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 JK Rajjo
THHS Japan Bowl winners earn trip to Japan, meet with princess of the Japanese Imperial Family

THHS Japan Bowl winners earn trip to Japan, meet with princess of the Japanese Imperial Family

JK Rajjo, Features Copy Editor
September 13, 2022
Keepers’ Day carnival returns to close out yet another unique school year

Keepers’ Day carnival returns to close out yet another unique school year

JK Rajjo
July 7, 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
College applications are finally done for the year and seniors can breathe a sigh of relief.

Seniors give advice for juniors embarking on the college application process

JK Rajjo
May 31, 2022
Cover image for the Reignite zine

Rising from the ashes: The Phoenix releases its newest literary zine after a two-year hiatus

JK Rajjo
May 18, 2022
With AP season underway, upperclassmen offer advice

With AP season underway, upperclassmen offer advice

JK Rajjo
May 9, 2022
Spotlight: Junior Joshua Lau speaks about the mission and co-founding of Secondhand Literature

Spotlight: Junior Joshua Lau speaks about the mission and co-founding of Secondhand Literature

JK Rajjo
March 29, 2022
Can’t We All Just Get Oolong? Harrisites review Kissena Boulevard’s Qiu Sushi, Ramen, & Tea Bar

Can’t We All Just Get Oolong? Harrisites review Kissena Boulevard’s Qiu Sushi, Ramen, & Tea Bar

JK Rajjo
March 28, 2022
Spotlight: Junior Yanaiya Jain reflects on her journey creating and running personal podcast

Spotlight: Junior Yanaiya Jain reflects on her journey creating and running personal podcast

JK Rajjo
January 26, 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
From the McDonald’s menu to memorable music: Reflecting on singer Mariah Carey’s impact on Christmas culture

From the McDonald’s menu to memorable music: Reflecting on singer Mariah Carey’s impact on Christmas culture

JK Rajjo
December 24, 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
The Flushing Fifteen: 15 non-food destinations no more than an hour from the THHS campus

The Flushing Fifteen: 15 non-food destinations no more than an hour from the THHS campus

JK Rajjo
September 28, 2021
Upcoming THHS Student Union President Hanna Kurdziel answers questions about goals and aspirations for the 2021-2022 school year

Upcoming THHS Student Union President Hanna Kurdziel answers questions about goals and aspirations for the 2021-2022 school year

JK Rajjo
August 27, 2021
Students spent time learning about science research on the Queens College campus.

Rising juniors and seniors weigh on CUNY Queens College fall 2021 College Now courses

Victoria Siebor and JK Rajjo
August 12, 2021
Harrisite’s guide to the galaxy: Advice for incoming freshmen and sophomores by upperclassmen

Harrisite’s guide to the galaxy: Advice for incoming freshmen and sophomores by upperclassmen

Angela Chen, JK Rajjo, and Karen Lin
August 5, 2021
The freshman year that flew away: Class of 2024’s thoughts on the pandemic altered school year and hopes for the future

The freshman year that flew away: Class of 2024’s thoughts on the pandemic altered school year and hopes for the future

JK Rajjo and Karen Lin
July 29, 2021
A roundup of this week’s top NYC education stories

A roundup of this week’s top NYC education stories

Andrew Gurcharan, JK Rajjo, and Karen Lin
July 16, 2021
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