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The Student-Run Newspaper of Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

The Classic

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The Student-Run Newspaper of Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

The Classic

The Student-Run Newspaper of Townsend Harris High School at Queens College

The Classic

A JOKE? Last night, The Classic reported on the Steel Hawks' decision to name their robot after a viral video that discusses oral sex. Below, the editors-in-chief share their opinion on why the story merits serious attention.

EDITORIAL: Why we’re not laughing at the robotics’ coaches approval of the “Hawk Tuah” robot name

Last night, The Classic reported that the Steel Hawks Robotics team entered into the Hudson Valley Regional robotics competition on March 6 having named their new robot “Hawk Tuah” and having decorated...

The 2025 Steel Hawks robot bumper reads “SCORE ON THAT THANG” at the Hudson Valley Regional competition. The slogan, along with the original 2025 robot name (“Hawk Tuah”), are both references to a 2024 viral video that discusses oral sex. The team eventually removed the bumper slogan and changed the robot’s name.

Robotics coaches face criticism after team names 2025 robot after viral “Hawk Tuah” video that discusses oral sex

Yasmeen Ismail, Managing Editor April 6, 2025

When the Townsend Harris robotics team entered the Hudson Valley Regional robotics competition at Rockland Community College on March 6, they entered with a robot named Hawk Tuah. The name, as well as...

New schoolwide grading policy addressing the use of AI in student work

Schoolwide grading policy now expressly forbids use of AI without citation, but some look for loopholes

Krish Wadia, Breaking News Manager January 22, 2025

Earlier this school year, Assistant Principal of Pupil and Personnel Services Jessica Graf emailed students and families a copy of the 2024-2025 Schoolwide Grading Policy. The policy categorizes the use...

The White House behind a police barricade, as seen during a Classic overnight field trip to Washington, DC.

Would you date a MAGA supporter? As Trump takes office, survey shows partisan divisions hardening with regard to high school social life

Bridgette Jeonarine, Editor-in-Chief January 20, 2025

“I would never feel comfortable [dating] someone who has those views,” said a senior girl, speaking about supporters of Donald Trump, who was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States earlier...

Cell phones should not be banned in school as banning phones hinder students' educational benefits and communication.

EDITORIAL: The DOE Should Not Implement a Systemwide Cell Phone Ban

The Editorial Board September 26, 2024

Imagine being isolated from the outside world as soon as you step into the school building. With the possibility of a new cell phone ban being implemented, this may become an unfortunate reality for New...

Math teachers Abid Choudhury and Kayla Gill teach in an ICT math class.

“A model for special education in this city”: the ten-year story of how building a special education program transformed this top NYC school

In April 2014, the New York Daily News reported that parents at Townsend Harris High School were angry. The New York City Department of Education was pushing THHS to expand access to special education...

College flags line the walls in the guidance office.

How overturning Affirmative Action upended the admissions process, leaving a haze of uncertainty and anxiety for seniors awaiting admissions results

Aiden Clarke, Riya Chaudhry, and Ramon A. Rodriguez March 26, 2024

Last June, the United States Supreme Court ruled to end the use of Affirmative Action in college admissions. With a vote of 6-3, the court’s decision effectively upended over 50 years of precedent established...

The moment the Hawks won the Queens Championship on February 16.

Girls Varsity Basketball team makes THHS history as Queens champions, defeating Francis Lewis to take the title

Ramon A. Rodriguez February 19, 2024

On Friday, the Girls Varsity Basketball team won the Queens Borough Championship against Francis Lewis High School. At home in the THHS gym alongside a crowd of cheering Harrisites, the Hawks emerged victorious...

A senior hung the Palestinian flag near the school entryway on November 21.

After senior claims to be disciplined for hanging a Palestinian flag in front of school, tensions rise over political speech

Isabel Jagsaran, Carina Fucich, and Sadeea Morshed November 29, 2023

On Tuesday, November 21, a senior climbed part of the Townsend Harris entryway and hung a Palestinian flag. The next day, the student posted on social media that they “got expelled” for hanging the...

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