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

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Northwestern's 2026 Schapiro Award recipients await being featured during the graduation ceremony on June 14 at Chicago's United Center. Pictured from left to right are honorees Jim Walker, Brian Sweeney, Alessandra King, and James Kennedy. Photo provided by Abigail Griffin.
English teacher Brian Sweeney honored with teaching award at Northwestern University ceremony
August 17, 2026
With floors recently polished by the school custodial staff, Room 410 reopened last week for the school's annual summer program. The program offered students a chance to join the school newspaper, theater company, and robotics team.
Summer Enrichment Program helps incoming freshmen get a head start on extracurriculars
August 10, 2026
Students using cellphones in a classroom
Incoming freshmen bring varied perspectives and experiences on smartphone ban
August 3, 2026
Freshman-sophomore class presidents Nora Elsaway and Aribah Tazmeen hold up award for the class of 2029.
Reading Initiative awards $2,000 prize to Class of 2029
July 30, 2026
The Queens College/Townsend Harris partnership has been "unpaused" following an agreement involving CUNY's College Now program.
Townsend Harris partnership with Queens College “unpaused” through CUNY College Now program
July 27, 2026
A youth delegate speaking during the Youth and AI Summit at the United Nations Headquarters on August 12.
United Nations hosts Youth and AI Summit, as speakers call for youth involvement in AI policy decisions
August 15, 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
Rising senior Aki Benjamin, pictured in the SU office, is weeks away from beginning his term as SU president.
SU Profile: Rising senior Aki Benjamin prepares to lead the Student Union
August 18, 2026
Accepted students and families attended a presentation in the auditorium at the Open House on March 23, 2026.
How incoming freshmen made their choices during a competitive admissions process
August 11, 2026
With the sun beginning to set on summer, students are thinking about how to make every moment matter. Pictured above: A fisherman is pictured at sunset at the northern end of the airport runway on the small nation island of Nauru, April 15, 2010/REUTERS/Rod Henshaw
With August here, new experiences might be the key to making summer last longer
August 4, 2026
At the fourth club trial, members created vinyl shaped CDs inspired by their favorite South Asian songs.
Club Spotlight: South Asian Student Association club to return this fall
July 28, 2026
Annabelle Clow starred as Ariel Moore, the female lead of Footloose, as her first performance with the Nightingale Theatre Company. (Photo Courtesy of Nightingale Theatre Company)
Performer Spotlight: Annabelle Clow discusses her breakout performance in Footloose
July 23, 2026
Students pick books to read during banned book day. Harrasites share their thoughts on having required summer reading homework.
Opinion roundup: Incoming Harrisites share their thoughts on summer reading
August 12, 2026
Student volunteers cheer and welcome THHS prospective students and their families as they arrive at open house on March 23.
OPINIONGRAPHIC: Incoming members of the Class of 2030 share their perspective on admissions
August 5, 2026
Early start times have been criticized by many students. Julia Pavone says dreading early start times goes beyond students not wanting to wake up early. Early start times have been proved to negatively impact the health of students.
OPINION: The case for more sleep and a later start time
July 29, 2026
The new cafeteria renovations in Townsend Harris featuring the grab and go lunch system. Ying Hong Wu says that this new lunch system has shortened waiting times for lunch and has reduced food waste since students can now choose what they would like to eat.
OPINION: Why the Grab & Go Lunch System Needs to Stay
July 22, 2026
Art depicting students entering Townsend Harris.
OPINION: Despite those who say teens need a later start due to sleep, classes shouldn’t start later in the morning
July 15, 2026
Starling Press editors, pictured above, work together to publish student-authored writing using Kindle software. Photo courtesy of the THHS Yearbook.
Starling Press editors use Kindle software to publish student-authored e-books
August 20, 2026
Cast members Sadie Sink, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Krondon, Michael Mando, Liza Colon-Zayas, Tramell Tillman, and Jon Bernthal as they attend the world premiere for the film Spider-Man: Brand New Day in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 27, 2026. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
As Spider-Man breaks box office records, incoming freshmen report renewed interest in movie theaters
August 6, 2026
Annabelle Clow starred as Ariel Moore, the female lead of Footloose, as her first performance with the Nightingale Theatre Company. (Photo Courtesy of Nightingale Theatre Company)
Performer Spotlight: Annabelle Clow discusses her breakout performance in Footloose
July 23, 2026
Cast members, directors, and crew gather after the One-Act Play Festival, which showcased four student-written plays during Harris Fest.
Nightingale Theater Company stages One-Act Play Festival following publication of student-written plays
July 16, 2026
Brais performing with the THHS orchestra
Musician Spotlight: junior Brais Macknik-Conde on leading Chamber Strings as Concertmaster
July 11, 2026
The THHS Math Team competed at the Queens College Math Competition resulting in Sydney Liu winning 1st place
Junior Sydney Liu wins 1st place at QC Math Competition
August 21, 2026
Air Quality alerts from Canadian wildfires this summer impacted NYC residents. Pictured above: a view of smoky skies from Queens this July.
Recent air quality alerts put wildfire risks back in focus
August 14, 2026
The moon shines in the night sky over the farming village of San Agustin del Pozo, Spain, July 23, 2026, where retired shepherd and self-taught astronomer Joaquin Tapioles conducts observations with a telescope and observatory he built with his own hands, the village lies just within the path of the August 2026 total solar eclipse. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura
As summer winds down, sleep experts recommend a gradual shift back to school sleep routines for teens
August 7, 2026
Teachers from the Math department posing together.
STEM Departmental Year-End Wrap-Up: New curricula alongside assessment and scheduling changes
July 31, 2026
The 2026-2027 Robotics Board was announced after a successful season. The new board consist of 2 juniors and 8 seniors.
Club spotlight: New Robotics leaders prepare for 2026-2027 school year
July 24, 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
Keeping it Classic Podcast: Class of 2030 talks this year's admissions process
Multimedia
Keeping it Classic Podcast: Class of 2030 talks this year’s admissions process
Vickie Eng, Giovanna Parris, Arianna Look, Arianna Jaype, and Afsheen Rana • August 19, 2026
Rising senior Aki Benjamin, pictured in the SU office, is weeks away from beginning his term as SU president.
Features
SU Profile: Rising senior Aki Benjamin prepares to lead the Student Union
Sena Shew, Staff Writer • August 18, 2026
Northwestern's 2026 Schapiro Award recipients await being featured during the graduation ceremony on June 14 at Chicago's United Center. Pictured from left to right are honorees Jim Walker, Brian Sweeney, Alessandra King, and James Kennedy. Photo provided by Abigail Griffin.
News
English teacher Brian Sweeney honored with teaching award at Northwestern University ceremony
Derrick Huang • August 17, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino are seen as Spain players celebrate with the trophy after winning the World Cup on July 19. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Mark J Rebilas
Sports
Incoming freshmen share their experiences watching the 2026 World Cup
Lucas Aguirre, Jaylinn Contin, Vickie Eng, Farzad Hayath, and Caitlin See • August 16, 2026
News
The Latest from Classic TV
Opinion
Students pick books to read during banned book day. Harrasites share their thoughts on having required summer reading homework.
Opinion roundup: Incoming Harrisites share their thoughts on summer reading
Andrea Garcia, Elizabeth Bhoge, Maya West-Nguyen, Joela Mema, Nicholas Kendt, and Benjamin Callahan • August 12, 2026
Student volunteers cheer and welcome THHS prospective students and their families as they arrive at open house on March 23.
OPINIONGRAPHIC: Incoming members of the Class of 2030 share their perspective on admissions
Summer Team • August 5, 2026
Early start times have been criticized by many students. Julia Pavone says dreading early start times goes beyond students not wanting to wake up early. Early start times have been proved to negatively impact the health of students.
OPINION: The case for more sleep and a later start time
Julia Pavone, Staff Writer • July 29, 2026
Sports
Classic Spotlight
Book Reviews
Highlights
Inside the girls varsity tennis team's championship season
Hawks History: a special feature on the girls varsity volleyball team’s season
Hawks History: a special feature on the boys varsity basketball team's season
Features
Accepted students and families attended a presentation in the auditorium at the Open House on March 23, 2026.
How incoming freshmen made their choices during a competitive admissions process
Aaron Alvarado, Arianna Look, Giovanna Parris, Alter Lee, Stella Hayutin, Isabela Alviar, and David Rosario • August 11, 2026
With the sun beginning to set on summer, students are thinking about how to make every moment matter. Pictured above: A fisherman is pictured at sunset at the northern end of the airport runway on the small nation island of Nauru, April 15, 2010/REUTERS/Rod Henshaw
With August here, new experiences might be the key to making summer last longer
August 4, 2026
Classic Conversations
Natalia Piekarski is the latest senior to be featured in the Classic Conversations series.
Taking It One Step at a Time: Senior Natalia Piekarski tells The Classic her THHS story
Halo Simms • January 25, 2026
Michael Lugo is the latest senior to be featured in the Classic Conversations series.
Simplicity is best, less is more: Senior Michael Lugo tells The Classic his THHS story
Vaibhvi Patel, Staff Writer • January 18, 2026
Mark Mbogho is the latest senior to be featured in the Classic Conversations series.
Going the Extra Mile: Senior Mark Mbogho tells The Classic his THHS story
Jim Zheng • December 15, 2025
Arts & Entertainment
Cast members Sadie Sink, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Krondon, Michael Mando, Liza Colon-Zayas, Tramell Tillman, and Jon Bernthal as they attend the world premiere for the film Spider-Man: Brand New Day in Los Angeles, California, U.S., July 27, 2026. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
Annabelle Clow starred as Ariel Moore, the female lead of Footloose, as her first performance with the Nightingale Theatre Company. (Photo Courtesy of Nightingale Theatre Company)
Cast members, directors, and crew gather after the One-Act Play Festival, which showcased four student-written plays during Harris Fest.
Brais performing with the THHS orchestra
Multimedia
Science and Technology
Air Quality alerts from Canadian wildfires this summer impacted NYC residents. Pictured above: a view of smoky skies from Queens this July.
The moon shines in the night sky over the farming village of San Agustin del Pozo, Spain, July 23, 2026, where retired shepherd and self-taught astronomer Joaquin Tapioles conducts observations with a telescope and observatory he built with his own hands, the village lies just within the path of the August 2026 total solar eclipse. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura
Teachers from the Math department posing together.
The 2026-2027 Robotics Board was announced after a successful season. The new board consist of 2 juniors and 8 seniors.
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