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

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2026 Graduation Keynote Speaker Jillissa Drayton Vinegra will speak at Colden Auditorium tomorrow afternoon. Photo Courtesy of Ms. Vinegra
Class of 2017 alumna Jillissa Drayton Vinegra to deliver keynote speech at tomorrow’s graduation ceremony
June 21, 2026
Co-captain Methulia Medage starting the Mr. Seidel memorial and sharing her experiences working with him on the team
Photos of the week: public forum debate team hosts a memorial in honor of team advisor Mr. Seidel
June 2, 2026
SU Election candidates sitting together onstage during the debate on May 18.
Voters elect the 2026-2027 Student Union leaders and representatives
June 1, 2026
Social Studies Joseph Seidel in room 434 during his first year teaching at Townsend Harris.
School administration announces sudden passing of social studies teacher Joseph Seidel
May 31, 2026
The new club election process was made to help reduce favoritism, and keep democracy and fairness present in students everyday lives.
SU requires clubs hold elections to determine club leaders for 2026-2027 school year
May 28, 2026
With Spring underway, there are environmental volunteer opportunities outdoors in which NYC teens can participate.
Outdoor volunteer opportunities allow NYC teens to make an environmental impact
May 18, 2026
The Carter Burden Gallery in Manhattan opened an exhibition titled “Women Leading the Way: A National Student Art & Women’s History Exhibition.
After pandemic-induced delay, Manhattan gallery features class of 2020 projects honoring 19th amendment centennial
May 12, 2026
The crowd outside Queens Borough Hall during the No Kings protest on March 28.
In Trump’s home borough, Queens residents say ‘No Kings’
March 31, 2026
The Queens College campus where THHS students can choose to take CUNY College Now courses.
College Now program remains a path to dual-enrollment QC courses for Harrisites
March 16, 2026
Marchers carrying a traditional dragon prop at the Flushing Lunar New Year Parade on February 21.
Students volunteer at 30th annual Flushing Lunar New Year Parade
March 9, 2026
Steve Heimler of "Heimler's History" has a large following of THHS students who rely on his resources, and his humor, to get them through AP season.
“Heimler’s History” offers a life raft, and a sense of community, to Townsend Harris students preparing for AP exams
June 20, 2026
The gymnasium set up for standardized testing.
How testing coordinators manage the demands of weeks of AP testing
June 16, 2026
The THHS Hawkapella ensemble poses for a photo before their performance at the spring concert in 2019.
Hawkappella looks toward revival through recruitment
June 9, 2026
A Final 'Fist to Five': Joseph Seidel remembered as an educator who listened, comforted, and inspired
A Final ‘Fist to Five’: Joseph Seidel remembered as an educator who listened, comforted, and inspired
June 8, 2026
The Class of 2026 gathered together on the Queens College field for Senior Sunrise during the beginning of their senior year.
As graduation approaches, seniors prepare to say their goodbyes
May 14, 2026
Sophomore Afarah Cruz-Tillery states that public participation charts are harmful to the self-esteem of students and that participation should instead be evaluated through "private feedback, written reflections, group work, or self-assessments."
OPINION: Math grading system should reconsider public participation charts
June 14, 2026
Mr. Seidel with a box of Krispy Kreme donuts
EDITORIAL: The greatest lesson Mr. Seidel left us with was how to live life meaningfully
June 10, 2026
Students participating in the club fair last September. The SU recently announced there would be a new system to select board members for clubs. Sebastian Koniarz, Aryan Sheikh, and Aarav Singh believe this new change has introduced more fairness when selecting board members.
OPINION: New club election process is more fair and effective
June 3, 2026
After a pause from international trips during covid Townsend Harris recently offered students an opportunity to travel to Greece and Italy. Jordana Sestak believes that international travel opportunities like the Greece and Italy trip offer a host of benefits to students. Therefore, she says, Townsend Harris should continue the annual tradition of offering these trips.
OPINION: Return of international trip options provides welcome opportunities for Harrisites
May 27, 2026
Information from run groups is often primarily posted on social media. Olivia Eng and Avery Hai raise the concern that relying on social media to relay information may adversely impact the student body.
OPINION: Social media should not be the primary platform for relaying crucial information
May 13, 2026
The MSA’s annual Henna Fest was held in the library where students participated in various activities including applying henna, playing games, and eating homemade foods
MSA holds annual Henna Fest as spring classes come to a close
June 18, 2026
Music Teacher Christopher Lee leads strings during the second day of the Spring Concert.
Spring Concert splits into two-day performance
June 11, 2026
Junior Albert Khyan and some members of the Wonderers set up “The Wonderers Magic Shop” after school next to the auditorium entrance.
Townsend Harris “Magic Man” creates international magic club: The Wonderers
June 4, 2026
On April 22, Daniel Aleman discussed his book Indivisible with Ms. Lipinski and Ms. Frank’s band 9 AP English Literature class.
Author Daniel Aleman visits AP Literature class to discuss immigration and identity in “Indivisible”
May 7, 2026
Mark Oshiro visited Townsend Harris High School on March 31st to speak with students about the creative process behind Anger Is a Gift. They shared personal experiences and how real-life events influenced their storytelling.
Author Mark Oshiro meets with freshman English class and discusses inspiration behind Anger Is a Gift
April 30, 2026
A new web-based student entry system, CAASS, was introduced on December 5, 2025. The purpose of the system is to enhance school safety and organization. After 3 months of CAASS implementation, students and staff were asked about their experiences with CAASS and its impact on daily entry procedures.
The evolution of Student IDs over two decades
June 12, 2026
Due to the new cafeteria system at THHS, more plastic containers are being thrown out everyday
The new cafeteria’s grab-and-go lunch style increases plastic waste
June 5, 2026
The THHS Robotics team, the Steel Hawks, competed at Worlds after winning the Engineering Inspiration Award
Steel Hawks compete at 2026 FIRST Championships
May 29, 2026
New science elective offers a project based, in depth, alternative to AP Biology
Human Pathology course attracts those interested in the medical field
May 22, 2026
Townsend Harris High School received a shipment of new LTE chromebooks for students to keep for the duration of their time at THHS.
NYC Public Schools provides LTE Chromebooks to Harrisites in need of a device for digital learning
May 8, 2026
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
Lila Peskay

Lila Peskay, Opinion Contributor

Lila is a freshman at Townsend Harris High School. She is a contributor in The Classic’s opinion department. In her free time, she enjoys reading, baking, and listening to music.

All content by Lila Peskay
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