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 Hana Arafa
Townsend Harris High School

Air filtration update: THHS upgraded with MERV 13 filters in HVAC system

Jasmine Deonandan, Jessica Sandoval, Anna Kim, Zaynah Shariff, Hana Arafa, Genessa Kahn, Christine Pak, and Blessing Ogunsola
January 12, 2023
Two writing samples and a video introduction are the key aspects of the 2023 admissions process.

New admissions process asks for writing samples and video message, replacing pandemic “lottery” system

Hana Arafa, Carina Fucich, Isabel Jagsaran, and Sadeea Morshed
December 22, 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
Imposter syndrome: A high school pandemic

Imposter syndrome: A high school pandemic

Hana Arafa
April 12, 2022
“Back To The Hawk’s Nest:” 12th grade students reflect on the 2021-2022 in-person academic year

“Back To The Hawk’s Nest:” 12th grade students reflect on the 2021-2022 in-person academic year

Juney Liu and Hana Arafa
January 11, 2022
“Back To The Hawk’s Nest:” 11th grade students reflect on the 2021-2022 in-person academic year

“Back To The Hawk’s Nest:” 11th grade students reflect on the 2021-2022 in-person academic year

Hana Arafa, Benjamin Babayev, and JK Rajjo
December 29, 2021
“Back To The Hawk’s Nest”: freshmen reflect on their first few months of in person high school

“Back To The Hawk’s Nest”: freshmen reflect on their first few months of in person high school

Hana Arafa, Benjamin Babayev, and JK Rajjo
November 29, 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
A unique foundation: Tutors 4 Yemen

A unique foundation: Tutors 4 Yemen

Ellison Daone, Melinda Wang, and Hana Arafa
January 14, 2021
Need food inspiration this New Year? Try these teacher holiday recipe favorites

Need food inspiration this New Year? Try these teacher holiday recipe favorites

Hana Arafa and Haley O’Toole
December 30, 2020
An unconventional year: sophomore experiences

An unconventional year: sophomore experiences

Fiona Zheng, Hana Arafa, Kate Estevez, and Gabriella Gurujan
November 10, 2020
Clubs Go Virtual for the 2020-2021 School Year

Clubs Go Virtual for the 2020-2021 School Year

Hana Arafa, Haley O’Toole, and Robert Pellicane
November 9, 2020
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