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

The Classic
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Overtesting of students during the last testing schedule
Spring semester testing schedule aims to reduce testing after fall schedule receives criticism for overtesting
April 30, 2025
Students and chaperones standing in front of the Headless Horseman Statue in Sleepy Hollow
Reading Initiative hosts overnight trip to Sleepy Hollow and the Hudson River Valley
April 27, 2025
Students participate in the annual Career Day.
Career Day tradition continues as alumni return to share advice on career paths
April 14, 2025
Desks in rows preparation for a standardized exam in the THHS gymnasium.
Following a January pilot with three classes, all sophomores to take the English Regents moving forward
April 11, 2025
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
April 6, 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 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
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
April 7, 2025
Students share their opinions on the 40 hours of community service requirement.
OPINION: Community service hours should not be required for graduation honors
April 1, 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
Author Mark Oshiro and their co-written book The Sun and the Star with author Rick Riordan
Author Mark Oshiro meets with students and discusses co-writing a novel in the world of Percy Jackson
April 4, 2025
Students gathering and eating during MSA's Iftar event to celebrate Ramadan
MSA’s iftar event raises over $500 for charity while inviting the wider community to join in celebrating Ramadan
March 23, 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
Textbooks Still Aid Student Learning.
Though digital study methods may be on the rise, physical review books are still in the game
March 28, 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
All content by Bella Chen
Marlo Vasquez (Bella Chen)

[Photo] Opinion roundup: students sound off on the state of the bathrooms

Lila Peskay
April 29, 2025
Chemistry teacher Adel Kadamani shares his running journey.

[Photo] After running over 25,000 miles, chemistry teacher Adel Kadamani imparts his exercise philosophy

Jasmine Mootooveran and Harman Ghotra
April 28, 2025
Students observing the 2024 solar eclipse, a rare celestial phenomenon, and a topic discussed in Astronomy Club

[Photo] Club spotlight: Astronomy Club aims to inspire a love for studying the stars

Anthony Lin and Sophia Lee
April 16, 2025
Mr Gelbman (Bella Chen)

[Photo] Opinion Roundup: how many hours of community service makes the most sense for honors requirements?

Leslie Linzan, Amaya De Lorenzo, Angelina Pierantoni, and Diana Saidi
April 8, 2025
Students participating at the pie-eating contest on Pi-Day.

[Photo] Celebrating Pi Day with pie: contests, deals, and personal traditions

Aki Benjamin
March 31, 2025
Attendees at the Holi event after powder throwing

[Photo] Sophomore grade leaders and Hindu Student Association host annual Holi event with performances, games, and powder throwing

Krish Wadia, Dylan Ramjit, and Henric Zha
March 30, 2025
Custodian Mario Vasquez

[Photo] Custodian Mario Vasquez discusses his time maintaining THHS

Khondoker Jainab, Staff Writer
March 26, 2025
Desks in rows preparation for a standardized exam in the THHS gymnasium.

[Photo] OPINION: The high stress of too much testing is still an issue that needs to be addressed, despite promises for “alternatives”

Violet Au, Opinion Editor
March 21, 2025
The Holi event organized by the sophomore grade leaders

[Photo] Photos of the Week: Holi & Pi Day

Tabassum Ahmed, Photo Desk Manager
March 16, 2025
Deji Akintayo (Bella Chen)

[Photo] Opinion Roundup: perspectives on how experiences with faith outside of the classroom develop identities throughout the school community

PJ Lee, Staff Writer
March 9, 2025
Brandon Pinto (bella chen)

[Photo] Opinion Roundup: thoughts on the process for launching a new club

Imogen Kujo, Julia Pavone
March 3, 2025
Students completing their lab during zero band

[Photo] OPINION: 7AM is too early for class. Lab sections should be offered at different times during the day

Lila Peskay, Staff Writer
January 21, 2025
Harrisites reflect on school day hours.

[Photo] Opinion Roundup: Should the school day start later to allow for healthier sleep schedules?

PJ Lee
January 17, 2025
Sophomore transfers share their experience at Townsend Harris.

[Photo] Opinion Roundup: perspectives on transitioning in as sophomore transfers

Hannah Fang
January 9, 2025
The Holiday Market

[Photo] Photos of the week: Arista, Holiday Market, Indoor Track, and Girls JV Basketball

Tabassum Ahmed, Photo Desk Manager
December 14, 2024
Lab Keeper Mark McHugh.

[Photo] The man behind the lab: Mark McHugh administers lab work at Townsend Harris

Anthony Lin, Khondoker Jainab, Kayla Ujandy, and Sophia Lee
December 13, 2024
Students share their opinion on cultural events in THHS.

[Photo] Opinion Roundup: does the new testing schedule lead to more testing?

Brailyn Almonte, Opinion Roundup Manager
December 1, 2024
Freshior, freshman and junior, 2025 S!NG performance

[Photo] S!NG 2025 Highlights

Tabassum Ahmed, Photo Desk Manager
November 28, 2024
Freshiors performing in this year's S!NG production.

[Photo] Watch the S!NG 2025 livestream for Friday night’s show here

Ryan Chen, Managing Editor
November 22, 2024
Dropping lunch for electives is a difficult process.

[Photo] OPINION: Dropping lunch bands for electives should be easier

Zainah Syed
November 11, 2024
Guidance department offers college counseling.

[Photo] OPINION: Underclassmen should receive college counseling as well

Violet Au, Opinion Editor
October 10, 2024
Townsend Harris students at the SUNY college Fair

[Photo] Photos of the Week: SUNY College Fair, Boys Varsity Fencing, Girls & Boys Cross Country

Tabassum Ahmed, Photo Desk manager
October 5, 2024
Student Union president Alex Yauri debating in the elections

[Photo] Senior Alex Yauri Begins his Term as Student Union President

Aizay Amin, Staff Writer
September 3, 2024
Jordana and Aki speaking during the Student Union debate.

[Photo] Two presidents and two visions: newly elected freshman-sophomore co-presidents talk plans for their shared time in office

Bianca Chen, Staff Writer
July 2, 2024
The class of 2024.

Photos of the Week: Scenes from Graduation 2024

Emily Zheng, Grace Kwan, Ryan Chen, and Bella Chen
June 27, 2024
Students taking photos in the photobooth.

Scenes from Prom 2024

Ryan Chen and Bella Chen
June 19, 2024
Monday, March 25 was Holi, the Festival of Colors. The holiday was celebrated at Townsend Harris for the first time ever at an event hosted by the Freshman grade leaders, featuring dancing, Hindu foods, and colored powder.

[Photo] Photos of the week: 3/25 – 3/29

Katherine Lian, Multimedia Chief
March 31, 2024
IMG_0319

[Photo] Mid-winter break is here, but for FON leaders it’s crunch time

Chloe Kavanagh, Adiana Johnson, and Max Rosenthal
February 16, 2024
Meet Latin teacher Timothy Hanford

New faculty member Timothy Hanford joins the classical languages department

Bella Chen and Mark Mbogho
January 23, 2024
Students at the Nightingale Read-Aloud session.

[Photo] Photos of the Week: Holiday Festivities

Katherine Lian, Multimedia Chief
December 17, 2023
The Boys Varsity Basketball team playing against the Academy of American Studies on Wednesday, November 29. The final score was 68-50 (Academy of American Studies).

[Photo] Photos of the Week: Basketball, Table Tennis, and Hunger Games

Katherine Lian, Multimedia Chief
December 3, 2023
Students at the bonfire at the Witching Hour.

[Photo] Photos of the Week – Reading, Storytelling, Decorating, and Rallying

Katherine Lian, Multimedia Chief
November 1, 2023
Testing in the gymnasium.

Opinion Roundup: Students share thoughts on changes in AP World History exam rubric

Bella Chen and Mark Mbogho
October 13, 2023
Photo courtesy of pixabay images

Opinion Roundup: Should summer be spent on educational or recreational activities?

Bella Chen, Mark Mbogho, Jazmine Chiquito, and Harnoor Parmar
July 24, 2023
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