Vol. XII Issue 3 Harrison High School May 2008 HHS Welcomes Rep. Nita Lowey Casey Rabin Guest Writer Congresswoman Nita Lowey, health care, homeland security pre- tial election. a Democrat representing parts of paredness and national security. Con- Ms. Lowey, Westchester and Rockland counties, gresswoman Lowey also explained to fresh off an recently took time out from her busy students her role in Congress. She appearance tenth term in Congress to visit Har- serves on the House Appropriations on Meet rison High School. She spoke to an Committee. This committee wields The Press assembly of juniors and seniors in the great power through its ability to fund the previous new Performing Arts Center. During her foreign aide. This committee also funds weekend, visit, she discussed many different and other causes, such as HIV/AIDS and reiterated important issues facing our country and malaria research, and the preservation her support answered many questions. of natural resources, such as water. for her close Some of the issues discussed She is well known as a very effective friend of the were the importance of education, Congresswoman. past 16 Ms. Lowey answers student questions. Courtesy of JamiAnn Plekon After she spoke about issues fac- years, Senator Hillary Clinton. There attending a hearing or meeting with a ing our society today and her role and were other questions asked that were variety of political figures. accomplishments as Congresswomen not political, but personal. Junior Pat At the end of the assembly, stu- (for instance, Congresswoman Lowey Stiso asked, “What is the day in the life dents gave Congresswoman Lowey a was responsible in part for better food of a Congresswoman like?” Represen- standing ovation. Her visit proved infor- labeling), she accepted questions from tative Lowey was happy to describe her mative and interesting. Many students students. The students lined up at a mi- daily schedule, which involves getting with little prior knowledge of world poli- crophone, one by one, to ask personal up early to exercise and to read the pa- tics and events were able to listen and and political questions. Many ques- per and then, by eight in the morning, gain a better understanding of some issues facing our nation today. Michelle Henderson’s welcoming poster. tions involved the upcoming presiden- going off to work, which could involve Courtesy JamiAnn Plekon HPAC: The New And Improved Auditorium Taryn Brandes Features Editor While the revamped room doesn’t of the stage. These are long and intense ticipate in this activity. Now, everything in cancel each other out. To fix these major look drastically different, several changes beams of light that drastically amplify the the auditorium is accessible to everyone. problems, there are now baffles on the air were made to the space now referred to stage’s lighting. Additionally, a new lighting With the new control system and five new conditioner and heater to eliminate the as the Harrison Performing Arts Center booth was created in the hidden upstairs inches of control rigging, pipes are able to extraneous noises coming from these sys- (HPAC). As explained by Mr. Briem on a portion in the back of the auditorium. The be lowered for students to put up stage sets tems, and two ceiling clouds were added recent tour of the new space, it was appar- lighting inside the booth can be pre-cued and scenery for musical performances, as sound reflectors to break up the interfer- ent that the old auditorium had a number or done manually, as it is connected to and the lights and curtains can now be ence signals we had before. Additionally, of problems. Mr. Briem also explained the a PC system which controls the room’s operated by the students. Even the new wall treatment reflectors were added into incredible features of the new space, ones technology. lighting booth in the back of the auditorium the space. Mr. Briem explained, “These that have corrected the room’s previous In the old auditorium, placement can be student run. treatments are like speed bumps for sound. flaws and have shaped the auditorium of certain objects was dangerous, and Mr. Briem talked about how the They disrupt the sound pattern to remove into a truly high-functioning performance students were not able to use the equip- old auditorium had awful acoustics. The the speaking and singing cancellation, space. ment. In order to reach some of the old room’s sound was extremely jumbled, while enhancing the room’s sound.” The “Before, we nicknamed the audito- stage lights, people had to go up in power and the singing and talking onstage could sound is so great in the new auditorium rium the “one-size-fits-nobody” space,” Mr. lifts, so students could not actively par- barely be heard because the two would that in the school’s latest musical, Miss Briem said. While the original room Saigon, the orchestra didn’t use was used for purposes as diverse any microphones to help them as a place for music concerts, as out, and the orchestra’s sound an impromptu lecture hall, and even was the best it has ever been. as a projection movie theatre, the On top of this, there are twelve space itself was far from versatile. new wireless microphones, and a The space had been compromised new, wired-in-house soundboard so greatly that the auditorium simply which is invisible to the audi- did not work properly. ence. The sound board addition Mr. Briem made it clear that makes it possible for recordings the old auditorium’s three major to be produced within the room. flaws were its close-to-invisible light- This is a dramatic improvement, ing system, the disastrous sound considering the old room had the room produced, and the in- hazardous cables running across ability for students to work with the the floor. theater’s equipment. Before, there The new HPAC sports a was almost nothing to illuminate the variety of high-tech features that stage and the audience inside the remain unassuming to the out- auditorium. The one row of lights at side audience. For the first time the front of the stage made musical in the high school’s history, the productions, as well as band and auditorium’s space is not compro- chorus performances, extremely mised. It truly is now specifically ineffective. After the room’s renova- a theater and a concert hall. This tion, 96 new lamps of different styles specialty room will guarantee a and functions were placed all over bright and shining future for the the auditorium. For example, proper musical and instrumental life lighting, in the form of “suicide bars,” within Harrison High School. was added to the front and sides Officially initiating the new HPAC: from left to right, Dr. Pasqua, Louis DiFazio, Natalie Yubas, Garis Duma, Dr. Ruck, Kristy Wallace, Bert Dickinson, Mr. Wool, and Mr. Briem. Courtesy of Michael Hauer Prom Location Location 2008: Location Kelly Lavin Features Editor The definition is clear - Prom: a a frustrated senior class president, formal high school dance usually held Pam Yu. at the end of an academic year. Prom The phone call was from The can be the highlight of one’s senior Tarrytown House, finally returning year at Harrison High. The class of the countless emails, voicemails and 2008 has made great efforts to raise missed calls from members of the prom money in the hopes of making prom committee. A representative broke the night spectacular, affordable, and an news that The Tarrytown House would unforgettable experience. The senior not want to host the Harrison High class has earned an outstanding School Prom at their facility. Suddenly, amount through various fundraisers. the class of 2008 was left without a There were countless bake sales, two prom location. HHS Students lining up in style at last year’s prom. Powder Puff football games, and the Having been dropped by The Tar- annual junior auction, which was by rytown House, it looked like there was far the greatest success, bringing in little hope in finding a better location for around $28,000. prom – let alone any location at all. It Harrison Seniors With such an astounding amount was late in the year and every venue of money in the bank, it seemed inevi- seemed to be booked. However, the table that the class of 2008 was going prom committee then had a brilliant Choose Creatively, to have a perfect prom. A class-wide realization; the Ritz Carlton Hotel in vote was held in October to decide White Plains had barely opened up, the location. The committee (lead by and if they made their proposition im- Senior Class President Pamela Yu) mediately, there was a good chance it Get ultimately decided on The Tarrytown would be available. House, a beautiful estate and con- Luckily, the prom committee was ference center located just about 25 right, and the senior class of 2008 now minutes outside of Harrison. has what promises to be an amazing Arielle Lhotan After consulting representatives prom night. Yet, that doesn’t make up Graphics Editor at The Tarrytown House, the prom for being wronged by The Tarrytown If you could study anything for gram encourages students to pursue committee was ready to draw up a House- precisely why Harrison High six months, create your own program an area of interest that may also be contract and seal the deal for good. School has discussed suing the facility. and get a good grade for it, would you a career possibility in order to better “We had our foot in the door No one knows for sure how this lawsuit sign up? Every year about ten students prepare them for the future.