![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates, Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt exist, you can build it yourself, Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasnt making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable, Carter Chadwick (22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and its played such a major role in who Ive become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something Im [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala (21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“Im not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you arent going to get those championships if you arent fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
Matriculation welcomes students and faculty to new school year
Head of School Christopher Nikoloff gives the first speech of Matriculation. The Matriculation Ceremony took place on the morning of Aug. 19 in the Quad.
August 19, 2016
The 2016-2017 school year officially began this morning with the Upper School’s annual Matriculation Ceremony, which invited students and faculty to the Quad to attend a series of speeches and performances.
After the seniors, juniors and sophomores took their seats, the Upper School faculty, dressed in black caps and gowns, walked into the Quad and sat onstage. Both students and faculty then stood and applauded during the processional of the Class of 2020, the new freshman class.
Head of School Christopher Nikoloff then stepped to the podium to deliver the first speech of Matriculation and discuss the importance of welcoming new members into the Harker community.
“The vision of you standing and applauding all of the new members of the Upper School- freshmen, anyone else who has joined the upper school community- is so inspirational,” he said.
Cantilena, directed by vocal music teacher Susan Nace, then performed “This Little Light of Mine.” Afterwards, Upper School Division Head Butch Keller addressed the audience with a speech about respect, integrity and character. Keller also decided to break with tradition and speak without referencing any notes, citing his desire to step out of his comfort zone.
“Mr. Keller’s speech was nice; it was a little bit different considering he didn’t read from the podium but besides that, it was basically reiterating the same ideas that we’re supposed to already know,” Linus Li (11) said.
ASB president Sandip Nirmel (12) then made his speech. He commented on the construction of the new events center and gymnasium and addressed each of the classes individually, focusing on making the most out of both the new school year and the future.
“If senior year is a carrot, let’s extract as much juice from this carrot as possible,” Sandip said while speaking to the Class of 2017. “America is built on the idea that you don’t let obstacles stand in your way; you find workarounds, engineer solutions and pursue your passions.”
Following an acknowledgement of ASB and class council members and a reading of the Matriculation oath, Assistant Head of School Jennifer Gargano introduced the Harker String Quartet, comprised of violinists May Gao (12) and Cuebeom Choi (12), violist Jerry Peng (10) and cellist Edward Oh (12). The quartet performed a rendition of “Nothing Else Matters,” a song originally performed by Metallica, while students new to the Upper School signed the Honor Code.
Members of ASB and the class councils then gave freshmen a preview of school life with their annual presentation of “Freshman 101.” This year’s skits centered on the adventures of freshman Bob the Builder and his encounters with superheroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk, the Powerpuff Girls, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Teen Titans.
“Freshman 101 was an interesting way to introduce new students to the Upper School,” Annie Ma (9) said. “I thought the presentations were really funny.”
Nikoloff then took the stage once more to deliver his closing remarks. After the recessional of the faculty, students left the quad to meet with their advisory, attend grade-level orientations and take their pictures for the yearbook. Students also checked their lockers and received time management worksheets from their advisors.
Classes for the 2016-2017 school year will begin next Monday, on Aug. 22.
