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

The Classic
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Latin teacher Christopher Amanna at the Greece and Italy trip information session.
International trip to Italy and Greece planned for next winter
May 19, 2025
Unopposed running pair for SU President and Vice President Jenna Abdelhamid, and Evelene Chao during the SU debate
While awaiting the 2025 SU election results, voters discuss how informed they were about the election
May 18, 2025
Custodian Hector Benítez making a heart, and brings decades of smiles and songs to Townsend Harris
The Man Who Opens Doors: Custodian Hector Benítez brings decades of smiles and songs
May 14, 2025
MSA members attending the 2025 MIST competition at Hofstra University
MSA competes and qualifies for national MIST competition following Hofstra competition
May 9, 2025
Ms. Reyes in the main office on her last day.
Attendance Coordinator Yvette Reyes retires after a decade of service
May 5, 2025
Pamela Del Vecchio, Secretary to Assistant Principal of Organization Ellen Fee, is the mastermind behind the system that ensures all classes with an absent teacher are covered by another teacher.
Substitute Procedures: inside the daily puzzle that needs solving in order to cover all classes
April 18, 2025
English Teacher and UFT Chapter Chair Kevin McDonaugh
Exploring our inner “shadow” through the English selective “Wherever you go, There you are”
April 9, 2025
Custodian Mario Vasquez
Custodian Mario Vasquez discusses his time maintaining THHS
March 26, 2025
Digital Shift Challenges No. 2 Pencil.
With digital testing on the rise, is the No. 2 pencil no longer #1 in the classroom?
March 20, 2025
SU Equity Chair Jordan Hurwitz and Senior Max Wong
Guest Post: Student Union Equity Chair Jordan Hurwitz interviews senior Max Wong
February 27, 2025
Students studying and preparing for tests
OPINION: Teachers should return graded assignments no longer than two weeks after they are due
May 8, 2025
Students share their study methods.
Opinion Roundup: As AP season arrives, students share their most trusted study methods
May 6, 2025
Students express their thoughts on the state of the bathrooms.
Opinion roundup: students sound off on the state of the bathrooms
April 29, 2025
Students share their opinions on the effects of social media.
Opinion roundup: how growing up on social media affects social lives
April 22, 2025
Upperclassmen Volunteering at Townsend Harris Open House
Opinion Roundup: how many hours of community service makes the most sense for honors requirements?
April 8, 2025
Symphony Orchestra and Chorus after the closing performance during Spring Concert
Annual Spring Concert features wide variety of music, with everything from Gustav Holst to Bruno Mars
May 11, 2025
Audrey, played by Julia Waters, and Seymour, played by Ethan Ben-David during a scene of Little Shop of Horrors
Cast looks back at the Nightingale Theatre Company’s production of Little Shop of Horrors
May 7, 2025
The panel of authors present during the Writers at Queens roundtable event
Writers at Queens series features roundtable of authors sharing their experiences in the world of publishing
April 23, 2025
Mr. Heathwood conducts during the “Celebrating Music 2025” concert, held in the THHS auditorium (a collaboration with Forest Hills High School). On March 31, Mr. Heathwood performed at Carnegie Hall.
Band director Kevin Heathwood performs at Carnegie Hall with Brooklyn Wind Symphony
April 19, 2025
Author Daniel Aleman visits AP Literature class over Zoom to discuss his novel Invisible
Author Daniel Aleman visits AP Literature class and discusses how firsthand immigration experiences inspire his writing
April 13, 2025
An illustration provides a 3D graphical representation of a spherical-shaped, measles virus particle studded with glycoprotein tubercles in this handout image obtained by Reuters April 9, 2019. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/Handout via REUTERS/ File Photo
STEM department pitches new elective courses in topics like human pathology and animal behavior
May 17, 2025
Chemistry teacher Adel Kadamani shares his running journey.
After running over 25,000 miles, chemistry teacher Adel Kadamani imparts his exercise philosophy
April 28, 2025
Students observing the 2024 solar eclipse, a rare celestial phenomenon, and a topic discussed in Astronomy Club
Club spotlight: Astronomy Club aims to inspire a love for studying the stars
April 16, 2025
Students explore learning styles despite questions over their validity.
How the theory of “learning styles” influences learners, despite arguments that the theory lacks scientific validity
April 12, 2025
Steel Hawks attending the New York Tech Valley regional competition and receiving the FIRST Impact Award
Steel Hawks receive FIRST Impact Award, earning a seat at the championship event in Houston
April 3, 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

Introductory Phoenix reading draws crowds

Akash Singh • October 28, 2014

The first Phoenix reading of the school year, held on Friday, October 17 in the school library, featured a myriad of creative expression in the form of spoken word, prose, visual art, and music. To...

Temp “Perk” hits Soho

Victoria Karlic and Raveena Chunasamy • October 28, 2014

Fans of the hit show Friends enjoyed complimentary coffee and sat on the very same orange couch where Ross, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, Monica, and Chandler once spent most of their time together. In commemoration...

Olivia Chan wins research award

Ryan McNaughton and David Chen • October 28, 2014
Junior Olivia Chan has won the New York State Archives Research Award for her analysis on the usage of nuclear weapons in times of war. She researched how scientists joined together to create the Pugwash organization, a coalition of scientists who lobbied to restrict the use of nuclear weapons during the Cold War. She believed that the creation of the atomic bomb changed scientists from “technocrats” into citizens responsible for the social consequences of their work. Her research also touched upon the Manhattan Project—the United States’ mission to create a weapon to attack Japan during World War II.

Bending over backwards for the iPhone 6

Isaac So and Alex Lai • October 28, 2014

As Apple releases its newest product, the age-old debate once again resurfaces among the students of Townsend Harris: Apple or Samsung? Sophomore Mitchell Mu was thrilled when the iPhone 6 was announced...

Phoenix reborn online

Amanda Lin and Rafa Sattar • October 28, 2014
The Phoenix consolidated their online presence with the launch of their very own website in mid-September. Senior Editor-in-Chief Yelena Dzhanova commented, “I always say that The Phoenix is a creative haven for anyone who needs self-expression and camaraderie, and the website is just an extension of that.”

Get ready for the next big SING!

Tiffany Yue, Russell Katz, and Andrew Palma • October 28, 2014
Late in September, Semore directors Dimitri Perdik and Nina Leeds and Freshior directors Nadia Khan and Elina Niyazov held their annual SING! auditions. Taking place in the cafeteria and auditorium, these auditions attracted singers, dancers, actors, artists, tech crew, and anyone willing to work either on or offstage.

Editorial: A Humanities requirement

October 28, 2014

All too often, Townsend Harris students find themselves stuck in school all week and then at home all weekend doing homework and spending time online—a monotonous cycle that lasts the whole school year....

Editorial: Facebook privacy doesn’t exist

October 28, 2014

Interactions on social media sometimes go wrong. Someone’s embarrassing chat messages get leaked online, two people get into a bitter argument online, and every now and then, something that was supposed...

Teens will be teens: but are we too care-less?

October 28, 2014

Scrolling down my Facebook newsfeed on any ordinary day, I can predict that I will be met with countless Vine videos, clever memes, and goofy photos. Aside from rare outbursts of intellectual debate,...

Fundraising for equipment, events a constant duty

Evan Noblesala • October 28, 2014

From bake sales in the lobby to selling boxes of candy throughout the school building, athletic teams find many ways to fundraise for their financial needs. Having to pay for uniforms, equipment, tournaments,...

Victories at freshman-sophomore championships

Kristine Guillaume • October 28, 2014
The boys and girls cross country teams kicked off their championship season with top place finishes at the annual PSAL Queens Borough Freshman-Sophomore Championships. The freshman team placed third overall and the sophomore team placed first.

Enjoy the flavor of the season: pumpkin spice

Sabrina Yu • October 28, 2014
For the last couple of years, the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) has been a staple for many coffee lovers, especially during the autumn, because it reminds us that the big holidays are right around the corner. Plus, it’s a nice warm drink meant for the colder weather.
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