On March 23, Townsend Harris High School held its annual accepted student open house, led by faculty members and student volunteers. This event provided the incoming class of 2030 and incoming sophomore transfer students with the opportunity to tour the building and explore the various academic teams, clubs, and sports teams offered at THHS. 

Assistant Principal of Pupil Personnel Services Shikira Chang coordinated the event, connecting the guidance department, members of the administration, faculty members, and student volunteers.

Ms. Chang said that the event was meaningful to her because “it marks both [her] first year in an administrative role and [her] introduction to the THHS community.” She said that “Drawing from last year’s materials provided a helpful foundation, and once I acquainted myself with the structure, I worked closely with small teams across departments to coordinate logistics.”

Coordinator of Student Activities Jaime Baranoff assisted with organizing the student volunteers and the “student side of things.” She said she enjoys talking to families and answering parents’ questions. “One of the things I always say is that the kids in the school are really kind, nice, open, and welcoming…and that everybody sort of finds a place to fit in,” Ms. Baranoff said. “There’s something for everybody…I hope that [the students] leave at the end of the open house feeling like this is sort of a warm…and welcoming place.” 

Prospective freshman Nicholas Kent said that he appreciated the self-guided organization of the open house and noted that it was different from other high school open houses he had attended. “It feels more like you’re going to the classrooms, and then the classrooms are ready for you to go into, whereas in other open houses, someone’s leading you around. But this way you can kind of choose what you’re interested in,” he said.

For Nicholas, the high school application process was “pretty stressful,” because of the essay and video requirement. However, he said, “I think it was worth it” because he “knew a lot about the school…[and] that it was a really good place.” Nicholas added that he is looking forward to joining clubs like public forum debate and fostering new connections.

Gallery • 7 Photos

Ryan Chen

Accepted students and their families are greeted by current students as they take part in the Open House.

The open house allowed families to see not just the physical aspects of THHS, but the deeper value of the community. 

“At its core, the event was designed to offer prospective students and their families an authentic sense of what it means to be part of the THHS community,” Ms. Chang said. “We aimed to create an environment that was not only informative, but also inviting and reflective of our school’s culture.”

Parent Michael Pancheri said, “I like the [physical] building…but the building is not what makes the school; the students and the teachers make the school.”

Mr. Pancheri said he hopes for his daughter to experience a high school journey where “she figures out who she is, makes friends with a lot of good people who are really hardworking and smart, and ends up on the right track towards college.”

Student volunteers were tasked with different roles, including cheerleading, welcoming guests, ushering attendees into the auditorium, representing student activities at booths, and assisting in clearing hallway traffic.

Sophomore SU Executive-at-Large Tajrian Noor spoke about the Student Union’s role in planning the event. She said, “We sent out the Google Forms for the volunteers [to] sign up for [the open house], and then we…organized [the volunteers]…, making sure the entire process actually goes smoothly.”

Junior Krish Wadia, DECA Vice President of Membership, said that students at the open house were “excited to hear more” about DECA. “I think a big part of high school and extracurriculars is getting kids into public speaking, teaching them…how to talk to real adults and propose their ideas, even if they’re half baked.”

Ms. Baranoff said she thought the event, overall, “went pretty smoothly” due to Ms. Chang’s planning in advance and student cooperation. 

Although it was Ms. Chang’s first year planning the open house, Ms. Baranoff said, “I thought [Ms. Chang] really did a great job and a graceful job.”  She added, “All the students who participated did a really nice job. I thought it was a nice event.”