Vol. 26 No.9 Summer 2010

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Townsend Harris High School at Queens College 149-11 Melbourne Avenue, Flushing, NY 11367

Budget cuts threaten progra-ms; spark reaction"The remaining money that wedidn't receive was absorbedby our new enrichmentschedule," she said, "reducingour overtime (per-session)expenses . This year, we madean appeal for $650,000. Weare not able to cut anythingelse but teacher positions - andwith that, elective classes."

Advanced Placement(AP) classes that correlate toa required Townsend Harriscourse - such as World History- are not in danger. However,any AP courses that don'treplace a Regents-level classwill possibly be cut or resized.

Mr. Bonamo said that ifthere are too few classes asa result of the budget cuts,there will have to be a "studyhall" system implementedto replace class time. Whilehe recognizes that studentshave thus far exhibited"o uts tanding .. .performancedespite successive budgetcuts," he also stresses thatfurther cuts will deduct fromthe school's vitality.

"We have to make surethat kids have something tostrive for," he said.

by Rebecca SeidelFor the past month, letters

have been pouring into NewYork's administrative officesprotesting the city's cuts toHarris's budget for the comingyear. The cut - which will slashover 10% from the school'smoney supply, if passed as-is- will necessitate reductions infaculty and elective offerings.

The reduction in moneysupply stems from GovernorPaterson's cuts to publiceducation in his proposed state

budget for 2010-2011. There government officials appealing raise the question of what tois pressure in Albany to lighten for $650,000 in additional slash from an already tightthe burden placed on education, funding. budget.but unless the governor alters "They've heard everyone "Everything's on thehis current proposal, the city loud and clear," said Principal table," said Mr. Bonamo,will have to work with what it Kenneth Bonamo. "I've gotten explaining that as of now,has been given. calls from people who work each department will have to

These cuts build upon in the central Department of reduce its staff by one person.reductions in funding that have Education,_ and have heard While some departments havebeen piling up for the past from elected officials [as a teachers retiring anyway, fivethree years. The magnitude result of the letters]." teachers and one secretary stillof the budget cuts has sparked The campaign to save the might be excessed.outrage among students, budget has not been limited As a result of thesefaculty, and parents, who to paper. On June 16, eight reductions , classes will havehave been writing letters to teachers represented Harris to be reconfigured. In a letter~"": ...."", _: as members of the to students and parents, Mr.

United Federation Bonamo listed the electiveof Teachers (UFT) classes that will be "affected"at a rally in front of by the budget slash - essentiallyCity Hall that drew everything beyond Townsendmembers of over a Harris 's core requirements.hundred municipal Whiletheywon'tallnecessarilyunions. A handful be cut , these classes will beof students joined reworked to fit within thethe teachers at the new budgetary restrictions ,rally to show their meaning that sections could besupport. cut, or the curriculum could be

In spite of restructured.everyone's efforts, Assistant Principal ofthough, the budget Organization Ellen Feesituation is still explained that last year, thebleak. school was given an extra

For administrators, $160,000 after appealing forthe impending cuts an extra $350,000 in funding.

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The food fight started by some seniors on June 14 leaves 'a huge mess.'

Many seniors waited out- er senior unsuccessfully triedside the building for further to enter the building to ask an

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administrator a question, butthe person would only answerhis question through the door.

Mr. Bonamo noticed thecontinued on pg 5

...Summer

pgs. 10-11

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instructions, while others left.During this period, seniorswere not allowed back for anyreason.A senior who needed touse the bathroom was not per-

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•

Senior CollegeDestinations

pgs.6-7

"I came out of my eco­nomics class [fifth band] andfound...[faculty members] inthe hallway. They were sayingthat senior meeting was can­celed and that all seniors weredismissed. I was confused, so Iasked some people in the stair­case and they told me about thefood fight," said senior TasniaAhamed.

"Then I went down to thethird floor and I was in the Col­lege Office for a few minuteswith a bunch of people when...[a faculty member] came inand told us all to leave, and ifwe needed to come back for .some reason, they might letus in later - might. My friendsand I went to our lockers andas we were getting our thingstogether, a few of the teachersstarted yelling at us to exit the .building," she continued.

The faculty . member inquestion declined to com-

Dr. Colakis onJeopardy!

pg.5T

They rampaged the whole en­tire place...from the tables bythe window to past the middleof the lunchroom. Everythingwas covered in food, milk, andpowder. It was a huge mess,"she continued.

The prank, planned by afew seniors, resulted in theadministration ordering the se­niors to either leave the build­ing or stay in the auditoriumuntil they had classes.

More than 30 students,however, said that they weretold to just leave the building,and only heard of the option tostay in the auditorium later.

Dean Wanda Nix con­firmed that Mr. Bonamo'soriginal instructions gave stu­dents the choice to remain inthe auditorium, but said thatsince "things were a little era­ZY," students may have hearddifferent things "dependingon when and who they heard

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Japan had just scored agoal. Like others in the caf­eteria fifth band watching ,the FIFA World Cup Japanv. Cameroon game on June14, sophomore Mayisha Ah­san was cheering loudly. Shelooked away from the televi­sion for a moment and heardscreaming again. She assumedthat another goal had beenscored. She was wrong.

Instead, she saw five toseven seniors lined up by thewindow behind her, throwingboxes of food and chanting,"Seniors, seniors!"

"Towards the end, it waseither curry powder or garlicpowder - they had boxes of it- and they threw it in the air. Itjust smelled really bad and itwas hard to breathe. A bunchof people hid underneath thetable; some kids just walkedout," 'she said.

"It w~tty bad. There

The Classic .

dummer2010

Editors say good-bye after a long but rewarding yearSarah Mahmood, Editor-in-Chief ~. . EstherWhang, News Editor

As I recently cleaned out my bookshelf, it dawned on me. High school wasreally over. Like all things, my four years at Harris were coming to a close, andI fondly looked at the remnants of my time here. My freshman year collateral onIndia's caste system, Spanish-5 notes on the subjunctive mood, and definitionsfrom March Madness Month all reminded me of what now seemed like the "olddays." .

Looking back at my high schoo l career, I find it difficult to sum if up. Itcertainly had its share of challenging moments, consisting of tests, overlappingdeadlines, and finals. But the memories that I have found to stand out are thosethat in many ways define the fruitful experience that is the Townsend Harrisexperience.

One of the lessons that Harris has taught me, and I'm sure many others, aswell, is that working for rewards is not satisfying. Working on the Classic has, infact, been one of those fulfilling experiences that did not need rewards to make itso. Writing, editing, and staying long hours have shaped a large part ofmy and therest of the editorial staff's year. While the rewards of working on the paper werenot always concrete, I have realized that awards cannot measure the value of theteamwork that made every issue of this year's paper possible.

I 'have learned firsthand that high school is neither just a place, nor an institutionof learning. It is a place for growth and discovery. It was a place to meet lifelongfriends, and a time to develop strengths. As we move into the summer - some ofus to return next fall, and others to enter new schools - I hope we can appreciatewhat we 've learned this year, or even for the past two, three , or four. While ourefforts may have seemed in vain at times, the rewards are not always tangible - atleast, not yet.

It is difficult for me to write this - perhaps, because on some subliminallevel, I do not want to. After months ofeagerly anticipating change, the momenthas finally arrived...and yet I cannot help but feel a little sad, because it hasalso sunk in that to experience new things, you have to say goodbye to the old- and I' ve never been good at goodbyes.

This year was by far the most controversial one for the Classic, one thattruly tested the schoo l's commitment to our First Amendment charter. I amproud ofmy staff for having the courage to write contentious articles, but I ameven prouder of Principal Kenneth Bonamo, for making the right choice - thedifficult choice - to unwaveringly support our First Amendment rights.

We also set another record this year - we published nine issues, more thanany other year in Harris history. While there are many people who deserve tobe thanked for helping us achieve this feat, I am only going to list a few. Theentire list is longer and more tedious than an Oscar acceptance speech, so Ihope you will forgive me for this indiscretion.

To my staff: I'm sorry. I know I bombarded your email inboxes, pleadingwith you to please send your article by this evening because we really need togo to printer and this is holding us back. Thank you for putting up with me andthank you for being so enthusiastic and dedicated this year.

To my fellow editors and, later on in the year, editors-in-training: Thankyou for not leaving me to deal with stressful deadlines alone. Thank you formaking staying more than five hours after school so much fun that the securityguards come in and check up on why we're laughing so much. None of thesuccess we achieved this year would have been possible without you.

And of course, thank you to Ms. Cross and Ms. Cowen for staying latewith us, and editing articles mercilessly. Even more importantly, thank you forsupplying us with so many snacks. I'm pretty sure I've packed on l0 poundsbecause of all the choco late chip cookies you bought for me, but it's okay,because they were really, really good.

Thank you to all the teachers, especially in the Humanities Department,who distributed the paper to their classes, encouraged them to write letters tothe editors, and always stopped me in the hallway to say that they loved thenew issue.

I would be remiss to ignore one person, and that is my mother, also possiblythe Classic's biggest fan. Mom - it's really embarrassing when you insist onshowing copies to guests and your co-workers and find ways to casually bragabout the awards it has won, but it 's also very sweet and encouraging.

And now, I would like to thank you. You will never come close to guessingthe amount of time I have spent this year working on the Classic. The numberof hours is embarassingly large. But when I saw you, flipping through thepaper when you should have been paying attention in class - all that stresswas worth it. Thank you for having me as your Editor-in-Chief. This was anamazing year, and I am so lucky to have been a part of it.

Pearl Bhatnagar, News Editor

During my four years at Townsend Harris, I've encountered more grammaticaltenses in foreign languages than I have boys. I've encountered too few shouldersand too many maroon lanyards. But mostly, I've encountered a lot ofcomplaints.

Take offense if your hobbies include narrating epics to your mother's friendsabout the backbreaking amount of homework you receive here. Take no offenseif vent ing to your peers is all that gets you through your grueling underclassmandays. But if you want to grow up to be of any importance, what you need tounderstand now is the significance of taking action.

Quit complaining about demerits and go write a letter to the editor. (Her nameis Rebecca Seidel and I'm sure she 'll be glad to hear your grievances, as will theadministration, who I am positive pick up The Classic now and again.)

If you are upset that even your traditional Indian mother* is less conservativethan the Townsend Harris Dress Code, come up with a convincing argument forexposing thighs and sit in on a monthly School Leadership Team meeting. (I'veheard that Mr. Bonamo ends each meeting asking if there are any other issues leftto discuss . This would be your cue) .

If you think about it, it essentially comes down to this : if a student can get theWorld GuP to show on a flat screen TV during fifth band lunch, most anyth ing ispossible (see pg. 3).

*Mom, this is not a reference to you.

Budget cuts: a familiar storyby Rebecca Seidel

"City Budget Action Criticized; Townsend Harris High School Cut is

Called Inexcusable; ' a NtfW York TImes headline reads.If you 're an avid nmes reader, you might be puzzled. While the city's

proposed budget cuts to Harris for the coming year are indeed inexcusable,you probably would have noticed if the paper singled out our school. Whywouldn't a headline like this have attracted your attention?

Maybe because it's from 1941.Backwhen T0wnsend Harris was an all-boys academy, Mayor LaGuardia

uSe9- budgetary restrictions as an excuse to cut funds to the school, forcing itto shut down. While our school today is by no means in such danger, it stUI

cowers under the threat of budget cuts from the city - cuts that will hurt ourcurriculum, slash faculty members, and minimize our strengths as a selective

public high school.It's a wonder that after so much time, people still don't realize how vital

education is to the city's continued growth and progress. Sure, everybodyrecognizes its importance on some level. But if the importance of a full

education were completely understood, schools like ours wouldn't have to

be struggling to provide its students with what they deserve. It's a viciouscycle. When money for education is cut, potential leaders are lost. Motivated

students find fewer rewards. With an education lacking in depth, they seeless of an incentive to move forward. They make less informed decis ions

when they ' re older - and thus, the whole process begins all over again.A school like Townsend Harris needs an enhanced curriculum to serve

its students. We're at this school because we want to strive beyond theparameters of a bare-bones education, and because we want to serve ourcommunity in the future. We want this vicious cycle to end; we want tobe a part of the solution.Mayor LaGuardia didn't realize that in 1941 . And

judging by our projected budget for next year, our current government

doesn ' t realize it either.Apparently, nothing has changed in 70 years.

I·

Saral1 :MaJ1nlooe.Editor-iD.-ehief

News Staff: Allison Bennett, Candace Burten, Frailk Cemzza,Hayley Desmond, Caroline Egan, Eunice Lau, :Niehelas Lupo,Preddy Millan Jr., Lory Martinez, Kristina Rudalfo, RupeshiShah, Grace Shin, Rebecca Suzuki, Tracey Wang

TOwnseDd Barris Digh Schoolat Queens College

149-11 Melboarne Avenue, Musking, NY11367

Aliza Altman Di"pabaliChowdhuryBusiness Managers

Eilin PerezSports Editor

Pearl Bha.agar Es1her WhangNews Co-Editors

Sharmin RashedPkotography Editor

Ilsa Cowen Caroline CsessCo-Advisors

Rel>ecca SeidelFeature Editor

Liz KussmanArt Editor

Kennetn BonamoPrincipal

Feature Staff: Indira Abiskaroon, Quinn Batten, Emma Court,Chandi Ghuman, Margaret Jill, Abigail Ko#fier, Elia Leviyeva,Genna Mastellen,831ma Mohamed,CatherineMoskos, DemetraPanagiotopoulos, KatherineValles, Yuval Solomon

Sports Staff: Raht:tl :Bhasin, :Benjamin Horowitz, OLiver Lee,Daniel Pecorare, Eilin Perez, Grace Shin, ArthurTarley

Art Staff: Riohie :Bonilla, Edward Farquharson. Alice Hung,KatherineValles, AmyWang,AmyYuan

Photography Staff: Pearl :Bbatnagar, Rebecca ebu, NicoLeGodreau, $amiha Khan, Karen Rose Kim, Misty Kim, NicoletteNanton,Marissa Shieb,Yuval Solomon

The Classic is an open forum for thlexpression of student views. The opinionje.ressed therein should not be taken t;represent those of the administration OJ

faculty or student body as a whole.

Readers are invited to submit letters to thjeditor. Letters should be placed in Ms. Cowen',mailbox or e-mailed to thhsclassic@.gmail.comThe Classic reserves tne right to edit all letteLetters must include name and official classNames will be withheld upon request. J

The Class ic

Summer 2010

, Opinion:

World Cup broadcastedlive in'student cafeteria

Missing prom, but not by choiceby Pearl Bhatnagar

"Who said senior year is easy?" This statement has been uttered countless times by the exasperatedseniors who were given some sort of false hope at the end of their junior year. Life is hectic. BetweenQueens College electives and Humanities seminars and especially college applications, you questionwhereall your free bands went. ' .

With everything going on at once, and without a homeroom teacher asking for it, it's easy to forgetto hand in a blue card. The line to sign-in is so long after Humanities that you tell yourself you'll waituntil it' s shorter. Then you make your way into the library to do your Euthyphro journal and get socaught up in Plato's philosophy, you truly forget to go back. Racing to get to your Government classon time after Anthropology 101, you weigh the option of either walking into class with your thickNorth Face jacket or getting there three minutes late because you de~ided to stuff it in your locker.When you finally do get time to slow down, you sit on the third floor facing west. It makes the mostsense to you because, well, you actually want to make eye contact as you speak to your friends.

It's easy to rack up demerits for insignificant infractions: It's also easy to be "careless" when the.questions looming over your mind are life-altering ones. Which university is the best one for me? IfI splurge on an undergraduate education, where will that leave me when I apply for medical school?Whom will I take to prom?

That is, if you're even allowed to go to prom. Forty-nine of the nearly 280 seniors of the class of2010accumulated more than nine demerits, which was enough to bar them from both the baccalaureateawards and the epic milestone that is "the best night ofyour life." Yes, teenagers can act unruly. Sure,teenagers may abuse the trust conferred on them. But there is no adequate explanation for over onesixth of Townsend Harris High School's senior class being excluded from such momentous events.After four years of service to their communities, four years of measuring up to the highest standards,Harrisitcs should not have these events so easily snatched away.

Those with fewer than 16 demerits have the option of partaking in the "school beautificationproject," wherein one demerit is removed from a student's record after two hours ofwork. And thoughsome of the 18 participating seniors may have gotten one of their nine plus demerits for chewinggum, scraping other people's dried out wads of Trident White does not seem like fair punishment.Scrubbing desks or filing papers doesn't seem right, either. There are more productive ways to serveone's community. To make the same kids whom the administration flaunts as "the brightest studentsin the city" do hours of chores to gain the right to attend senior prom is absurd.

More preposterous 'is that baccalaureate award nominees do not get this chance. If a studentwere a clear-cut winner for a specific award, he would be out of the running by virtue of his nineplus demerits. Even working on the "school beautification project" would do him no good. Now ifthis student received his demerits for a serious reason, taking away the award seems warranted. Butwhen insignificant infractions add up, it is disheartening that a student's demerit count will trump hisacademic achievements.

By paying such a high price for minor oversights, what are Harrisites really learning? The, administration argues that it is teaching students "life lessons," but the only one being taught isthat there is absolutely no room for mistakes-a lesson that should be frowned upon. Slapping onreferrals for trivialities will not condition someone to be perfect. Even Harrisites are human; mistakeswill always be made. The demanding course load and high expectations coupled with nit-picky rulesand the dire nature of their repercussions do not make for a healthy mix-or a happy student body.

Either demerits shouldn't be so generously doled out (Level 3 Insubordination for wearingleggings?) or the number of demerits needed to be barred from prom and other major events shouldincrease. If a student still needs to work off demerits despite these modifications, the community willbe better served ifhe takes a cue from the senior project and donates his time to a soup kitchen. Andto my fellow seniors who missed out on prom: my stuffed chicken wasn't all that great anyway.

by Tracey WangAs Mexican player Rafael

Marquez scored the equalizerin the World Cup openinggame between South Africaand Mexico on June 11, theentire cafeteria roared withexcitement.

The television screen, highon the wall near the StudentUnion store" displayed thegame as it happ ened live fromJohannesburg, South Africa.There was no sound from thescreen, but it was deafeningin the cafeteria: every fumbleand pass was met with cheersor frustration.

Junior Alice Kim wasresponsible for the game beingaired during the lunch bands.

"I know there were a lot ofkids who were upset that theyhad to miss it because of class,

. so I thought maybe if I can getit during my lunch band, wecan watch the second half ofthe game ," she said . "I camedownstairs during my lunchband and saw the television inthe cafeteria ."

Alice then decided toask aide Paul Sforza if shecould turn on the television toESPN.

"I think he thought I wasjoking, so he said that if I canturn it on, I can watch it," shesaid. "I asked [senior] ' Jerry

[Yang] to help me out becauseI couldn't reach the powerbutton. Jerry fumbled around'and got ESPN without anysound, but it was all good."

"Well the TV is there,"Jerry said, "so why don 't weuse it ifwe have it? The WorldCup only comes around onceevery four years so it's a shameto miss the special games.Also, it is a good time for thestudents to become friendswith each other and bond."

For many, watching thegame together was what madeit fun.

"I enjoyed watching thegame in school more than Ienjoy watching it at home: Iliked that everyone got so intoit and we were all cheeringtogether. I thought it was anice break from the regularschool day," said junior AnitraSingh said.

" It was cool because it wasall the nat ions coming togetherto play soccer, regardless oftheir backgrounds and we'rewatching it together as a groupof students who are also fromdifferent backgrounds," saidsenior Giovanni Barcenes.

Sophomore Fiona Cheung,however, said, "Personally, Idon't really care for the World

. Cup, but everyone else wasreally into it," she said.

Three generations of principals join honorees to celebrate the school's 25th birthday.

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ago."At the gala , Mr.

Herszenhom echoed thissentiment: "The hope' is thatyou let current students know alittle bit beyond the collateralsand laps around the gym,"

assembly, Principal KennethBonamo said, "It is our sincerehope that you find inspirationfrom the accomplishmentsand life journeys of our morerecent alumni, some of whomsat in your desks not too long

advice."At an assembly the

afternoon before, some of thehonorees addressed currentstudents during a double ninthb and. In an e-mail messageexplaining the purpose of the

'25 at 25' gala celebrates achievements of recent alumniby Pear l Bhatnagar and in the restaurant, a

Rebecca Seidel . large PowerPointThe buzz ofexcited chatter projection displayed

filled South Street Seaport's their photographs andHarbour , Lights restaurant, biographies.where three generations of "I'm anHarrisites mingled and shared extraordinarily luckymemories. Alumni of the principal to haveoriginal Townsend Harris High been around to seeSchool , as well as more recent these successes,"graduates, faculty, and current remarked foundingstudents, ,all convened on Principal MalcolmJune 12 to celebrate the 25th Largmann aboutanniversary of the school 's re- his former students 'estab lishment accomplishments.

The gala celebration, Retired chemistryorganized by the Alumni teacher Michael Anz elAssociation, honored 25 felt the alumni'sgraduates of the reopened achievements wereschoo l who have "exemplified a reflection on theirthe spirit of the Ephebic Oath," alma mater. "The bestaccording to the associ ation's thing to see is how

, webs ite, by making distinctive many really successfulcontributions to society. students there are.

Following speeches byCo- ' Many have jobs, greatpresidents Tanya Odom and careers and it is aCraig Slutzkin as well as Co- testament to the schoolchairman David Herszenhorn, and to themselves," heall honorees, each of the 25 said .graduates were presented with Senior and Archona certificate from the Alumni President Natasha Bankay saidAssociation. she was "thankful" for having

. As they stepped forward been invited to ' the event,in response to the guests' ' stating that she "met a lot ofapplause to a designated area people who gave me ' great

The Classic

Summer 20104--

reflecting on the time that has passedsince she entered her profession.

After a long career, Ms. Michlewitzis retiring this year.

During her : retirement, Ms.Michlewitz plans to write a bookdocumenting her parents' experienceas prisoners of war during World WarII. She also hopes to work on securing .grants for the school.

"People had kept telling me thatI could've retired earlier, but I keptputting it off," she said.

Ms. Michlewitz didn't expect tobecome a teacher. "I took educationcourses just as a back-up plan when Iwas in college," she said. "OriginallyI was going to bea scientist. Then Ihad to choose between Organic Chernand Chaucer and Chaucer won. WhenI student taught at Brooklyn Tech, I fell

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He began . his physics' coursesby quoting Princeton Professor JohnArchibald Wheeler: "Mass tells spacehow to curve, space tells mass how tomove." The rest of the year would bespent proving and understanding thisidea.

Even though he had always lovedengineering, Mr. Steinberg neverexpected to become a physics teacher.He shared the story of his colleague,who graduated in the class of 1956 with .a doctorate in Engineering at CooperUnion and published two books: oneon the theory of germ disease and theother on malaria. "It just proves thatyou never know what you 'll end updoing," Mr. Steinberg said.

Now that his time at Harris is over,he plans to teach a few courses forretiredprofessionals at Hofstra University thatwill integrate science, relig ion and art ."I'll be teaching Cosmology, Relativityand working with the chess program,"he said.

She added, "I will miss the students,the colleagues. I won't miss getting upat 5 am to teach at 7 am."

Now that she is done teaching, Ms.Eaton plans to spend her time traveling."I have two trips lined up: Napa Valley,California; and Costa Rica."

Steinberg completes another .stage in I.ong scientific careerby Lory ·M artinez . enjoyed them all. I' m thankful that I

Irwin Steinberg, physics teacher was able to teach them ," he said.and interdiscipl inary enthusiast, is He would do his best to includeretiring this year. history and theology in his courses,

"I didn't want my wife to be alone applying the interdisciplinary approachquite that much," he said about his he so loved.decision to retire for the secondtime in 10 years.

"I came out of retirementat 65 to teach. I really enjoyedit. It brought out the nurturingside ofme. It was very differentfrom when I took my softwarecompany public," he said .

Before teaching, Mr.Steinberg had avery successfulcareer as an engineer. . Hepatented two Missile Systemdesigns by the age of 23 andworked at the BrookhavenNational Laboratory for severalyears. There he designed a widearea network called "Brooknet,"which involved connectinga particle accelerator to thesupercomputer at Brookhaven.

He laterworked on computerresearch in pattern recognition at theCourant Institute of MathematicalSciences at New York University.In 1970, he designed an automateddispatching system for the NewYork City Fire Department. Thoughthis earned him II million dollars,he continued his career, taking twosoftware companies pub lic.

He also continued his scientificpursuits by teaching "PhilosophicalImplications of Quantum Theory" atNYU.

Mr. Steinberg's public teachingexperience began the summer he read aNewYork Times article about a shortageof science teachers and dec ided to giveit a try. He has since then taught forI 0years. He particularly enjoyed tutoringand being able to transform someoneinto the "I got it" moment. .

In addition to teaching physics,Mr. Steinberg taught Astrophysics,Cosmology and Space-time Physicselectives. "In different . ways, I've

by Rebecca SeidelScience teacher Rosemarie

Eaton is saying goodbye to Harristhis year.

Ms. Eaton has worked in theScience Department for 14 years, .teaching both biology and scienceresearch.

Before coming to Harris in1996 - initially as a student teacher- Ms . Eaton worked as a dentalhygienist, in addition to workingfor the public health system. Herwork has always been rooted inscience.

"My background is humanphysiology, so I love everythingabout human systems," she said . "Ialways loved science, so I went fora Master's in science education."

Ms. Eaton said that herfavorite thing about teaching 'at Harriswas "having students eager to learn.After hearing stories at other schools,I felt very privileged to be here in thisschool, where the main motivation waslearning." .

Eaton steps down after 14 years

Michlewitz to retire after 37 yearsby Hayley Desmond in love with the profession."

"Students now have needs that we After working for 13 years atnever anticipated 37 years ago," said Jamaica High School, Ms. MichlewitzEnglish teacher Debra Michlewitz, started teaching at her alma mater,

. Tilden High School, where she metWanda Nix and Malcolm Largmann.In 1989, she came to Townsend Harris,where she was reunited with Ms . Nix"dean , and Dr. Largmann, principal.

"We have a real sense ofcommunity[at Harris]," she noted. "Young studentshave talents we could not dream of."

In addition to the core Englishclasses, she has taught Poetics, SocialScience Research, Comic Muse and E3:Earth, Environment, Ecology.

Ms Michlewitz thinks hands-onexperience is an important part oflearning. "I enjoy creating an activitythat is .relevant and exciting forstudents," she said, citing her ComicMuse elective's Comic Muse Day asan example.

She began coaching ' the fencingteam when the former coach retired,although she had no experience withthe sport.

"I was trying to repay the team,"she said, explaining that her sonbenefitted from being a fencer whenhe attended Harris. Ms. Michlewitzwill return in August to assist the newfencing coach. '

Ms. Michlewitz's experience as ateacher at Harris encouraged principalKenneth Bonamo as he got used to theschool. '

"Since the day I took the job, shehas welcomed me here and been atrue colleague," he said, calling her"innovative, creat ive, energetic and

, fun."

Teague completes final yearas college admissions advisorby Tracey Wang - - . "----

After working for the Departmentof Education for more than 30 years,college advisor Antoinette Teague hasdecided it's time to retire .

"This feels 'like an appropriatetime for me to move onto differentchallenges and to beg in to grow in newways," she said .

Ms. Teague has guided seniors andjuniors in Harris through their collegeapplication process for nine years.Over the years, she has noticed that thecollege process has undergone a changefrom paper to electronic submission.

While the medium for submissionhas changed, the stress and panic Kenneth Bonamo said, "We arethat are synonymous with the college planning to move to an arrangement inapplication process have not. For which Mr. [Jonathan] Hirsch will servecollege applicants, Ms. Teague said the as our college liaison, and studentsmost important thing is "to stay calm." will be guided through the application

She said, "Too much stress will process by the guidance counselor tointerfere with your abi lity to do well." whom they are currently assigned."

Senior Reisha Cadelina credits Ms. "This allows students," he added,Teague for helping her stay on track , "to enjoy a continued relationship withwith her college applications. their current counselor in the senior

She said, "Without Ms. Teague's year during the college process; itguidance, my college applications also preserves the idea of having oneprobably would have never been sent counselor taking care ofourrelationshipout. I remember the whole application with colleges, coordinating visits byprocess being a time ofcomplete panic, college representatives, our collegebut -Ms. Teague was always there to fair, etc."answer questions and' to help everyone Furthermore, Mr. Bonamo saidout whenever she could." that Assistant Principal of Guidance,

The announcement ofMs .Teague's Janet Solomon, will be overseeingretirement has raised concerns among .the "transition" next year with thethe students about the future of the help of Ms. Teague, who is "stay[ing]College Office . on in a part-time capacity to help our

Toaddress these concerns, Principal students."

~=~~...01

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The Classic

Summer 2010! ~~"J(;']

This Greek and Latin teacher scored big on Jeopardy!by Rupeshi Shah

Who is Dr. Marianthe Colakis?Anyone who was logged onto

Facebook on June 14 would havenoticed the explosion of statusescheering on Classics teacher MariantheColakis as she took the podium on thetelevision quiz show Jeopardy!

Dr. Colakis contended againstOhio librarian Mark Passerrello andTexas assistant district attorney MartyScott. During her interview with hostAlex Trebek, she said, "I'm as fluent

. [in Latin and Greek] as anyone can be,considering we're not really trained inconversational Latin."

Categories included "LiteraryStupid Answers;" "Jones-ing," and"Alien Invaders!"

To Dr. Colakis ' advantage, the.Final Jeopardy category was "Moons .

and Mythology." She was the onlyone to give the correct question (Whois Mars?") for the answer presented:"This planet is named for a Romangod; its only moons are named for thesons of his Greek counterpart." Scott,however, still received the first placestanding with $25,000 at the end ofthe Final Jeopardy round. Dr. Colakiscame in at $10,400 and Passerrello at$8,200.

Although there weren't anyquestions based on what Dr. Colakisteaches regularly in her classes, shebelieves. that her teaching experiencehelped her "when it came to thinkingon my feet and not going blank underpressure. People commented on howcalm I looked on the show, but I wasactually very nervous."

Dr. Colakis cites getting to chat

with host Alex Trebek as one of thebest parts . of the whole Jeopardyexperience. "It's always interestingto have a behind-the-scenes view of atelevision show and see how it's puttogether," she said. She pointed out theset is not as vast as it appears to be ontelevision.

Students and teachers had beenanticipating Dr. Colakis ' episode forweeks. On the night the show was aired,many used their Facebook statusesto show their support for her. Somestatuses even criticized her opponents.

Dr. Colakis recalls that althoughshe didn' t win, many congratulated heron becoming a contestant in the firstplace. At a rally Dr. Colakis went torecently, a woman recognized her fromthe Jeopardy episode and asked to get apicture with her.

Dr. Colakis flew out to Californiaduring winter break for the taping ofthe episode.

Appearing on Jeopardy! was alengthy process. In early 2008, shetook a test being offered by the showonline. In May 2008, she was invitedto auditions being conducted in NewYork City.

After taking a 50-question writtentest of general knowledge and takingpart in a mock game and interviewthere, Dr. Colakis received no word for .over a year. Finally in November 2009,she was invited to come on the show.

Dr. Colakis describes her interestin trivia not "as 'being fascinated bytrivia' but as having broad generalknowledge and a memory of odd facts.Whatever I know is an outgrowth ofmy interest in a subject."

The prank had not been plannedby the entire senior grade, but only afew students. The main prank plannedby the senior class was to set off alarm

. izh clocks to go off during classes.

waste of food and time cleaning it allrp, But the reaction of the administra­non was equally unacceptable. Studentswho had absolutely no idea ofwhat wasgoing on were reprimanded and forcedto leave without any real explanation. Ithink the administration behaved rash-

. y," said Tasnia. "The blame should nothave been placed upon the entire seniorclass because, quite honestly, the ma­jority of the students didn't even knowanything about it until they were told toexit the premises."

"This rash action taken by admin­istrators left the seniors marked. Sud­denly everyone was looking at everysenior as a hateful foreign body. WhileI didn't change out ofmy senior t-shirt(I had an 'extra shirt to switch into), Iwas very tempted to....I got unfriendlystares from administrators and certainfaculty members, which hurt," said se-

_ nior Kristi Chen, President of Seniorv freaked out. Council.

Another senior, Virginia Milieris,however, said, "I can see where Mr.Bonamo was coming from...becausehe was trying to prevent more disastersfrom happening. However, it is unfairthat some ofus weren't able to go visitteachers for one last time because ofsomething we didn't even do. At thesame time, I don't know how else thiscould be dealt with. It was a tricky situ-

ll-behaved stu- ation."

Administration isolates seniors after food fight in cafeteriacontinuedfrom pg 1congregation of seniors outside theback door after he came upstairs fromthe cafeteria. He said that it did noteven occur to him "that they wereasked to leave without being giventhe chance to stay in the auditorium."He had thought that the seniors left bychoice.

Since they were being too noisy,Mr. Bonamo said he joined the seniorsoutside to reiterate their options.

"Mr. Bonamo told us that makingthis noise was inappropriate and thatif we would behave, we would be letback inside. Once we were back in theschool...[we were told] 'the auditoriumor the back door: those are your twochoices, ' so most people left throughthe back door while those of us whostill had class or wanted to be with ourfellow classmates stayed in the audito­rium, which turned out to be about 15people," said senior Kimberly Young."They had escorts to and from the au­ditorium to classrooms."

Mr. Bonamo said that the decisionto isolate the seniors seemed like theonly logical thing to do at the time. "Se­niors who were in the building withoutclasses were creating unsafe situa­tions....you had to limit [the seniors']access. It was the soundest decision tomake given the information I had at thetime. I had 11 00 children to protect."

For him, the fight sunk "to a levelof behavior that is uncivilized and dis­respectful and really has no place in theschool."

Mayisha also found the prankdistasteful. "A lot of people got upsetbecause they were saying that a prankshould be funny, not something thathurts or is at the expense of others. Ifelt really bad for a girl whose reportgot messed up. It was due next bandand she was showing it to a friend. Thewhole thing got splattered with milkand it was ruined. I do know a fewpeople that got hit with food. Someonein my algebra class was really upsetbecause he got milk all over his shirt,"she said.

Hector Benitez, one of the custodi­ans who had to clean up the mess, said,"They could have thought of some­thing better than that; they're smarter

©1tJ~®® @W ~@n@g WAVlOOrnSummer 2010

The Classic6 '

La st Name First Narne College Attending

Abramova Ilona Skidmore College

Adeyeni Susan CUNY - City Tech

Agas Audrey SUNY - Stony Brook

Aguirre Natalia CUNY - Hunter

Ahamed Tasnia Rutgers University (Pharmacy)

Ahmed Henna CUNY - Macaulay

Ahmed Nasrin CUNY - Hunter

Ajzenman Matthew CUNY - City

Akbasheva Svetlana St.John's University (Pharmacy)

Aliahmad Sarah St.John's University

Alicino Alyssa CUNY - Baruch

Altman Aliza University of Michigan

Ashai Aqsa CUNY - Baruch

Atamian Elisa Boston University

Baamonde Daniel Cooper Union

Baig Ayman CUNY - City

Bailey Ashley CUNY - City Tech

Bajor Angela SUNY - Stony Brook

Baksh Brandon Macaulay Honors - Baruch

Bal Karnveer Macaulay Honors - Baruch -

Bankay Natasha SUNY - Stony Brook

Barcenes Giovanni NYU (A&S)

Barrera Michelle SUNY - Albany

Bartellino Walter NYU (Polytech)

Bedassie Shanice Northeastern Unive rsity

Belange Jehanne Johns Hopkins University

Benitez Carlos CUNY - City

Bennett Allison SUNY - Albany

Bethune Jerome St. John's Universi ty

Bhasin Rahul Macaulay Honors - Hunter

Bhatnagar Pearl Harvard Unive rsity

Bhuiyan Saeed SUNY - Stony Brook

Blanco David Pace University

Bonet Stephanie St.John's University

Brown Felicia Wellesley College

Bruno Gabrielle Adelphi University

Cadelina Reisha CUNY - Hunter

Cao Bryan CUNY - City

Caparatta Shannon Adelphi University

Chandra Rebecca St.John's University

Chavez Alexis Macaulay Ho nors - Hunter

Chen Ching Hsiang CUNY - City

Chen Kristi NYU (Stern)

Chen Raymond NYU (Polytech)

Chen Tiffany St. John's University

Ch en Vivian SUNY - Stony Brook

Cheng Warren CUNY ~ Baruch

Chern Jennifer CUNY - Baruch

Chi taman J aved St.J ohn's Unive rsity

Cho Joonho NYU (polytech)

Choe Saebom Barnard College

Chou Emily SUNY - Binghamton

Ch owdhury Dipabali CUNY - Baruch

Chowdh ury Sadia Macaulay H onors - H unter

ChuA Kong Jessica CUNY - Baruch

Ciesielska Michelle Fordham University

Cohen Solomon Temple University

Costello J essica SUNY - Oneonta

Cullivan Eugene SUNY - New Paltz

Czerkies Laura University of Central Florida

Damaso Stephany O ut of Country

Dejesus Leah St.John's University

Delatour Devon ' Pace University

Demetriou Cons tantino CUNY - York

Desai Tejal CUNY - Hunter

Desilus Lauraine St.John's University (Pharmacy)

Dimaculangan Tracy CUNY - Baruch

Dominianni Alexandra Eugene Lang College

Dong Anne NYU (Liberal Studies)

Donotan Allison CUNY - Brooklyn

Dylgjeri Enxhi Dartmouth College

Esperson Nataliya Rutgers University

Evans Stefan SUNY - Stony Brook

Fan FuYun SUNY - Binghamton

Fan Sammy St.John's University ,

Fedus Nicolas Marist College

Fong Michelle SUNY - Binghamton

Frangos Samantha Lehigh University

French Madeleine Bryn Mawr

Furs Alexei Georgetown University

Garcia Christian Union College

Gergoudis Kellie Columbia University

Gessler Marisela NYU (A&S)

Gheewala Sajeda St.John's University (Pharmacy)

Giappone Cristina Marist College

Gizas Eleni Bryn Mawr

Gobinrajloo Ramona St.John's University

Goodman Andrew SUNY - Stony Brook

Grabarz Anita~

St.john's University

Gregory Ryu Chang SUNY - Plattsburgh

Grewal Prabhjot SUNY - Stony Brook

Gumbs Andrew Carnegie Mellon

Gupta Sujata SUNY - Binghamton

Gurm Manreet St.John's University (Pharmacy)

Guzman Katherine New York Institute of Technology

Halkias Joseph CUNY - Hunter

Hassan Syeda NYU (A&S)

Hernandez Jocelyn Fordham Univers ity

H ospedales Stephanie School of Visual Arts

Humayra Sadia Pace University (Manhattan)

Humphrey J anell University,of Connecticut

Hussain Ashraf SUNY - Stony Brook

Huynh Thu CUNY - Hunter

Ijaz Laraib SUNY - Stony Brook

Ilie Ivana Yale University

Javorovac Almedin St.John's University

Jeong Jun SUNY - Binghamton

Kalam Aniqah CUNY - Hunter

Kamal Saad NY Institute of Technology

Kamio Ayumi SUNY - Buffalo

Kang Jennifer Boston University

Kano Ayumi SUNY - Stony Brook

Kei MingYan NYU (A&S)

Khan Sarah Pace University

Khanai Amy St.John's University -Khananashvili Samuel CUNY - Hunter

Kim Agness NYU (A&S),.

Kim Cora Cornell University (A&S)

Kim , J ulia SUNY - Binghamton

Kim Pearl Boston College

Kler Ranbir Hofstra University

Knight Lucas Trinity College

Korani Preet SUNY - Stony Brook

Kritikos Konst andino St.John's University

Kussman Elizabeth SUNY - Geneseo

Lai Chuen University of Michigan

Lee Haeun CUNY - City

Lee Oliver SUNY - Geneseo

Lesiv Ivan SUNY - Binghamton

Leung Sherry SUNY - Geneseo

Li Jessica SUNY - Buffalo

Li Shen Shen Northeastern University

Liang Sabrina CUNY - H unter

Liew Amanda SUNY - Stony Brook

Lin Max SUNY - Geneseo-

Liu Aminta Cornell University (A&S)

Luchian Beatrice Arizona State University

Lugaro Stephanie CUNY -JohnJay

Luna Agnes CUNY - Queens

:1il~ ~1il~ 1rm~W @@noo@j)

The Classic

Summer 2010

Ly Angela NYU (Liberal Studies)

Lynam Sanne Macaulay Honors - Baruch

Magnan Felicia SUNY - Oneonta

Mahmood Sarah WellesleyCollege

Mann Kayla University of Miami

Manoukian Lia CUNY - Hunter

Mansour Nadine Barnard College

Mao Clare Grinnell College

Markopoulos Nicole SUNY - Stony Brook

Mayo Rachel Brandeis University

McCaffrey Megan SUNY - Binghamton

McCarthy Kellyn Lehigh University

Mielnik Adam Fordham University

Milieris Virginia Macaulay Honors - Hunter

Milyavsky Daniel Macaulay Honors - Hunter

Misbah Mahnoor Adelphi University

Mohammed Nada School of Visual Arts

Montenegro Stephanie CUNY - City

Mook Kevin U.S. Air Force Academy

Morgan Tasia Temple University

Mummini Swetha Wesleyan University

Murray John University of Tampa

Myers Miranda Georgia Tech

Naba Zarka CUNY - City

Nagpal Alyssa Northeastern University

Neizvestnaya Aleksandra CUNY - Baruch

Newman Ashley University of New Haven

Ngo Melanie CUNY - Baruch

Nguyen Huy Brandeis University

Nimboonchaj Vipattra SUNY - Stony Brook

Noboa Natalie CUNY - Baruch

Nurse Thiahera University of Wisconsin

Ocampo Isabella Middlebury

O'Grady Caitlin George Washington University

Oledzka Isabella SUNY - Binghamton / Cornell

Panayotov Katherine Northeastern University

Papagermanos Vassiliki Barnard College

Pastore William CUNY - Queens

Pecoraro Daniel Macaulay Honors ~ Hunter

Perez Cynthia Macaulay Honors - Hunter

Perez Eilin Williams College

Perez Erica WellesleyCollege

Petushi Sindi St.John's University

Pfister Kaila SUNY - Binghamton

Pinkhasova Sophia CUNY - Queens

Pojawis Julia SUNY - Stony Brook

Purmasir Vena Swarthmore College

Quach Christopher NYU (Polytech)

Rahman MD CUNY - City

Rahman Shajoti CUNY - Hunter

Rajic Kristina University of Miami

Ramdeholl Emily Macaulay Honors - City

Ramsammy Jessica Pace University

Ramsaroop Annmarie Adelphi University

Rana Shivpal NYU (Stern)

Ranchurejee Kristie Adelphi University

Rashed Sharmin CUNY - City

Raymond Jeannette St. Francis College

Reisner Marc Johns Hopkins University

Rodriguez David CUNY - City

Rodriguez Guillermo Macaulay Honors - Hunter

Rodriguez Samantha Boston College

Rodulfo Kristina NYU (Liberal Studies)

Rojanasopondist Intiporn Pratt Institute

Rojas Jennifer Pace University

Roselli Gabriella NYU (A&S)

Rosengard Rachel Wesleyan University

Sahadeo Daryl SUNY - Stony Brook

Sandhu J aspreet SUNY - Stony Brook

Santos Mary CUNY - Hunter

Saywack Shalita . SUNY- Stony Brook

Scandura Olivia NYU (Gallatin)

Scaturro Francesca CUNY -JohnJay

Selegean Jane CUNY - Hunter

Semple Tanay CUNY -City

Serra Sandy NYU (Polytech)

Singh Robin CUNY - Hunter

Singh Simranjit NYU (A&S)

Singh Sukhjinder Penn State (WilkesBarre)

Sinnathurai Tharmika CUNY - Baruch

Smith Amina University of South Carolina

Sovern . Lindsay Brown University

Spain Shanyce Northeastern University

Spinner Sydney CUNY - Queens

Spitaleri Frank Pace University

Spitaleri Joseph SUNY - Stony Brook

St.Julien Michele Dickinson College

Stamatelatos Maria Fordham University

Stypulkowski Natalia SUNY - Stony Brook

Subhani Jason NYU (Polytech)

Sur Shirley St.John's University (Pharmacy)

Suwada Paul St.John's Univesity

Suzuki Rebecca Boston University

Swarns Charisse St.John's University

Tarley Arthur Macaulay Honors - Hunter

Teboul Isaac SUNY - Geneseo

Theodore Christina Adelphi University

Thornton Ashley SUNY - Geneseo

Topal Andrew SUNY - Binghamton

Trinh Man University of California - Berkeley

Case Western Reserve University (PPSPTsai Sheena in Medicine)

Tsatsis Thomas Alfred University

Tsoi Kin Yam SUNY - Stony Brook

Valbuena Keegan Macaulay Honors - Hunter

Valles Katherine Fordham University

Varghese Mobin SUNY - Stony Brook

Vieira Samantha Culinary Institute

Viera Janelle Swarthmore College

Wanees Abanoub Dartmouth College

Wang Christopher Vassar College

Weiss-Perea Shayna Carnegie Mellon

Wen Spencer CUNY - Baruch

Whang Esther University of Michigan

Wiyanto Evelyn Brandeis University

Wong Alice St.John's University

Wong Crystal NYU (A&S)

Wong Jessica St.John's University (Pharmacy) •.

Wu Beverly NYU (Tisch)

Wu Linda CUNY - Baruch

Yang Jerry SUNY - Binghamton

Yanishin Yaroslav SUNY - Stony Brook

Yao Kristina CUNY - Baruch

Yebetit Kibret Barnard College

Vee Brian St.John's University

Yenko Irene CUNY - Hunter

Vim Isaiah University of Michigan

Young Kimberly Columbia University

Yu Lawrence NYU (Polytech)

Yu Michele Ohio State University

Yuan Amy Carnegie Mellon

Yung Bowie SUNY - Stony Brook

Zabala Kathleen SUNY - Binghamton

Zablan Audriana Macaulay Honors - Hunter

Zhang Christopher CUNY - City

Zhang J ing Xia University of Connecticut

Zheng Judy Macaulay Honors - Hunter

Zhu MengMeng SUNY - Binghamton

Zhu-Tsu SUNY - Alfred State

Zizva J essica NYU (A&S)

:- ':< )I 'tI'

8 The Classic

Summer 2010

Valedictorian Akbasheva ·plans to stlidy ·pharmacy at Sl~-~ohn's

-Vlew full schedules or enroll today athttp://ivyinsiders.com/ariel_brodsky

• For more information about Ivy Insiders, please visithttp://ivyinsiders.com/

As captain of the track team, Chris haslearned "how important it is to try andset a good example and how havingfun usually results in everyone beinghappier and doing their best." He adds,"When things go well it's just about thebest feeling in the world."

Things went well at this year'sSports Awards , when the membersof the Track team presented theircoaches with thank-you gifts. Chrissaid, "[I enjoyed] seeing our coaches'expressions .. .and knowing I was a bigreason for that." Among the presentswas a t-shirt that read "Have a nice trip ,see you next fall."

Christopher also played the tenor,.saxophone on the Jazz band fromfreshman to junior year. "Everytimesomeone had a solo we were all justsitting there hoping that they wou ldperform as well as we knew theycould," he said.

Christopher plans to pursue boththese interests at Vassar College inthe .fall, a school he felt "fit the bill"due to its "community-feel," "open­curriculum" and "[small] student tofaculty ratio."

Christopher joked that he will miss"the outrageousness of the school - theidea that plag iarism is a more seriousoffense than bringing [in] a gun."

Still, he made sure to add, "A lot ofthe people, I'll miss ."

When asked how he hopes hispeers will remember him, Christopheralluded to the yearbook. "Well, theseniors have spoken, haven't they?'Most likely to fall asleep in class. ,,,

"Although I'm really excitedto go to college and begin this newpart of my life, I'm also really sad thatall of us are splitting up and going todifferent schools. It will be strangenot to be together any more, but I amso happy that everyone got into all ofthese great colleges and now it' s timefor us to shape our lives the way wewant to," said Svetlana.

"To the class of 2010 , thankyou for making the past four yearsabso lutely amazing and unforgettable,"she continued. "I will miss you allso much and I can't wait to see whatincredible things everyone will be upto in 10 years!"

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Salutatorian Wang to pursuesports, music at Vassar College

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by Pearl Bhatnagar"I went to school with so many

smart kids and I'm just really, reallyflattered," said salutato rian ChristopherWang of'his achievement.

He added, "Grades were neverreally something that I stressed outabout." He credits his friends withproviding the motivation for him toachieve. "There were a couple ofpointswhere [grades] did matte r because myfriends kept telling me how well theyexpected me to do. I didn ' t want todisappoint them," he said. He jokedthat his friends either saw the potentialin him to succeed or expected so muchof him "because I'm Asian."

Christopher shared the secret tohis success, delineating the methodshe would use to study for exams. "I'dtake some time out and try to read thechapter that the test was on. I'd look forkeywords and try to break the materialdown into parts that I understood. ThenI might go over my notes from class butthat's only ifa) they existed and b) theywere legible."

Christopher was one of only threeseniors this year to be active on asports team for all twelve seasons ofhis high school career. He explainedhis relationship with outdoor, indoor,and cross-country track. "It's knowingthat you're competing with others whoare also giving their best. It's knowingthat if you want to win, you need togive just a .little bit more than you canpossibly imagine that you have . It 'sthe respect you gain .for yourself andthe people you race against," he said .

much at this school, not only from myclasses, but also from the intelligent andtalented people that I was constantlysurrounded by."

Svetlana credits her family andfriends for her success at school. "Thereis no way I could have made it to whereI am today without the support and loveof my family and friends . I need to saythank you to my mom, dad, grandma,and my big brother Andrey for neverpushing me to do anything and alwaysencouraging me to do whatever make sme happy. To all my friends, I loveyou guys and thanks for keeping mesmiling and laughing over the last fouryears," she said.

becoming a pharmacist seemed like aperfect fit. Once I made this decision,it became clear that St. John's wasthe schoo l for me, since it has a greatpharmacy program and is close to

home."Svetlana, who

took OrganicChemistry atHarris, said, "Myfavorite subjectis chemistrybecause it's reallyinteresting that all

of the differentreactions welearn aboutare actuallyhappening

~ around us all~ the time, justj on such a small~ scale that we~ can't even see~ them. I must;..~ admit that the::. demonstration~ with the8exploding~ gummy bears-& was also really

cool."Reflecting on the impact that

Harri s made on her life, Svetlana said,"I will always be grateful to TownsendHarris for introducing me to some ofthe best people in the world, both interms of the teachers I had and thefriends I made," she said.

"Townsend Harri s was definitelychallenging, but in the end I really dofeel that everything we went throughwas for the bes t. I have learned so

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"I always knew that I wanteda career in the hea lthcare field, butit wasn't until college applicationsrolled around this year that I began toseriously consider what I wanted to doin life. Although I researched manydifferent career s, everything keptleading me back to pharmacy," saidSvetlana. "Since I am very interestedin chemistry and I want a career thatwill allow me to help people directly,

by Sarah MahmoodValedictorian Svetlana

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,From the Desk of Irwin Steinberg:

Book of the MonthExplorinqtne Invisible (Art, SCience, and the Spiritual) - Lynn Gamwell

This stunningly illustrated book shows how directly, profoundly, and indisputably modernscience has transformed modern art. Beginning in the mid-nineteenth century, a strange andexciting new world came into focus - a world of microorganisms in myriad shapes and colors,prehistoric fossils, bizarre underseas creatures , spectra of light and sound, and atomic particles.Exploring the Invisible reveals that the world beyond the naked eye - made visible by advancesin science - has been a major inspiration for artists ever since, influencing the subjects theychose as well as their techniques and modes of representation,

Lynn Gamwell (Director of the Art Museum at SUNY Binghamton) traces the evolution ofabstract art through several eras, beginning with Romanticism (early nineteenth century).My favorite example is how the work of Helmholz (a German physiologist and physicist),which demonstrated that color is not in the world but in the mind, directly influenced Monet'srevolutionary new approach to depicting light. .

This wonderful book reveals the scientific sources mined by Impressionist and Symbolistpainters, Art Nouveau sculptors and architects, Cubists, and other nineteenth and twentieth­.century artists.

not

WhatV to do over the summer-Don't go to bookstores just to look at review books .-Don't spend all your time ·on Facebook. Especiallyon the MLiT page. (See article to the right.)

-Don't change into your gym uniform to work out.-Don't be afraid to wear shorts. Or sleeveless tops.Or flip flops. .-Don't spend all day watching the World Cup.-Don't go to sleep at 3 AM just because you can.-Get a job. Just please don't drive a Silly Band truck(Yes, such a thing exists ...see photo below.)

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]);a.ry 0-1' a ])e?,..,'Vet! ~ena.:Je,..by Lory Martinez .

I recently had the crazy notion that I should attempt toendure two weeks without text messaging, instant messagingand the ultimate social networking distraction: Facebook.I didn't think it would be all that difficult; after all, people lived

. before "google" became a verb. I figured I could revert back to thoseday s when I was a kid - the days before you could "friend" someonewith the click of a mouse.

AndsoIwentinto this litt le challenge optimistically, "It reallycan'tbe that hard," I said to my friends in the final hours before it began. Yetthat first night, I actually dreamt that I caved in by going on Facebook.The next day, I heard the news that my friends had placed bets tosee 'how much time would pass before I caved. That same night, Ireceived over 15 new messages in my cell phone inbox. I felt likePandora, so tempted was I to open my inbox and sneak a peek at mymessages.

I kept a log documenting the experience. I would kill timereading old entries to see how far I'd come. Here's an excerpt fromDay 3:

"I took my phone in my hand and just pressed the buttons, as ifto text without actually sending anything. It s so strange not to beable to use it. I 've gotten so addicted to it that I now curse the day Igot unlimited talk in text... ss

I·went on and on like that for a full page. (If you know me, youknow how I love to rant.)

The next couple of day s were similar. I would be talking to myfriends and they would mention some thing about a Facebook postor someone's status and I' d have to remind them tha t I hadn't beenonline to see any of it. Every time I heard someone say "F acebook,"

. I'd get this sudden pang, as if someone had said "L ord Voldemort" :the word was almost tabo o for me.

Now that the two weeks are over; I have come to thisrealization:

Despite the fact that I actually ben efited from the extra time Ididn 't waste, I know that I won't stop using Facebook, IMs or texts.It's not that I don't have the willpower. It's just that I don' t want togive up soc ial media.. They are a welcome distraction sometimes.

Still, during my technological hia tus, I learned that by subtractingat least some of those hours we waste typing and tex ting, we caneasily get a lot more done. Even though I didn't lik e giving up mysocial outlets, I was all the better for it.

..

, The Classic­~ummer2010

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: Summer's here "- and with , it ,comes th~ end of :: another year of collaterals, AP tests, and under- :.• •: eye baggage . Take the time to enjoy the sun and :: the freedom.even if you do use the summer as an ':• •: opportunity to bolster your college application.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

My Life is Townsend: Summer EditionUfe is Slightly Less Stressful Today

Today is my last day of school. It's also my first day of summercollege class. MUT.

Today, I blushed when I saw my friend's shoulders. I had com­pletely forgotten about them. MLiT.

Today, I went on Facebook to get homework. Then I realized Ididn't have any. MLiT.

Today, I'm on vacation and I'm lying on the beach reading. Mytrashy novel? A Tale of Two Cities. MUT.

Today, I realized that most people cry out of joy because schoolis over. I cried because I got my report card. MUT.

Today, I found out I got a hundred on the Chemistry Regents. Iwant my Happy Meal. MUT.

Today, I got acosted by a uniformed security agent. My crime?Wearing flip flops in June. MLIT.

Today, two of my friends got into a heated argument aboutwhether it was a better idea to go see Shakespeare in the Parkor to a local poetry slam. MUT.

Today is the first day of summer vacation. I got up late and grog:­gy, but somehow managed to put my 10 on before heading outto meet my friends. MUT.

Today, I was watching the World Cup in the cafeteria. I was sotransfixed that I didn't notice the food being hurled at me. MUT.

Things to Do Over the Summer:

We all love Betty White, but that's no excuse for sitting athome all day watching Golden Girl reruns this summer. If youcan't go away on vacation, there are many fun and free thingsyou can do in New York City:

Shakespeare in the ParkThis summer, the annual New York tradition will feature TheWinter sTale and The Merchant ofVenice. To get free tickets,stand on a line at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.Lines are very long, so you should get there early to secureadmittance. you can spend an entire day at the park, hangingout with your friends in the morning and watching the playat night. Visit http://www.shakespeareinthepark.org/formoreinformation.

The Daily ShowlThe Colbert ReportIts too late to book tickets to attend a live taping of the DailyShow with Jon Stewart or The Colbert Report this summer,but that doesn't mean you can't go! Ifyou stand on line earlyenough, there is a very good chance that the studio will let youin. Ifyou're in the city and have some time to spare, arrive atthe studio at around 2 pm with a government-issued ID and abook to read while you wait. Visit http://www.thedailyshow.com or http://www.colbertnation.com for more information.

KayakingGo kayaking with a friend at the Downtown Boathouse. Noprior experience is necessary, but you can attend one of theorganization's Wednesday night sessions. Check out http://www.downtownboathouse.org/ for more information.

SummerStageWith comedy shows, poetry slams, music, dance and theater,SummerStage offers events for everyone in parks throughoutthe city. Check out the schedule at http://www.summerstage.org to find something that you like.

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Tho Classic

Summer 2010

Athletes, coaches honored at 25th annual Sports Awards dinnerPerez has been a member of

the Boys' Varsity Cross Countryand Indoor Track teams for fouryears. He finished second in the55-meter high hurdles at theQueens Borough championships.He was captain of the VarsityBaseball team and batted over.300 the past two seasons.

"I am confident that the skillsI learned to harness on the fieldas an athlete at Townsend Harriswill carry over into my years incollege and beyond," said Perez.

The most highly decoratedathlete of the night was Donovan.She was named MVP of both theGirls' Varsity Softball team andVarsity Basketball team. She wasalso named Rookie of the Yearof the Girls' Bowling Team. Assenior Captain of the BasketballTeam, Donovan averaged 20points a game and became acareer 1000 point scorer. She wasalso a force to be reckoned withon the softball field, batting .530on the season with a sluggingpercentage of .750.

Athletic Director Wanda Nix,who is always at games supporting

Harris teams, was proud ofthe Hawks throughoutthe season and at theawards dinner.

"It was a terrifict' night; everyone was in~ good spirits and had a~good time, including the""~ staff. We had a reallyi:' successful year and..~ when student athletes'0 stay together as a team,~ practice, and do their~ best, every season can8 be a successful season,"~ said Ms. Nix.f She added, "I am

proud of our athletesfor making the most of theiropportunities and representingthe school well."

Championships. McCarthy wasselected to 'the' All-City Swimteam and represented New YorkCity at the State Championships.

Halkias was captain of theWrestling team and won theCity Championship in the 152­pound weight class. He finishedthree years of wrestling with acombined record of 25 wins and3 losses. Halkias and Senior IsaacTeboul, who placed second in the140 pound weight class, led theteam in its first year as a memberof the A division.

Fedus led the Boys' VarsitySoccer team to a winning recordand their first playoff berth inthree years. Fedus commandedthe team's offense and tied for 13th

in the city with 16 goals scoredon the season. Tsatsis, McCarthy,Halkias and Fedus each plan tocontinue their athletic careers onthe college level.

Along with the team awards,the athletic department honors twoathletes with school-wide athleteof the year awards. Seniors EilinPerez and Allison Donovan were

The Girls' Track team enjoys a nightof dancing at the SportsAwards dinner.chosen as the most outstandingmale and female athletes in theinterscholastic program.

by Benjamin Horowitz "As a freshman, I took a shot with my teammates." All threeThe Townsend Harris at fencing and never looked back. athletes showed great dedication

Athletics Communitygathered for It was an amazing experience for throughout their 12 seasons asthe 25th annual Athletic Awards me, as I made new friends and Hawks.Dinner and Dance on Wednesday, met a few Olympians. However, Thomas Tsatsis, KellynJune 9. the most important part was what McCarthy, Joseph Halkias, and

Donald Altman, Townsend I learned from fencing: how to Nicholas Fedus were four otherHarris' first athletic notable teamdirector, started the M V P s .tradition in 1985 Av e r ag i ngbecause he felt that 25 points athe school needed game, Tsatsisa night to celebrate drove theits athletic success. team to theTwenty-five years playoffs. Inlater, athletes, the playoffs,their coaches, and he broughta d m i n i s t r a to rs his best gamecontinue to celeb- and averagedrate the culmination 38 points aof the athletic year game. At thewith a night of end of theawards, dining and 2010 season,dancing. The Girls' Softballteam celebrates its season while honoring its members. T sat sis

When Mr. handle adversity, discipline, and became the second all-timeAltman started the Athletic dedication to whatever I put my leading scorer in THHS history,program, his goal was "to instill mind and heart to." scoring over 1500 points andthe concept that it is through Seniors TracyDimaculangan, dishing out over 300 assists.dedicated effort that success is Christopher Wang; and Brian Yee McCarthy has played a majorachieved." During the 2009-2010 were honored for completing role in the Swim team's successseason, 18out of24 eligible teams , 12 full semesters of Varsity for the past four years. In 2010,made it through to postseason Athletics. Wang was named MVPplay. In addition to team success of the Boys' Outdoor Track team.individual athletes also excelled in Dimaculangan and Wang helpedtheir sport. At the awards dinner, lead the Girls' and Boys' Outdooreach coach selected a player to and Indoor track teams, as wellreceive Most Valuable Player, as the Cross Country team. TheMost Improved Player, Rookie of Girls' Varsity Cross Country teamthe Year and Coach's awards. won the Queens Championship

Senior Captain Christopher and the Junior Varsity Team tookQuach was named MVP of the home the Queens ChampionshipFencing team. Quach has played for the 18th year in a row.a major role on the team since his Yee was named MVP of thefreshman year. Finishing with a Boys' Varsity Volleyball teamfour year regular season record of and was a member of the Varsity64 wins and 11 losses (16 wins and Indoor Track and Cross Country2 losses in 2010), Quach received Teams. "It is great that I wasthe 2010 PSAL Heisman Award able to participate in sports allas the best senior male fencer in 12 seasons of high school," heNew YorkCity. Quach is grateful said. "It feels really weird nowfor the opportunities fencing has that it's all over. I am grateful she received a gold medal in thebrought him the past four years. for the experiences I have shared' 100 yard breaststroke at the City

Top Hawk runners go the'distance at city championships

The Boys'and Girls' Track teams' 'strong seasons culminate at thePSAL CityChampionships.

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McEnerney.Freshman Katie Kang

accented her season by qualifyingfor the 1500-meter racewalkfinals at the City Championships,but put an exclamation point byactually placing highly in theevent. Seeded ninth at the startof the race, Kang methodicallyworked her way up the packand into within striking distanceof a medal. After a hard-foughtbattle with a fellow Lady Hawk,Kang edged past senior KristinaRodulfo to place sixth, earningher the final medal in the event.

"We both did our best atCities and I'm so proud of both ofour results. I was really surprisedat how much I improved fromindoor [season}. My goal fornext year is to get under eightminutes," said Kang. Kang's timeof 8 minutes and 16 seconds wasa personal record.

Despite not competing,captains Christopher Wang andTracy Dimaculangankept theirteammates in high spirits. SaidDimaculangan, "It was a pleasureto watch my team compete in itsfinal meet. " Wang echoed thesentiment, saying, "Itwas thrillingto see our athletes compete herewith the best in the city. To knowthat we have a place among theseathletes is something special."

and passed a few competitors onthe straightaway to finish secondin his heat. His time, just overone minute, was a shade over his

personal recordand good enoughfor 13th in thecity.

Junior KerryMcEnerney wasDaring's femalecounterpart onthe 400-meterintermediatehurdle circuit,starting in laneeight of her heat.Despite fallingbehind in themiddle of herrace, McEnerneypowered throughthe straightawayin whatcharacterized allHarris runners

on this day: a strongfinish. McEnerney finished sixthin her heat, and 16th overall in themeet with a time of one minuteand 12 seconds.

"On the final straightaway,even though I was so tired, Iknew everyone else was tiredtoo, so I just had to push throughand really fight during those lastfew meters to place better," said

one lap around the track whilehaving to clear various hurdles,there was no room for error. TheBoys' and Girls' teams each hada runner qualify for the event.Junior Emmanuel Daring wasin lane eight on the track. Afterencountering some early troubleclearing the first few hurdles,Daring turned on the afterburners

the last four years," said Smith.The 400-meter intermediate

hurdle race was hotly contestedon both the female and male sides.With the race consisting of only

200 meters of the race strong andpass a runner for eighth placeoverall.

"Itwas kind of a bittersweetfeeling. I was so happy that it wasmy last race of the season, but atthe same time it was sad becauseit would be the last time I wouldcompete as a high school athletewith all my friends that I met in

and the group behind her for halfthe race, she fell back, after herfourth lap and fell to ninth place,but she found whatever was leftwithin herself to finish the last

by Eilin PerezDespite strong gusts of wind

that engulfed the New York Cityarea, the Boys' and Girls' Trackteams competed at Icahn Stadiumin Randalls Island on June 6. Theteams went up againstthe best that the PublicSchools Athletic Leaguehad to offer, as athletesfrom all five boroughscame out in full force tocompete in the OutdoorTrack and Field CityChampionship.

Several Hawksrepresented theirhigh school and theirborough at the meet, asthey were among thosewho qualified for thechampionships basedon either the standardsset by the league, ortheir finishing place in aBorough Championshipevent.

Senior Amina Smithcompeted in the first runningevent of the meet, the 2000­meter steeplechase. Smith,seeded fourth in the only heat ofthe event, maintained her seedposition by staying in fourth placeafter her first two laps around the400-meter track at Icahn. Afterstraddling between the front pack