January 2011 Vol. 27No. 4
Townsend Harris High School at Queens College Respect for All asselllbly addresses bullying, LGBT issues
~ ~ ~ I:: ~ .s~ .Sl ~ Alumni of all ages relate their experiences with bullying and answer students' questions in the auditorium on January 21.
by Lory Martinez (Gus Haberstock, '89, among them,) asking what her. "I knew Townsend could be doing more to In an effort to raise awareness about cyber- the high school was doing in connection to the create a'safe space, so we started SAGES and it bullying and discrimination, several alumni topic ofLGBT awareness, and bullying overall,"- was about not--tolerating intolerance," she said. came to speak at a Respect for All assembly in said Ms. Odom. Tom Postilio, Class of '88, said his coming out the auditorium on January 21. Tanya Odom, Co- Alumni who had dealt with discrimination experience was not easy either, and that though it chair of the Alumni Association, organized the and bullying spoke at the Respect For All was difficult, 20 years later, his family supports assembly because of recent attention given in the assembly. The alumni spoke openly about how his decision. "It was a process, but it got better media to teen suicides caused by bullying~ -- - -bullying has changed since they were in high every passing year," he said. "We all realized that we wanted to connect school. Marla Lemonik, Class of '99 and co Ms. Lemonik also addressed the change with the high school to 'do something.' We also founder of SAGES, told a story of a friend who in forms of bullying. She said, "It is far easier then received e-mail messages from some alumni came out and how difficult people made it for to bully someone when they're not in front of continued on page 3 Harris Feud to raise funds benefiting the homeless by Rupeshi Shah the Homeless' thousands of clients. With "On a cold rainy night this past housing, job training, emergency food, October, a series of large boxes are crisis intervention, and youth programs, tucked in the darkness on the top step of the Coalition rescues men, women, and a church in midtown Manhattan. This is children from poverty. The organization where Robbie lives. He is waiting for the not only helps the homeless survive but Coalitions Grand Central Food Program also provides them with a support system van, As it arrives with hot meals, Robbie to better their lives. and the other men who sleep in front The Consultative Council has selected of the church finish putting their boxes the Coalition to be the recipient of together for the night. Their goal is to 100% of the proceeds from Harris Feud, create a tight seal to keep the body heat Harris's second annual game-show-style in. " (Client Stories, Coalition for the fundraiser. Homeless website) Since the recent worsening of the Robbie is one of the Coalition for economic recession, the number of New Feature: Club Spotlight INSIDE: continued on page 3 · see pa1e 6
Huckleberry Finn MLIT Robotics teams de'lmtl review controversy page4 pageS p page4 > 2 OPINION sound off!
Boys' Bathroon1 Vandalisn1 Respect for All Some people may enjoy bathroom humor, but there is nothing funny There's no way to measure respect- or to define it, for that about a broken toilet. matter. But mere observation will tell you that at Townsend Harris, During the week of January 17, an unknown student or group of stu we generally respect one another. It's built into our systems. dents vandalized one of the boys' bathrooms. This person tore the toilet So at the Respect For All assemblies on January 21, it was for the disabled from the wall, creating a flood, and littered the floor with easy for many to feel disconnected from the subject at hand. The paper products. The Classic asks: what was the point? If this vandalism was a sign of hostility towards Townsend Harris, then alumni on stage shared touching stories about their struggles, it was ill-directed. There are appropriate channels for addressing whatev but even they acknowledged that our school isn't a place where er problems one may have with the school, such as Consultative Council bullying runs rampant. Although we have all inevitably felt meetings, The Classic, and the Department of Education (DOE). Damag victimized or ostracized at some point in our lives - some of us ing school property instead of utilizing these resources is the equivalent more than others, unfortunately- we don't spend our days living of throwing a temper tantrum like a three-year-old rather than discussing in fear of being who we are. the matter like an adult. Ruining a bathroom does not prove any point, Interspersed among audience members in the auditorium that except that the perpetrator needs to return to kindergarten to learn basic day were students and faculty wearing shirts declaring, "I AM respect for others' property and how to control one's emotions. GAY." The shirts aren't declaratory; they are an expression of Besides being an indicator of extreme immaturity, this crime is not solidarity with the LGBT population. People at Townsend Harris appreciated by anyone. It adversely affected many whom it was prob barely blinked an eye when the shirts first surfaced. Would such ably not intended to harm. It caused all boys' bathrooms to be closed for a non-reaction happen in most other places? Probably not. several days after the incident. The male students who were unable to We are incredibly lucky to attend such a school - but this use the lavatories certainly did not appreciate this. The custodians, who means that we are also incredibly sheltered. The Respect For had to clean up the mess, did not, either. Moreover, Harris students are All presentations facilitated by the alumni, and the discussions lucky to attend a school with well-kept facilities, where crimes such as that followed in the library, were compelling reminders that vandalism and destruction of property are usually not issues and where respect isn't always the norm in our world. As people who the bathrooms are usually fairly clean. To create difficulties where there embrace all cultures, religions, and sexual orientations, we need are none is to needlessly harm the experiences of other students and to to make a lifelong commitment to celebrating our differences. demonstrate a complete lack of thankfulness for the opportunities one has We commend the Alumni Association and SAGES for this much been given. Whoever is responsible can rest assured that this destruction needed reminder. of a perfectly good bathroom has not garnered him/her any respect or Out of all the people in the world, we're probably among admiration from other Harrisites. those with the smallest need for assemblies like these. But by All of the boys' bathrooms are now open and will remain open. The the very same token, we need them more than anybody else. We Classic commends the administration for deciding to reopen them, even while the vandal remains unknown. are the ones who can and will make acceptance the rule, not the Thankfully, the necessary repairs will not cost Harris anything. How exception. ever, they will take money out of the already too-small budget of the DOE. This senseless vandalism has been nothing but detrimental, and has served only to prove that, sadly, some students have no gratitude for what has been given to them.
Retraction Dear Ms. Seidel, It upsets me to find myself misquoted in the most recent edition of The Classic. The Classic goes to great efforts to ensure the accuracy of What I said to the interviewer was, "I think that the mayor's barber should perform our reporting. We regret that Ms. Wallace was misquoted his next surgery," not "neck surgery." While my tone might have been "tongue in and offer our apologies. We also recognize that "neck" cheek," or harsh, I certainly did not mean that Mayor Bloomberg should be de and "next" are nearly phonetically identical, especially capitated, as some readers interpreted my statement. Please make it clear to your when the prior is followed by a word beginning with "s." readers that I continue to be the pacifist I have always been who is very concerned We hope that this error will not harm anyone's faith in the about the future of public education in the United· States and particularly in New paper, and that such a mix-up won't happen again. York City. -Rebecca Seidel Thank You! Editor-in-Chief Georgette Wallace Teacher of English IDITO&::IN..CHIEF Rebecca 5eidel ADVISOR Caroline Cross The Classic is an open forum NEWS EDITOR R.upeshi Shah PRINCIPAL Kenneth Bonamo FEATURE EDITOR Haylrey Desmond for the expression at stu COPY EDITOR Tracey Wang Townsend H he Classic January 2011 Alunmi share experiences with bullying, answer questions continued from page 1 and Franco Scardino, social studies teacher and this school had to listen to the truth. It's a great your face. There's no safe space on Facebook or SAGES advisor, made sure to tell Harrisites to thing that this school isn't filled with ignorance ... Myspace." Mr. Postilio added, "[Technology] is wear their "I AM GAY" t-shirts from the cam- but the truth is, many of the students across the a platform for people to create mischief." paign organized earlier this year. / country are being targeted Patricia Maloney, Class of 2000 and co "Our main thing was to sup- {;People are looking at [bul- for who they are. Besides founder of SAGES, who now studies social is port," said Sheryl. lying] as a behavior -rather the fact that we learned to sues, said, "people are looking at [bullying] as Junior Klaudia Koziol said, th "d t"ty Th th" be thankful for the situ- a behavior rather than an identity. The thing is, "I t h ough t th e assembl y was . an an 1 en 1 . e . tng a t.Ion we are m,. 1.t was a now people are paying attention." good, in that it gave a personal IS, now people are paymg wake-up call from the Students ·and teachers were able to speak insight into the experiences for- attention. Ephebic Oath and alumni with the visiting alumni in the library during mer Townsend Harris students -Patricia Maloney, Class of 2000 to change the situation lunch bands. had with bullying. However, I surrounding others," Current SAGES President Sheryl Rivas at felt as though it focused on the LGBT communi- "I think we all are excited that we were a part tended the sessions and spoke with the SAGES ty a bit much, and it was hard for some students of this important program, and feel good about founders. "Ms. Lemonik told me they met early to relate to." creating something that can be sustainable. We in the mornings. They made it a priority, and to "It was a great assembly ... and it was a neces- are looking forward to next year!" said Ms. me, that was amazing," she said. sary one," said senior Alice Kim. "With the rise Odom. In the spirit of Respect for All day, Sheryl of bullying and anti-gay messages, students in Giving Back: SU to donate proceeds to Coalition for the Homeless continued from page 1 crisis services, youth services, and long-term solu ter to people in developing nations. homeless families sleeping in New York City's shel tions. The crisis services, including the Grand Central SU vice president Karina Hernandez says that ters has reached its highest point. The Coalition for Food Program, assist those requiring immediate re teachers and students are eager to participate in these the Homeless is the nation's oldest advocacy and di lief. Every night, 1,000 meals are served to homeless fundraisers. rect service organization helping these people. For and low-income individuals and families throughout "When they find out where the proceeds are go over 25 years, the organization has put into action Manhattan and the Bronx. Youth services, including ing, they want to attend," she said. humane and cost~effective strategies to end mass Bound For Success after-school and summer day More information on the Coalition's programs homelessness in New York City. camp programs, engage homeless children in activi and clients can be found at coalitionforthehomeless.org. Student Union president Aquib Yacoob said, ties that promote healing and empowerment. Long The story on the website concludes: "what makes the Coalition special is that it does not term solutions address housing and employment is "For men and women like Robbie, the food, simply provide basic necessities, but helps rebuild sues by providing job skills and stable homes. clothing, and compassion of every day New Yorkers lives." Aquib found the organization through its The Consultative Council chose this organization provided by the Grand Central Food Program does mission statement, which he admired because of its to keep their help within a local range. Proceeds from not just help them survive - it offers them a daily con promise "not to just sustain life but to improve it." last year's Jeopardy fundraiser went to Charity: Water, nection to a support system offering a real chance at The Coalition has developed various programs in a non-profit organization bringing clean drinking wa- a better life. " Barsamian earns Semifinalist title in Intel Science Talent Search by Rebecca Seidel under the mentorship of Dr. Kurt De while," he said. "I Senior Anthony Barsamian was genhardt, and concluded his research saw myself evolv one of300 Semifinalists selected from in September. ing over the sum 1, 7 44 contenders nationwide in this "[Dr. Degenhardt] was an invalu mer from a person year's Intel Science Talent Search, able source of information, and he with little lab expe a science research competition for helped me throughout all stages of my rience to a person high school seniors. He did not rank project," said Anthony. "In school, with hours of train among the 40 Finalists. Ms. Brustein and Mr. Porzio spent a ing under his belt. Anthony's research focused on lot of time helping me edit my paper. Along the way, I programmed cell death, and involved I could not have done this without the gained valuable extensive lab work conducted on the help of all these people." lessons of commit cells of mice. "By understanding how Anthony found out he was a ment, dedication, and why cells die, we can further our Semifinalist on January 12, when the and, of course, hard knowledge of the specific diseases Semifinalists' names were posted on work." these processes deal with," he ex the Intel Science Talent Search web Mr. Porzio noted plained. site (societyforscience.org/STS). that Anthony ''was As an award for his research ef "When I came across my name dedicated to writing forts, Anthony will receive a thousand on the list, I was so surprised that I the best paper pos dollars from Intel. Intel will also re checked to see if there was an error. sible for all compe ward Townsend Harris with a grant There wasn't. At that point, I was so titions." He added, .!:; ~ of $1,000 on Anthony's behalf. The overcome with excitement that I could "I look forward to money will be put towards new lab no longer sit at the computer. I had his future success, ~:::: equipment. to get up and walk around the room and the future suc ~ ~ "I am extremely proud that An a couple of times until I regained my cess of all the senior 'o> thony has won the Intel award; his senses," he recalled. research students, in ~ ~ research was carried out at the post The names of the 40 Finalists NYCSEF [the New ;:; 8 graduate level," said Susan Brustein, were announced on January 26. In York City Science .2 Assistant Principal of Math, Science, March, those students' research proj and Engineering c ______. .... aa .. .- ~~~~~~~~~~------· ~ and Technology. "The findings of his ects will go on for final judging in Fair] and JSHS [the Senior Anthony Barsamian was an Intel Semifinalist this year. research on the role ischemia plays in Washington, D.C., competing for a Junior Science and Hu- tumor development will inform future total of $630,000 in awards. The top manities Symposium]." am also extremely proud of the work cancer studies." winner will receive $100,000 from This is the 21st Intel award won of all of the members of the Science Anthony worked on his project the Intel Foundation. by a Harris Science Research student faculty. We continue to provide an throughout his junior year, as a mem Even though he didn't move on to since 2001, according to Ms. Brust- outstanding science education to all ber of Philip Porzio's Science Re the final round, Anthony said it was ein. In addition to her pride in the of our students, despite the severe search elective class. He conducted worth the effort. "I would definitely work of Anthony and the other Sci- budget cuts we have sustained." lab research at St. John's University, say that the time I spent was worth- ence Research students, she said, "I news/feature------_ SAGES tnovie screening · ·· · · ·· ,. . highlights issues of homophobia by Geoffrey Yip commented. Straight and Gays Educating Students Diana Malec, senior, stated, "I wasn't (SAGES) focused the continuing struggle aware of how involved the church was in of the LGBT community at a movie Proposition 8. I don't understand why screening in the auditorium on January people care so much about who loves 20. whom. Why can't the Mormon church The first documentary, Bullied, focus on things that are truly destroying showed the middle and high school years our society like murderers and real of openly gay student Jamie Nabozy, crimes?" ·- :1 ' ' •• - , .·, h I" . . ~., _ . who was harassed by his peers to the The Amnesty International club was -Toi:!~f, I tOt!n'f:l Huckleberry Finn controversy triggers ongoing discussion by Emma Court Finn into a single volume :vith The Huckleberry Finn has to be taught which teaches kids the wrong things," The word "nigger" is a historically Adventures of Tom Sawyer. One of with sensitivity by a capable teacher, in K yra said. Junior Richie Bonilla felt and emotionally charged word, but Gribben's motives for publishing an context. Ms. Biener herself tries to put that the 'nigger' -less Huckleberry what's causing a maelstrom of media edited version ofHuckleberry Finn was the issue into perspective by combining Finn should be sold with some sort of attention right now is the absence of how problematic the n-word could be the reading of Twain's novel with a indicator that it is a censored version. the n-word in a new edition of Mark in the classroom. One ofhis daughter's collateral in which her students read He noted, "The whole point is that the Twain's classic The Adventures of friends was African-American, and slave narratives. Ms. Biener noted that book is antislavery. You see how slaves Huckleberry Finn. hated Huckleberry Finn. although she personally hates and is are treated through that word." The edited version, setto be released Senior Rianne Bonito commented, bothered by then-word, "We shouldn't "You're supposed to feel in February, changes then-word to the "I was the only black kid in class. run away from things that upset us." uncomfortable when you read that word word "slave." Nationwide, authors, Hearing the word was uncomfortable." Susan Getting, Assistant Principal because it has a terrible history," junior professors, Twain scholars and just Rianne added that she still enjoyed of the Humanities, continued much Laurie Beckoff said. "You're supposed plain old opinionated people have reading Huckleberry Finn and feels the in the same vein: "Huckleberry Finn to remember how offensive and racist spoken out against the new version. changes "degrade" the book. She feels is representative of a time period and people were, and not do it again." Townsend Harris faculty members that "nigger" is "probably the most a way of thinking. It's part of history, Paramjeet Kaur, junior, defended and students are no different, in many important word in the book," saying, culture, the real world. So let kids read the edits. cases condemning the revisions made "I wouldn't buy the new version." about it, discuss it, "If they to Twain's novel. Other students of all ra~es simply and learn from it." rou're supposed to feel un- censor the The idea for an edited version of feel uncomfortable reading "nigger" "That's the comfortable when you read book, they're Huckleberry Finn began with Alan out loud-the word appears in the very definition of that word because it has a not banning the Gribben, an English professor at book over two hundred times. Senior an education: to "bl hi , original copy. Auburn University in Montgomery, Alexandra Embleton remembers that walk out thinking, tern e story: . . This gives people Alabama, who was concerned that the when reading out-loud in class, "people being moved," -Laune Beckoff, Jumor. the option to book wasn't being read enough due to skipped over [then-word]. They just got English teacher choose one. For the presence of the n-word. Gribben to it and didn't know whatto say." "I'm Rafal Olechowski added. people who don't read it because of the believed that readers should have a less not afraid to say it," she said, stating Students at Townsend Harris word, now they have the chance," she offensive alternative, telling Publishers that the reluctance to do so "makes it a seemed to agree for the most part with said. Weekly that "for a single word to form bigger issue." ideas raised by the faculty. Junior Kyra Perhaps the controversy is a barrier ... seems such an unnecessary At Townsend Harris, where many Leeds equated the edits to "not learning best resolved by comedian Steven state of affairs." Gribben worked with a juniors read the book during the first about the Holocaust in Germany" and Colbert, who addressed the censorship publishing company called NewSouth term of junior year, many English believes that the removal of then-word by asking, "Why bother? It's taught Books to produce this edition, which teachers discussed the edited version "gives it more power." "It's the South in high school. As long as the n-word also changes the word "Injun" to with their classes. Judy Biener and trying to erase their past. But you can't doesn't appear in the Cliff Notes, "Indian" and combines Huckleberry her classes settled upon the idea that just erase racism, it's erasing history, you're all good." ------news The Classic Robotics teatns gear up for contes January 2011 -~ hy Lory Martinez On top of the world: With fewer than four weeks ldl until the competition, the Gote "HAuks" (Au repre January's Top 5 events sents the atomie symbol for gokt) and the in world news Steel Hawks are working around the dock in partnership with theAmnestr tntermmonal dub to send their bots to tl:te finals at the US Aquib Yacoob,president FIRST competiMB this Match. Tlle LOGOMOTION competition in volves creating two large robots that witt Protesters meg,pt demand Gha~~~e pkk up play pieces and place them on pegs Folowing the overthrowiflg of the "lbmsian within an allotted time. At the end of the gowmmem:, tens of thousands of Egyptians time period, the bots have to deliver mini have begun to protest and 'tb demand that the hots up a pole in order to gais extra pcints. country•s president. Hosni Mubamf<. step clown. «tt>s a lot of work. but it's necessary," In reaction to this upset. Mubarak ordered his 1said senior team member Brandon 0' Shea. government to resign, b\K did not step down c:! ·~e need to work tlle best [we can.] with our hitnself, instead appointing mifitary otadals to t- tiine." his cabinet. The government has disabled mobile When the season starts, each team re j' comFRUAicatioas and tnternet access wdhm -t' ceives a stat1darttizeti kit of parts alter the lgypt in an attempt to prevent protesters from s year's game is annowtced. .Mler that day, { each team has exactly six weeks to buid a organizing themselves. The Egyptian poke havca robot to play the game" acoordiag to &e US ·used tnethods such as tear gas. rubber bullets, FIRST competition website. and wa:ter camtons to deter tbe protesters. The ··stl:ldents stay late every day, until at story eotttin'f..leS to clevetop. k(l(/s the teum in eOJtStruct$ng the1r bot. least 6 PM. Weeken.ds ~from 10 AM to 6 PM bot! days,~~ said. advisor and team coach Tuni$ian pvernment overttarewn Philip Jones. "It just shows that when people here eotnntit, they really com:m.it. They are just dynamite The fall of the Tunisian government forcecl Zine to be a«>Ulld." El Ab:icfme Ben Ali. dictator of the country for As the competition draws closer, the twc Harris teantS are working on programming their robots 23 years. into exile in Saudi Arat:»a. Human fichts to send to US F1RST by February 22, the sbippmg deadlme~ •~We've put togetlter a basic chassis, as~ abuses and economic harehips Co1Krtbuted to sembled oor drive-train, anci set up our basic control system ami 0ketronics, wllich &asicalfy llle9JI[S the downfall of 1\l.ts regime. The current Tunisian we have a rutlJi.ling robot f.tlat drives but does nothing else;" uad senior Zachary Temk.in, Robotics Oub president and captain of the boys • team.. "'This weekertd. we aoi'ually started t0 assemb'le a toW« which p.emmenthas put out aft mteroational warrant wiLl have a sort of arm thing attached to i!t that can move u, and down and pick tlhings u,p." for nis arrest on charges of corruption and 1'J.m is the h year that Harris ha$ an al1 girls team, Biology teacher Sva Oberlander is a coach. enricmnghimsetfatthepubtic expen&e~Pr~rs for tne Gold HAuks. "lfs a big challenge because it's my first year, but at t'De same time, it's fun,. lcs have chalteapd tl:te current government as well. nice to see the girls work together," she said. "l.t's interesting b~ ustlally I'm the teacher, but in on the basis that several of Be.n Ali's former t:Ws case, I'1n the stud.eat. 1'm learning.,. officials bold teadersmp positions in it. Sophomore Lama O'Shea, co-captain of the girl's team, said, ''It's a really big cotn.mittnent. k s really :Am, but ii"ust:rating \)ecause of the time constmirm'' Co-captain Kltwc:iia Kwasnik, seaior, said, "'Baby Doc" Duvaller returRS ta Haiti ·•1•m reafly exdted about this year. It's great to have girls working on their own robot. When people jean-Claude ·~Baby Doc'' Duvalier's surprise think of .Robotics. they tiink of it as more of a guy thing. But we're going to prove them wrong. ·• site said. return to Haiti ea.rikw this month has stirred Ahu:nail,i and pareats have helped the teattl8 make progress by btittging their expertise to the com great controversy as the country t.lf'ldergoes a petition. Sophomore Juliet Monclova's father and~ ~lave come in and giveB advice on en wrbulent election.. DuvaJier was forced into gineering and design. ..They go home and they sit down, think up diagrams. and help us work with .cle in 1986 after IS years of dictatorship. He primitive programs," sai Glamour Gals and Gallants bring smiles to elderly by Catherine Moskos Painting nails and sharing stories may seem like activities found at a teenage slumber party, but one club is bringing them into a different realm: community service. GlamourGals is a national nonprofit organization with a mission of giving beauty makeovers to elderly women in senior citizen homes while offering companionship. Rachel Doyle, the founder and CEO of GlamourGals, started the foundation to honor her grandmother when she was 17 years old. Rachel has said, "Each time I visit a local makeover .. . and feel the squeeze of a woman's frail hand after I say, 'you look beautiful,' I know how special this program is." Gaby Campoverde, co-president of Harris's 1!"' chapter of the GlamourGals, which is called Glamour ~ Gals and Gallants, has worked to revive the club c ~ after a period of inactivity. She said, "I joined this a club as a freshman, but the club was canceled during .5- my sophomore year because no progress was being c3 made. During my junior year, I saw the club's name 'o ~ on a list of the after school activities. I figured I had ~:s some experience, I was dedicated to the cause, and 8 decided to take it from there." .9 ~ Glamour Gals and Gallants has raised funds c:.. to support itself by selling "boo grams" and other similar items, messages delivered to friends or staff Sophomore Glamour Gals lillian Burke and Irene Chung give a manicure. members with a free piece of candy. The proceeds go towards beauty supplies and other necessary items. students can influence their [senior citizens'] day, anything else," said Katarzyna Endler, sophomore. As a Valentine's Day fundraiser, the club plans to sell but a lot of them have smiles on their faces after we Anna Di Tommaso, sophomore, said, "Senior daisies with lollipops. leave," saidAndroniqi Kurtezi, sophomore. "We help citizens often are abandoned and have to struggle to "I've seen these We help them them and they help us, too. Listening to live day-to-day. I can't imagine my own grandma all girls grow and their stories is always interesting." alone, so I try to do my part." become more and and they help US, too." "You never know what to expect Nushrat Mostaque, freshman, said, "I get to do more dedicated to -Androniqi Kurtezi, sophomore when spending time with these elderly other people's nails, which I love to do, while helping helping others, and women. You learn so much about their people out. What more in a club could you ask for?" I admire them for lives, and they learn from you," said co Glamour Gals and Gallants meets in Room 635 that," commented English teacher Raquel Chung, the president Carolina Cabrera. on Wednesdays. The club's next event outside of club's advisor. "Glamour Gals means so much to me. Most ofthe school is at Atria Senior Living on February 9. "It might not seem like a few high school people are so happy to see the Glamour Gals corning. They really love seeing the happy faces more than Glee Club unites voices every Tuesday afternoon by Ella Leviyeva Santos, with science teacher Philip t;nyself freely and be who I truly a student, and took voice lessons in Singers gather around the Porzio as advisor, the club joins am. It's the only place that I can college. piano, learn lyrics, and figure out singers together and provides them sing without being judged, because People often mistakenly harmonies as a group at meetings with a creative outlet. we are whole." associate the name "Glee Club" of Glee Club, the school's new Sophomore Alexis Martinez, With low attendance at meetings, with the FOX hit television show a capella group. Co-founded by a member of the club, said, "Glee the club encourages new members to Glee. However, Glee did not have seniors Chelsey Pellot and Elaiza Club is somewhere I can express join. Originally, Chelsey and Elaiza any influence on the club. "It's planned to audition each member unfortunate that we were called Glee for acceptance. Elaiza explained, Club; we're more of an a cappella "There were 60 names on our sign club," said Mr. Porzio. up sheet, but because of the small Glee Club is working on a amount that actually attended, couple of songs to perform at Harris we accepted_ them all without an Feud, the school's second annual audition. The members are really game show fundraiser. good, so it wasn't a problem." "We're focusing more on "This club is a means of self performing rather than competing," expression," said Mr. Porzio. "It said Chelsey. "We may enter helps people who have similar competitions in the future, but interests develop friendships and since we're a new club, I think we build confidence. A lot comes out of need more time to grow and learn joining, and we encourage people to together before we start competing come." against other groups." ~ Chelsey said, "Mr. Porzio is Elaiza added, "We are just ~ without a doubt the most suitable trying to test things out for now. l advisor for the Glee Club. Most It will be a while before we get as ~ people don't know this, but he sings far as competing, but hopefully that ~ and plays the guitar, so it helps that will be an option in the future." c ~ he actually has some experience." Glee Club meets on Tuesdays in Mr. Porzio was in a band as a the music room on the second floor. teenager, sang in school choruses as Spider-Man:Turn Down the Hyp·e •••i"' .11 .. E -Jaimary 2011 by Freddy Millan Jr. A Numerous accidents and injuries have sparked rather large public intrigue artSlerzterta·i1z1nen l concerning the new musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. Despite these problems, the show has been continuing nightly preview performances at the Brain exhibit at"m ~u:se·um Foxwoods Theatre as its opening date on Broadway, now said to be March 15, approaches. The show itself, however, may not be worth all of the attention. The musical follows nerd Peter Parker, played by the rock tickles the cere:bellum band Carney's lead singer Reeve Carney, who gets bitten by J\ ,1 by lla:}!ley Desmond a spider that gives him his powers. As Spider-Man he late~· . ·.· /· /. ;·.. \' .. .·' A chorus. of ..(;)Oh"s and '~ah'h"s arises as a erowd enters the defeats the Green Goblin, played by Patrick Page, a /:; ·. ·· , / \ Gmik r'00Uil. B'l:aetly what captivates them is tteoatab:le; it coouild scientist who was mutated while trying to alter human · ,,.< ,/ \ he the wir BAllO•·· 8 The Classic January 2011 and finL~-v -~ drives during the halftime break. Weeks was frustrated with the slow start. "We did not have any energy at the start of the game and we didn't pick it up until the final few minutes. We really have to work on finishing at the basket especially on !:! breakaways. We ·~ have to capitalize £: ~ on turnovers," .5 he said. With the .l team only down ~ ~ by two at the half, .s ~ they had plenty of 0 time to tum things ~ around. Seniors Nicholas Nehaul, Eddie Caraccioli, and David Weeks put in a team effort to rebound. The third and fourth The Hawks successfully contained Hawks'27. quarters featured nice plays from each Law Enforcement's three biggest The Hawks shot 11-27 from the team, and the game was very close offensive threats. They held each of free throw line, forty percent as a going into the final minutes. With the Leopards' top three scorers on team for the game. less than ten seconds left the Hawks the season, Elijah Askew, William After the game, Nehaul commented, were down five. Sophomore Connor Raiford and Dymere Carson under "I think we rely too much on our height Doyle got the ball at half court and hit ten points. All three of the guards had for rebounds. We need to box out much a miraculous soaring shot from forty been averaging eight and a half points better. And free throw shooting has five feet away. The Hawks' last stand a game or more. been a problem with us for the past came too late in the game, and as the The Hawks were out-rebounded couple of years. We are making a final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard throughout the game and the Leopards conscious effort to correct both areas read 53-50 in favor of the Leopards. finished with 50 rebounds to the in practice." Daring enough? Track captain sets new school record by Joshua Solomon competition is intense and the crowd is six school varsity records, including February 13 - the boys' team's next and Track captain Emmanuel Daring, very loud!" team relays, along with one freshman final full team race of the season. senior, set a school indoor track record Coach George Rio agrees about the record and five sophomore records. "The boys have an outside chance at the New Balance Games on January high competition at the meet. He said, Daring does hold one freshman to finish in the Top 3. It will take a 22. At the Armory Track, Daring broke "We come here to compete against record but no sophomore records. Now, team effort to do so, but usually we his previous time for the 200 meter them and to get better." he co-holds four varsity records. do. Historically, everyone runs their race with a new time of 23.3 seconds. Last year, Daring tied the school's "It's still hard to believe it. In my personal bests, and that's all you can All members of the boys' indoor track 200 meter record set by John Kim in mind, Vaughan will always be faster ask for," Rio concluded. team competed at the New Balance 2003 and tied by as well by David than me, but now he's not," Daring Daring said, "I expect to win two track meet. Vaughan in 2009 with a time of 23.9 said with a grin. out of my three events, the 300 and the This track meet is one of the seconds. Since Indoor Track last year, Coach Rio also recognized his 600 [rpeter]. I'm hoping to break the biggest ones the boys' team races each Daring has been trying to break the captain's achievement, saying, "I was school record, because it might be the year. In contrast to the regular PSAL, record he says he once thought he very glad to see Manny break the last time I run the 600." the New York City teams they race this would never touch. record in the 200 meter. Last year he This determination has driven both meet are among teams from across the Daring stated, "I always felt I was tied it, and this year he broke it." the team and Daring himself. Northeast. a sprinter ... But in my freshman and Concerning his team's performance "I'm happy I got the record but I'm Track teams from Pennsylvania sophomore years, Vaughan was still at the meet, Coach Rio stated, "The not happy with the way I got it," said and Massachusetts, among other Vaughan. I compared my times to his freshmen and sophomores ran very Daring, referring to having a slow heat states, competed and cheered on times: mine were good but his were well, and it's good for the future." This to run with and having a false start by a their teammates. At the meet, senior great." future includes both the next few years competitor during the race, Muhammad Shoaib observed, "The Vaughan currently co-holds at least and the Queens Championship race on 2/9/11 Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Flushing HS @ 'Flushing 2/10/11 Boys Varsity Basketball vs. The Scholars Academy @THHS 2/13/11 Boys & Girls Varsity Track Queens Borough Championships @The Annory 2/25/11 Boys & Girls Varsity Track City Championships @ The Armory 3/1111 Girls Junior Varsity Basketball vs. Springfield Gardens@ THHS