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

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U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng gives a speech on September 30 during an assembly in celebration of Townsend Harris High School and Queens College's renewed partnership.
After yearlong pause, Queens College partnership celebrated at special assembly
October 21, 2026
Students roast marshmallows in the courtyard during the Witching Hour last Friday.
The Classic Brief: Election Simulation, Witching Hour, and Progress Reports
October 20, 2026
The Yale Campus, where members of the Public Forum Debate team competed for their first competition of the season.
Public Forum Debate team kicks off season at Yale National Tournament
October 19, 2026
School Chromebooks charge in a classroom cart. With digital gradebooks being central to how teachers run their classes, Townsend Harris's transition from Jupiter to SyncGrades has drawn concerns from faculty, students, and parents.
Faculty frustrations over SyncGrades take center stage at School Leadership Team meeting
October 5, 2026
The Senior Class of 2027 marks the beginning of their senior year with Senior Sunrise
One week after nor’easter storm, sun rises on a warm day for class of 2027 event
October 3, 2026
An employee holds U.S. dollar bank notes at a money changer in Jakarta, Indonesia, April 9, 2025. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan
Rising tuition and living costs shape seniors’ financial plans
October 18, 2026
Queens College offers students a traditional campus experience in the middle of Queens, making commuting a practical option for many local students. For some THHS alumni, staying close to home can reduce college costs while still providing access to campus activities and resources.
To dorm or not to dorm? Alumni weigh the cost of dorming against the tradeoffs of commuting to college
October 11, 2026
Will parts of NYC become as green and shady as Central Park? The new Urban Forest plan hopes to add green throughout the city by 2040.
With Urban Forest Plan underway, Harrisites hope for more shade across Queens
October 10, 2026
An Amazon Web Services AI data center in New Carlisle, Indiana, U.S., October 3, 2025. REUTERS/Noah Berger for AWS/
Statewide data center moratorium highlights environmental concerns
October 3, 2026
THHS students visited Stony Brook University as part of an overnight trip last spring. Many THHS seniors apply to the New York based university.
With elite schools ditching Test-Optional policies, a look at how New York colleges handle standardized testing in applications
September 27, 2026
Exploring the arts while pursuing a STEM career: senior Victoria Ng tells The Classic her THHS story
Exploring the arts while pursuing a STEM career: senior Victoria Ng tells The Classic her THHS story
October 23, 2026
Freshman-Sophomore Class Presidents Aribah Tazmeen and Nora Elsaway pose for a photo.
SU Spotlight: Q&A with Freshman-Sophomore Class Presidents Nora Elsaway and Aribah Tazmeen
October 21, 2026
Guidance Counselor Victor Wang began working at THHS last year. He replaced former guidance counselor Jeremy Wang
Guidance counselor Victor Wang talks counseling, coaching, and traveling
October 12, 2026
Ethan Yu interviews Zendaya for TIME for Kids. Photo courtesy of Ethan Yu.
Freshman Ethan Yu discusses his experience in the Time for Kids kid reporter program
October 6, 2026
Late nights and early mornings leave many THHS students feeling short on sleep. In a Classic poll of 96 students, 60.4% said they do not get enough sleep on school nights, while nearly 40% reported getting six hours or fewer. Image made with Canva.
The Classic Breakdown: Harrisite sleep by the numbers
October 3, 2026
Social media constantly encourages people to purchase items that are meant to improve their lifestyles. But Sebastian says that social media is only manipulating us into believing that buying new things translates to actual self-improvement.
OPINION: Social media manipulates people into believing self-improvement purchases will automatically change their lifestyle
October 14, 2026
Students reading at the 2024 Witching Hour Read-a-thon. Since then the Witching Hour Read-a-thon has introduced priority signups prioritizing students who actively participated in the Reading Initiative in previous years.
Opinion roundup: Witching Hour Read-a-thon introduces priority signups
October 7, 2026
Townsend Harris had recently began shifting away from using technology in the classroom. Afarah believes this push for handwritten notes and assignments is beneficial to the overall academic integrity of the school.
OPINION: the shift away from digital notetaking bolsters academic integrity
September 30, 2026
Some teachers in both humanities and STEM subjects allow students to grade their peer's assignments. Although this is permitted by FERPA laws, which protect student privacy, Violet Au believes that although it is allowed it shouldn't necessarily be done.
OPINION: peer grading puts student privacy at risk
September 23, 2026
Salamanca Central City School District planned to introduce a new humanoid robot that would serve as a tutor. Although the plans for the robot were paused it raises new questions about AI's place in schools. Anya says that AI cannot and must not replace teachers.
OPINION: AI cannot and must not replace teachers
September 16, 2026
As AI art improves, Harrisites struggle to spot the difference
As AI art improves, Harrisites struggle to spot the difference
October 22, 2026
Student musicians perform during the Spring Concert in May 2026. For student musicians, performances like these are the result of finding time to practice amid demanding school schedules.
Q&A: students musicians make time for practice amid busy class schedules
October 20, 2026
Earlier this year, the Yearbook Team opened an Instagram account to create a more collaborative experience for students during the process of working on the yearbook.
Yearbook launches Instagram account to expand outreach
October 15, 2026
Queens College’s LeFrak Concert Hall is one of many local venues that give New York City teens access to live music close to home. While major arena shows can come with high ticket prices, smaller and college-based venues can offer additional opportunities to attend concerts nearby.
With top concerts all around them, NYC teens strategize around ticket costs
October 13, 2026
Juniors Esther Chang and Seph Penaflor, president and vice president of Design For All, speak to potential members in the gym during Club Fair.
New ‘Design For All’ club expands graphic design art opportunities
October 1, 2026
The logo of the World Health Organization is seen at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, January 28, 2025. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
As gene editing advances, Harrisites weigh its ethical limits
October 23, 2026
"AI Artificial Intelligence" words, a keyboard and a robotics hand in this illustration taken, September 23, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
“ChatGPT is not your friend”: how Harrisites are setting boundaries with AI
October 19, 2026
STEMsters board provides STEM exposure for k-5 students
STEMsters gives younger learners hands-on science experience
October 9, 2026
Student Engineering Association allows for a low commitment club for those interested in STEM
Club Spotlight: ‘Student Engineering Association’ helps members discover engineering paths
October 2, 2026
Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Kick, YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Reddit, Threads and X applications are displayed on a mobile phone in this picture illustration taken on December 9, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/Illustration
As social media algorithms face new limits, what other apps are teens using?
September 28, 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
The Latest News from Townsend Harris High School at Queens College
Dylan Liang competes at a soccer match in October. The team has clinched a spot in the playoffs this season.
Sports
Boys varsity sports update: soccer clinches playoffs, badminton remains undefeated and cross-country runners earn top finishes
Joshua Atuana, Zoe Chen, Acadia Chow, Ethan Greene, and Sebastian Koniarz • October 21, 2026
U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng gives a speech on September 30 during an assembly in celebration of Townsend Harris High School and Queens College's renewed partnership.
News
After yearlong pause, Queens College partnership celebrated at special assembly
Amanda Ng, Editor-in-Chief • October 21, 2026
Freshman-Sophomore Class Presidents Aribah Tazmeen and Nora Elsaway pose for a photo.
Features
SU Spotlight: Q&A with Freshman-Sophomore Class Presidents Nora Elsaway and Aribah Tazmeen
Sofia Starcic, News Assignment Manager • October 21, 2026
Student musicians perform during the Spring Concert in May 2026. For student musicians, performances like these are the result of finding time to practice amid demanding school schedules.
Arts & Entertainment
Q&A: students musicians make time for practice amid busy class schedules
Sophomore A&E Team • October 20, 2026
News
The Latest from Classic TV
Opinion
Social media constantly encourages people to purchase items that are meant to improve their lifestyles. But Sebastian says that social media is only manipulating us into believing that buying new things translates to actual self-improvement.
OPINION: Social media manipulates people into believing self-improvement purchases will automatically change their lifestyle
Sebastian Koniarz, Staff Writer • October 14, 2026
Students reading at the 2024 Witching Hour Read-a-thon. Since then the Witching Hour Read-a-thon has introduced priority signups prioritizing students who actively participated in the Reading Initiative in previous years.
Opinion roundup: Witching Hour Read-a-thon introduces priority signups
Brailyn Almonte, Opinion Editor • October 7, 2026
Townsend Harris had recently began shifting away from using technology in the classroom. Afarah believes this push for handwritten notes and assignments is beneficial to the overall academic integrity of the school.
OPINION: the shift away from digital notetaking bolsters academic integrity
Afarah Cruz-Tillery, Opinion Manager • September 30, 2026
Sports
Highlights
Hawks History: inside the girls varsity epee fencing team's city championship victory
Assistant Principal of English Ryan Dunbar (left) and mathematics teacher Kayla Gill (right) who have departed Townsend Harris for administrative positions at other schools this fall.
Hawks History: inside the girls varsity tennis team's championship season
Features
Guidance Counselor Victor Wang began working at THHS last year. He replaced former guidance counselor Jeremy Wang
Guidance counselor Victor Wang talks counseling, coaching, and traveling
Sophomore Features Team • October 12, 2026
Ethan Yu interviews Zendaya for TIME for Kids. Photo courtesy of Ethan Yu.
Freshman Ethan Yu discusses his experience in the Time for Kids kid reporter program
October 6, 2026
Late nights and early mornings leave many THHS students feeling short on sleep. In a Classic poll of 96 students, 60.4% said they do not get enough sleep on school nights, while nearly 40% reported getting six hours or fewer. Image made with Canva.
The Classic Breakdown: Harrisite sleep by the numbers
October 3, 2026
Students march from the Parsons Boulevard building to Townsend Harris’s new home on the Queens College campus on April 24, 1995, carrying a banner celebrating the school’s recognition for excellence in education. Photo provided by Continental Studios.
From Parsons to Melbourne: the move that helped shape modern Townsend Harris
September 29, 2026
According to The Classic Breakdown, more students buy coffee at cafes than make it at home using their own supplies. Pictured above: Coffee mate creamer, part of food giant Nestle's portfolio, for sale at a supermarket in Queens, New York City, U.S., September 3, 2025. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
The Classic Breakdown: does Townsend Harris run on caffeine?
September 26, 2026
Arts & Entertainment
As AI art improves, Harrisites struggle to spot the difference
Earlier this year, the Yearbook Team opened an Instagram account to create a more collaborative experience for students during the process of working on the yearbook.
Queens College’s LeFrak Concert Hall is one of many local venues that give New York City teens access to live music close to home. While major arena shows can come with high ticket prices, smaller and college-based venues can offer additional opportunities to attend concerts nearby.
Juniors Esther Chang and Seph Penaflor, president and vice president of Design For All, speak to potential members in the gym during Club Fair.
Multimedia
Science and Technology
"AI Artificial Intelligence" words, a keyboard and a robotics hand in this illustration taken, September 23, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
STEMsters board provides STEM exposure for k-5 students

Adora Uddin, Science and Technology Editor

October 9, 2026

Student Engineering Association allows for a low commitment club for those interested in STEM
Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Kick, YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Reddit, Threads and X applications are displayed on a mobile phone in this picture illustration taken on December 9, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/Illustration
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