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 Esther Liu
Senior spotlight: Annie Lei and Rachel Ly help produce online, youth-led publication, The Blossom Magazine

Senior spotlight: Annie Lei and Rachel Ly help produce online, youth-led publication, The Blossom Magazine

Fiona Zheng and Esther Liu
January 3, 2023
New teacher spotlight: Mr. Morrison and Mrs. Garklavs join the ISS department

New teacher spotlight: Mr. Morrison and Mrs. Garklavs join the ISS department

Esther Liu, Features Editor
November 18, 2022
Seniors celebrated the beginning of their last school year by watching the sunrise together on September 23.

Seniors welcome the sunrise at early morning event celebrating the start of their last school year

Esther Liu and Kaitlyn Lee
October 4, 2022
As students wear masks less frequently, more students are sharing anxieties over being judged by their appearance.

As masks start to come off more frequently in school, anxieties over facial features appear to rise

Esther Liu and Hana Arafa
September 27, 2022
Healthy goodbyes: Maria Assante, Linda Carter, and Robin Figelman retire from THHS

Healthy goodbyes: Maria Assante, Linda Carter, and Robin Figelman retire from THHS

Carina Fucich, Esther Liu, Isabel Jagsaran, JK Rajjo, and Sophia Sookram
June 30, 2022
Students attend a peer teen health symposium.

Townsend fashion trends: Spring 2022

Esther Liu and Sophia Sookram
April 21, 2022
Seeing Double: Talking to Townsend’s Latest Twins

Seeing Double: Talking to Townsend’s Latest Twins

Esther Liu and Sophia Sookram
March 22, 2022
Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Heathwood and the band

Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Heathwood and the band

Esther Liu and Eva Jane Hannon
March 2, 2022
Students participate in winter blood drive

Students participate in winter blood drive

Esther Liu, Sophia Sookram, and Loveleen Kaur
February 22, 2022
Spotlight: Chinese Silks FON, the Premier of Water Sleeves 

Spotlight: Chinese Silks FON, the Premier of Water Sleeves 

Esther Liu and Sophia Sookram
February 4, 2022
Sophomore lands lead role as Ariel in spring musical production of The Little Mermaid

Sophomore lands lead role as Ariel in spring musical production of The Little Mermaid

Esther Liu, Sophia Sookram, and Loveleen Kaur
January 28, 2022
2021 Virtual Open House

2021 Virtual Open House

Stacey Jiang, Esther Liu, and Sophia Sookram
December 3, 2021
Following the return to in-person school, hallways and staircases face heavy congestion

Following the return to in-person school, hallways and staircases face heavy congestion

Kelly Gildea, Esther Liu, Hana Arafa, Sophia Sookram, Tahmid Hossain, Diana Piergrossi, Stephanie Lopez, and Gabriella Renzi
October 25, 2021
During online forum, Harrisites speak out against anti-Asian racism

During online forum, Harrisites speak out against anti-Asian racism

Reem Nasrallah, Stacey Jiang, Esther Liu, and Faiza Tasnim
March 30, 2021
COVID-19 modifications for this year’s National Latin & Greek Exam

COVID-19 modifications for this year’s National Latin & Greek Exam

Stacey Jiang, Esther Liu, and Faiza Tasnim
February 25, 2021
Harrisites celebrate Black History Month in virtual festivals

Harrisites celebrate Black History Month in virtual festivals

Esther Liu, Isabel Jagsaran, and Faiza Tasnim
February 25, 2021
2021 SAT Changes

2021 SAT Changes

Alisha Ansari, Stacey Jiang, Esther Liu, and Faiza Tasnim
January 26, 2021
There’s a new spirit to this year’s remote Spirit Week

There’s a new spirit to this year’s remote Spirit Week

Juney Liu, Stacey Jiang, and Esther Liu
November 6, 2020
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