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

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Students working at the summer Writers Academy retreat.
Writers Academy summer enrichment program welcomes Class of 2029 students
August 7, 2025
No more smart phones in the cafeteria, according to new regulations.
In NYC, coming “cell phone ban” will also apply to personal electronic devices like laptops, tablets, and smartwatches, updated chancellor’s regulation says
August 5, 2025
This fall, students will be completing a summer reading assignment in class due to AI concerns.
Written summer reading assignment for all grades to be entirely in-class this fall
August 4, 2025
English teacher Ryan Dunbar, who became the assistant principal of English earlier in the Spring semester, teaching students during a class.
English Departmental Year-End Wrap-Up: Sophomore Regents, a new AP, and on demand writing
July 21, 2025
The Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library on the Queens College Campus.
Principal Condon announces a “pause” in Queens College bridge program for 2025-2026 school year
July 14, 2025
Social Studies teachers Frank McCaughey, Frank Spitaleri, and Jake Ruiz (from left to right).
History Highlights: Social Studies department reflects on 24-25 school year and looks ahead
August 13, 2025
New Key Club leaders are ready for the coming school year
Club spotlight: new Key Club leaders prepare for coming school year
August 12, 2025
Ishmal Ali will be the next JSLT
SU Spotlight: Ishmal Ali will be the next JSLT
August 11, 2025
Susan Rodriguez, Principal Brian Condon's secretary, at her desk in his office.
Staff profile: Principal’s secretary Susan Rodriguez described as the “hidden gem” of THHS
July 28, 2025
Former Junior SLT and incoming Student Union Vice President Evelene Chao.
SU Spotlight: Evelene Chao takes on the role of SU Vice President
July 16, 2025
A delivery from Uber Eats, a popular food delivery service, sitting on a table in the lobby.
Opinion Roundup: Should Students be Allowed to Order Food to School?
July 29, 2025
Students receive OMNY cards on the first day of school.
OPINION: OMNY card system started out promising but needs a reboot for next year
June 23, 2025
Students using devices in class.
Opinion: Smartphone ban should come with new thinking about how and when to integrate technology into the classroom
June 14, 2025
Students posing for a picture at prom last year.
Opinion Roundup: On Prom Eve, seniors share what price is right for prom outfits
June 10, 2025
Students share their experiences on various clubs at Townsend Harris.
Opinion Roundup: how various clubs create a space for student wellness and peer support.
June 4, 2025
The 2025-2026 Phoenix editorial staff and phoenix members who attended the end of year party
With the 2025 magazine published, Phoenix team plans on a rebirth for the publication and club
July 31, 2025
Mr. Lee and students take a selfie after their performance.
Faculty spotlight: Mr. Lee conducts orchestra with “high standards” and “compassion”
July 23, 2025
The cast bows at the end of last year's Nightingale Theatre Company musical, "The Addams Family." This year, the play was be "Little Shop of Horrors."
Nightingale Theatre Company team builds a wider extracurricular community for drama enthusiasts
July 10, 2025
A ceramic dish shaped and painted to resemble a halved apple, showcasing student work from a recent pottery project completed in the Ceramics club.
Club Spotlight: Ceramics club completes its first full year
July 6, 2025
KFON Powerful
Special Feature: A look back at Festival of Nations 2025
July 2, 2025
Thaseena Anjum
Student Spotlight: Thaseena Anjum works to publish a guidebook for Queens Zoo as part of her independent science research
August 6, 2025
Science students working in the lab.
Course Spotlight: three-year science research elective sequence offers unique opportunities
July 22, 2025
Students participating at the pie-eating contest on Pi-Day.
STEM Departmental Year-End Wrap-Up: Pi Day, Revisions, and Honor Societies
July 3, 2025
Science Research students recording data in the laboratory
Science Research class studies campus soil on multi-day field trip
June 21, 2025
Red Cross Club hosts coloring event to support seniors.
Red Cross hosts annual Color a Smile event to share art with senior citizens
May 22, 2025
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
KFON Powerful

Special Feature: A look back at Festival of Nations 2025

Sophie Lin, Sayemah Nadi, and Tajrian Noor • July 2, 2025

The Classic has prepared a special visual feature that looks back at FON 2025 with a focus on how costumes help tell the story of FON. Click on the image below to access the feature.

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

Bridgette Jeonarine, Toluwanimi Oyeleye, and Isabella Zapata • April 7, 2025

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

Bridgette Jeonarine, Toluwanimi Oyeleye, and Isabella Zapata • April 4, 2024

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...

The Semores, the winner of S!NG 2024, cheering at the end of their show.

After Semores emerge victorious, overall directors reflect on S!NG 2024

Joyce Shen and Maimuna Amina • December 1, 2023

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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