco." The New York Times 27 April 1999: A 18
Kuczynsk~ Alex. "Big Tobacco's Newest Billboards Are On The Pages of Its Magazines. The New York Times 12 Dec 1999.
McMillan, Daniel. Teen Smoking: Understanding the Risk. New Jersey: Enslow Publishers, Inc.,l998.
Meier, Barry. "Despite High Court Victory, Tobacco Industry Is Still Waiting to Exhale." The New York Times. 22 March 2000: A22
"Setback on Smoking." The New York Times. 22 March 2000: A26
AIR CONDITIONED CLASS.ROOMS ~o.,~~~ . ~~ sc't\J.~~ WINDSOR SCHOOL ~~~~~:-0...11 c,NG
l'f ~' ~ 't "~ a Ul-23 lANFORD AYINU! ·~ Q~ .,.,~ . '" f1\t., -~~ • tt...SS~~ FLUSHING, NEW YORK 1UII ~"1/lf/,.. 'If G , ~0"' ,. c~ ~'t (1,,, Ht-nOO ... .,.,~
\),~g~ctA.t-o 2000 SUMMER SCHOOL ._.,. ~Nr .... -..lfA111MIOQIII'IIGII
fi'~_. ....... ICIIDCU
/-......: -...-anwa
SUMMER SESSION JULY 3 ·AUGUST 15
COURSES -·.... .. YOIIliYAll
IIIUCAnlll .... ,_. ----PREPARATION FOR TESTS SAT. - VERBAL (ENGliSH) SAT.·MATH P.S.A. T. ·VERBAL (ENGLISH) P.SA T. -MATH · ENGliSH for ENTRANCE EXAMS
for Spedll .._ Sc:hooll · S.SAT., CO.()P
MATH tor EHTMHCE EXAMS for Sped~~ High Schools - S.SAT., (X).()P
T.O.E.F.L NEW I-HOUR ENGUSH REGENTS
PREPARATION FOR R.C.T ;•s MATHRC.T. SCIENCE R.C.T. GlOBAl STUDES R.C~T. U.S. HISTORY & GOVT. R.C. T.
SOCIAl STUOES : GOVERNMENT ECONOMICS U.S. H.ISTORY lnd GOVT. GlOBAl STUDES NEW REGENTS WORLD HISTORY I.S. & Jr. tlllh School SOC. STUOtES SENIOR ELECTIVE
INDEPENDENT STUDIES GIFTED Sill end P GRADERS ENRICHMENT ClASSES IN AU. Sl$.1EClS
AIR· CONDITIONED CLASSROOMS
SPANISH FRENCH TYPING
KEYBOARD
OTHER SUBJECTS
HEALTH EO J~)
~~~~E"lAr
AIRCONDITIONED CLASSROOMS
COMPUTER-INTERNET, WORD PROCESSING,
SPREADSHEET, DATABASE, ETC.
TUITION: $410.00 per class
REGENTS EXAMINATIONS AND COMPETENCY TESTS AVAILABLE AUGUST 111nd 17
1. Specify below fie courM or counn you think you wlltake. F"ll\lll dedlion of courMI can be made ... you receive your Npoft card lfi June.
2. BUSES: Q12, 13, 14, 1!1, 18. 17,25134.28,27. 28, 44. 48, 58. 85, ee. end QBX1. aot.S.BA. Bus ~20 or 21 along Nor1hem Bouleverd from Roslyn, ManhasMt and GrMI Neck.
3. TRAINS: 17 Of L.I.R.R. to Main Street FMhlng Station. ~ awlable to NYC residents. Reduced fate L.I.R.R. ello availeble.
DRIVER EDUCATIOH: Tuition $4i5.00. Use this application. You can tak.e Driver Education alone, or It can be taken with one, two or three COUIWS.
\
ENGUSH ENGLISH 12" GRADE } NEW REGENTS ENGUSH.tt• GRADE ENGUSH 101' GRADE ENGLISH 911- GRADE I.S. & .k. tlgh School ENGliSH REMEDIAL READING COURSE READING SKIUS COURSE ENGLISH • I Second Llngulge
-E.S.L
MATHEMATICS SEQUENTIAl MATH I SEQUENTIAl MATH II SEQUENTIAl MATH Ill 91' GRADE MATH (Eiem Alg) 10" GRADE MATHTH ~ tGecom) 11•GRADE MATH A -1rtg) 12" GRADE MATH 1, 2) A.P. CALCULUS f'l.lti)AMENT AL. MATH GENERAL MATH BUSINESS MATH PRE-ALGEBRA t.S. & .k. High School MATH
SCIENCE } BIOlOGY . 30 LABS CHEMISTRY AVAILABLE PHYSICS . . EARTH SCIENCE GENERAL SCIENCE t.S. & .k. ttQh School SCIENCE
.,.
The Classic
<.,*._..,;, ~-fT w--.. h'~ .. ~~·rzr,rr ~,~" _, Summer2000 7 The Classic guide to summer entertainment
by Andrew Goldberg From Godzilla's return to the big
screen to the return of Motley Crue to the music scene to Britney Spears' second tour, for movie and music enthusiasts there's a summer full of entertainment in store.
MOVIES N A =Action! Adventure A=Animated C=Comedy D=Drama F =Family HIS = Horror/Suspense S/F = Science Fiction/Fantasy
June 23: Chicken Run (A) (Mel Gibson); Me, Myself and Irene (C) (Jim Carrrey).
June 30: The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (A) (Rene Russo, Jason Alexander, Robert De Niro, Randy Quaid); The fatriot (D) (Mel Gibson); The Perfect Storm (D) (George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Diane Lane); Knockaround Guys (A/A) (John Matkovich, Dennis · Hopper); Boys & Girls (C) (Freddy Prinze, Jr., Claire Forlani); The Butteifly (D).
July 7: But I'm a Cheerleader (D); The Kid (D) (Bruce Willis, Spencer
Breslin, Emily Mortimer, Lily Tomlin); Scary Movie (C) (Jonathan Abrahams, Shannon Elizabeth, Regina Hall, Kimberly Jones, Jenny McCarthy).
July 14: Chuck and Buck (D); XMen (AlA) (Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos); The Wisdom of Crocodiles (D) (Jude Law);Sugar and Spice (C) (Francine McDougall, Marley Shelton, Mena Suvari, Rachel Blanchard).
July 21: Loser (C) (Jason Biggs, Mena Suvari, Greg Kinnear); Pokemon the Movie 2000 (A); What Lies Beneath (S/F) (Harrison Ford, Michelle Pfeiffer); The In Crowd (D) (Susan Ward, Matthew Settle).
July 26: Thomas and the Magic Railroad (F) (Alec Baldwin).
July 28: Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (C) (Eddie Murphy, Janet Jackson, Larry Miller, John Ales); The Broken Hearts League (C).
August 4: Autumn in New York (D) (Winona Ryder, Richard Gere ); Town & Country (C) (Warren Beatty, Jenna Elfman, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, Andie MacDowell, Gary Shandling); Space Cowboys (N A) (Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones); Coyote Ugly (C); Hollow Man (SIF) (Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth Shue); Whipped (D).
August 11: Buying the Cow (D) (Bridgette Wilson, Jerry O'Connell);
Disney's Aida falls short by Shara Siegel
After 18 years and nine lives, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats will close at the end of this summer. Critics on the prowl for a new Broadway musical will no doubt poun,ce on Disney's Aida. Its unoriginal plot, unmemorable lyrics, and incoherent staging put Aida, now reigning as Broadway's box office champion at the Palace Theatre, in a perfect position to be panned.
With music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, Aida was directed by Robert Falls, and co-written by David Henry Hwang and Linda Woolverton. The Broadway version of Aida has been adapted from the original Guiseppe Verdi opera.
The setting is the Egyptian wing of a modem art museum. A female Pharaoh, Amneris (Sherie Rene Scott), comes to life out of a showcase and takes the audience on a journey back to Egypt. Very similar to Disney's The Little Mermaid and The Lion King, the tired story line which develops in this musical is both basic and boring. This time the conflict is Egypt versus Nubia.
The captain of the imperialist Egyptian army, Radames (Adam Pascal), is returning from a trip through the land of Nubia, Egypt's rival. Spellbound by the sharp wit of Aida (Heather Headley), one of the Nubian women he has claimed as a war trophy, Radames decides to save her from death and to send her as a present to Princess Amneris, the woman he is supposed to marry. Meanwhile, Radames' father, Prime Minister Zoser (John Hickik), informs his son
that the Pharoah is dying and that Radames should prepare to be the next leader of Egypt.
Mereb (Damian Perkins), a Nubian slave and servant to Radames, recognizes Aida as the daughter of the Nubian King, but Aida orders him to keep her identity a secret. Meanwhile, the Pharaoh announces that in seven days his daughter and Radames will be wed.
When Aida learns that her father, Amonasro (TyreesAllen), has been captured, she is torn between returning to her people and staying with her new found love, Radames. The love triangle which develops between Radames, his betrothed, and Aida continues until the very end of the show.
The tunes and lyrics of Aida are hard to follow. The first-act finale,"The Gods Love Nubia," is a chant and the only song that is easy to remember. The singing, however, is better than the acting. Adam Pascal was much more compelling in Rent.
Bob Crowley's sets and costumes are fascinating to view. The background in one scene contains a vertical pool filled with people diving through the air on ropes. There is another equally splashy scene at a fashion show with Amneris, a fashion fanatic, which contains great costumes, but seems somehow out of place with the rest of the show.
If you're a sap for a predictable ending, then this musical may be just what you're looking for. However, if you are anticipating a story line with a twist or even some mild suspense, no Cat will be let out of the bag at this performance.
Meet the Parents (C) (Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller); Godzilla 2000 (S/F); l.iait (Jamie Foxx); Girlfight (D);
August 18: The Cell (S/F) (Jennifer Lopez); The Legend of Bagger Vance (D) (Matt Damon, Will Smith); Blow Dry (C) (Natasha Richardson). ·
August 25: Head Ova Heels (C) (Freddy Prinze, Jr.); The Crew (C) (Richard Dreyfuss, Burt Reynolds); Texas Rangers (D); Imposter (S/F); The Replacements (D); Urban Legend II (HIS) (Jennifer Morrison, Matthew Davis).
MUSIC June 27: Sister Hazel, Fortress;
Shaggy, Hot Shot; Busta Rhymes, Anarchy; Def Squad, Def Squad Presents Erik Dnasis; Julio Iglesias, Noche De Cuatro Lunas.
July 4: Li'l Kim, The Notorious; Ruff Ryders, Ryde or Die Volume 2; Snoop Dogg, The Last Meal; Willie Cobb, Junkin'.
July 11: Motley Crue, New Tattoo; Jon Secada, Better Part of Me; BB Jay, Universal Concussion; C-Murder, Trapped in Crime; Everclear, Songs from an American Movie; Victoria Williams, Water to Drink.
July 18: The Corrs; In Blue; Lefty, 4 3 2 1; Dog Star, Happy Ending; Nature, For All Seasons; TQ, The Second Coming; Outsiderz 4 Life, Outsiderz 4 Life.
July 25: Wide Mouth Mason, Stew; Aaron Tippin, People Like Us; Sons of
the Desert, Change. Temporarily scheduled for August
release are new albums from Limp Bizkit, Black Eyed Peas, Color Me Badd, S Club 7, and LL Cool J.
CONCERTS/TOURS
Up lri Smoke Tour (Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Ice Cube): Jul. 15, Continental Arena (E. Rutherford, NJ); Jul. 19, Nassau Coliseum (Uniondale, NY).
Motley Crue: Aug. 11, Jones Beach Ampitheatre (Wantagh, NY); Aug 12, PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel, NJ); Aug. 13, Blockbuster-Sony Music Entertainment Center (Camden, NJ).
DaveMatthewsBand: July. 11-13, Giants Stadium (E. Rutherford, NJ).
*NSYNC: Jul. '25-28, Madison Square Garden (New York, NY).
Pearl Jam: Aug. 23-25, Jones Beach Ampitheatre (Wantagh, NY).
Phish: June 28-29, PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel, NJ).
Santana: Jul. 29, Jones Beach Ampitheatre (Wantagh, NY); Aug. 5, PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel, NJ).
Britney Spears: Jul. 27-30, Jones Beach Ampitheatre (Wantagh, NY).
Third Eye Blind: Jul. 28, Jones BeachAmpitheatre (Wantagh, NY); July 29, PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel,NJ) Sources: http://www.moviefinder.com http://www.billboard.com http://www.ticketmaster.com
Free Orientation for Parents and· Students!
Leam about the SAT, the college admissions process, and Kaplan's test-taking strategies.
KAPLAN GETS YOU IN!
COME TO OUR FREE ORIENTATIONS THIS WINTER AND SPRING
PREPARE FOR THE SAT WITH THE BEST.
VISIT US ON THE QUEENS COLLEGE CAMPUS STUDENT UNION BUILDING LL23 .
718•675·2400 I 1·800·KAP-TEST
KAPLAN ~ ~ 1·800,•KAP·TEST
kaptest.com AOL keyword: kaplan •SATfa .,.._........_ofltleC.,. Enftncot'~ !loMI.
Call Kapla_n today . to enroll!
The Classic 8 Summer 2000 ~ ~ •·
Dinner celebrates 'athletic success by Brian Griffing
Teams and individual athletes enjoyed an evening of dining, dancing, and recognition at the fifteenth annual Townsend Harris High School Athletic Awards Dinner Dance on June 7.
·that player on the team who exhibits. leadership qualities.
Senior Anthony McCoy won the award for Male Athlete of the Year for his great soccer and baseball seasons. Senior Roseann Antonelli won the
Seniors who have been on varsity teams for at least three years were given plaques. Athletes who had high academic cumulative grade point averages received certificates. First year varsity athletes and junior varsity athletes were awarded letters, and athletes who have competed for two years were given varsity pins . Athletes who have played varsity for three years were honored with Tshirts.
Each team in the school was called up for awards and the
Making a new friend, girls volleyball coach Wanda Nix says goodbye to the seniors and hello to a robot given to her by her team at the annual Athletic Awards Dinner on June 7.
most valuable player, the most improved player, and award for Female Athlete of the Year for the rookie of the year all received tro- her outstanding seasons in basketball, phies. The coach's award was given to swimming, and outdoor track.
Summer Classes Starting Soon!
~AT U'..L ..a..-&..
PSAT•SAT II • Smallest Classes • Free Extra Help • Personal Attention • Guaranteed Results
~
• Dynamic Instructors • The Best Materials • Superior Online Tools Private 'I'litoring and College Couseling Also Available
~fie
Princeton Review ...,.__ ............
800.2Review I www.PrincetonReview.com
Driver Education Fall2ooo Course Approved by NYS Dept. of Motor Vehicles and State Education Dept.
Kew-Forest High School 119-17 Unzon Tplce. Forest Hzlls, Queens 113 7 5
(ONE BLOCK OFF QUEENS BLVD. AND UNION TPKE. INTERSECTION CLOSE TO ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION)
For more information call: 718-268-4667 Dual Controlled Cars
Experienced NYS licensed teachers
Student Completion Certificate (Blue Card-MV285)
Eligible for Senior License at 1 7
Student .qualifies for insurance discounts where A driver's permit is not necessary granted by insurance company to take the course
You may register in person or by mait Tuition for entire course is $410. A deposit of $200, made out to KewForest School, is due at or before Registration. ---------------------------------------------------
Kew-Forest School Driver Education Application Fall 2000
PRINT YOUR LEGAL FIRST AND LAST NAl\lE < )
Date of birth Home telephone
Home Address
I, give my son I daughter permission to enroll in the Kew-For~st School Education course. (parent's name) (Student's name)
Name of student's school Parent's name Date