Ervin Drake was an American songwriter whose works include such American Songbook standards as "I Believe" and "It Was a Very Good Year". He wrote in a variety of styles and his work has been recorded by musicians around the world. In 1983, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Townsend Harris High School at Queens College (THHS) is a public magnet high school for the humanities in the New York City borough of Queens. It is located on the campus of Queens College, City University of New York. Townsend Harris consistently ranks as among the top 100 high schools in the United States. Since 2019, U.S. News & World Report has ranked THHS top 10 in New York State; THHS ranked #78 nationally in 2024 and #9 in state. The school was named in honor of Townsend Harris, the 19th-century American merchant, politician, and diplomat who served as the first American Consul to Japan. Students and alumni often refer to themselves as "Harrisites."