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

The Classic
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Rising juniors David Palacio, Julian Kenney, and Elena Clow playing the drums, guitar, and piano for a performance during Keepers Day, with rising junior Yuze Liu and rising senior Lukas Cooper on bass and guitar.
Photo gallery: from free cotton candy to prizes, Keepers Day marks an end to another school year
July 8, 2026
Mr. Connor alongside the 2024-2025 track captains at an indoor meet at The Armory track in uptown NYC.
Dean, teacher, and coach Timothy Connor retires from Townsend Harris
July 6, 2026
Attendees of the graduation ceremony doing a “Fist to Five,” in memory of Mr. Seidel.
Photo gallery: Class of 2026 walks across the stage at Colden, officially becoming ‘graduates’
July 2, 2026
The memorial board in room 415 on which students left messages and artwork in rememberance of Mr. Seidel.
Throughout a month of mourning, community members find various ways to honor the life and legacy of Mr. Seidel
June 29, 2026
Incoming Student Union President junior Aki Bejamin and other SU candidates sitting on stage while waiting to give their speeches during the May 18 SU Debate. Aki said he plans to “burn [the SU] all down and start anew.”
After campaigning on claims of a ‘broken’ Student Union, incoming president Aki Benjamin details his plans to ‘burn it all down and start anew’
June 25, 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
Junior Uma Hardeo was elected as the 2026-2027 Student Union Vice President after serving as treasurer this year. Uma said she is “most excited about being able to connect to the student body more.”
SU Spotlight: SU Treasurer Uma Hardeo takes on the role of SU Vice President
July 7, 2026
Class of 2026 Salutatorian Kaitlyn Lee.
Q&A with Class of 2026 Salutatorian Kaitlyn Lee
June 24, 2026
Class of 2026 valedictorian Samira Orva.
Q&A with Class of 2026 Valedictorian Samia Orva
June 23, 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
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
Video: Nightingale Theater Company hosts One Act Festival
Video: Nightingale Theater Company hosts One Act Festival
July 1, 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
Sophomore Science Research allows for students to build a research project based on their own curiosities and interests.
Sophomore end-of-year projects offer a chance to develop original avenues for science research
July 10, 2026
Students connect through gaming while playing Super Smash Bros at the Witching Hour overnight Reading Initiative event.
Gamers on both sides of the classroom: how Harrisites connect through video games
July 3, 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
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
Rising juniors David Palacio, Julian Kenney, and Elena Clow playing the drums, guitar, and piano for a performance during Keepers Day, with rising junior Yuze Liu and rising senior Lukas Cooper on bass and guitar.
Multimedia
Photo gallery: from free cotton candy to prizes, Keepers Day marks an end to another school year
Daniel Kim, Staff Photographer • July 8, 2026
Junior Uma Hardeo was elected as the 2026-2027 Student Union Vice President after serving as treasurer this year. Uma said she is “most excited about being able to connect to the student body more.”
Features
SU Spotlight: SU Treasurer Uma Hardeo takes on the role of SU Vice President
Shu You Zheng, Staff Writer • July 7, 2026
Mr. Connor alongside the 2024-2025 track captains at an indoor meet at The Armory track in uptown NYC.
News
Dean, teacher, and coach Timothy Connor retires from Townsend Harris
Julina Chen, News Editor • July 6, 2026
On May 17, members of the girls fencing team and Coach Diane Ramirez pose following the epee team's win at PSAL fencing championships.
Sports
Girls varsity fencing epee team finishes first at city championships
Maggie Gildea • July 5, 2026
News
The Latest from Classic TV
Opinion
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
Afarah Cruz-Tillery, Staff Writer • 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
Violet Au, Salma Aouissi, Mirabelle Miketa-Garcia, Nicole Harvan, Methulia Medage, and Amanda Ng • 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
Sebastian Koniarz, Aryan Sheikh, and Aarav Singh • June 3, 2026
Sports
Classic Spotlight
Book Reviews
Highlights
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
The gymnasium set up for standardized testing.
Features
Class of 2026 Salutatorian Kaitlyn Lee.
Q&A with Class of 2026 Salutatorian Kaitlyn Lee
Yasmeen Ismail • June 24, 2026
Class of 2026 valedictorian Samira Orva.
Q&A with Class of 2026 Valedictorian Samia Orva
June 23, 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
Video: Nightingale Theater Company hosts One Act Festival
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
Music Teacher Christopher Lee leads strings during the second day of the Spring Concert.
Junior Albert Khyan and some members of the Wonderers set up “The Wonderers Magic Shop” after school next to the auditorium entrance.
Multimedia
Science and Technology
Students connect through gaming while playing Super Smash Bros at the Witching Hour overnight Reading Initiative event.
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.
Due to the new cafeteria system at THHS, more plastic containers are being thrown out everyday
The THHS Robotics team, the Steel Hawks, competed at Worlds after winning the Engineering Inspiration Award
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