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

The Classic
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Mr. Heathwood conducting the THHS Band.
Former band director Kevin Heathwood reflects on his time at THHS after taking a new role at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts
November 3, 2025
Sophomores working during health class.
Required health course begins to shift back to sophomore year from senior year
October 27, 2025
Seniors pose for photo during senior sunrise
Annual Senior Sunrise: Class of 2026
October 24, 2025
After close to four decades of THHS seniors taking courses at QC, the partnership was put on pause this year due to financial constraints.
Inside the “pause”: how financial constraints led THHS to put a hold on a decades-long partnership with Queens College
October 22, 2025
Ms. Chang in her office in the guidance suite on the third floor of THHS.
Shikira Chang becomes interim acting assistant principal of pupil personnel services
October 20, 2025
Grace Kent joined the THHS Social Studies Department earlier this fall.
New teacher Grace Kent offers sociology and anthropology courses at THHS
November 7, 2025
AP United States History students visiting the National Museum of the American Indian in Manhattan.
AP U.S. History students visit National Museum of the American Indian
November 4, 2025
English department teacher leader, Ms. Lipinski.
Ms. Lipinski becomes an “English Department Teacher Leader”
October 31, 2025
The Nightingale Theater Company attends a trip to watch The Great Gatsby on Broadway.
Nightingale Theater Company attends The Great Gatsby on Broadway
October 28, 2025
Mr. LaRocca in his new office.
Passing the baton: Thomas LaRocca hired as new band teacher following Kevin Heathwood’s departure
October 21, 2025
Students reflect on their thoughts on the new Cell Phone Ban policy.
Opinion Roundup: How is the new cell phone ban going after one marking period?
November 5, 2025
Let's Talk Testing
Let’s Talk Testing
October 29, 2025
Students play volleyball in the gym
Opinion Roundup: reduced physical education schedules makes room for a return to sophomore health, fewer zero band labs
October 26, 2025
Students completing their chemistry lab during normal school hours.
Opinion Roundup: the elimination of zero band for underclassmen in biology and chemistry
October 19, 2025
Students share pieces of advice for students who are in or just entering high school.
Opinion Roundup: What I wish I knew before starting high school
October 8, 2025
Two student volunteers smile in front of the bodega where they sell snacks.
Band Bodega reopens with snacks and lunch options after a hiatus last year
October 30, 2025
Students reading during one of the independent reading sessions at last year's Witching Hour event.
After “Witching Hour” read-a-thon event sells out in just three minutes, students take on reading challenges to get off the waitlist
October 23, 2025
S!NG Semore co-overall director Nicolette Cuzzo prepares for the season.
With preparations for S!NG underway, Semore co-overall director Nicollete Cuzzo discusses the playwriting process
September 16, 2025
Students perform at the end of the Nightingale Summer Retreat.
The Nightingale Theatre Company holds its fifth annual summer retreat
September 4, 2025
Ariella performing on stage at THHS.
Musician Spotlight: Jazz Ensemble’s Ariella Casabar talks about taking up trumpet playing
August 20, 2025
With the new cellphone ban in NYC schools, students recall their middle schools restrictions on cellphones
With the statewide cell phone ban in effect, students reflect on their middle school cell phone restrictions
October 17, 2025
The new leaders of Tech Crew share their plans for the 2026 S!NG season.
Under new leadership, Tech Crew members start preparations for the 2026 S!NG season
October 15, 2025
Founders of SoulSketchCollective juniors Vanessa Lee and Michelle Shi promote mental health resources for students.
Juniors found nonprofit organization designed to promote mental health resources for NYC students
September 23, 2025
Saniha Jasrah's presentation of her findings from her research project in The Urban Barcode Research Program.
STEM Spotlight: Junior Saniha Jasrah researches the hygiene of school electronic devices during the Urban Barcode Research Program
September 17, 2025
The Science Olympiad team during a competition in the 2024-2025 school year
Science Olympiad team reflects on past season while looking ahead as school year approaches
August 25, 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
Benjamin Wilkinson

Benjamin Wilkinson, Features Editor

Ben is a sophomore at THHS. He plans to pursue Forensic Biochemistry and loves musical theatre. His favorite Classic piece he’s worked on is the class size law editorial, and his favorite Classic piece he’s read is the Aki Benjamin feature from May.

All content by Benjamin Wilkinson
AP United States History students visiting the National Museum of the American Indian in Manhattan.

AP U.S. History students visit National Museum of the American Indian

Benjamin Wilkinson, Features Editor
November 4, 2025
The Nightingale Theater Company attends a trip to watch The Great Gatsby on Broadway.

Nightingale Theater Company attends The Great Gatsby on Broadway

Benjamin Wilkinson, Features Editor
October 28, 2025
Mr. LaRocca in his new office.

Passing the baton: Thomas LaRocca hired as new band teacher following Kevin Heathwood’s departure

Lia Hong and Benjamin Wilkinson
October 21, 2025
Frank McCaughey and Eleni Sardiña brought many developments to the Capstone Program.

Capstone program expands mentorship from seniors through for-credit course

Mirabelle Miketa-Garcia and Benjamin Wilkinson
October 7, 2025
William Lacker begins his first year as a full-time Townsend Harris English faculty member, teaching sophomore English and the humanities seminar.

William Lacker joins THHS English staff full time, after years of serving as humanities seminar professor

Benjamin Wilkinson, Features Editor
September 9, 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

Benjamin Wilkinson, Staff Writer
April 18, 2025
2024-2025 SU Club Liaison Elvis Chan

Junior Elvis Chan takes on Club Liaison role, after two years closely working with the Student Union

Benjamin Wilkinson, Staff Writer
October 20, 2024
Students participating at the club fair.

New clubs centered on neurodiversity, psychology, veterinary field among those debuting this fall

Benjamin Wilkinson, Staff Writer
September 23, 2024
Returning students and rising freshmen participate in the journalism portion of the summer Writers Academy retreat.

Another year, another application: new freshmen assess latest application process

Siomara Baluarte, Lilly Chase, Robert Indart, Benjamin Wilkinson, Mellonie Williams, and Meagan Yang
September 2, 2024
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