![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)
Spring musical: Students audition for first round of casting process
Students Sean Knudsen (11), Zoe Woehrmann (10), Madeline Lang-Ree (10), and Shazdeh Hussain (11) prepare for the spring musical Oklahoma! auditions. Comprising of three rounds, one of which was completed today, the casting process involves singing, reading monologues, and dancing.
Students hoping to perform in the upcoming Conservatory program’s spring musical, Oklahoma!, sang sample tunes and read various monologues during the first round of auditions today at lunch and after school.
Set in the early 1900s, Oklahoma!, an original broadway show, narrates the love triangle between Laurey Williams, a farm girl, and her two suitors, cowboy Curly McLain and farm hand Jud Fry. It is known for its lively combination of music and dance. For Justin Gerard (12), who has performed in previous musicals, this year’s show holds a special meaning.
“I like this musical in particular because I love the songs,” he said. “It is a very high energy musical and has a relatively good story. I like a few of the characters, especially Jud Fry.”
Auditions were held in groups of up to five students by Performing Arts department chair and musical director Laura Lang-Ree, who has also directed past plays and musicals.
“I try my best to give the Conservatory students a range of musical styles during their four years,” Lang-Ree said. “The current seniors had a modern light opera, rock modern musical, contemporary, and now it’s time for a classic! And Oklahoma! is the best of the classics in my opinion.”
While waiting for their turn, students warmed up and helped each other run through lines to practice for their auditions in the rehearsal room. Some students who have had previous theatrical experiences were confident about their auditions, whereas others felt more anxious.
“I thought it would be a great learning experience. It is my first high school audition, so I was kind of nervous,” Janet Lee (9) said.
The audition process will continue with two more rounds in which students will perform dance numbers as well as further script readings. Once the casting is completed, students will begin rehearsing for the show.
A member of the journalism program since freshman year, senior Allison Sun is the Features Editor and Webmaster of Harker Aquila. She was also TalonWP...
